Zhangjiajie National Park is located in central China, in the northwest of Hunan Province, more than 1000 kilometers from Shanghai and Beijing. Zhangjiajie is famous for its stunning scenery! The nature of the park amazes with its splendor: huge sandstone pillars located above the tropical forest, a labyrinth of karst caves, majestic waterfalls, a picturesque lake, and powerful rivers.
Zhangjiajie Park became famous all over the world thanks to the incredible landscapes of the film "Avatar", because it was the picturesque landscapes of Zhangjiajie that served as inspiration for creating the fairy-tale nature of the film "Avatar"! And in 1982, Zhangjiajie Park, with an area of 264.6 km², became China's first national forest park.
Best time to travel to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie Park is open to visitors all year round, and at different times the mountains are particularly beautiful. The most successful time is considered to be from April to June and from September to October - favorable weather will allow you to enjoy magnificent views and silence.
During the period from April to June it can be rainy, but there is a chance to see an unforgettable view - mountains in a sea of clouds. From May to October it is usually crowded, but it rarely rains. In addition, in autumn Zhangjiajie Park feels a refreshing wind, bright sun, comfortable temperatures and fairy-tale-colored vegetation.
We strongly recommend using the services of a professional guide, who will book tickets for you in advance and choose the best route, avoiding queues if possible. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Every year, more than 35,000 clients from different countries trust us to conduct tours around China for them - and for that there are reasons!
In winter, from December to February, it is cold in the mountains, snow and frost are possible, and there is ice on the roads, so we do not recommend our tourists to travel during this period. But if you still choose this time of year for your trip, then you will find magnificent scenery of snowy mountains, as well as favorable hotel rates. 
How to get to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, located in northwest Hunan Province (south-central China), is about 320 kilometers north of Changsha, the provincial capital.
Despite the development of infrastructure and promotion of tourism, Zhangjiajie is still considered a small city, surrounded by mountains, with a small airport and no high-speed rail service (although there is a high-speed train from other cities to Changsha).
There are a limited number of direct trains and flights from China's main tourist cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Xi'an) to Zhangjiajie. If there are no direct flights or trains from your host city, you may want to consider a connecting flight in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Changsha.
We do not recommend direct train journeys from the main tourist cities as they take at least 10-20 hours. The nearest major city from which you can reach Zhangjiajie by high-speed train is Changsha. However, it is also quite far away - the trip will take about 5 hours and will bring you a lot of trouble.
Bring some light snacks with you in case you are not satisfied with the local food. If necessary, your guide will help organize a picnic (with food prepared at the hotel).
Travel to Zhangjiajie with China Highlights
In Zhangjiajie, it is recommended to use the services of a private guide and driver. The national park is quite large, with confusing roads and crowded with tourists most of the time. The guide will help you get where you want to go and also find a way to avoid queues.
Below you will find most popular tours in Zhangjiajie:
- Classic tour to China + Mount Avatar (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai + Zhangjiajie), 10 days
In order to explore the main attractions of Zhangjiajie, three or four days will be enough. You can choose a ready-made tour, create your own, or take the tour you like as a basis and make your own changes. And we will help you draw up logical route, because this is the advantage Individual tour with China Highlights .
What to take with you
- Documents (passport, visa)
- Chinese money (at least 1,000 RMB / 150 USD) + credit/bank card
- Camera
- Clothes for the season, comfortable for hiking
- Rain protection (especially in spring)
- Sun protection (especially in summer)
- Anti-slip sports shoes or shoes suitable for walking
- Layered clothing in spring and autumn
- Umbrella or sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries (bring your own toilet paper)
- Necessary medications
- Snack
The fairytale landscapes of Zhangjiajie sandstone pillars are famous all over the world. The picturesque nature and rich ethnic culture of Zhangjiajie enchant and make the trip unforgettable!
We organize individual tours throughout China!
Write to us and our Russian-speaking experts will be happy to help organize your trip. We will provide you with an advantageous offer of a tourist program that meets your wishes as quickly as possible and answer all your questions.
Millions of people who watched the sensational blockbuster, in addition to the impressive plot, appreciated the unreality of the landscapes of the planet Pandora.
The planet's landscape is based on Jiankunzhu Mountain, located in China. In January 2010, the mountain was named "Hallelujah, Avatar".
Mount Avatar in China (translated as “Southern Pillar of Heaven”) is located in one of the provinces - Hunan. Its height is 150 meters (about 1000 m above sea level). China's excursion programs have already added 2 new routes: “Avatar-Pandora Magic Tour” and “A Magic Journey to the Avatar Floating Mountains”. 
Zhangjiajie National Park is an amazing place, rich in beautiful lakes, powerful mountain rivers and magnificent waterfalls. In the park you can also see about 40 caves with deep gorges, several beautiful natural bridges, as well as a large number of endangered plant species and rare animals. 
In addition to the stunning landscape, the national park contains many species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book. In addition, Zhangjiajie Park is home to original inhabitants who remain faithful to traditions and rituals and communicate in their own language. 
When James Cameron first saw this place, he was inspired. The mountains are a picturesque sight: huge stone pillars above the tropical forest, rugged sharp peaks, waterfalls, a giant cave system. They say that Cameron was inspired by them to draw the flying islands of Pandora.
Entrance to the park costs 158 yuan and allows you to visit the park for two days. The airport is located 10 km west of the city of Zhangjiajie, it is 33 km from the entrance to the park, and there are regular buses from there to the city. Minibuses stop opposite the train and bus stations, and the village and park entrance can be reached in one hour. Trains run to Zhengzhou, Guangzhou and other regional centers in China.
September 15 - 22, 2019
(stay in China 7 nights
)
They are three meters tall, have blue skin, and have cat-like faces. Their planet is Pandora,
located several light years from Earth. Most of it is covered with jungle,
mountains hang in the air, plants glow in the dark...
To experience Pandora, you need to go to James Cameron's Avatar, which was inspired by the Wulingyuan Mountains.
To see the “flying” mountains in reality, to break out of everyday life and feel like the heroes of “Avatar”, you need to fly to China.
The program includes: panoramic routes - serpentines, various cable cars (including the longest in the world). The rocks are surrounded by routes made of stones and even glass, connected by giant bridges. The world's tallest open-air elevator was built, taking it to the top. Landscapes of unreal beauty, as if straight from the paintings of Chinese painters, became available thanks to the miracle of human genius and hard work.
Combines well with tours:
In China, in the north of Hunan province, Zhangjiajie National Park is located, which was one of the first in the country. It included the protected natural areas of Tianzishan, Zhangjiajie, Sanzhi, Xuoxiu, Yangjiajie, as well as Lake Baofeng.
Zhangjiajie National Park (Hunan Province) can be visited throughout the year. Spring gives this unique nature reserve the aromas of tropical flowers and magnificent greenery, summer - stunning vegetation and mountain coolness, autumn fascinates with a riot of colors, winter wraps it in a fluffy snow cover, turning the park into a fairy tale.
Zhangjiajie: history
Thanks to several photographs in popular publications and paintings by artists that were painted in Wulingyuan, the world learned that there was a natural pearl located in the mountains of China. The Chinese government has officially recognized the forested part of the Wulingyuan region as Zhangjiajie National Park. It was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992.
Ten years later, the Ministry significantly expanded this territory, and in 2004 the huge natural geopark entered the worldwide network of national parks.
Description
Zhangjiajie is a national forest park, the territory of which is divided into several large zones, each of which has its own characteristics and picturesque landscape. The park consists of huge sandstone pillars located above the tropical forest, a labyrinth of karst caves, majestic waterfalls, amazing travertines, a picturesque lake, and powerful rivers.
Mount Tianmenshan
Locals more often call it Tianmen. Its height is one and a half thousand meters. This mountain is famous for the “Heavenly Gate” cave located very high. Its height is one hundred thirty-two meters, length - sixty meters, width - fifty-seven. The cave was created as a result of erosion. During the collapse, a huge block of rock broke off from the mountain. Sometimes this cave is called fabulous due to the belief that it is connected with the sky.
"Yellow Dragon"
Zhangjiajie National Park, a photo of which you can see in this article, is famous for its caves. The four-tiered karst cave “Yellow Dragon” is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its height is more than 140 meters, and its depth is about fifteen kilometers.
Inside there are thirteen halls, more than a hundred galleries, four waterfalls, two underground rivers and three lakes, thousands of stalagmites, stalactites, and stalagmates. The rarest stalagmite reaches twenty meters in height and only ten centimeters in diameter.
Yangjiajie
In the northeast, Zhangjiajie National Park neighbors this protected area. It includes the Xiangzhi Stream, the Longquan and Baihou valleys. These places are famous for the sheer steep cliffs and the Dragon Spring waterfall. It throws streams of water from a high cliff, which is very picturesquely entwined with ivy and amazingly beautiful flowers.
Elevator Bailung
Every year, more and more tourists are interested in Zhangjiajie National Park. We will tell you how to get here a little later, but for now we will continue to get acquainted with its sights.
For tourists, the park has all the conditions for a comfortable exploration of the unique reserve. Most tourist routes are connected by funiculars and cable cars, which greatly facilitate the ascent to the peaks.
The glass elevator “Hundred Dragons” (Bailong Elevator) was created to transport tourists to the three-hundred-meter mountain. It is located in the very center of the park and connects the upper and lower levels of the reserve. Before his appearance, tourists were forced to climb the stairs. The road was quite tiring and long. Today, most travelers prefer to quickly take a glass elevator. If you are lucky, you will be able to sit in the front row of passengers, allowing you to admire the stunning views that open up from the observation glass of the lift.
It should be noted that this elevator is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest, highest, with an open view and also the most powerful - it can lift fifty people at the same time.
Glass Bridge
This unique structure was opened in the park in August 2016. Zhangjiajie National Park, whose photos are mesmerizing, has become the owner of the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. The author of the unusual project was the architect Chaim Dotan. The cost of development and then implementation of the project amounted to almost three and a half million dollars.
The structure is located at an altitude of three hundred meters above a deep abyss. The length of the bridge is four hundred and thirty meters and its width is six meters. The glass bridge in Zhangjiajie National Park connects two cliffs and is made of extra-strong steel structures and ninety-nine slabs of triple-layer glass. This structure can support eight hundred people at a time.
Interestingly, on the day of its grand opening the number of people wishing to see the building with their own eyes was a record figure - eight thousand people. Everyone who was lucky enough to visit Zhangjiajie National Park that day left rave reviews. Nothing can compare to a walk over a bottomless abyss, which can be viewed through glass slabs.
Due to the huge influx of visitors, just two weeks later the park administration temporarily closed the bridge for reconstruction. However, management assured that this was not associated with any damage. After carrying out preventive work to strengthen the structure, the bridge was reopened to the public.
Golden Whip Creek
This area is considered the easiest to explore, as it is located at the foot of the mountains in a valley and does not have steep climbs. Along the stream, a walking trail stretches for almost eight kilometers. From this area you can climb to Yuanjiajie or walk to the Yellow Stone Village.
Tourists note that a walk here is very pleasant - one feels the much-desired unity with nature. Crowds of tourists are found only in some areas, so you can enjoy the sound of water in the stream, the cheerful chirping of birds, and picturesque views of the mountains to your heart’s content.
In this area, at one of the stops, very insidious monkeys live. Tourists try to treat them with all sorts of sweets. Do not do that. These cute, at first glance, animals are very cunning and dexterous - they can completely unnoticed leave you without wallets, phones and other valuables. In addition, they often show aggression towards humans.
Vegetation
China's Zhangjiajie National Park amazes tourists with its diversity of flora and its beauty. Scientists believe that the tropical, humid climate and varied topography contributed to the appearance of dense forests in Wulingyuan. Vegetation here is developing much faster than in neighboring provinces of the country.
More than seven hundred and seventy species of plants grow in the park. Among them there are very rare samples. These include gingko biloba, chestnut (Chinese), pigeon tree, and on the plains travelers can see compact tangerine groves.
But visitors to the park are especially impressed by the large white stipules of the pigeon tree swaying in the wind, which resemble a huge flock of white doves.
Animals in the park
Zhangjiajie National Park is home to more than five hundred species of different animals. Twenty-eight of them are rare and therefore are under constant protection. These include:
- gigantic salamander;
- big panda;
- golden snub-nosed monkey;
- leopard
- In the 20th century, a waterfall unexpectedly collapsed into the gorge from the top of Mount Tianmen. This happened four times. The flow of water broke down for fifteen minutes, and then just as suddenly stopped.
- The staircase, numbering 999 wide steps, leads to the Heaven's Gate Cave.
- Along the top of the massif, at an altitude of 1500 m, there is a pedestrian path. Above particularly picturesque and steep cliffs, it was made of high-strength glass.
China, Zhangjiajie National Park: how to get there?
If you want to see incredibly beautiful landscapes, then you need to visit this unique place. To see Zhangjiajie National Park, you first need to get to the city of the same name, and then get to the small villages located at the entrances to the park. There are several ways to get to the city: by plane, train, bus. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
By plane
If you are planning to visit Zhangjiajie National Park and spend as little time on the road as possible, then this option is more suitable for you than others. You can fly by plane from other major cities in the country. The airport is located five kilometers from the city center. Aircraft fly here daily from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Tianjin and other cities of the country.
From the airport to the city you can take a bus or taxi, which will take you to the park entrance for 100 yuan ($15).
By train
Zhangjiajie National Park is of great interest to all tourists coming to the country, so many trains go here. We would like to warn you that this option is suitable for those who have a supply of free time and patience. A little information: the road from Beijing to your destination takes about twenty-six hours, and a ticket will cost sixty dollars (reserved seat) and one hundred (compartment). Zhangjiajie Railway Station is conveniently located, close to the city center and the airport.
By bus
There are several bus stations in the city. They receive flights from different cities in China. The departure schedule, cost of travel, travel time must be checked at bus stations.
When you arrive in the city in a way convenient for you, all that remains is to find Zhangjiajie National Park (China). How to get to the territory of the reserve? You need to go to one of the entrances, where small villages are located. You can stay there for the night.
The closest entrance to the city is 32 km away, and is called Zhangjiajie Village. Forty kilometers from the city there is an entrance in the Wulingyuan area. The third is the furthest from the city. It is located near Tianzi Mountain and is not very popular among tourists.
Where to live?
The city of Zhangjiajie offers a good selection of hotels, but if you stay here, you will have to spend money and time on the road every day. And this is about two hours a day. It is more advisable to stay in a village at the entrance to the park - you will save time on the road.
Almost all of these villages have several comfortable hotels. If you wish, you can stay in a hotel on the territory of the park, unless, of course, you are not afraid of the spartan living conditions: there are frequent interruptions in electricity, water, and Internet outages. After the park is closed, resident tourists are not allowed to leave its territory, which, you see, is not very convenient.
Opening hours and cost of visiting
Zhangjiajie National Park can be visited throughout the year. Opening hours depend on the season:
- in summer - from 7.00 to 19.00;
- in winter - from 7.30 to 17.00.
In summer it is not at all hot here, and in winter there are no severe frosts.
Entrance tickets can be purchased in two types:
- for seven days - 298 yuan;
- 4 days - 245 yuan.
- It is better to come to the park early, then you will have the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty in relative silence.
- If you want to use the Bailong elevator, it is also better to do this in the morning and go down before 16:00. Otherwise, you can spend about four hours in line.
- You will have to walk a lot in the park, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes to prevent chafing. The same can be said about clothes: they should be comfortable.
- To save energy for exploring the park longer, combine walking with the use of cable cars and a ski lift.
- When going to the park, be sure to bring a map (you can buy it at the entrance), sunscreen, cash, water and food. You can buy food in the park, but the prices are excessively high. The most affordable items in these shops are fruits, corn, and fried potatoes (about 10 yuan).
- Chinese and international students studying in China can purchase tickets at half price. But this applies to young people under 24 years of age. When purchasing discounted tickets, you must present your passport.
- Keep purchased tickets separate from those of friends or family. The fact is that each of them has a number stamped on it, to which fingerprints are attached. If you take the ticket of your husband or friend, the system will refuse to let you through the turnstile.
The unusually beautiful flying mountains located on the planet Pandora in the film Avatar are not an invention of the directors. Are located floating mountains in china, being part of Zhangjiajie National Park, and are called Wulingyuan. The rocks bewitch and amaze at first sight, so when going to the Celestial Empire, it’s worth going to Hunan Province for a few days, where the park is located. Excellent conditions for accommodation, food and leisure are created here for visitors. In addition to the mountains, there is the opportunity to see many other natural attractions.
National treasure of China
Zhangjiajie Park is a kind of visiting card of the country, where a huge number of tourists come every year, the number of which has increased after the release of the film “Avatar”. Touch the unique nature, fauna, listen to many mysterious, mystical stories and legends - that’s what I offer flying mountains in china to all visitors. Some objects on the territory of this protected area are protected by UNESCO, and the park itself is recognized as a national treasure of the Celestial Empire. Its inhabitants are proud of the unusual beauties that will take your breath away, and they say that numerous secrets and riddles are associated with the mountains and rocks. Their emergence and spread are facilitated by incredible landscapes, lush greenery, picturesque rocks, which cause a soaring effect. This unique phenomenon is due to the fact that mountain peaks rise into the sky, getting lost there between the clouds. The rocks are covered with greenery, which complements the feeling of weightlessness.
A little history
The area where the park is located is also known under another name - Yangjiajie, i.e. lands of Yang. According to ancient legends, there was once a war between clans near the mountains. The representative of the Yang Dynasty set up his military camp right at the base of Mount Tianzi. The confrontation lasted for several decades and never ended. Therefore, the descendants of the clan began to gradually develop this territory, moving further and further from the location of the military camp. Archaeologists and scientists have confirmed this legend by constantly finding graves and burial places of members of the Yang clan.
Creation of the park
There is a park where the film “Avatar” was filmed in the northwestern part of the country, not far from the city of the same name. The area is full of wonders and natural attractions. Neighboring Zhangjiajie Park are the equally famous geological parks of Yangjiajie, Tanzishan and Xiuxiyu.
Zhangjiajie is the oldest park in China, created in 1982. Its territory is huge and is almost 13 thousand square kilometers, on which there are mountains, forests, other vegetation, and a huge number of animals. In 1992, it was taken under UNESCO protection as part of Wulingyuan. Nine years later, the park received the status of the Sandstone Peaks National Forest Geopark (by decision of the relevant Chinese ministry). It is also part of the Global Network of Geological Parks protected by UNESCO.
Natural and animal world
Decoration Zhangjiajie Park, China, the place where the films were filmed Avatar" and "Monster Hunt" are Mt. In fact, these are rocky pillar peaks, created from quartz and sandstone, and turned into a real miracle of nature under the influence of erosion and weathering. The total number of unusual rocks is more than 3 thousand, and about one thousand are 200 meters high. The highest peak is Mount Dupeng, which reaches 1,890 meters into the sky.
The peaks of the rocks are lost high in the clouds, and then abruptly give way to very dense forests. This is the habitat of a huge number of animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. You can also see quite rare relict plants, which include mahogany and gingko.
The climate in the park is humid and warm, although this does not create suffocating heat. People who cannot stand cold or very hot weather can feel comfortable here. In the warm season, the average air temperature is +27 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to +4-5.
The entire territory of the park is divided into 6 natural zones, the largest of which are Tianji Mountains, attracting tourists to China. This area is famous for very thick clouds, constant fog and a mysterious atmosphere.
Attractions
You can walk around the park without getting tired, because you never know what awaits around every turn. It’s not only the mountains that take your breath away, but also the richness of the animal world, as well as a large number of monuments.
The Yellow Dragon Cave is created from karst formations, has a height of 140 meters, and is therefore considered one of the largest in the world. It is distinguished by a beautiful interior design of a natural character. The cave contains many unique natural attractions - waterfalls, rivers, pools. All this creates the feeling that you are in the palace of a fairy-tale Dragon.
The Buddhist Temple of Heaven's Gate has been known since the Ming Dynasty, which contributed to the transformation of this place into a center of pilgrimage. The temple occupies a huge area, which is equal to 10 thousand square meters. The temple is located in a cave that dates back to 263 AD. as a result of the breaking off of a huge stone from the Tianmen rock. The length of the cave-temple is 60 meters, the width reaches 57 meters, and the height is 131.5 m. The Chinese call the temple the Magic Cave of Western Hunan, since the place is imbued with a mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere. This is due to the fact that the cave, located at a great height above the ground, seems to be shrouded in clouds, which are very thick above the mountain. Therefore, tourists, entering the cave, feel that they are in heaven, or are somewhere nearby.
It was not by chance that the temple appeared in this place. According to ancient chronicles, the mountain is connected with the sky, therefore it has enormous strength and energy. In addition, it influences people, their destinies, lives, and is capable of doing miracles. In historical documents you can find many facts that various mysterious events and phenomena took place in the cave.
The height of Tianmen Mountain is 1518 m, and is considered the central attraction of the park. All tourists who are not afraid to travel the longest cable car in the world strive to climb to the top. Its length is almost 7.5 kilometers, and it passes through such picturesque panoramas of mountains, mountains, and forests that it will take your breath away. And the closer the cabin gets to the top, the more it seems that you are falling into the arms of the clouds. The mountain is always shrouded in fog and mist, which very rarely clears. From generation to generation, local residents pass on legends that before very important events, water begins to pour from the top.
Next door to Zhajiajie Park is an equally stunning park called Yanqiajie. There are a huge number of amazing and picturesque places, including the Baihur, Longquan valleys, and the Xiangzhi Mountains.
History of the Tianji Mountains
These rocks are worth talking about separately. According to historical records in chronicles and other documents, at the foot of Tianji Mountains, China, in the Middle Ages, farmers rebelled. They were led by a leader named Xiang Dakun, who styled himself the son of heaven. Such an unusual nickname was associated with the ambitions of the peasant, as well as the characteristics of the area where the mountains are located. There are more than two thousand stone pillars here, which, like rods, connect heaven and earth. The average height of the rock ranges from 1 thousand meters to 1250 meters. They were formed more than three thousand years ago. One part of the mountains is represented by quartz rocks, and the second by limestone. Despite its ancient history, the area has not been studied and is practically unexplored. Once upon a time there were tropical forests, of which small areas and trees remain. Between the mountains there are very ancient caves, rock arches, impenetrable forests where no one has ever been.
Tourist services
You can walk around the park for several days, especially since the entrance ticket is valid for two days. You can buy it for 245 yuan, right at the main entrance to Zhangjiajie National Park in China. To save a little money, you can purchase a weekly pass, and such a ticket is not very expensive - about 300 Chinese yuan. There are significant discounts available for students who present their student ID. The best conditions for visitors are created here. In particular, they have a wonderful opportunity to see the mountains from a bird's eye view and then walk around them on the ground. There is an elevator leading to one of the peaks, so you can climb the mountain directly on it.
There are several tourist routes in the park, allowing you to explore all the sights. But it’s difficult to do this in 2 days, so guides recommend using the cable car to see all the flying mountains. You should definitely walk along the natural bridges that go across the mountains, as well as go down into the valleys of rivers, waterfalls, and visit caves. Tourists do not have to worry about their own safety: fences are installed everywhere, there are safe stairs for movement, special paths and signs to help you navigate the park.
The price of the entrance ticket includes bus transportation along the routes. Separately, you need to pay for the elevator ride, use of the escalator, elevator, and travel on the tourist train. There are free buses between attractions that go to a specific stop. Here you can change to another bus and continue your trip. You can also travel by other means of transport - cable cars (two closed and one open), funicular.
For those who want to see pristine nature, they will have to go deeper into the remote areas of the park. The main attractions are nearby. It won’t take long to get to them - everything is within reach, you just need to buy a ticket and enter the park. In other cases, you need to cover considerable distances, so you need to choose comfortable shoes, clothes for the trip, and put things in backpacks. In addition, you need to go to the deep areas of the park either with a guide or along a pre-designed route so as not to get lost.
It is also worth considering the organizational aspects of the trip to the floating rocks:
- Book accommodation in advance, given the many national holidays that exist in China;
- Prepare for the fact that a huge number of Chinese come to the Wulingyuan rocks, so it is always crowded, and in some places there is a significant crowd of people;
- Buy or download a map of the park and surrounding area, purchase a compass, raincoats and raincoats;
- It is better to start your walks in the morning to see more interesting things. And in the morning there are fewer people than in the afternoon and evening hours. It is dangerous to wander around after seven in the evening, because... The park area is not illuminated.
- Think about how you can get to Zhangjiajie from the Chinese capital.
You can get to the park from the city of the same name by taxi or bus, which come here regularly. You can enter the protected area through two entrances - the northeastern one, where the Wulingyuan Mountains are located, and through the southern one - Zhangjiajie. You need to start your journey from the first entrance, since there is a glass elevator that takes you up to the tops of the rocks and observation platforms.
Housing and food
Experienced tourists advise staying in two villages – Zhangjiajie or Wulingyuan (the names here are all very original, so it’s worth considering that the park, city and village have the same name). Renting comfortable accommodation here is not a problem; the only negative, and quite significant, is that in the morning there is a queue at the entrance. And you will have to stand in it before entering the park.
You can also live in Zhangjiajie, where there are several types of housing:
- Guesthouse;
- Hostel;
- Hotel.
The quality of the rooms is somewhat lower than in the villages, and walking is only allowed when the buses start running.
A budget accommodation option is to stay with local residents who are willing to provide a bed in a room for several people for 40 yuan per day. You can choose the option for single occupancy, but the cost will increase accordingly.
You can eat in restaurants, local cafes, McDonald's. It is worth considering that the cuisine of this province is quite unique - it is based on mushrooms with medicinal properties and a large number of spicy seasonings. In addition to traditional Hunan cuisine, you can try dishes from other regions of the country.
There are no restaurants or cafes in the park, but flat cakes, fried potatoes, fish, and chestnuts are sold everywhere. Everything is fresh and prepared in the presence of tourists.
It is better to buy water in the city or in villages, since it is much cheaper here than in the park.
