Zhangjiajie Nightlife

Other than top attractions like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Grand Canyon to visit in the daytime, Zhangjiajie’s nightlife is also colorful. Although people of the Han Nationality are the principal part in the city, the populations of ethnic minority groups like the Tujia and Miao are sizeable, which makes the night have its own flavors. For example, you can either go to watch wonderful night shows concerning local folk customs or taste Zhangjiajie snack food at night markets at low prices. In addition, the light show at Tianmen Cave makes you feel like being in a real heaven.
 

Once called “A Chinese Landscape Broadway”, Tianmen Fox Fairy Show is a real-scene musical drama with Tianmen Mountain as its stage background. It tells the romantic story between a human and a fox fairy: the Fox King wanted the Fox Fairy to be his wife, but she didn't want to and fell in love with a human - Liuhai. During the escape from the King's tracing, the 2 lovers were separated by a gorge, and reunited after 1,000 years' waiting.

 Location: Tianmen Mountain Gorge Theater, 6.5km (4 mi) far from the lower station of Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
 Show Time: 20:20 every day from March 1st to December 31st
 Duration: about 1h
 Tickets:

Regular Seat	CNY178
VIP Seat	Regular VIP Seats: CNY198 VIP Seats in Area A: CNY398 VIP Seats in Area B: CNY288

Tip: During the show, there are real-time English subtitles for an easier understanding.

Tianmen Fox Fairy Show

 

The Show concentrates on folk customs of western Hunan Province. The 1.5-hour-long show consists of 4 parts of dancing and singing, during which you will be overwhelmed by the passionate beats of Tujia Maosigu dancing, the lively atmosphere of Dong ethnic group’s Helong Banquet, and Tujia & Miao ethnic groups’ crying wedding culture.

 Location: Charming Xiangxi Theater; less than 2 km (1.2 mi) far from the east gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
 Show Time: 18:00, 19:20, and 20:40 every day 
 Duration: 1.5h
 Tickets:

Regular Seat	CNY158
VIP Seat	CNY178
Super VIP Seat	CNY228

Charming Xiangxi Show

 Zhangjiajie Eternal Love or Zhangjiajie Qianguqing is mainly themed on Zhangjiajie’s natural beauty and long history. Its visual effect is breathtaking by the usage of VIR and AR techniques: visitors can watch the elevation of Zhangjiajie from underwater world to land world, and the mountain groups in Wulingyuan.

 Location: Zhangjiajie Qianguqing Theater, 4km (2.5mi) far from the east gate of Zhangjiajie Forest Park
 Show Time: 16:00, 18:00, 19:20, and 20:40 every day
 Duration: 1h
 Tickets: CNY158/ CNY178/ CNY198/ CNY480
 Yanyu Zhangjiajie not only tells about the romantic story between girls and boys, but also shows the daily life in ethnical group villages. In the show, the performers are dressed with the colorful traditional headscarf and shining sliver ornaments.

 Location: Hallelujah Concert Hall in Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area
 Show Time: 20:00 every day
 Duration: about 1h
 Tickets: CNY210/ CNY260
 By watching Dream Zhangjiajie, you can learn more about Nuo culture – a culture related to local exorcism rituals. Similar to Charming Xiangxi, the show also exhibits local customs like Xiangxi local songs and crying weddings.

 Location: No.8, Baofeng Road, Wulingyuan District, about 3.3 km (2.1 mi) far from Zhangjiajie Forest Park’s east gate
 Show Time: 19:30 every day
 Duration: about 1.5h
 Tickets CNY126/ CNY178/ CNY246
 After watching the fantastic live performances, maybe you need some local food and snacks to satisfy your stomach. At night, the streets of Zhangjiajie are full of vendors selling barbecue and local snacks like: glutinous rice balls in rice wine soup, Tofu pudding, grilled dried Tofu, grilled beef skewers, grilled mutton skewers, Tujia spicy radish, and pickled vegetables. In addition, you can’t miss Tujia wines of varieties including Rice Wine, Corn Wine, Kaoliang Spirits – a liquor made from sorghum, and Snake Wine. These delicious and cheap foods and drinks can be tasted in Zhangjiajie’s night markets like below ones:
 72 Strange Buildings is one of the best places to experience nightlife in Zhangjiajie. What it offers goes beyond abundant Zhangjiajie snack and foods. At night, free live shows are given in the scenic area. Most of all, the grand Tujia stilted buildings shining color lights becomes the icon of Zhangjiajie night view.

72 Strange Buildings

 It is a night market where many locals often go for dining. Compared with 72 Strange Buildings, the food price here is lower.

Similar places like Nan Men Kou are Nanzheng Street (南正街), Jiefang Rod (解放路), and Tianmen Aolai Square (天门奥莱广场). These have been gathering places of night snacks for a long time. The prices are low and the tastes are authentic.

Note that for such night markets, they are usually lined by vendors in the open air environment, usually on both sides of the road. As a result, the environment may not be as good as you expect.
 

Xibu Street Night Market

It is 2.5 km (1.5 mi) far from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park East Gate, recommended to those who planning to stay overnight nearby. The Street gathers not only restaurants, but also street food vendors, bars, and some craft shops. In addition, when it gets dark, the street’s ancient buildings would be lighten up, when is very suitable to take a walk. Note that the street is not as bustling as the above mentioned, so less crowded.
 This night market is about 1 km (0.6 mi) far from Zhangjiajie Forest Park’s east gate. Compared with Xibu Street, this 200-meter-long (220 yards) night market is mainly featured by street foods like barbeque and fruits.
 The night at Tianmen Mountain is also worth mentioning. Compared with the daytime, the visual effect at night may be more impressive: the light illuminates the 999-staircase and the rocks, as if putting a colorful coat on nature. When the weather is good, the shining moon seems like hanging in the center of Tianmen Cave, making it like heaven. The light show usually lasts from 18:00 to 19:30. If you want to see it, visit the Tianmen Mountain in the afternoon. After visiting the attractions on the summit, you can go down to appreciate the show.