Eight attractions that define Zhangjiajie

Each entry breaks down the highlights, how long to allow, the best time of day and an indicative ticket price, so you can build a day plan around your own pace and interests.

2 days

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan)

UNESCO World Heritage
China's first national forest park
4-day ticket

Established in 1982 as China's first national forest park and the core of the Wulingyuan World Heritage Site. The park combines four zones — Zhangjiajie (Yuanjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, Huangshizhai), Suoxiyu, Tianzi Mountain and Yangjiajie — covering over 200 km², linked by free shuttle buses between gates and viewpoints.

From ¥227Includes park shuttles, valid 4 days
07:00—18:00Typical entry hours (confirm officially)
5 entry gatesForest Park, Wulingyuan, Tianzishan, Yangjiajie, Zimugang
Bailong Elevator335 m vertical rise, one of the world's tallest

Tip: Enter at Forest Park gate and exit at Wulingyuan gate to avoid backtracking; arriving before 07:00 dramatically cuts cable-car queues.

Must-see

Yuanjiajie · Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

Avatar filming inspiration
2—3 hours
Bailong Elevator access

Yuanjiajie holds the densest and most “floating” cluster of pillars in the park. The Qiankun Column (formerly Southern Sky Pillar) is widely cited as the inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron's Avatar. Other icons include the First Bridge Under Heaven, Mihun Terrace and the Back Garden.

2—3 hoursFlat, looped boardwalk
Early morning after rainHighest chance of cloud sea
Bailong Elevator300+ m vertical lift in under 2 minutes
IncludedCovered by the Wulingyuan pass

Tip: Elevator queues peak 10:00—14:00. Ride up and walk down (or the reverse) to save time — both directions give different views.

Family friendly

Golden Whip Stream

7.5 km
Almost no ascent
2.5—3 hours

Named after the whip-shaped Golden Whip Rock, this stream runs through a primeval valley between the peaks. Expect dense vegetation, very high negative-ion counts and pictographic rock formations along the way — the easiest and most rewarding walk in the park.

7.5 kmAbout 2.5—3 hours on foot
Gentle gradientUnder 100 m of vertical change
~22 °C in summerA natural cooling corridor
Macaques presentDo not feed or tease them

Tip: Start at Forest Park gate / Big Oxygen Bar Square and finish at Water-Round-Four-Gates, where shuttles wait. Walking only half and returning is perfectly viable.

Sunrise

Tianzi Mountain & Ten-Mile Gallery

Imperial Brush Peaks
West Sea stone forest
3—4 hours

“Whoever beholds Tianzi Mountain's face will find no other mountain worth seeing.” The plateau-top viewpoints — Imperial Brush Peaks, Fairy Maid Scattering Flowers, Helong Park — are the classic places for sunrise and sunset. Below, the 5 km Ten-Mile Gallery can be toured on a small sightseeing train.

3—4 hoursViewpoints plus the gallery
Sightseeing trainOptional, paid separately
Sunrise 05:30—06:20Varies by season
Cable car extraNot covered by the pass

Tip: For sunrise, stay overnight in Tianzishan town or on the plateau — the first shuttle from the valley usually arrives after the best light.

Sandstone peaks and cloud sea at Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie

Separate park

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park

1,518.6 m summit
Tianmen Cave
Glass walkways
99 bends
5—6 hours

A standalone park south of Zhangjiajie city, famous for Tianmen Cave, one of the world's highest natural arches. A 7,455 m cableway reaches the summit in about 28 minutes; from there you can walk the cliff-hanging glass and Ghost Valley walkways and descend 999 steps to the cave. The access road below has 99 hairpin bends.

From ¥278Usually includes return cableway
5—6 hoursAllow a full day
7,455 m cablewayAmong the world's longest mountain cableways
Time slotsBook early in peak season

Tip: The summit is 6—8 °C cooler than the city — bring a layer even in summer. Glass walkways close in high winds, snow or ice.

Cliffside walkway among the sandstone peaks, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Record holder

Grand Canyon & Yun Tiandu Glass Bridge

430 m main span
~300 m above the floor
3—4 hours

Located in Cili County, the glass bridge has a 430 m main span and a 6 m wide deck roughly 300 m above the canyon floor — formerly the world's longest and highest glass bridge. Boardwalks, a slide and a boat ride can be combined into a half or full day.

From ¥138Combined canyon tickets cost more
Real-name bookingDaily cap; book 3—5 days ahead in peak season
No high heelsProtective shoe covers required
~1 hour from the cityPrivate car or tour works best

Tip: Not recommended for people with severe acrophobia, heart conditions or high blood pressure. Secure cameras and phones with straps.

Deep valley and drifting clouds in Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie

Geology

Huanglong Cave

Four levels
19.2 m “Sea-Fixing Needle”
2—2.5 hours

A major karst cave in Suoxiyu with roughly 15 km of explored passages across four levels, packed with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone, plus an 800 m underground boat ride. The cave holds a steady 16—18 °C year round.

From ¥100Includes boat ride and guide
16—18 °CBring a light layer
2—2.5 hoursLit walkways throughout
Rainy-day optionWeather independent

Tip: Surfaces are wet and the light is dim — wear non-slip shoes and stay with your guide. It pairs easily with Baofeng Lake in the same district.

Peak forest above the cloud sea in Wulingyuan trip

Scenic

Baofeng Lake

Mountain lake
Boat circuit
2 hours

A mountain lake nicknamed “the Jade Pool on Earth”, its turquoise water ringed by peaks. Boat trips pass formations such as “Fairy at the Mirror”, while the shore offers Tujia folk singing and the Eagle's Nest Fort trail — an easy way to close out a trip or fill a wet afternoon.

From ¥96Boat included
2 hoursLow intensity, all ages
Tujia folk songsLive antiphonal singing on the water
15 min from Huanglong Cave

Tip: Afternoon light flatters the water; in summer combine the boat with the shaded hillside trail.

Quick Compare

Attraction comparison table

Prices are indicative peak-season figures from public sources; always confirm against official announcements. Low season and combo tickets usually run 10—30% lower.

Zhangjiajie attractions: price, duration, best time and suitability
Attraction	From	Time needed	Best time	Good for
Wulingyuan National Forest Park	¥227 (shuttles incl., 4 days)	2 days	All day, dawn for clouds	Everyone
Yuanjiajie	Included	2—3 hrs	08:00—11:00	Photography, first visit
Golden Whip Stream	Included	2.5—3 hrs	All day; summer shade	Families, seniors
Tianzi Mountain & Ten-Mile Gallery	Pass + cable car	3—4 hrs	Sunrise, late afternoon	Photography, hiking
Tianmen Mountain	¥278 (cableway incl.)	5—6 hrs	Morning start	Active travellers
Cliffside walkway in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon	¥138	3—4 hrs	Clear mornings	Thrill seekers
Huanglong Cave	¥100	2—2.5 hrs	Rainy days	Everyone
Baofeng Lake	¥96	2 hrs	Afternoon	Families, slow travel

Beyond the big names

Tujia Folk Customs Park, Xibu Street night market, Maoyan River rafting, Jiutian Cave and the Romance of Zhangjiajie show all work well as add-ons on day four and beyond.

Stays & nightlife

Getting around inside the park

How to combine shuttle buses, cable cars, the Bailong Elevator and the sightseeing train for the shortest queues.

Transport guide

Plan by number of days

2-day highlights, 3-day in-depth and 5-day complete itineraries with daily routes, meals and where to sleep.

Itineraries