Top 10 Things to Do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

As the most visited attraction in Zhangjiajie City, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty of peak forests, dense vegetation, winding streams, and more. With over 90 spots scattered in 6 core areas, it’s worth a few days to explore thoroughly. The following 10 things can help you to efficiently experience the essence of this magical park.
 The first thing to do is to find the towering peak known as Qiankun Column, the real-life inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar. Standing before the mountain, you can understand why director Cameron found his muse here—the 150-meter-tall quartz sandstone pillar seems to defy gravity and suspend mid-air. With sharp edges and lush trees on its top, it is inaccessible and looks so mysterious. Snap a photo with it at the observation deck to blend yourself into the movie scene, which will be the perfect keepsake of your visit to this fairyland.

Floating Mountain

Bailong Elevator on the Cliff

 Have you ever experienced taking an elevator at a mountain’s foot and soaring to a height of 330 meters (1,080 feet) in just 2 minutes? This is the excitement that Bailong Elevator can give you, which is presently the highest outdoor sightseeing elevator in the world. When it rises to rush out of the concrete shaft built in the mountain, a giant picture consisting of thousands of peaks unveils in front of tourists in the cabin, catching everyone’s eye.
 If you ask where the essence of the peak forest in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is, the answer must be Yuanjiajie. Hundreds of sandstone formations with different shapes rise from a deep valley; looking from the observation deck, you will find an ever-changing arrangement and combination, as if you walk into a labyrinth. 

Other than sandstone pillars, a unique natural stone bridge that connects two huge peaks is also worth viewing. Stepping on it, you can overlook cliffs beneath your feet with lush trees surrounding. The railings on the bridge are covered with red ribbons of prayers. You might as well leave your wish; someday it may really come true!

Overlook Stone Pillars at Enchanting Terrace

 Rainy days are not necessarily unfavorable conditions for your trip to Zhangjiajie Forest Park, as on a sunny morning after rain, you may surprisingly see a sea of clouds on the top of Tianzi Mountain. The high altitude and open terrain make it easy for water vapor to condense into a large sea of clouds. It flows among peaks with the wind, which only have their top exposed, just like small islands floating in the sky.

The best viewing time is usually from 6:00 to 8:30, and the West Sea Peak Forests serves as an excellent spot. Remember to check the weather in advance; with pretty luck, you can capture the sea of clouds and the morning sunlight at the same time.

Tianzi Mountain with Sea of Clouds

 As a representative of waterscape in this mountainous park, Golden Whip Stream flowing through a cool canyon with dense vegetation is a good place to avoid the summer heat. Taking a deep breath, you can smell fresh air that instantly washes away the fatigue of walking and climbing. The entire trail is gentle, without a burden on the elderly to hike through. The pebbles at the bottom of the stream are clearly visible, providing a great place for children to enjoy water activities. Watch the time! They may even not want to leave. 

Enjoy Water Activities at Golden Whip Stream

 If you prefer a quiet trip, Huangshi Village would be a surprising choice. Don’t be misled by its name: it’s not a village but a mountaintop sightseeing area where you can appreciate majestic sandstone views. A circular trail connects multiple observation decks, jointly providing a panoramic perspective of peak forests. Compared to popular Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, there are much fewer tour groups here, and sometimes you even have the viewing platform all to yourself. Just take your time to savor the scenery.

Admire Peaks at Quiet Huangshi Village

 Countless mountains in Zhangjiajie Forest Park make it a paradise for climbing enthusiasts, among which Yangjiajie serves as the most challenging and thrilling. In this area, visitors preferring challenges can experience climbing an iron ladder built along the mountain’s body with 32 steps, almost vertical to the ground. Standing on the summit feels like being at the top of the world, where one can all but touch the clouds. Some trails are narrow and steep, allowing only one person to pass through. You have to clamber step by step while holding the iron chains. 

Facts about Hiking in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Best Hiking Trails in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Climb Narrow Path in Yangjiajie

 It adds fun to family outings. The trains running along the 1.8-km (1.1-mile) valley with towering peaks on both sides adopt Chinese zodiac-shaped design and are thus particularly attractive to children. They can observe changing contours of the mountains as the train travels: a peak looks like an old man with a basket on his back, and another is in the shape of a little dog staring up at the sky. At the end of the valley, three peaks with similar height rise closely, as if three sisters stand side by side. 

There is a hiking trail parallel to the train track. You can also take a one-way train to enter and then hike back.

Picturesque Ten Miles Gallery

 It is a great pleasure on the journey. Thanks to the superb natural environment, groups of monkeys become another symbol of the park. They often gather to bask in the sun, groom their fur, or have fun with their young. They are accustomed to tourists, so you can watch them with ease, but do not tease or provoke. Bold ones may patrol the roads and ask for food with their eyes. However, it’s not allowed to feed them. You can take a photo with these cute animals from a proper distance.

Cute Monkeys

Take a Cable Car for Sightseeing

 Riding a cable car to ascend or descend the mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park not only helps to save time and effort, but also serves as a way to overlook the mountains. During the ride, tourists easily catch a bird’s-eye perspective of the vast peaks. 

The 10-minute uphill journey of Tianzi Mountain Cableway is widely recommended as the best. As the cable car slowly rises from the valley, you can clearly see clusters of stone pillars rising from the dense forest. Flickering peaks in the clouds and mist in the distance make tourists feel as if they are on the planet Pandora at that moment. 

 Further Reading:
Top FAQs about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
How to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
How to get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park