CITY · HUNAN
Zhangjiajie
张家界 · Zhāngjiājiè
Overview
Wulingyuan / Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (UNESCO) — the sandstone pillars that inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. Half-day to multi-day hiking and cable cars.
Zhangjiajie city is the launchpad for the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (UNESCO), a 690 km² sandstone-pillar landscape with 3,000+ vertical quartzite columns rising up to 200m. The geology is unique to the region. The park became globally famous when James Cameron acknowledged it as inspiration for Avatar's floating mountains. The main entrance is at Wulingyuan town, where most visitors stay; multi-day passes give access to trails, the Bailong glass-floor elevator (a 326m vertical lift inside a sandstone cliff), and Tianzi Mountain. The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, with the world's longest glass-bottomed bridge, is 30 km from the park.
What to see
- Wulingyuan Scenic Area (UNESCO) — Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie
- Bailong Glass Elevator
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge
- Tianmen Mountain (Heaven's Gate) — separate park, cable car straight from town
What to eat
- Tujia ethnic-minority sour-and-spicy dishes
- Wild mushroom hotpot
- Smoked tofu
Getting there
Zhangjiajie Hehua (DYG) airport. Zhangjiajie West HSR: Changsha 1h 30m, Guangzhou 4h 30m.
Getting around
In-park shuttle buses (included in entry). Cable cars and the glass elevator.
Where to stay
Wulingyuan town for proximity to the park; Zhangjiajie city for Tianmen Mountain access.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
April–May, September–October. Summer is busy with domestic tourists.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥350 |
| Mid-range | ¥750 |
| Comfortable | ¥1800 |
Nearby attractions
Food of Central China
- Chairman Mao's Red-Braised Pork毛氏红烧肉
Hunan-style slow-braised pork belly in soy, Shaoxing wine and chilli — the dish Mao Zedong reportedly ate weekly in Zhongnanhai.
- Doupi (Wuhan Tofu Skin)豆皮
Wuhan breakfast: layered pan-fried tofu skin and rice cake with mushroom, ham and bamboo shoots inside.
- Fish Head with Chopped Chilli剁椒鱼头
A whole silver carp head blanketed with fermented chopped red chilli and steamed until the flesh is silky and fiery.
- Hunan Chilli Fried Pork小炒肉
Thin-sliced pork belly wok-fried with fresh long green chillies and fermented black beans — Hunan's most-ordered everyday dish.
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