Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Plan your trip to Zhangjiajie (Avatar’s filming spot)! Get Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket prices, opening hours, transport tips, top things to do, and weather info for a smooth visit.

About Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Facts, Location, Height)

Zhangjiajie is China’s first national forest park (founded in 1982) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Its star feature—3,000+ sandstone pillars—formed over 380 million years: once an ocean, tectonic shifts lifted the seabed, and wind/rain carved it into the spires you see today. The park sits in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City (Hunan Province), part of a bigger scenic area that includes Tianzi Mountain and Suoxi Valley.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Opening Hours

• Park Main Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (latest entry at 5:00 PM; ticket sales stop at 5:00 PM)
• Bailong Elevator: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Apr–Oct); 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Nov–Mar)
• Tianzi Mountain Cableway: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Apr–Oct); 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Nov–Mar)
• Note: Hours may change for Chinese New Year or holidays—check the park’s official site first.

Where is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, central China. It is part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is composed of several natural attractions. The main entrances of the park (such as the Wulingyuan entrance and the Zhangjiajie main entrance) are easily accessible from the center of Zhangjiajie City, although the driving time is short.

How to Get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Getting to the park starts with reaching Zhangjiajie City (by plane/train), then taking local transport to the park’s entrances. Below is a quick ref:

By Plane

1. Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG)—it has direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and even some international cities (like Seoul).
2. From the airport: Take a taxi to the park’s Wulingyuan Entrance ($15–$20, ~1 hour) or take the airport shuttle bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station ($4, ~1.5 hours), then switch to a local bus ($1) to the entrance.

By High-Speed Train

1. Take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station—trains run from Changsha (2.5 hours), Guangzhou (4 hours), and Wuhan (5 hours).
2. From the station: Catch a shuttle bus to Wulingyuan Entrance ($3, ~40 minutes) or take a taxi ($10–$15, ~55 minutes).

By Bus or Car

• Intercity Bus: Take a bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station (departing from Changsha, Changde and other places), and then walk or take a local bus (($1) to the park entrance.
• Car: Go directly to the park parking lot (Wulingyuan entrance or main gate). The parking fee is about $7/day.

What to See & Do in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

You don’t need to see everything in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—just focus on these must-do spots to avoid feeling rushed:

• Yuanjiajie Scenic Area: The Avatar spot! See the “Southern Sky Column” (the original “Hallelujah Mountain”) and “Avenue of the Immortals” (rows of pillars). Take the Bailong Elevator up for a dramatic ride.
• Tianzi Mountain: Hike or take the cable car to the peak—sunrises here are legendary (wake up by 6:30 AM!). You’ll get 360° views of the pillar forest.
• Golden Whip Stream: Walk along the clear stream and a 7.5-kilometer flat path. Spotted monkeys (They have got used to tourists!) And enjoying the shade of the big trees - hot weather is perfect.

• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: Walk across the world's longest glass bridge (430 meters long and 300 meters high). Looking down at the canyon below is exciting - if you have acrophobia, don't look!
• Yellow Stone Village: Hike the "Top of the World" trail and get up close to the stone pillars. Take your camera with you - the afternoon sun makes the rocks shine.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Weather & Best Time to Visit

Zhangjiajie has distinct 4 seasons, and the weather can also affect your itinerary - some months are suitable for hiking, while others are better for avoiding crowds.

Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Nearby Attractions - Recommended Itineraries

2-Day Itinerary (Perfect for First-Timers)

• Day 1: Morning (Yuanjiajie + Bailong Elevator) → Afternoon (Golden Whip Stream)
• Day 2: Morning (Tianzi Mountain sunrise + cable car) → Afternoon (Grand Canyon Glass Bridge)

3-Day Itinerary (Add More Depth)

• Day 1: Yuanjiajie + Golden Whip Stream
• Day 2: Tianzi Mountain + Yellow Stone Village
• Day 3: Grand Canyon Glass Bridge + Fenghuang Ancient Town (day trip—2.5 hours by car; explore old wooden houses and riverside streets)

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