Travel guide to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first national forest park in China, boasting unique quartz – sandstone peak – forest landscapes.Here is a detailed travel guide:

Ticket Information

Combined ticket (including in – scenic – area environmental – protection vehicles, excluding cable cars, elevators, etc.)
- The full – price combined ticket is 224 yuan per ticket, and the insurance of 3 yuan is optional. It is valid for 4 consecutive days.
- The preferential combined ticket is 113 yuan per ticket, and the insurance of 3 yuan is optional. It is valid for 4 consecutive days.
- The annual pass for the combined ticket is 298 yuan per year, and the insurance of 3 yuan is optional. The annual pass includes environmental – protection vehicles, and it is valid for one year.
Whole – journey combined ticket: It is priced at 518 yuan. This combined ticket includes both entrance and transportation such as shuttle bus, Bailong elevator, Yangjiajie cable car, Huangshizhai (Yellowstone Village) cable car and Tianzi Mountain cable car. With this ticket, you are allowed to enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park endless times in four direct days with unlimited access to the cable cars, Bailong elevator and sightseeing shuttle bus

Best Visiting Time
- The period from April to October has a pleasant climate, and the scenery is the most beautiful, which is the best time to visit. It is recommended to avoid peak seasons such as National Day and Spring Festival to get a better travel experience.
Transportation
- External Transportation: If you arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to the scenic area, which is about 35 kilometers away. Zhangjiajie Railway Station also has direct bus or taxi services to the scenic area. For self – driving tourists, there are parking lots near the scenic area, and some homestays provide pick – up services.
- Internal Transportation: The scenic area provides free environmental – protection buses, which connect the main scenic spots, such as the east entrance → Tianzi Mountain Cable Car → Yuanjiajie. In addition, there are also paid transportation options like Bailong Elevator, which can reach Yuanjiajie in 88 seconds, Tianzi Mountain Cable Car for overlooking the peak forest, and Huangshi Village Cable Car for reaching the top of the mountain to enjoy the panoramic view.
Must – visit Scenic Spots3
- Yuanjiajie: It is the prototype of the floating mountain in the movie Avatar. The Qiankun Column is a must – see and photo – taking spot. The Mihun Terrace is also extremely wonderful, surrounded by mountains, and the peak forest has various shapes, just like a three – dimensional landscape painting.
- Tianzi Mountain: It is an excellent place to watch the sea of clouds and sunrise. Scenic spots such as Yubi Feng and Xiannv Sanhua are very beautiful. He Long Park is also worth a visit, and the bronze statue in the park is a landmark photography location.
- Huangshi Village: There is a saying that “if you don’t go to Huangshi Village, you haven’t been to Zhangjiajie”. Scenic spots like Zhai Xingtai, Wuzhifeng, Yuhua Garden, and Zhang Liang Buzhen are not to be missed, from where you can overlook the panoramic view of the forest park.
- Golden Whip Stream: Known as “one of the most beautiful canyons in the world”, it is a 7.5 – kilometer – long hiking route. The stream is clear, and there are many monkeys by the stream. You can also see the “Pishanjiumu Stone”, which is the filming location of Journey to the West.
- Ten – Mile Gallery: It is a 5 – kilometer – long canyon, with more than 200 stone peaks of various shapes on both sides, just like a natural sculpture corridor. You can choose to take a sightseeing small train or walk to enjoy the scenery.
- Yangjiajie: Wulongzhai is located in a strategically dangerous place, where one man can hold the pass against ten thousand men. It is very suitable for adventure lovers.
Tour Routes
- 2 – day Classic Itinerary
  - Day 1: Enter from the east entrance, take the Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie, visit the prototype of Hallelujah Mountain and other scenic spots, and then go to Tianzi Mountain to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Stay in Wulingyuan at night.
  - Day 2: Take the Huangshi Village Cable Car to the top of Huangshi Village to overlook the panoramic view, and then stroll along the Golden Whip Stream, and finally exit from the south entrance.
- 3 – day In – depth Itinerary
  - Day 1: First, go to Tianmen Mountain to experience the glass – bottomed plank road and Tianmen Cave.
  - Day 2: Visit Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, and feel the shock brought by the peak forest landscape.
  - Day 3: Hike the Golden Whip Stream, enjoy the natural scenery along the stream, and then take the small train of Ten – Mile Gallery to appreciate the unique stone peaks.
Accommodation Recommendations1
- Wulingyuan Area: There are many accommodation options, which are convenient for visiting the scenic area. For example, the “No.5 Valley” cliff homestay has a 270° viewing terrace, which is very suitable for photography enthusiasts. The “Nabaili Crowne Plaza Hotel” is family – friendly, with a children’s playground and a swimming pool.
- Inside the Scenic Area: Staying inside the scenic area can save time, but the price is relatively high, such as the homestays in Dingxiangrong Village.
  
  Warm Tips
  - Ticket Reservation: The forest park ticket can be purchased 3 days in advance through the “Zhangjiajie One – stop Travel” mini – program, and the first – time entry needs to be carried out according to the reserved time period.
  - Be aware of the Monkeys: There are many monkeys in Golden Whip Stream and Huangshi Village. Do not feed or provoke them, and keep food in your bag to avoid exposure to prevent being robbed by monkeys.
  - Clothing and Equipment: Wear non – slip sports shoes, and bring rain gear and warm – keeping clothes, because the mountainous area has changeable weather, with frequent showers and large temperature differences.