1-Day Tour to Zhangjiajie national Forest Park(Most Classic Area)
Detailed Time Arrangement & Itinerary
Preparation Before Departure: Check personal items (ID card, ticket reservation information, mobile phone, power bank, mineral water, dry food). Purchase any necessary items (such as raincoats, snacks) near the Starbucks in advance. • Depart collectively at 8:30 AM to Wulingyuan East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
08:00-08:50 Transfer to Wulingyuan East Gate
• Your private guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. Upon arrival at the scenic gate, follow your private guide to queue up and enter the park smoothly. Your guide will also provide travel essentials such as official scenic maps during the tour.
08:50-09:20 Shuttle Bus to Bailong Elevator Lower Station
• Take the free scenic shuttle bus from the East Gate to Bailong Elevator Lower Station (25 minutes’ drive). Sit on the right side of the bus to enjoy the scenery of Shuirao Simen (Four Gates Surrounded by Water), where four streams converge at the foot of the peak forest.
09:20-09:50 Take Bailong Elevator to Mountain Top• Experience Highlights: Bailong Elevator is the world’s highest outdoor elevator, with a vertical height of 326 meters and a 66-second ride. Seize the front row or window seat to enjoy the shocking view of the elevator passing through the quartz sandstone peak forest—looking down at the abyss and up at the towering peaks, it’s like entering a fairyland.
09:50-12:20 Explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (Core Attraction)
• After getting off the elevator, follow the signs to take the shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (5 minutes’ drive), then start hiking along the plank road (flat terrain, easy to walk) with the group.
Key Attractions to Visit:
1. Mihuntai (Confusing Platform): The best viewing platform in Yuanjiajie, overlooking the panoramic view of the thousand-peak forest. When there is mist, the peaks are like floating islands, which is the prototype of the “Hallelujah Mountain” scene in the movie Avatar.
2. Qiankunzhu (Heaven and Earth Pillar): The iconic attraction of *Avatar*; the 150-meter-high quartz sandstone pillar stands independently between the valleys, with lush vegetation on the top, showing the magic of nature.
3. Tianxia Diyiqiao (No.1 Natural Bridge Under Heaven): A natural stone bridge spanning two peaks, 350 meters above the valley, 12 meters long and 3 meters wide. Walking on the bridge, you can feel the momentum of “stepping on two peaks and looking down at the abyss”.
Photography Tips: The morning light is soft; take photos with the peak forest as the background, and wait for the group members to avoid getting separated. The guide will arrange a unified assembly time and place after the visit.
12:20-13:50 Lunch & Explore Tianzishan Scenic Area
• Take the shuttle bus from Yuanjiajie to Tianzishan Scenic Area (30 minutes’ drive), and have lunch at the restaurant near Helong Park (average consumption 35-50 yuan/person; recommended local specialty: Tujia Three-Pot Dish, a stew of bacon, tofu and radish). Eat together as a group to facilitate time control.
After Lunch Exploration: Visit Helong Park (built to commemorate the revolutionary martyr He Long, with Helong Statue and Dianjiang Platform (Military Command Platform)). Then go to the core viewing platforms: 1. Yubifeng (Writing Brush Peak): A group of thin and tall peak pillars standing upside down like writing brushes inserted in the cloud, with beautiful shapes. 2. Xiannu Sanhua (Fairy Scattering Flowers): The stone peak is like a fairy holding flowers, with a vivid shape. It is one of the most iconic scenic spots in Tianzishan.
13:50-14:20 Take Tianzishan Cableway Down the Mountain
• Take the shuttle bus to Tianzishan Cableway Upper Station (10 minutes’ drive), then take the cableway down the mountain (one-way 72 yuan/adult, 15 minutes’ ride) with the group. Sit on the right side of the cableway to overlook the panoramic view of the Xihai Peak Forest, with layers of peaks and valleys stretching as far as the eye can see. •
Alternative Option: If you have strong physical strength, you can choose to hike down the mountain via Wolong Ridge (about 2 hours’ walk) with the consent of the group, passing through the plank road in the forest, and enjoying the natural scenery along the way.
16:20-16:50 Return to East Gate & End the Tour
• Take the scenic shuttle bus from Jinbianxi or Shilihualang back to Wulingyuan East Gate (15-20 minutes’ drive) with the group. • Post-Tour Arrangement: Gather at the designated place at the East Gate to confirm the number of people. You can choose to stroll around Xibu Street near the East Gate with the group to taste Tujia snacks (such as glutinous rice cakes, preserved pork skewers) or buy local specialties (such as dried bamboo shoots, preserved pork). Then disband or return to the city center together.
| No. of Participants | Price /person |
|---|---|
| 1-2 people | $1,200 |
| 3-4 people | $900 |
| 7-9 people | $900 |
| 5-6 peoplen | $1,500 |
✅ What’s Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Local English-speaking guide
- All attraction tickets (Park entry fee, Bailong Elevator/Tiazi Cable way)
- Travel unsurrance
- Daily bottled water
❌ What’s Not Included
-
Lunch & dinner ($10–$15/person/meal)
-
Personal expenses (souvenirs, insurance)
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