What to Do in Zhangjiajie in 6 Days? Travel Guide and Tips

Day 1

Tianmen Mountain

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-9/30,7:30am-6:00pm;Open from 10/1-10/6,6:30am-6:00pm;Open from 10/7-12/31,7:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 235 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Days

Location: Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cableway, Dayong Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is named after the natural wonder “Tianmen Cave”. Tianmen Cave is not actually a cave but a hole in the mountain that formed naturally. It is often filled with fog so climbing the steps to reach Tianmen Cave will give a feeling of ascending into the heavens. During the cable car ride, you can overlook the 99 winding roads and beautiful mountain scenery. The bold can also take a walk along the glass skywalk and experience the thrill of "walking on air".

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Tianmen mountain or Heaven’s Gate Mountain It is famous for clouds and Misty Mountain. We booked Route A-Morning admission tickets for tianmen Mountain through Trip.com, which was very safe and convenient. I visited tianmen mountain on July 24th which is a peak season for visiting zhangjiajie. So knowing a lot people will visit,I planned my trip according to that. I reached on the tianmen mountain lower cable station at early morning 5:50Am because of that only 10-15 people was only their before us. At 6Am they started letting us go inside of the cable car station and made us wait till 6:30Am because the cable car will only start at 6:30 Am. After a 30 minutes ride in the cable car (which is the longest cable car ride in the world)we reached at the upper cable car station which is on the top of mountain. After reaching on the top of mountain we can decide which part of the mountain we should visit first,west or east side?. In internet you may find west side is more beautiful that east side or east side is very difficult to hike, which is totally ridiculous because both part are equally beautiful and both part are easy to hike for a moderate healthy person. Because we reached at 5:50Am their was no big queues , waiting or large crowds for us, it was very pleasant and calm full trip for us . Make sure you don’t skip any side of the mountain because west and east side of the mountain will give you two different atmospheric experience which you will never forget in your life. After finishing the both sides of the mountain we took the big gigantic 7 elevators to the top of heaven’s gate which is must for everyone and it is free. After that we climbed down, ie 999 steps to downward direction and we reached the down part of Heaven’s gate. After that you can take a bus down to the lower cable car station which is free for the route A ticket holder’s. It took for us 6 hours to finish our trip Note- Route A is less hiking that Route B, Route A ticket’s finish’s first......

Trip.com User: Tianmen Mountain in winter may see fog pine, it will be beautiful. Generally, it is best to go up the ropeway and take the car down the mountain. It is best to sit back when you sit on the ropeway, otherwise you will be a little afraid of the height. After arriving at the top of the mountain, you usually choose to go west or east, and you will pass the 60-meter glass plank. Will go to Tianmen Mountain Temple. Then I will go to the Tianmen Cave on the escalator, you can choose to take the elevator or take the 99 steps down. Tianmen Mountain is very good in Fengshui, the air is fresh, and it is said that it is a place for ghost valleys to repair, so be sure to see it.

Day 1 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Huatian Hotel in advance, because all the tourists head to Tianmen Mountain love staying at it.

Huatian Hotel

The Huatian Hotel is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. The Huatian Hotel is an ideal choice for travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Zhangjiajie.

With Zhangjiajie Railway Station just 2km away and Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport only 4km away, transportation is very convenient. With 碧野瑤台景區, 鼓樓 and Yongshun Tusi City all within a short distance, there is no shortage of things to do in the area.

This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. For those driving themselves, parking is provided on site.

According to our trusted guests, the facilities at this hotel are first-rate. This hotel is particularly popular with those traveling with families.

Day 2 | Morning

Tujia Folk Customs Park

Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00

Ticket Price: 100 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Opposite to Mong Kok Jia Garden, Dayong Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City

Tujia Folk Customs Park is situated in the urban area of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. It is a bright pearl in the natural landscape of Zhangjiajie. Based on the local Xiangxi Toast Castle, here you can enjoy the Tujia style and the wonderful Tujia folk customs. When you play, you will also have the opportunity to watch the ancient Tujia dances of the Tujia nationality. The traditional Maogus dances usually take place before the other types of dances. Before the opening of the dance, you must worship the king of the earth and sing the sacrificial god songs.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Wulingyuan nearby is the top choice before you leave Tujia Folk Customs Park and hit the road.

Wulingyuan

Opening Hours: Open from 7:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 228 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days

Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City

Located in the northwestern part of Hunan Province lies Wulingyuan. A part of the Wulingyuan District of Zhangjiajie City, this area is home to many natural attractions, such as the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park as well as three national Geoparks: the Suoxiyu, Tianzishan, and the Yangjiajie. There is spectacular scenery to be enjoyed, and all year round, at the Wulingyuan Scenic Spot; it’s like a Penglai Wonderland. For those who enjoy long walks, they will not be disappointed by the abundance of dense forests and high mountain peaks that are ready to be explored. The changing cloudscapes provide an ever-changing view.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: I stayed next to the park and the entrance ticket is valid for 4 days. I took the cable car to tianzi mountain and walk down. Quite a lot of stairs but the scenery is worth it. After a day rest, I climbed up to 迷魂台, cross the First Bridge Under The Sky and took the Bailong Elevator. There are shuttle bus to take u back to the entrance which is walking distance to the city bus station. From there u can travel to Tianmen Mountain.

Vasya: The entrance looks amazing as first opinion to the trip. After need to buy a map not to get lost. The map looks cool and it's for 10 yuan only. It would be easier with the map to schedule the trip on the mountains. Usually need to take a bus cause the area is huge and there are different stations. My advice is to show the map to the driver so he can explain how to get from one point to another.

Day 2 | Evening

Don’t forget to book ZiShan Ecological Resort in advance, because all the tourists head to Wulingyuan love staying at it.

ZiShan Ecological Resort

The ZiShan Ecological Resort is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. Visitors to Zhangjiajie will find that the ZiShan Ecological Resort is a fantastic accommodation choice.

Zhangjiajie West Station is located approximately 24km away and Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport around 33km away. With multiple attractions nearby including 山谷花間隨心谷轟趴館, Condor Protecting Whip Scenic Area and Tiaoyu Pond, guests will find plenty to keep themselves occupied.

At the end of a busy day, travelers can unwind and relax in the hotel or go out and enjoy the city. This Zhangjiajie hotel offers parking on site.

According to our guests, this hotel provides a very high level of service. This hotel is particularly popular with those traveling with families.

Day 3

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Opening Hours: Open from 7:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 228 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-4 Days

Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the main attraction of Zhangjiajie. It is famous for its sandstone landforms, precarious peaks, limpid streams, dense forests, and large karst caves. More than 3,000 mountain peaks of various shapes are congregated here in the park, forming a spectacular scenery. The park was thrust into foreign travelers' eyes after the booming success of the movie “Avatar”, in which the Hallelujah Mountains were inspired by the Heavenly piller of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The main attractions in the park are Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Peak, Golden Whip Stream and Yellow Stone Village. The mountains have peculiar shapes, often surrounded by fog and mist giving visitors a view similar to the drawings of a traditional chinese painting.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Moonlover: This is a must see for nature lovers! The weather was rainy and foggy when we went there but it made the view even more mysterious. You pay for the entrance ticket and the buses take you around for free. The elevator is pricy and from my own experience cable way is more impressive than the elevator. So, if you wanna save money skip the elevator but don’t skip the cable way. It gives you the chance to have a close look at the forest. Be aware of monkeys. They are so cute but they can steal food from your hand. If it’s rainy, you can buy a raincoat and rain shoe covers on the mountain. If you are not a Chinese street food lover, make sure to have some snacks with you.

Trip.com User: Just amazing. Even though the weather wasn't great, a lot of rain and quite clowdy, it was just something from another world. You can be as lazy as you want by taking the cable cart, elevator, busses. If you are up for a challenge, you can walk around the entire park spread out over the 4 days the ticket is valid for. Especially the longer paths are very quiet, you can walk for an hour or two without seeing anyone else. When it's a bit cloudy, you sometimes have to wait for an opening to get the best views.

Day 3 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park? Yuelanshan Guanyun Mountain Residue is one of your top choices.

Yuelanshan Guanyun Mountain Residue

The Yuelanshan Guanyun Mountain Residue was recently opened in 2022, making it a fantastic choice for those staying in Zhangjiajie.

Zhangjiajie West Station is located approximately 24km away while Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport is 33km away. There is no shortage of things to see in the area, with the 山谷花間隨心谷轟趴館, Yaozizhai Scenic Area and Golden Whip Stream (Jinbian Stream) all nearby.

After a long day of sightseeing, guests can retire to the comfort of the hotel. For those driving themselves, parking is provided on site.

There's never a dull moment at this hotel, our guests indicate that the facilities are excellent.

Day 4 | Morning

Bailong Elevator

Opening Hours: Open from 03/01-11/30,7:00am-7:00pm;Open from 12/01-2/28,8:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: 65 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 5-10 Minutes

Location: Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Yuanjiajie Village, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie

Bailong Sky Ladder is located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area and connects the main attractions such as Jinbianxi, Yuanjiajie, and Tianzishan. It takes about 2 hours to climb the mountain from the vicinity of the Golden Whip Creek Grand Canyon to Yuanjiajie, and only 2 minutes if you take the Bailong Sky Ladder from the "Four Doors Surrounded by Water". There are three elevators in total, each made completely of transparent glass. Riding the elevators, passengers can even enjoy the view of the spiritual gatherings, composed of dozens of peaks on the other side.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: The Elevator was quick but you get to see the view of the avatar mountain from the side and the bottom of the mountain. Go early before it gets very busy.

Trip.com User: Fun experience! Its actually a double decker elevator. Make sure you stand in front of the glass, so enter first. otherwise you won’t see anything.

Day 4 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Bailong Elevator, don’t forget pay a visit to Huanglong Cave.

Huanglong Cave

Opening Hours: Open from 8:30am-4:30pm

Ticket Price: 96 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: Huanglong Cave, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City

Huanglong Cave is an important part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area and is a typical karst landform. The area of ​​the cave is very large, with a height of more than 100 meters, a deep dark river, and dense stalagmites. Among them, the “Dinghai Shenzhen”, which is 20 meters high, is an iconic attraction. Visitors enter the cave, walk for a while, then board the ship at the pier on the dark river in the cave. Here, you can take a cruise on the river and see the wonders of the stalagmites.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Vasya: It was my first place in Zhangjiajie and I don't regret it. It took me maximum 3 hours and a half to walk around and take photos inside. Despite the rocks, there is a waterfall, a boat trip and a small labirinth. Before entering the Yellow Dragon Cave, there is a nice park.

Moonlover: A beautiful and large cave that is worth to visit if are in Zhangjiajie and especially when it’s raining heavily and you are not able to visit forest sites.

Day 4 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Harmona Resort & Spa Zhangjiajie in advance, because all the tourists head to Huanglong Cave love staying at it.

Harmona Resort & Spa Zhangjiajie

The Harmona Resort & Spa Zhangjiajie (Zhangjiajie Hetianju Dujia Jiudian) is located inside Zhangjiajie National Tourism Area, just a short walk from the core Wuling scenic area, and boasting easy access to Longwang Cave and the Grand Canyon. The hotel’s unique architecture that combines traditional Chinese design with post-modern surrealism ensures that guests will enjoy an unforgettable experience. The hotel offers an airport pickup service, multilingual staff, bicycle and car rental, free Wi-Fi in public areas and much more. The on-site restaurant features a garden-style Tujia minority architecture and offers dishes from all over China giving guests a taste of the country’s extensive culinary tradition. Meeting rooms of different sizes are available for commercial travelers. Moreover, there is a VIP greeting room complete with a LED screens, hi-tech communication devices, multi-media presentation systems, conference tracking systems and audio-visual and acoustics equipment. For fun and rejuvenation, a foot bath, spa, reading salon, fitness center, billiards room, ping pong room, yoga facilities, outdoor tennis courts, an indoor heated pool and an outdoor swimming pool are provided.

Day 5 | Morning

 Zhangjiajie Romance Park

Opening Hours: Open from 1:30pm-10:10pm

Ticket Price: 280 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: Eternal Love in Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie CityEternal Love in Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City

Zhangjiajie Qiangu Scenic Area is located in Wulingyuan Scenic Spot. It has four themed areas: Dayong Ancient Street, Taoyuan Secret Land, Lover's Sea, and Rotten Apple Parent-Child Paradise. Dayong Ancient Street gathers intangible cultural heritage and handicraft workshops to experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage up close. There are many surprises in high-tech experience projects such as the Haunted House in Taoyuan and the Chiyou Storm Hall. Lover's Sea has Lover's Harbor and Silver Beach, which is a good place for young people to relax. Rotten Apple Parent-Child Paradise has carousel, naughty castle, bumper cars and other parent-child amusements, as well as the Qingming Shanghetu Movie Theater. The main show "The Eternal Love of Zhangjiajie" is a must-see performance in a lifetime. The audience is always immersed in the performance with the unexpected stage means, and they can appreciate the magic of nature and the colorful and dream-like underwater world. In the magical Wuling fairyland, Hunan women are passionate and heroic! Parent-child show "WA! Dinosaur", a high-tech stage production, instantly travels through the Jurassic period. Tyrannosaurus rex actually made its debut by selling cuteness. Exciting experience, warm protection, bringing every child a journey full of dry goods. Let sensory adventures at your fingertips! In the scenic area, performances such as "National Welcome Parade", "Bonfire Carnival", "Tusi Recruiting Son-in-law", "Jianghu Flash Show" and "Walking the Streets in the Market" are splendid. Zhangjiajie Eternal Scenario, give me one day, and give you a thousand years!

Reviews from Real Guests:

AngelicTraveler: A beautiful constructed masterpiece with great special effects. A must see! The storyies are beautifulluly told the dances and acting is touching! You will enjoy yourself!

Day 5 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming  Zhangjiajie Romance Park, Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway

Opening Hours: Open from 7:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 258 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Zhangmenjie City, Yongding District, Tianpingshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Peak West Line, Yunmeng Xianding to Yihongguan.

Tianmenshan Glass Sky Walk is a courage testing site in Zhangjiajie. Unlike the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, which is built above the canyon, the glass path in Tianmenshan is built on the cliffs. The path is all made of transparent glasses. Walking on it, you can experience the thrill of seeing the deep valley under your feet and enjoy the joy of walking in the sky.

Reviews from Real Guests:

ima_alohomora: Worth doing it, it’s almost for free (5 rmb), fun experience. Anyway all around the mountain top there are cliff walks with spectacular views, this is just an extra; not scary at all.

Trip.com User: There are three to four different glass way. you may have to choose right one. I been to west ... however one with round shape sounds more impressive on photo.

Day 5 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway, Ximan Tianmen Shanju Holiday Hostel nearby is the best place to stay.

Ximan Tianmen Shanju Holiday Hostel

The Ximan Tianmen Shanju Holiday Hostel is a great choice for guests looking for accommodation in Zhangjiajie, having been recently opened in 2019.

The hotel is only 5km from Zhangjiajie Railway Station and 8km from Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, giving guests a number of convenient transportation options. Seeing Zhangjiajie's sights from this hotel is easy with The Guigu Cave, 攀森國際汽車特技表演城 and 碧野瑤台景區 all close by.

This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. This Zhangjiajie hotel offers parking on site.

According to our trusted guests, the facilities at this hotel are first-rate. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families.

Day 6 | Morning

Performances of "Tianmen Fox Spirit: The New Liuhai Cuts Firewood"

Opening Hours: Open from 4/2-10/17,8:20pm-9:25pm

Ticket Price: 190 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.5-1.5 Hours

Location: Tianmen Mountain, Yongding, Zhangjiajie, China

Performances of "Tianmen Fox Spirit: Tew Liuhai Cuts Firewood" adapt a well-known folktale from Hunan and Huagu opera called "Liuhai Cuts Firewood," is a stunning landscape scenery performance and magical music performance that tells the romantic tale of a human fox. The stage for the repertoire of performances is composed of everything from the entry of the Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area all the way to the peak. A central stage, built on the gorge, combines with those at the peak, canyon, forest and waterfall.

Day 6 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Performances of "Tianmen Fox Spirit: The New Liuhai Cuts Firewood", don’t forget pay a visit to Baofeng Lake Scenic Area.

Baofeng Lake Scenic Area

Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00

Ticket Price: 96 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: Baofeng Town, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City

Baofeng Lake Scenic Area is a component of the core scenic spot of Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie City. It is located in the south of Wulingyuan District. Baofeng Lake Scenic Area consists of Baofeng Lake and Yingwo Village. Baofeng Lake Scenic Area has become the representative of Wulingyuan waterscape scenery with its beautiful lake water color and steep cliffs. The TV drama "Journey to the West" in the Huaguoshan Water Curtain Cave is shot in the scenic area of ​​"Qifeng Waterfall". ".

Reviews from Real Guests:

Vasya: This area really gives you the feeling in calmness. I liked the waterfall a lot. It's not faraway to the entrance. After you can get on the mountains before getting to the lake.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.