Top 10 Things to Do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

As the top 1 attraction in Zhangjiajie City, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty of peak forests, karst caves, dense forests, clear lakes, winding streams and more. However, the park is so huge, making it impossible to visit all within several days. Then, you may wonder if I have only 1 or 2 days, what are the top things to do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Below are some of our recommendations:
 If you ask where is the essence of the peak forest of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the answer must be Yuanjiajie. Standing on the observation deck of Yuanjiajie, you can see thousands of towering stone pillars with lush trees growing on them. The shapes of the stone peaks vary, some looking like tables, chairs, and tall buildings, and some like young girls. After rain, clouds or mist swirl among the peaks, making Yuanjiajie like a fairyland.

Yuanjiajie

 Hallelujah Mountain is the best-known peak in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, because it is the prototype of the Floating Mountain in the movie Avatar. With sharp edges and lush trees on its top, it is inaccessible and looks mysterious. For every Avatar fan to Zhangjiajie, you must pay a respectful visit to it and record a photo with it. 

Hallelujah Mountain in Zhangjiajie

 Have you ever experienced taking an elevator at mountain 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. The most stunning part of riding the Elevator is when it rises and rushes out of the mountain, it seems that a giant picture consisting of thousands of peaks unveils in front of you.

Bailong Elevator

 If the essence of the mountain scenery of Zhangjiajie Forest Park lies in Yuanjiajie, then Golden Whip Stream must be listed as the most beautiful waterscape of the Park. The Golden Whip Stream is 7.5-kilometer-long (4.5 mi), flowing along a canyon. The dense forests and high mountains on both sides make it beautiful and very cool in summer, thus very suitable for hiking.

Golden Whip Stream

 Baofeng Lake is like a pearl embedded in the mountains. The water is so clear, with rocks of different shapes standing in and waterfall pouring down from surrounding majestic mountains. During the cruise, apart from appreciating scenery, you can also hear songs of local Tujia people.

Baofeng Lake

 Zhangjiajie Forest Park not only has mountains and water views but also karst caves. Among them, Huanglong Cave was selected as the most beautiful cave in China. Go underground into the cave, you can see countless milky white, coarse or fine stalagmites, stone pillars, and stones shaped like pearls and corals. The red, green, and blue illumination light shines on the stones, making the cave like a palace. What makes Huanglong Cave unique is that it not only has stones, but also underground rivers, waterfalls, and mountains. You can take a boat tour to explore this underground “palace".

Yellow Dragon Cave

 Taking sightseeing train to visit the Ten Miles Gallery is also a must do in Zhangjiajie Forest Park. On both sides of the path are dense forests and unique rocks. If it rains, white mist floats around the peaks, making the Gallery like a fairyland.

Ten Miles Gallery

 Countless mountains in Zhangjiajie Forest Park are a paradise for climbing enthusiasts. There are several climbing routes here, including Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yellowstone Village, and Yangjiajie. Comparatively, Tianzi Mountain route requires more physical strength and the scenery along the route is beautiful, very suitable for experienced climbing lovers. While climbing, you can see the peaks you have seen before from more angles. The sense of accomplishment of climbing over 5,000 steps to the summit cannot be achieved by taking cable car. Reaching the summit, the scenery in Sky Garden, namely terraced farmlands and Commanding Generals Deck featuring countless peaks looking like standing soldiers make your efforts worthwhile.

Tianzi Mountain Climbing

 

Monkey in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Groups of monkeys are another symbol of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Due to the superb natural environment in the Park, you can see these cute animals in many places, including Yuanjiajie’s Enchanting Stage, Bailong Elevator’s lower station, Golden Whip Stream, and Oxygen Bar Square. They either stroll in the forest or swim in the stream. Some monkeys are gentle and you can take a photo with them. But don’t get too close to them; they may be scared and attack you.
 No.1 Stone Bridge in the World is one of the top 10 scenic spots in Zhangjiajie. This bridge is about 300 meters (985 feet) high above the ground and connects 2 mountains on 2 sides. So far, it is the found naturally formed stone bridge with the highest drop in the world. Below the bridge floor, the arch opening is like a round mirror hanging between the valleys. At sunset, when the sunray shines on the yellow rocks, the bridge seems to reflect golden light.