PARC NATIONAL DE ZHANGJIAJIE

Zhangjiajie National Park is a natural masterpiece nestled in the northwest of Hunan province. Covering an area of 4,810 hectares, this Unesco World Heritage-listed geological wonder is famous for its thousands of towering sandstone pillars, often shrouded in mist, which lend it a surreal atmosphere worthy of a fantasy tale. It was China's first national park, founded in 1982, marking a milestone in the preservation of the country's natural landscapes. The inspiration for the landscapes in the film Avatar, Zhangjiajie offers a breathtaking spectacle, where nature seems to defy the laws of gravity. This park, with its unique landscapes of rare beauty, is undeniably a must-see on your travels.

Practical information. The park has several entrances, but the main ones are Zhangjiajie Forest Park and Wulingyuan. The Wulingyuan entrance can be reached on foot from the village of the same name, while the Zhangjiajie forest entrance can be reached by bus from the village in 30 minutes at a cost of 10 RMB. The Wulingyuan Area Entrance, marked by a large pagoda, is a focal point: at the foot of the pagoda, the left entrance provides access to the Tianzi Mountain cable car, while the right entrance leads to the Bailong elevator. The ticket office is located to the left of the pagoda. Prices are displayed in English.

The park opens at 7 a.m., and it's advisable to get there before 8 a.m. to avoid the crowds during peak periods. A standard ticket entitles the holder to four consecutive days' admission. Free buses run continuously to facilitate movement within the park, connecting the various attractions and trailheads. They leave as soon as they are full, but the wait rarely exceeds a few minutes. Other attractions, such as the cable cars and the Bailong elevator, can be purchased directly on site. This is not very practical, and also justifies starting the day early to avoid wasting time in the queue for each attraction. Finally, food, drink and toilet stalls are scattered throughout the park.

Orientation

Zhangjiajie Park is divided into six main sections, each offering a unique experience:

Tianzi Mountain (Tianzi Mountain, 天子山). This iconic peak offers breathtaking views of the entire park. From its heights, you can observe the sandstone pillars emerging from the clouds like mystical towers. The vertiginous cable car takes ten minutes to reach (72 RMB). From the entrance to Wulingyan, it takes around 10 minutes by bus to reach the cable car, which can be paid for on the spot at the ticket office with passport and via a WeChat QR code. The cable car ride offers a spectacular, if dizzying, climb. At the top, the view is often foggy due to the altitude, but on the rare days when the sky is clear, the panoramas of the surrounding peaks are absolutely breathtaking. Not to be missed.

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (袁家界). This section is home to the park's most famous rock formations, including Hallelujah Mountain, inspiring the landscapes in Avatar. A walk of around 1.5 hours allows you to enjoy impressive views, but you should expect a sometimes vertiginous trail, skirting steep cliffs and often frequented by huge numbers of visitors. One of the highlights of this walk is the Prayer Bridge, a picturesque passageway decorated with hundreds of red ribbons bearing wishes left by visitors in search of happiness and prosperity. This section offers a unique setting for observing the impressive hanging peaks.

Mount Huangshi (Huangshi Village, 黄石寨). A plateau offering accessible hiking trails, not too steep, and stunning panoramas. It's one of the best places to admire the sunrise and watch the mist rise slowly over the rock formations. A cable car (65 RMB one way, 118 RMB round trip) provides direct access. This site is also known for the many monkeys that roam freely in the vicinity. They can be curious and approach visitors, especially if they're carrying food. So be careful with your bags and belongings!

Suoxi Canyon (Suoxi Valley, 索溪峪). This area is famous for its deep gorges and lush surroundings. It is home to the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge (张家界大峡谷玻璃桥), which attracts thrill-seekers and offers a never-before-seen perspective on the void. This 430-meter-long suspension bridge, perched 300 meters above the canyon, holds several world records as one of the longest and highest glass bridges in the world. Its transparent structure allows visitors to literally walk through the void, offering a breathtaking experience and a breathtaking view of the gorge below. Designed to support up to 800 people simultaneously, it is not recommended for those prone to vertigo. A must for thrill-seekers!

Gold Whip Stream (Jinbian Xi, 金鞭溪): A long, peaceful walk of around 2 hours (5.7 km) along a winding river, lined with towering cliffs. This trail links the forest park entrance to the Bailong elevator along a stream, offering a spectacular immersion among the park's famous rock pillars. As you progress along this path, the soothing sound of water and lush vegetation provide a serene atmosphere, while the imposing rock formations rise majestically on either side. This area is also home to a large population of monkeys. Halfway along, you can branch off and climb up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, adding a new perspective to the park's majestic scenery. The Gold Whip Stream trail is linked by bus to Bailong Elevator (百龙天梯), a feat of engineering providing rapid access to the heights of the park. Clinging to the side of a cliff, this outdoor elevator holds the world record for the tallest outdoor elevator at 326 meters. Constructed of glass and steel, it offers a vertiginous ascent/descent in less than two minutes, providing a spectacular plunging view of the surrounding rock formations. Its efficiency is undeniable, although its meteoric ascent may leave some visitors wanting more in the way of contemplation. The elevator can carry up to 50 people per cabin, and welcomes almost 4,000 visitors a day, which can get quite crowded. Admission costs 65 RMB.

Yangjiajie Village (Yangjiajie Village, 杨家界). A wilder, less-frequented spot because it's off-center, it rewards the most adventurous visitors with craggy landscapes and impressive rock formations. Located to the west of the park, this area is famous for its rugged relief and numerous staircases carved into the rock, offering breathtaking panoramas of sheer cliffs and lush valleys. Yangjiajie's iconic sites include the legendary Tianbo Mansion (天波府), an observation point offering breathtaking views of the surrounding sea of mountains, as well as the Natural Great Wall (天然长城), a rocky ridge with the appearance of a great natural wall. This is also home to some of the park's most spectacular rock formations, including Longquan Waterfall (龙泉飞瀑), a waterfall nestled in a verdant setting. Less crowded than Yuanjiajie or Tianzi Mountain, this section of the park is ideal for hikers looking for a more immersive experience.

Program ideas for visiting Zhangjiajie

A single day is a very short time to visit Zhangjiajie: it's possible to see the major points of interest, but this implies a steady pace and the use of mechanical facilities, with no time to explore the trails on foot. Two days is the minimum to fully immerse yourself in the park's atmosphere, while three to four days allows for a more complete immersion, especially if the weather is mild and you wish to enjoy the hikes and panoramas in complete serenity.

One-day tour. From the entrance to Wulingyuan, take the Tianzi Mountain cable car for spectacular views of the vertiginous rock formations. Then explore Yuanjiajie, where you'll discover the natural bridge and Hallelujah Mountain, immortalized in the film Avatar. The itinerary continues with a descent via the Bailong elevator, an impressive experience offering a bird's-eye view of the surrounding landscape. End the day with a relaxing stroll along Gold Whip Stream, a peaceful path between steep cliffs and winding river, before catching the bus back to the exit.

A two-day tour. Follow the suggested itinerary for a one-day tour. For the second day, start with a visit to Mount Huangshi, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the peaks. Reach it by cable car or by hiking. In the afternoon, explore Yangjiajie Nature Reserve, the park's wildest area.

Three-day tour. Take up the itinerary of the first two days and continue exploring Suoxi Canyon. Take the opportunity to cross the Zhangjiajie glass bridge, suspended 300 meters above the void, for an unforgettable experience. Then make the most of your last few hours to take one last hike, the Ten Mile Gallery for example, in a valley lined with rocky peaks, or return to Tianzi Mountain at the end of the day to admire the sunset.

Whatever the season, Zhangjiajie offers landscapes in constant metamorphosis: in spring, the mountains are adorned in a brilliant green mantle; in summer, mystical mists lend an enigmatic aura to the rock formations; autumn unveils an explosion of flamboyant colors; while winter sometimes covers the peaks in a veil of immaculate snow, adding an enchanting touch to this timeless setting.

Zhangjiajie, with its daydream-like landscape, is a must-see destination for nature lovers, adventurers and photography enthusiasts. Welcome to one of China's most beautiful natural settings!