Tourist Guide to Zhangjiajie City, China - The Real Pandora on Earth, Where Film and Reality Interweave, Offering an Avatar-like Scenic Experience

The average annual temperature in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province is 16.8°C, with a spring-like climate throughout the year.. The optimal time to visit Zhangjiajie is from April to October annually. During this period, the natural scenery in Zhangjiajie reaches its most picturesque state. Prior to traveling, it is recommended to check the weather forecast and avoid choosing rainy days for the trip, as inclement weather may impede sightseeing activities.

Must - visit Attractions
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which encompasses the following attractions:

1. Hallelujah Mountain (Free Admission), the real - world inspiration for the "Pandora Planet" and the filming location of the movie "Avatar": The Pillar of Heaven, an absolute must - see destination.

1. Ten Miles Gallery (Free Admission), a canyon scenic area approximately 5 kilometers in length. The canyon's banks are adorned with lush trees and fragrant wildflowers, while the peculiar peaks and rocks assume various forms, resembling a colossal landscape painting. Along the route, there are attractions such as the Rotating Pavilion, the Welcoming Immortal, the Medicine - Picking Old Man, the Couple with a Child, and the Three Sisters Peak.

1. Golden Whip Stream (Free Admission), celebrated for its characteristic of "remaining unfrozen during a thousand - year drought and maintaining its color during ten - thousand - year continuous rain". The natural landscape is distinguished by its strange peaks, clear waters, and rich biodiversity. The stream water is crystal - clear, and the stone peaks on both banks give rise to famous attractions such as the Golden Whip Rock, the Eagle Guarding the Whip, and the Scholar Star Rock. There are numerous wild monkeys along the way; therefore, it is essential to safeguard your food and refrain from feeding them haphazardly.

1. The Bailong Elevator, which offers a one - way ticket priced at 65 RMB per person, is the world's tallest outdoor elevator. It can transport passengers to the summit of Yuanjiajie in merely 66 seconds. Additionally, this location was the gathering place for the army in the film "Avatar".

1. Yubi Peak, a prominent landmark of the sandstone peak forest scenery in Wulingyuan, is accessible free of charge.

1. The World's First Bridge, a naturally - formed stone bridge with an approximate span of 30 meters and a height of about 40 meters, stands as a signature landscape of Yuanjiajie and has no admission fee.

1. The Mihun Platform (Free Admission) provides a panoramic view of hundreds of stone peaks, thanks to its wide - open vantage point. When clouds and mist swirl around it, one feels as if they are in a fairyland.

The ticket prices for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (specifically referring to full - price tickets during the peak season, excluding discounted prices) are valid for a4 - day visit:
1.The basic park ticket costs 227 RMB, which includes the entrance ticket, a 60 - RMB fee for the environmental protection vehicle, and a 3 - RMB insurance fee.

1. A one - way trip on the Bailong Elevator is priced at 65 RMB.
2. A one - way trip on the Tianzishan Cableway costs 72 RMB.
3. A one - way trip on the Yangjiajie Cableway is priced at 76 RMB.
4. The Huangshizhai Cableway offers a one - way ticket at 65 RMB and a round - trip ticket at 118 RMB.
5. The Ten - Mile Gallery Mini Train has a one - way fare of 38 RMB and a round - trip fare of 76 RMB.
   7.The Three Cableways and One Elevator Four - Trip Combined Ticket is priced at 238 RMB. The four trips are planned by the scenic area according to individual itineraries (Note: Each ascent or descent is counted as a separate trip).
6. The Three Cableways and One Elevator Multiple - Trip Combined Ticket is priced at 298 RMB, allowing unlimited rides within four days.

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (Entrance Fee: 275 RMB)
1.Ghost Valley Plank Road (Free): It is 1,600 meters long, with an average altitude of 1,400 meters. Suspended in the middle of the west cliff, it is renowned for its perilous structure that undulates with the cliff.

1. Glass Plank Road (Free): Suspended above the cliff, it is a challenge for the brave. It features a fully transparent glass structure. On a clear day, one can enjoy the reflection of clouds; on a foggy day, it presents a mysterious and elusive visual effect. The design is inspired by the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the United States (shoe covers cost 5 RMB).

1. Tianmen Cave (Free): It is the world's highest natural through - cave in terms of altitude.

1. Sky Temple (Free): Located at the top of Tianmen Mountain at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters, it is the highest Buddhist architectural complex in Hunan Province. It attracts numerous tourists and believers with its unique cloud - shrouded landscape and profound cultural heritage.

1. The road winding around the mountain waist(Free): With a length of 10.77 kilometers, it is known as the "World's First Road Wonder" due to its 99 sharp 180 - degree turns and an altitude drop of 1,100 meters.

Other scenic spots:

1. The Grand Canyon Glass Bridge (Ticket: 258 RMB): As the first glass bridge in China, it is 430 meters long and 6 meters wide. The bridge is about 300 meters above the bottom of the canyon. The entire bridge deck is paved with transparent glass, enabling visitors to clearly see the cliffs and precipices beneath their feet as if they were walking in the air.

1. Mengdong River Rafting (Ticket: 180 RMB): The mountains are as imposing as tigers, the water as swift as dragons, and there are numerous caves. Summer is the most thrilling and enjoyable season for rafting.

1. Fenghuang Ancient Town (Free of Charge for Admission): Presently, the town possesses 68 ancient Chinese cultural relics, 116 ancient sites, over 120 traditional residences dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and more than 30 temples, shrines, and pavilions. It is the county boasting the largest number of ancient buildings in south - western China.

1. Huanglong Cave (Admission Fee: 100 RMB): A mysterious subterranean realm, it is well - known for its towering and expansive caverns, profound underground rivers, and dense stalagmites. It is hailed as the "World Champion of Caves". The most remarkable feature is the iconic "Pillar of Heaven" inside the cave, a stalactite approximately 20 meters in height, with a thick base and a slender middle, the narrowest part having a diameter of merely 10 centimeters. It is estimated to have taken 200,000 years to form.

It is advisable to allocate approximately 4 days for visiting these scenic spots:
Day 1: Arrive in Zhangjiajie → Check into the hotel → If the arrival time is prior to 14:00, you may visit the Grand Canyon Scenic Area → In case of insufficient time → Visit the Qibashiqilou Scenic Spot in the evening. The lighting ceremony commences at 19:30 daily. You can take pictures outside the scenic area. There are local specialty snacks available inside. You are required to purchase a ticket before entry.

Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
09:00 Enter the park through the East Gate of Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
1.Board the park's eco - friendly bus for a 20 - minute journey, passing by Suxi Lake and Ten Mile Gallery, and directly reach the Bailong Elevator. Take the Bailong Elevator (one - way ticket costs 65 yuan per person) to admire the "Gods Gathering" peak forest.
Walk 200 meters to the parking lot and transfer to an eco - friendly bus (8 - minute ride) to the parking lot of Mihuntai in Yuanjiajie.

1. Core Scenic Area of Yuanjiajie Visitors will visit the "Enchanting Terrace" (recognized as one of the premier viewing platforms), the "Avatar's Floating Mountain" (also known as Qiankun Pillar), and the "World's First Bridge" (a natural stone bridge). [The viewing platform of the World's First Bridge serves as a popular photo - taking spot.] Subsequently, visitors will proceed on foot to the Tianqiao parking lot and board an eco - friendly bus for a 6 - minute journey to the Yangjiajie parking lot.
   Yangjiajie is a repeated scenic area. Visitors should transfer to another eco - friendly bus at the same location for a 15 - minute ride to the parking lot of Helong Park on Tianzishan. It is recommended that visitors sit on the right side of the bus to enjoy the scenery.
   3.Tianzishan Scenic Area During the visit to the Tianzishan Scenic Area, visitors will view the "Xihai Peak Forest" from a distance, the "Yubifeng" (the iconic attraction of Tianzishan), the "Xian Nü San Hua", and Tianzige. After the tour, visitors are required to walk back. After walking back, you can reach the Tianzi Mountain Cableway Station by taking the steps beside.. The one - way cable car ticket for descending the mountain costs 72 yuan per person.
   4.After disembarking from the cable car, if visitors have sufficient time, they can embark on a hike through the Ten Mile Gallery and Jinbian Stream, which approximately takes two hours. If time is limited, they can take an eco - friendly bus to the Huanglongzhai Scenic Spot. It takes about 90 minutes to hike up to the Huanglongzhai Scenic Spot and about 60 minutes to hike down. The one - way cable car fare is 65 yuan per person, and the round - trip fare is 118 yuan per person.
   5.Utilize an environmentally - friendly vehicle to reach the east or south gate of Wulingyuan and conclude the day's itinerary. A friendly reminder: The environmentally - friendly vehicles on Tianzi Mountain operate at intervals of approximately 20 minutes. The Tianzi Mountain cable car ceases operation at 5:30 p.m. It is advisable to descend the mountain before 3:00 p.m. to prevent missing the last vehicle.

Day 3: Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (Ticket price: 275 RMB).
It is advisable to select Route B for your visit.
Tianmen Mountain Cableway Lower Station - Mountain Gate Parking Lot - Tianmen Cave Cableway - Tianmen Cave - Mountain-Penetrating Escalator (one-way fare: 32 RMB) - All Scenic Spots on the Peak (This section involves a walking tour, lasting approximately 5 hours: North View of Tianmen - Jade Pot Peak - Drunken Cloud Pavilion - South View of Tianmen Mountain - Love of Wood and Stone - Tianmen Mountain Temple (Air Temple) - Suspension Bridge - Ghost Valley Plank Road (Overlooking the Mountain Road) - Yihong Pass - West Line Glass Plank Road - Tianmen Mountain Cableway Upper Station - Yunmeng Xianting - Tianmen Mountain Cableway Upper Station - Tianmen Mountain Cableway Lower Station (Starting Point).
Day 4: Select the following scenic spots according to your own schedule:
1.Grand Canyon Scenic Area;
2.Mengdong River Rafting;

1. Phoenix Ancient Town;
2. Huanglong Cave Scenic Area.

Transportation Guide
Zhangjiajie Huatuo Airport is approximately 35 kilometers distant from Wulingyuan Scenic Area, and the journey by car takes about 55 minutes. Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (a high - speed railway station) is roughly 26 kilometers away from Wulingyuan Scenic Area, with a car journey of approximately 35 minutes. Zhangjiajie Railway Station (South Railway Station) is around 35 kilometers from Wulingyuan Scenic Area, and it takes about 55 minutes to travel there by car.
Airport: Zhangjiajie Huatuo Airport
High - speed Railway and Train Stations: West Railway Station (High - speed Railway Station), South Railway Station
From the Airport to the City Center: 1. Board the airport bus and alight at the terminal station, Xiacuo. 2. Subsequently, take Bus No. 4 to Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
From West Railway Station to the City Center: Take Bus No. 6 or 17 to Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
From South Railway Station to the City Center: Take Bus No. 1, 5, 6, 8, or 10 to Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
From the Bus Station: Take a bus from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

Accommodation Guide
Zhangjiajie City Area: It is recommended that visitors stay near the bus station (proximate to the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Station), as it is highly convenient to access food and other essential items there.
Wulingyuan District: It is advisable for tourists to stay near the scenic area, in close proximity to the ticket gate at the entrance. The short distance to the scenic area allows for a mere few - minute walk.
Grand Canyon Scenic Area: Tourists can choose to stay in Wulingyuan District or San Guansi Town. There is a wide range of public transportation options available daily, facilitating convenient travel back and forth.
Phoenix Ancient Town: If travelers prefer a vibrant atmosphere, they can opt to stay in the hotels along both banks of the Tuojiang River. However, the prices are slightly higher.