How To See The Best Of Zhangjiajie Forest Park In 2 Days

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If you’re planning a visit to China, one of many issues that’s in all probability on the prime of your bucket listing is the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

This is among the most original locations on this planet in my view, and it impressed the floating mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar film.

I visited Zhangjiajie lately and it was superb. It’s an enormous park and it’s fairly unfold out, so I like to recommend at the very least 2 full days to do it justice.

This journey information will clarify find out how to see one of the best of Zhangjiajie Forest Park in 1 or 2 days, based mostly by myself itinerary and expertise!

Where To Stay

Before we get into the itinerary, the primary resolution it is advisable to make is the place to base your self.

Here are the choices:

• Zhangjiajie Town — This is the primary city with the airport and practice station. Even although it has the identical title because the park, it’s situated 30 kilometers south of it. I made a decision to remain right here as a result of I additionally wished to go to Tianmen Mountain, and the cable automotive for that’s situated in the midst of city. I can advocate Hotel California as a terrific place to remain. The proprietor is tremendous useful.
• Wulingyuan Town — This is a small city proper exterior the east entrance of the forest park. It has loads of resorts and eating places, so you possibly can keep right here if you wish to be proper exterior the park for straightforward entry.
• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — There’s one lodge immediately contained in the park and it’s known as Zhangjiajie YOLO Resort. Staying right here will be advantageous if you wish to beat the crowds and watch the dawn and sundown. Next time, I feel I’ll try this.

 

How To Get To Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The park is situated 30 kilometers north of Zhangjiajie city, so that you’ll want transportation to get there.

You can go to the park by bus, taxi, or tour, and the drive takes 40 minutes with a automotive, or about 1 hour with a bus.
 

• By Bus

The bus is affordable and straightforward. The station is situated proper in the midst of Zhangjiajie city, or there are even buses from the airport.

There are departures each quarter-hour, from 6:30 AM to six:30 PM (winter) or 7 PM (summer season).
 

• By Taxi

A taxi is one other good possibility and it’s not very costly in comparison with western costs. Taxis are extensively out there on the town, however you may need to make a reserving the evening earlier than.

If you’re staying in Wulingyuan city, you possibly can guide a switch from the airport right here. Otherwise, in case you’re staying in Zhangjiajie city, you possibly can guide a taxi to the park via your lodge like I did.

You may also use a mix of bus and taxi. In different phrases, you possibly can take a taxi to the park within the morning, after which return with a bus within the night.

That’s what I did, as a result of I wished to get an early begin and didn’t need to danger lacking the primary bus of the morning.
 

• By Tour

Last, however not least, you possibly can go to Zhangjiajie with a tour package deal.

Here’s a high-rated 2-day tour of the Zhangjiajie space from GetYourGuide that features transport and an English-speaking information.

We’ve used this firm for plenty of excursions and actions world wide, they usually’re nice. Highly really helpful!

 

About This 2-Day Itinerary

Here’s a abstract of this itinerary:

• Day 1 — Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain
• Day 2 — Golden Whip Stream + Huangshi + Old House Area

 

Areas Of The Park

There are 5 major areas of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

In this itinerary, we’ll go to all of those areas at the very least briefly:

• Yuanjiajie (袁家界) — Extremely widespread space, however it has numerous nice sights, together with the world’s tallest out of doors elevator and the ‘Hallelujah Mountain’ from Avatar.
• Tianzi Mountain (Tianzishan / 天子山) — Another very fashionable space of the park with some nice sights, together with a scenic cable automotive which you can trip up and down the mountain.
• Yellow Stone Village (Huangshi / 黄是) — A much less crowded space with some extra good viewpoints. Usually doesn’t get busy till later within the morning and into the afternoon.
• Yangjiajie (杨家界) — Rugged space with climbing. It’s spectacular, however takes extra time to go to as a result of it’s not as accessible as the opposite elements of the park.
• Old House Area (Laowuchang / 老屋场) — Very underrated and undeveloped. This place is a hidden gem off the overwhelmed path, and it has a few of my favourite views in the entire park.

There are additionally 5 completely different entrances to the park, however for this itinerary, we’ll solely use the east gate and south gate.

 

Day 1: Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain

• Yuanjiajie (袁家界)

For your first day within the park, I like to recommend beginning on the Yuanjiajie space. This is the most well-liked space of the park for Chinese tour teams, so it’s finest to do it early within the morning earlier than the most important crowds arrive.

Enter the park from the east gate after which take a 30 minute bus trip to the Bailong Elevator. Lines at this elevator can take as much as 2 hours in the course of the center of the day, in order that’s why it’s necessary to begin early.

Bailong is the world’s tallest out of doors elevator and it has a glass wall, so you possibly can benefit from the surroundings whereas it takes you to the highest of the mountains. It’s spectacular, though the trip up solely takes 2 minutes.

At the highest, you hop on one other brief bus trip that brings you to a paved loop path.

       
 
The path at Yuanjiajie takes 1 or 2 hours to stroll, and it’s properly marked with English indicators, so that you received’t get misplaced.

It has a bunch of good viewpoints, together with the Enchanting Terrace, Hallelujah Mountain, and First Bridge Under Heaven.

The most well-known photograph spot is the ‘Hallelujah Mountain,’ which was a part of the inspiration for the floating mountains of Pandora in James Cameron’s film Avatar.

It’s one of many first viewpoints on the primary path at Yuanjiajie, so if you wish to get there shortly you possibly can stroll previous the primary few photograph spots after which backtrack afterwards.

Honestly although, regardless of the hype round Avatar, I feel all the different viewpoints listed below are simply as superb.

 

• Tianzi Mountain (Tianzishan / 天子山)

Next, take the bus from Yuanjiajie to Tianzi Mountain.

This trip is a protracted one and takes about 1.5 hours since you’re going all the way in which to the opposite facet of the National Forest Park.

When you get to Tianzi, there are a bunch of viewpoints inside strolling distance, plus a 6-story pavilion with panoramic views of the world.

The most well-known viewpoint is known as ‘Imperial Writing Brush Peaks’ as a result of it seems sort of like a set of calligraphy pens. You’ll see this one in a lot of pictures from the park.

When you’re accomplished sightseeing at Tianzi, you possibly can hike down from the mountain or take the cable automotive. Both are good choices.

I took the cable automotive as a result of I heard the views are superb. It didn’t disappoint. It’s actually breathtaking.

The cable automotive takes you immediately via the center of the limestone mountains, and you’re feeling such as you’re flying on a drone or one thing. Epic!

At the underside of the valley, you possibly can take a bus again to the East Gate after which catch a bus or taxi again to Zhangjiajie city.

 

Day 2: Golden Whip Stream + Huangshi + Laowuchang

For the second day, enter the park from the South Gate.

This entrance is far much less busy and extra relaxed than the East Gate, so it’s a pleasant change of tempo.
 

• Golden Whip Stream (Jinbian Xi / 金鞭溪)

This is a stream on the foot of the mountains, and you may attain it in simply 5 minutes strolling from the park entrance. If you’ve got youngsters it could be a enjoyable place for them to play within the water.

There’s a strolling path that follows this stream into the mountains for about 7 kilometers, however the views aren’t the best. There are higher makes use of of time, so I’d advocate strolling for only a couple kilometers after which turning again.

After all, the primary purpose we’re right here is to see the mountaintops, not the within of a forest!

       

 

• Yellow Stone Village (Huangshi Zhai / 黄石寨)

The subsequent cease is Huangshi village. Actually, it’s a mountain, however for some purpose they name it a village.

You can get there by climbing up from the Golden Whip space, or taking a cable automotive. Hiking is free, however I’d advocate utilizing the cable automotive as a result of it’s simpler and saves time.

I didn’t see a lot on the hike besides monkeys, and the trail is fairly strenuous in case you’re going uphill.

The prime of Huangshi mountain is massive and it has a walkway that principally circles the entire mountain, with a lot of nice viewpoints alongside the sting of the cliff.

I like to recommend strolling it in a clockwise route utilizing Baidu Maps. That means if you arrive on the prime of the mountain, you’ll take the trail on the left.

Huangshi is quieter and fewer crowded than the locations you noticed on the primary day, and a few of the viewpoints are actually superb. It’s underrated and I actually loved it.

       

When you’re accomplished at Huangshi, you’ll must retrace your steps by both climbing down the mountain or taking the cable automotive again down. Again, I’d advocate taking the cable automotive to save lots of time.

Back on the backside highway, you possibly can take a sequence of buses after which a special cable automotive to stand up to the Yangjiajie space. Even although the title is absolutely much like Yuanjiajie, which you noticed on the primary day, this space is completely separate and lots much less busy.

It’s a pleasant part of the park, however it takes loads of time to go to as a result of it’s principally climbing.

At this level, you possibly can spend the remainder of the day exploring Yangjiajie, or you possibly can go to Laowuchang (the ‘Old House Area’).

I’d advocate Laowuchang as a result of it has one of the best surroundings, though it’s farther away. I’ll clarify find out how to get there subsequent.

However, earlier than you go, it’s price seeing at the very least one simple viewpoint at Yangjiajie: the ‘Natural Great Wall.’

This viewpoint is only a 10 minute stroll from the highest of the cable automotive station, and also you get to see a karst rock wall that appears sort of like a pure model of China’s most iconic landmark.

Here’s an image of it beneath. It’s a pleasant little detour.

 

• Old House Area (Laowu Chang / 老屋场)

The final place on this Zhangjiajie itinerary is known as the ‘Old House Area’ (Laowu Chang / 老屋场), also called the ‘Fields in the Sky’ (Kongzhong Tianyuan / 空中田园).

It’s a hidden gem, and getting there generally is a bit complicated, however the views are completely price it. In truth, this place had a few of my favourite views in the entire park.

I noticed some footage of it on-line and knew I needed to go there, however I wasn’t capable of finding any clear instructions on the web in both English or Chinese.

Ultimately, I used to be capable of finding it by exhibiting the Chinese title to the bus attendants, who acknowledged it and pointed me in the fitting route.

To get to Laowuchang, you’re taking the bus that travels between the Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain areas, however hop off if you attain a junction in the primary highway, close to the North Gate of the park.

The junction is roughly midway between Yuanjiajie and Tianzi. There, you turn to slightly shuttle cart that appears sort of like a 12-seater electrical golf cart.

The shuttle goes on to the ‘Old House’ space, and it’s a brief and scenic 15 minute trip with views of rice paddies on the cliffs.

When you arrive on the Old House space, there are two major viewpoints that may be reached with 10 minutes of climbing. Both of them are epic.

The first viewpoint is known as ‘Military Parade Platform’ (Yuebing Tai / 阅兵台) and it has a lot of stone towers. You may even see Bailong Elevator throughout the valley. I feel this must be the most effective spots within the park.

The second viewpoint is 5 minutes away, and it’s known as ‘Divine Soldiers Gathering’ (Shenbing Juhui / 神兵聚会). It has a special angle of the surroundings, with much more rock towers.

Both of those spots are superb, and I solely noticed a handful of vacationers at every of them. This space of the park is actually a hidden gem!

To return, simply take the shuttle cart to the identical junction after which hop on a bus to both Yuanjiajie or Tianzi Mountain. You can exit the park from both of these areas if you’re accomplished sightseeing.

 

If You Only Have 1 Day At Zhangjiajie Forest Park

If attainable, I’d advocate spending at the very least 2 days on the park as a result of it’s an enormous space and there’s numerous superb surroundings.

However, in case you solely have in the future due to climate or different causes, you possibly can nonetheless see a bunch of nice issues in a number of sections of the park.

Here’s how I might arrange a 1 day itinerary:

• Start early on the east gate in Wulingyuan and take the Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie. See the Enchanting Terrace, Hallelujah Mountain, First Bridge, and different viewpoints.
• Take the bus and shuttle to Laowuchang and see the 2 spectacular viewpoints there: Shenbing Gathering and Parade Platform.
• Take the bus to Tianzi Mountain and see the primary viewpoints just like the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks. Finish the day by happening the Tianzi cable automotive and exiting on the east gate again in Wulingyuan.

If you possibly can’t begin very early within the day, I might skip Laowuchang and shorten the itinerary to only Yuanjiajie and Tianzi. You in all probability received’t have time for Laowuchang except you enter the park as quickly because it opens within the morning.

Keep in thoughts, you are able to do this itinerary in both route. In different phrases, you can begin at Tianzi and finish at Yuanjiajie if you need.

However, since Yuanjiajie has the worst crowds, I feel it’s smart to begin there and catch the elevator into the park earlier than the traces get too lengthy.

 

Other Tips For Zhangjiajie Forest Park

• Tickets: The entrance tickets for the park are offered as a 4-day move that features free buses throughout the park, however it doesn’t embody elevator or cable automotive rides. However, Klook sells a combo ticket that additionally consists of one elevator trip and three cableways. That’s the right ticket if you wish to do my 2-day Zhangjiajie itinerary that I’ve described right here. I extremely advocate reserving it prematurely so that you don’t need to waste time within the ticket queues on the park like I did.
• Passport: Remember to carry your passport to the park, as a result of they received’t allow you to in with out it. After you present it on the entrance and confirm it the primary time, there are facial recognition scanners all through the park for boarding buses, cable vehicles, and elevators, so that you received’t must preserve whipping out your passport for the remainder of the day.
• Opening Hours: The park is open each day from 7 AM to six PM from March to November, and eight AM to five PM from December to February.
• Getting Around: Be ready to do a lot of strolling. You can take buses between the primary areas of the park, however a lot of the exploring is finished on foot. It’s extra of a exercise than I anticipated.
• Food: There are eating places, meals stalls, and ice cream distributors scattered all over the place all through the park, so that you’ll by no means have to fret about discovering one thing to eat. I entered the park early within the morning, however I used to be nonetheless capable of purchase some scorching Jiaozi dumplings and different snacks for breakfast. That’s one of many issues I beloved about Zhangjiajie. There’s even a McDonald’s and KFC within the park in case you’re craving western meals.

• Payments: Like different locations in China, the park makes use of cashless funds for all the things. Even the meals stalls use Alipay or WeChat.
• Cell Service: Phone information works all through a lot of the park. I not often misplaced reception.
• Bathrooms: There are loads of bathrooms all through the park. The ones I used appeared clear sufficient to me, however carry your individual tissues.
• Monkeys: The macaques within the park are wild, so give them loads of house. They may attempt to steal your meals, or assault you in case you get too near one among their infants.
• Crowds: This is a well-liked park in China, so it is advisable to have some tolerance for crowds. Otherwise, you possibly can principally escape it on the much less touristy areas like Old House and Yangjiajie.

• Budget: The cable vehicles and elevator rides add to the associated fee. If you’re on a decent finances and need to lower your expenses, you possibly can hike as a substitute. I nonetheless wouldn’t advocate it although, since you’ll lose time and also you’ll miss out on some nice views.
• When To Visit: Any month is sweet, however spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) can be excellent if you need delicate climate. Just make sure you keep away from the primary weeks of May and October as a result of Chinese vacationers can be very busy touring for Labor Day and Golden Week. The footage on this web page had been taken in June.
• Photography: If you need to catch the well-known foggy views of the mountains, that’s normally finest seen after a rain. It makes the mountains look mysterious and delightful. Sadly once I went, it by no means rained and there was by no means any hint of fog.

 

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