Zhangjiajie is in northwestern Hunan, China's first national forest park and a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Here are 3,000 quartz sandstone peaks rising straight up, wrapped in clouds and mist, like a fairyland. The Hallelujah Mountains in the movie "Avatar" were filmed here.
The core scenic area of Zhangjiajie is Wulingyuan, divided into parts: Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Golden Whip Stream. We recommend 2 days. Day 1: take the Bailong Elevator up Tianzi Mountain, see Imperial Brush Peak and Goddess Scattering Flowers, then go to Yuanjiajie to see the Heaven's Pillar (the floating mountain from "Avatar"), walk the First Bridge Under Heaven.
Day 2: go to Golden Whip Stream, walk along the stream, with strange peaks on both sides, very cool. Then go to Tianmen Mountain, see the Heaven's Gate Cave—a naturally formed mountain cave, big enough for planes to fly through. The glass walkway on Tianmen Mountain is also thrilling, with a thousand-foot abyss beneath your feet.
Zhangjiajie food is also very distinctive. Sanxiaguo (pot dish)—meat, tofu, radish stewed together, goes great with rice. Cured meat—Western Hunan cured meat is very fragrant. Blood tofu—made with blood and tofu, try it if you dare. Also kudzu powder and Tujia Shefan rice, all local specialties.
We recommend visiting Zhangjiajie in autumn (September-October), when it's not hot and the mountain scenery is great. Temperature difference on the mountain is big—bring a jacket. Wear comfortable sneakers, you'll walk a lot. Budget: about 1,500-2,000 RMB per person (tickets + accommodation + food).
