Generally speaking, at least 3 days/ 2 nights are needed to visit the core area of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area and the Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge. If you get 4 days/ 3 nights, that will be perfect to see more highlights including the Tianmen Mountain (Heaven's Gate Mountain). For a tour of 5 days or more, a trip to the ancient town of Furong or Fenghuang can be added. We are glad to customize a tour to meet your particular interests.

For customers of our guided tours, we recommend booking your hotel in Wulingyuan District, near the East Gate of the Forest Park. This area provides easy access to major attractions like Zhangjiajie Forest Park and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge, saving your time and maximizing your experience. Our seamless transfer service will also ensure you can easily reach the train station or airport for your next destination. You’ll find a wide range of accommodation options here, from guesthouses to five-star hotels, though be aware that most hotel staff may not speak English.

For independent travelers, it is suggested to spend the first two nights near the East Gate of the Forest Park, while move to downtown Zhangjiajie (40 minutes’ drive away) for your final night. This strategy makes it simple to visit the Tianmen Mountain (Heaven’s Gate) in the downtown area on your last day, and smoothly connect to the railway station or airport.

For visiting Furong Town, it is possible to stay in downtown Zhangjiajie and make a round trip; while for Fenghuang Ancient Town, one night stay there is needed since it is a bit far from Zhangjiajie, and you can fully enjoy its fantastic night views.

Many flights to Zhangjiajie are scheduled in the early morning or in the evening. Direct flights are available from cities of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Nanjing.

High-speed train are also a good way to enter and depart from Zhangjiajie now. The cities of Changsha, Guilin, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong all have high speed trains to Zhangjiajie. It is very convenient for you to plan a trip there.

Visiting Zhangjiajie with seniors or young children is definitely possible, but it requires some thoughtful planning. The difficulty depends on which sights you choose.

For Seniors:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a good option, thanks to its great network of sightseeing shuttles, cable cars, and elevators that can significantly reduce the amount of walking and climbing. The paths and stairs to the main scenic spots are reasonably easy to walk, but some hiking is still required to reach the most spectacular viewpoints. A private family tour allows you to set your own pace, adjust the hiking distance, and take breaks as needed. However, we don’t recommend Yellow Dragon Cave for seniors, especially those with limited mobility or knee problems. While it’s a massive wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, its rugged terrain, countless stairs up and down, and slippery paths can be very challenging.

For Children:
For very young children, a carrier is a wise choice, as strollers are impractical on most of the trails. For pre-teens, hiking is not a problem as the dramatic scenery is exciting enough to keep their spirits up. However, parents should prioritize their children’s safety. Be especially careful near cliffside guardrails, as some gaps can be wide, as the picture below, posing a fall risk. Always keep a close eye on your children and hold their hands tightly, even when you’re absorbed in the incredible views.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any special needs. Our professional travel consultants can help you customize an itinerary that works for your family and provide practical tips for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Timing is important for visiting such a tourist hotspot. Avoid the first week of May and the first week of October which are the grandest holidays in China, when queuing for entrances, shuttles, elevators, and cable cars is a significant problem. Summer vacation in July and August are also not good, with a large number of student visitors.

For a better experience, consider arriving early, visiting during weekdays, and avoiding major Chinese holidays. However, even so, you should still be prepared for some crowds. A one-hour wait for a popular attraction is common. Sometimes, you might need to stand on the shuttle bus for short rides between scenic spots, as seats are not always available. Please let us know your travel dates as early as possible so that we can help you plan a more efficient schedule and even suggest lesser-visited hiking routes to avoid the most crowded areas.