The meaning of Zhangjiajie (Zhāngjiājiè ) is interpreted as follows:
“Zhang” is a common Chinese surname, “jia” means family, and “jie”
connotes “homeland.”
Lying in the northwest of Hunan province, it covers 4810 hectare, 32
kilometers from Zhangjiajie city. It was recognized as the first
national forest park in China in 1988 and was included in World Heritage
list by UNESCO in 1992. Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie Scenic Area) includes three main areas: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and, Suoxi Valley Natural Resource Reserve (including Baofeng Lake and Yellow Dragon Cave).
Our itinerary to Zhangjiajie & Tianmenshan
Day 1
We arrived at Zhangjiajie airport (IATA code : DYG) in the morning, and we took taxi for about 1 hour drive directly to WULINGYUAN area (which is the main area for Zhangjiajie scienic area).
The taxi ride from airport to the Wulingyuan Scenic Area costs about 100 - 250 Yuan (depend on how good you can negotiate)
If you want to take bus to Wuliangyuan area by bus :
First better you take taxi to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (near Zhangjiajie Railway Station) which has regular tourist buses to Wulingyuan Scenic Area every a few minutes and the bus journey takes about 40 minutes. Bus fare is around RMB12/person.
Taxi fare from airport to Zhangjiajie city area is around RMB 30+ the toll fee at the airport gate!
AIRPORT INFORMATION :
Zhangjiajie airport is located about 4km southwest of Zhangjiajie City and 38km from Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie Scenic Area). The city used to be called Dayong (hence the IATA 3 letter code of DYG).
If you are a nervous flyer, then it is best to take a night flight in to Zhangjiajie, take some medication that will knock you out and avoid a window seat. The airport runway is in an extremely narrow valley requiring a long approach at slow speed down the gorge. The air currents in the deep valley make the last 60 seconds a real unpleasant roller coaster ride, exacerbated considerably if you can see the cliffs and mountains outside.
Note : Actually this airport is very near to one scienic area, Tianmenshan, even sometimes can see the huge cave during clear weather while you get off from the plane, but we planned to go there later (please see our itinerary Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5), so it more easy for us to go back to airport.
After arrived at our hotel, near at the Pedestrian street at Wulingyuan Scienic area, and because it was already at 15:00, so we only can go to Yellow Dragon Cave by taxi which less than half hour away from our hotel (for about RMB 100/return trip - included waiting)
YELLOW DRAGON CAVE
In 1983, the local militia discovered Yellow Dragon Cave, known locally as Huanglong. First made accessible to the public in 1984, this remarkable cavern is nestled in the Suoxi Natural Reserve. Part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Yellow Dragon is touted as China’s and the world’s “magical karst cave.”
Resident villagers believe the grotto was the holy home of a yellow dragon and spirits. According to legend, during the Southern Song Dynasty a monk from Yellow Dragon Hill in Jiangxi Province arrived at the site and decided to build a temple. Out of nowhere, a yellow dragon pounced on the earth, transforming the abyss below into the present-day cave.
Considered the longest of its kind in Asia, this 20-square-kilometer wonder is part of a subterranean maze of intriguing features. Recognizing the Bell Rings Among Ice, the Path Sandwiched by Bamboo Grooves, and the Dance in the Dragon Palace evoked childlike amazement from every observer. Tramping over the Fairy Bridge was reminiscent of “Lord of the Rings.”
A small pond, three waterfalls, four pools, 13 grand halls, and 96 corridors grace the inner sanctum.
For a nominal fee, a quiet boat ride ferried us through a dimly lit environment. We soon stood near the base of an incredible stalagmite, “The Tower of Strength” is 19.2 meters high, with a 10-centimeter diameter. Cave experts state that it takes at least 200,000 years to grow this high. The vertical height of the cave runs 100 meters and higher.
Ticket Price 100Yuan + 3Yuan (Insurance)
Opening Time: 08:00-18:00
Day 2.
There are 2 entrances at Zhangjiajie Scienic Area, one is near to Wuliangyuan town which near to Elevator and Tian Zi cable car, and the other one is the entrance at the Forest Park which is near to Yellow Stone Village Cable car.
And we choose to take entrance from the Forest park and exit at entrance near to Wulingyuan town for 1 day journey.
Zhangjiajie
National Forest Park has already developed several scenic spots, such
as, Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huang-shi-zhai), Golden Whip Stream
(Jin-bian-xi), Yuanjiajie, etc.
Ticket Price: 245Yuan + 3Yuan (Insurance)
Opening Time: 07:00-18:00
How to get there: the fastest is by Taxi (around RMB60 - RMB100 from Wulingyuan downtown) or there are Special Tourist Buses from the downtown area of Zhangjiajie to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
American film director James Cameron saw the uniqueness of
Zhangjiajie’s “floating mountains” when filming the all-time
high-grossing blockbuster, “Avatar.” Scenes were shot at Hallelujah
Mountain, previously known as South Sky Pillar. Zhangjiajie people opine
that this place resembles the lush alien moon Pandora featured in the
movie.
After bought ticket at the entrance of Zhangjiajie national forest Park, from the main entrance, you need to walk crossed the forest park around 3-4 hours (normal standard time including standard taking rest and taking photo).
Which you can see so many beautiful peaks around you from the forest part, and the track ends to the Bai Long elevator entrance, then take the elevator, you need to pay single trip ticket for 72Yuan/person (you need to buy another ticket for going down too).
There is a free bus not far from the exit of the elevator (5 minutes walk), that bus will take you to Yuanjiajie area (where you can see the "avatar" mountains).
After finished from Yuanjiajie, better to go back to the elevator, and then take the elevator down. At the exit of the elevator building, you can see buses which will take you to Tianzi mountain area or Wulingyuan exit/entrance gate, it would be very convenient for people who stay at the hotels in Wulingyuan area.
From the exit, many taxis are waiting (about 10-20Yuan) to the downtown, or can take the public bus (about 2 Yuan/person) to some area at downtown, we took bus and stopped near to Xibu Jie.
Tianzi Mountain (Emperor Mountain) Located in the northeast of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain
is regarded as the top site to see sandstone peaks in high density,
covering 9,000 hectare with the highest altitude 1262.5 meters at Kunlun
Mountain. The yearly average temperature is 12 ℃, and annual average
rainfall 1800mm. There are around 240 frost-free days.
The
landscape here varies in different seasons and also in one day, which
makes Tianzi Mountain a very interesting destination. There are four
highlights for the breathtaking sceneries: peak forest, cloud sea,
sunrise and winter snow. Cloud and mist in Tianzi Mountain enjoys high
reputation nationwide, especially just after the rain, which adds much
charm to Tianzi Mountain.
An Austria-imported cable car was built
on the cliff of Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, which offers a perfect
angle to see the stunning views. But in some parts the cable cars will
be suspended over half of the sky; it is so steep, not recommended for
the faint- hearted.
CHARMING (MEI LI) XIANG XI
Charming Xiangxi is a famous theater of Zhangjiajie. It performance of Charming Xiangxi is one of the three grand folk shows in China. Charming Xiangxi is the reduction of culture of West Hunan Province. It will narrate you the mystery legend and bring you into the wonderful dream world-fresh, strange and surprise.
There are 2 parts of shows, the main show is indoor (where you will sit according to the the seat number on your ticket), and after the indoor show finished, there is another outdoor show.
Add : Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan, 画卷路 (Near to Zhangjiajie National Park) - next to Pullman Hotel
Show time:
first 18:30—20:15
second 20:00—21:40 peak season (from March to November)
19:00—20:40 off season (from November to March)
Ticket:
normal seat : 228 Yuan/person
VIP seat: 308 Yuan/person
Need reservation to get tickets.
Day 3
This day it was raining from morning, and actually we planned to go to Zhangjiajie scieninc area again from the entrance of Wulingyuan (because we can use the entrance ticket for 2 days), but we have to cancelled it, so we only can go to Baofeng lake before we go back to Zhangjiajie city (even in the middle of the rain) ... :(
The good thing is less people !!
Baofeng Lake
Baofeng Lake is the masterpiece of nature and human beings’wisdom.It is 85 meters above the ground and attains an altitude of 585 meters.With an average depth of 72 meters.All the water is from rainfall and spring without any pollutant.It is pure just like a big crystal among Bao feng mountain Range.When you cruise, you can hear authentic song from Tujia minority people.You can fully understand the harmony and peace between human beings and nature.
After finished from Baofeng Lake, we went back to our hotel to pick up all our luggages, and it's time to say good by to Wulingyuan town to go to Zhangjiajie city.
At Zhangjiajie city, we planned to go to Tianmenshan in the next day, and at night time there is a show that you must see, the world’s first real-scene musical drama, while you are in this area, Tianmen Fox Fairy Show!
Tianmen Fox Fairy Show
Tianmen Fox Fairy is known as the world’s first real-scene musical drama with the high mountains and deep valleys as the stage background. A love story between a woodman and a fairy fox.
Every night except harsh winter months it will be on show at the Grand Valley of Tianmen Mountain. Here you can listen to sweet singings, admire colorful lighting scene, and experience the strong folk custom of Tujia and Miao minorities. Since this open-air drama is only performed at night, when the weather gets cold you had better bring a coat to enjoy it.
Staff will give every tourist a raincoat for free. In cold days of winter, you can rent a piece of cotton-padded cloth(10 Yuan)
If you want to go there you can take a taxi or buses of No 10,4,5,6 (1 Yuan) from down town area to Tianmen mountain cable car station, then transfer to No 9 bus (5 Yuan) ,about 15 minutes to the opera theater. But if it is kind of trouble, you can join in the group, that will be much more convenient.
Add : Tianmen Grand Valley 湖北省天门市市人民大道 (Near To Tianmen Mountain)
Show time:
8:20PM to 10:00 PM between March and December.
Prices of tickets:
238 Yuan/normal ticket (A,B and C seats)
580 Yuan/VIP ticket
888 Yuan/super VIP ticket
Day 4
TIANMEN MOUNTAIN
Another place to see the fall scenery all around is Tianmenshan (天门山). Tianmen Mountain is regarded as the symbol and soul of Zhangjiajie. Tianmen Mountain is the first recorded mountain in the history of Zhangjiajie. The highest peak is around 1518.6 meters above sea level. The mountain is named after the natural huge cave half way up the mountain just like a gate to the heaven, hence, the name Heavenly Gate Mountain - Tianmen Mountain.
A 7.2-km long cable car was constructed in the park, which is said to be the longest of the same type in the world.
Glass-bottomed walkway around the cliff face of the Tianmen Mountain, 4,000 ft above sea level, at Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province.China’s newest tourist attraction … a glass-bottomed walkway around a cliff face.
The glass skywalk offers breathtaking views across the Hunan Province for those brave enough to attempt to cross the bridge.
Tianmen Mountain is always considered as the holy
mountain by locals. A 500-year-old Buddhist temple is nestled in the
mountain attracting thousands of prayers every year. Many legends and
stories about the mountain were inherited from generation to generation,
which are widely spread in the west of Hunan Province.
Tianmen Mountain Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty as a center of Buddhism in the area of western Hunan. The present Tianmen Mountain Temple is rebuilt on the basis of the original site with a plot area of more than 10,000 sqm. It adopts an official style of the Qing Dynasty and the buildings in the Temple compare well with the famous classical houses at home.
Heavenly Gate Mountain Temple is nestled in a natural hollow in the mountain ridge, providing a modicum of lee from the seasonally raw winds.
Standing well apart from the temple is a pagoda that you should definitely visit, but which can only be accessed from Heavenly Gate Mountain Temple, either on foot climb about 45 minutes or via a chair lift, which will set you back about 25 Yuan. The temple operates a vegetarian restaurant.
Entrance Fee: 258Yuan
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
How to get there: There are Tourist Buses from the downtown area of Zhangjiajie to Tianmen Mountain.
Ticket fee includes all scenic spots in
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park as well as all cable car and
shuttle bus rides. Allow three to four hours to explore the mountaintop.
Every activity and scene here in Zhangjiajie & Wulingyuan was truly a surprise to this discerning dragon. It was our trip of a lifetime.
Day 5
We went back to Zhangjiajie airport (DYG) in the early morning heading back to Guangzhou. It took us only 15 minutes from our hotel at Best Western Zhangjiajie to the airport with free shuttle from the hotel.
Where to eat
Laowu Yutou 老武鱼头
Feature: They main attraction is fish head soup. Chinese red pepper, pimiento, tomato, and peanuts are put into the fish head soup to add flavor. The preserved ham in this restaurant is very fatty and sweet-smelling. Also, it's worth to try "Mi jiu" the traditional sweet Hunan rice wine.
Address: Ziwu Road, Yongding District.
Additional Information : (It is good options if you have more time while you are at Zhangjiajie)
Phoenix
Ancient Town
By taxi or car will takes around 4 hours to get here from Zhangjiajie city. It is located at the southwest ridge of central China's Hunan Province. Hemmed in by rolling mountains and watered by a smoothly flowing river, flagstone streets, rows of traditional wooden houses built on stilts, towers, bridges everywhere, small boats rowed down the river, that's a portrait of Fenghuang.
