Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie is located in the northwest of Hunan Province and the hinterland of Wuling Mountains. The special geology forms geomorphologic landscapes that are rarely seen in other places of the world. The magnificent and miraculous quartz sand stone forest peak in Wulingyuan is the “Monument of Earth”, impressive and shocking. The Tianmen Mountain, the typical karst alpine terrace in the area, is known as the "Soul of Wuling". The Tianmen Mountain, majestic and precipitous, surprises, shocks and attracts those who want to challenge the Nature. Due to its unique geology and landform, Zhangjiajie became one of the first recognized World Natural Heritages and World Geo-parks in China. Zhangjiajie has four distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, dense forests and biodiversity. It has China's first national forest park and Asia biosphere, and is also the "World’s Rare Species Gene Pool". Zhangjiajie has abundant natural and tourist resources. Due to the high aesthetic values, ecological values and scientific values, Zhangjiajie is a world renowned tourist attraction, and attracts numerous tourists.

There are many minority ethnic groups living in Zhangjiajie, mainly the Tujia, Miao and Bai ethnic groups. The total population of minority ethnic groups accounts for 77%. Thus Zhangjiajie is featured by long history of ethnic groups, folk customs and traditions, local flavor, and cultural influence, which are very important tourist resources.

The natural and ecological environment of Zhangjiajie makes it a very good place for relaxation. The density of negative oxygen ion in Zhangjiajie reaches 80,000~100,000/cm3, making it a natural oxygen bar. The high coverage of green, low carbon, rich oxygen and hot spring in Zhangjiajie make it a relaxation and tourist destination. It is the best choice for fitness, relaxation, recuperation and tourism.

Since the 1980s when Zhangjiajie initiated tourist development, Zhangjiajie has adhered to high starting point and high standard in developing tourist resources. At present, Zhangjiajie scenic zone is accessible by flight, railway and expressway. It has sound tourist infrastructure. In particular, sightseeing lifts, sightseeing cableway, overhead village road attract and surprise domestic and foreign visitors. Zhangjiajie has 14 national scenic spots, including one national 5A scenic spots, and four national 4A scenic spots. Zhangjiajie has become one of the most important international tourist destinations in China. Zhangjiajie belongs to China and also to the world.

I. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Part is located in the southwest of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, 32km from the city proper of Zhangjiajie. Approved by the State Council in 1982 as a national forest park, it boasts unique mountains, waters, rocks, clouds, animals and plants. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, featuring beautiful, primitive, quiet, varied and refreshing sceneries, integrates sceneries both from north and south China and the beauty of famous mountains. It is the maze of the Nature, and also the inspiration of Chinese paintings.

Zhangjiajie has abundant forest resources. The forest coverage in the park reaches 97.7%. You can find all the five famous families of plants here, like Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Leguminosae, Rosaceae, and Gramineae families. It also has 157 species of trees from 93 families, which is twice the number in the whole Europe. In addition, it also has many rare and precious trees, like Chinese dove tree, tulip tree, Eucommia, ginkgo, etc.

The park is swept by mid-subtropical climate. Due to high mountains, deep valleys and dense forest, the park has a unique forest microclimate, namely, warm in winter and cool in summer. The annual average temperature in the park is 12.8℃; the average maximum temperature in summer is 16.8℃; and the average minimum temperature in winter is 9.6℃. It also has fresh air, high density of negative oxygen ion to be more than comfortable. All these make it an ideal place for relaxation and summer visitors.

Ticket: RMB 248/person
Address: Wulingyuan District 
Tel: 0744-5618109

Notes 
1. After entering the park, visitors walk for around 300m and then will reach the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream. Normally, it takes 2.5h (5.7 km) to walk from the entrance to the exit of the Golden Whip Stream scenic spot. We suggest visitors prepare rain gear and a coat just in case the weather changes.

2. The park has very convenient transportation, and is only 28km from the city proper, airport and train station. The park has built a 58km path of international standards, as well as safe and comfortable cableway; and provides environment-friendly vehicles.

The environment-friendly vehicles provided in the park are diesel powered COASTERS, which produce small pollution, and is favorable for environmental protection in the park. 

The service sections and routes are: 
1. Laomowan – Down Station of Huangshi Mountain Village Cableway
2. Ticket Office of Wulingyuan – Down Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway – 10-Mile Gallery – Four Gates Separated by Brooks
3. Four Gates Separated by Brooks – Down Station of Bailong Sightseeing Lift 
4. Up station of Bailong Sightseeing Lift – Yuanjiajie Back Yard Garden, Yuanjiajie Parking Lot – Tianzi Mountain Parking Lot
5. Parking Lot of Helong Park, the Tianzi Mountain –Up Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway 　　
6. Gate of Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park – Mid Station of Cableway – Tianmen Cave 

1. Golden Whip Stream Grand Canyon Golden Whip Stream Grand Canyon, one of the core scenic spots of Zhangjiajie Scenic Zone, is named after the Golden Whip Stream. Golden Whip Rock in the area is like a sharp sword pointing to the sky. The Golden Whip Stream, 7.5km long, is named after the symbol of the scenic zone, Golden Whip Rock. Golden Whip Stream Grand Canyon is the most beautiful canyon in the scenic zone. It is reputed as the “most beautiful canyon in the world” that exceeds the Grand Canyon. The sceneries include:

The Golden Whip Stream

Golden Whip Stream, 5,710m long, is named after Golden Whip Rock which it runs across. Traveling along the Golden Whip Stream, visitors will see the most beautiful sceneries of Wulingyuan. Walking for 300m from the entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, visitors will reach the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream scenic spot. The Golden Whip Stream flows through deep gullies and quiet valleys. On both banks of the stream, visitors can see towering and sky-reaching peaks, luxuriant trees, and dense shade. The murmuring stream, crystal waterfall, and the harmony between rare flowers & herbs and rare animals form a beautiful, quiet and natural ecological environment. “It is the most poetic stream”.

Golden Whip Rock

Golden Whip Rock is the typical representative of the numerous grotesque peaks and rocks in Zhangjiajie. Golden Whip Rock rises straight from the ground and has three precipitous sides. It has edges and corners, shining and majestic, looking like whip used as a weapon in ancient China, and thus it is named Golden Whip. According to legend, when the First Emperor of Qin was moving the mountains into the seas, he accidently dropped his golden whip here and then the golden whip turned into a peak.

Tiaoyu PoolTiaoyu Pool is at downstream of Zicao Pool. If the Golden Whip Stream is a gorgeous beauty, then these two pools are her beautiful eyes. Tiaoyu Pool is formed from erosion by stream water. Water runs down into the pool, forming a height difference. During the breeding season, fish will swim upstream, and will try to jump up from the pool, thus the pool is called Tiaoyu (Jumping Fish) Pool.

Reunited Couple

Traveling along the Zicao Pool Downstream to the east, and crossing a bend, visitors will see two towering peaks among many others to the southeast of the stream, looking like a couple who has just reunited after long absence, gazing deep into each other’s eyes. The husband, tall and strong, wears helmet and amour and a long sword. He bows and is greeting his wife. The wife, with a well-proportioned figure and long hair, puts her arm around his waist and slightly raises her head. They are whispering to each other about the stories after being apart. The two peaks look exactly like a reunited couple.

Welcome Rock About 400m to the northeast of Luoguta, there is a peak looking like a giant with a clear smiling face, putting hands at chest. This is the Welcome Rock. To the right of the Welcome Rock, there is a majestic steep covered with green bushes, like a screen, and thus it is called Gate Rock. These two rocks are like a beautiful lady opens her door and welcome guest to her home.

2. Huangshi Mountain Village

Huangshi (Yellow Lion) Mountain Village is also called Huangshi (Yellow Rock) Mountain Village. According to legend, Huang Shigong, master of Zhang Liang (official of Emperor Liu Bang in the Han Dynasty) performed alchemy in this place, and then this place is named Huangshi Mountain Village. Located in the middle of the forest park, it is the prime stage of “Zhangjiajie Landform”. At 1,080m above sea level, it covers an area of 16.5ha at top, and is the most typical mesa of the scenic spot and also the largest sightseeing stand in the forest park. Walking around in the mountain village, visitors will see towering peaks, deep gullies, and remote sceneries. How majestic! Thus there is a saying that “It would not be a complete trip to Zhangjiajie without visiting Huangshi Mountain Village”. There are over 20 scenic spots, including Treasure Box for Books from Heaven, Picking Star Platform, Five-Finger Peaks, Relic Piers of Heaven Bridge and Flying Cloud Cave.

Notes: 
Cableway of Huangshi Mountain Village is the most convenient means of transportation to visit Huangshi Mountain Village Scenic Spot. The cableway adopts the most advanced circulating detachable cableway. The cableway, 990m long in total, is able to transport 1,800 persons per hour for a single way. 
Tel: 0744-5618109

3. Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve

The Tianzi Mountain, located in the northwest of Core Scenic Spot of Wulingyuan, is the infant period of “Zhangjiajie Landform”. The Tianzi Mountain, together with the forest park and Suoxiyu, forms a “Golden Triangle”. The Tianzi Mountain, higher than most mountains of the region, has around 100 natural sightseeing platforms, 2,000 huge peaks and many waterfalls and springs. The most majestic sceneries include the sea of cloud, the wave of rocks, winter snow and sunset/sunrise.

The Tianzi Mountain was named as the local leader of the Tujia Ethnic Group Xiang Dakun called himself “Tianzi" (the son of heaven) when he led the local farmers to revolt. The Tianzi Mountain, which borders Suoxiyu to the east, Zhangjiajie to the south and Sangzhi County to the north, is one of the top four scenic spots of Wulingyuan District. The Tianzi Mountain, located at the top of the “Golden Triangle”, is 1,262.5m above the sea level at maximum (Kunlun Peak) and 534m above the sea level at minimum (Shilanyu). The scenic spot covers an area of 67km2, and the tourist route across the mountain is 45km long. The annual average temperature is 12oC. The annual precipitation is 1,800mm. The frost-free season lasts for 240 days, and the freezing season lasts for 60~80 days.

With respect to the geology and landform of the Tianzi Mountain, except that the part at the mountain top about several hundred meters above the sea level is limestone and weathered granite, most of the scenic spot is quartz. It has sandstone peak forest landform, almost the same as Suoxiyu and Zhangjiajie. They are sedimentary rocks (aqueous rocks) that were developed in a vast sea about 380 million years ago. After complicated and long diagenesis process, these rocks were developed into 500~600m-thick quartz sandstone as that of today. The quartz sandstone forms unique sceneries. 

Notes: 
The Tianzi Mountain Cableway is the fastest and the most convenient means to visit the scenic spot. The cableway, 2,084m long and with vertical height difference of 692m, adopts mono-cable circulating detachable grip that is manufactured in Austria. It is the best means of transportation for sightseeing. Visitors can reach such famous scenic spots as the Imperial Brush Peak, Fairy Presenting Flowers, and Shentang Bay. 
Address: Wulingyuan District 
Tel: 0744-5618109

4. Yuanjiajie

Yuanjiajie, in the north of the forest park, is a mesa boasting mountains and valleys and extending from the east to the west. The sceneries include Heaven and Earth Pillar (Hallelujah Mountain), Back Yard Garden, Mihun Platform, and the Most Spectacular Stone Bridge in the World.

Back Yard Garden, known as "Natural Bonsai”, has peaks with different postures, streams running across mountains, ancient trees towering to the sky as well as mist and clouds lingering around, looking like the garden of imperial palace in ancient China.

Mihun Platform, around 400m to the east of the Most Spectacular Stone Bridge in the World, has two levels. The first level, around 100m2, presents a gentle slope from east to the west. The second level, around 2m lower than the first level, is a suspended slab adjacent to the first level. Sitting on the platform, visitors can see the Golden Whip Stream and Shadao Gully competing with each other, mountains in mist and clouds, to give an illusion of heaven.

The Most Spectacular Stone Bridge in the World is the select scenic spots of Wulingyuan. The wonderfulness of the nature puts a natural slate (5m thick) over two peaks, connecting them. The height, span and dangerousness of the bridge are rarely seen in the world. Thus, it is called the Most Spectacular Stone Bridge in the World.

Notes: 
Bailong Lift is manufactured by a Germany company. It can go up to 326m high in 1′58″. The hourly capacity is 4,000 person times. It is the means of transportation from Four Gates Separated by Brooks to Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie and Tianzi Mountain Scenic Spot. 
Tel: 0744-5618109

5. Yaozi Mountain Village

Yaozi (name of a bird) Mountain Village is located in the southeast of the forest park, presenting a long and narrow ridge. It is a sightseeing platform. The cliffs at the west, east and north sides are as high as 300m. Due to the steepness and few people tread, it is called Yaozi Mountain Village. The sceneries include Heaven Bridge, Towering Rocks, etc.

II. Suoxiyu Natural Reserve Suoxiyu Natural Reserve is in the northeast of Core Scenic Spot of Wulingyuan, also the location of Wulingyuan District People’s Government. The natural reserve, situated at the joint of “Zhangjiajie Landform” and limestone karst landform, is the old age stage of “Zhangjiajie Landform”. Sceneries include Huanglong Cave, the Baofeng Lake, Four Gates Separated by Brooks, 10-Mile Gallery, and Heaven Terrace, etc.

1. 10-Mile Gallery The 10-Mile Gallery, 5.8km long, is in the northwest of Suoxiyu Scenic Spot. Different from Golden Whip Stream Grand Canyon, it has a broad vision. Visitors can see numerous grotesque rocks, dense woods around, just like a gallery. Sceneries include Zhuan’ge Building, the God of Longevity Welcoming Guests, King Xiang Reading a Book, Old Rhizotomist, Three Sisters, etc.

Notes: Mono-rail Sightseeing Bus is available in 10-Mile Gallery. The one-way travel distance is 3,400m. It is of small pollution, low noise and safe, and thus it is the most convenient means of transportation for sightseeing in the scenic spot. Taking the bus, visitors will be overwhelmed by the beautiful sceneries.

2. The Baofeng Lake

The Baofeng Lake is 2km to the south of Suoxiyu Scenic Spot. Surrounded by mountains, the Baofeng Lake has very clear water. Travelling in the scenic spot, visitors will see villages, steep rocks, mountains in mist, glittering water, colorful rainbow, fishes and monkeys. Visitors may also listen to the folk songs. The most famous sceneries include Fairy Looking into the Mirror, Yingwo Ancient Village, Waterfall at Steep Cliff, and One Line Sky Valley, etc.

Ticket: RMB 76/person
Tel: 0744-5618109

3. Huanglong Cave

Huanglong Cave is in the northeast of Suoxiyu Scenic Spot, 20km from Yanghe Exit of Changde-Zhangjiajie Expressway. It has typical karst landform. It has the most beautiful sceneries of karst caves and is reputed as rare spectacle, and is the "All-around Winner" of all karst caves in the world. It was recognized as the “Most Beautiful Karst Cave for Tourists in China”.

The cave, 7.5km long, has total proved area of the cave of 100,000m2 and vertical height of 140m. The cave has two dry caves and two water tunnels. It has one reservoir, two rivers, three pools, four waterfalls, 13 halls and 98 corridors. The sceneries include Maze, the Xiangshui River, Fairy Waterfall, Heaven Pillar Street and Dragon Palace. The whole cave is like twisted roots and cross branches of an ancient tree. There are smaller caves inside the cave, and the cave may have more than one level, looking like a superb collection of caves. With respect to the scale, the quantity of stalactite, and the grotesque cave shapes, there are rarely any other karst caves that can compete with Huanglong Cave. Thus it is reputed as the "All-around Winner" of all karst caves in the world.

Huanglong Cave, in the east of Suoxiyu, is nicknamed “Maze Underground”. With the entrance in mist, the cave has wandering corridors, numerous stalactites, stalagmites, peristeles, stone curtains, sheets, stone flowers, and stones like musical instruments. Visitors may be surprised by smaller caves inside larger ones, different levels of caves, and unique sceneries of the cave. Huanglong Cave has four levels, and is accessible by both waterway and road. From the lowest underground river to the highest dome, the vertical height difference exceeds 100m. The cave has one reservoir (Huanglong River Channel), two underground rivers (the Xiangshui River and the Shuijing River), three underground waterfalls (Huanglong Waterfall, Tianshui Waterfall and Tiandi Waterfall), four pools, 13 halls (palaces), and 96 corridors, totaling 15km. The largest hall covers an area of 12,000 m2, which can keep 10,000 persons. Huanglong Cave is a completely different place from outside, like a fairyland on earth.

Ticket: RMB 80/person
Tel: 0744-5618109

III. Zhangjiajie Whitewater Rafting

The Whitewater Rafting Base is located in the mark gate of Wulingyuan District. It is designed by Dr. Lemmon, the former chairman of International Whitewater Rafting Association. It integrates whitewater, whirlpools and dangerous shoals that will be encountered in rafting in the design. The rafting base is reputed as "the Best in Asia, Top-class in the World”.
Tel: 0744-5618109

IV. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park

The Tianmen Mountain, about 1,518.6m above the sea level, is the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie. It is reputed as the soul of Zhangjiajie due to its unique temperament of being the highest. The Tianmen Mountain is named after Tianmen Cave. The Tianmen Mountain is majestic, precipitous and magnificent. On top of the Tianmen Mountain, a primitive secondary forest is well protected, boasting rich plant resources. The local people regard the Tianmen Mountain as a mountain of god and a holly mountain, showing a high status. As it is the highest mountain in several hundred km distance, and due to the natural sightseeing terrace on top of mountain as well as the high status of famous mountain, the Tianmen Mountain has always the challenging target for people to achieve and enjoy. The splendid sceneries on top of mountain, the wonderful environment, fresh air and dense forest make it an ideal place to enjoy the nature and to relax. In addition, such sceneries as Tianmen Cave (the world’s highest natural karst cave going through a mountain), the Broad Road to Horizon (the world’s wonder of highway with 99 turns) and the Cableway of the Tianmen Mountain (the longest alpine passenger cableway in the world) make the Tianmen Mountain more attractive. The Tianmen Mountain, as the soul of Zhangjiajie, perfectly combines natural landscapes with human landscape, ancient farming with modern civilization, as well as visual shock with joys.

Ticket: RMB 258/person
Address: Southern Suburb, Zhangjiajie 
Tel: 0744-2839999

Tianmen CaveTianmen Cave, lying all the way through the mountain in the direction of south and north, is a natural karst cave with the highest altitude in the world. Tianmen Cave, 131.5m high, over 50m wide and over 30m deep, is magnificent and splendid, showing the wonderfulness of the nature. Tianmen Cave is surrounded by mist all the year round, showing changing and splendid sceneries, like a fairyland. The Tianmen Mountain has four bold cliffs, and shapes like a terrace. On December 11, 1999, the masters of aerial acrobatics flew through the cave for the first time. In March 2006, the aerial acrobatics performance of Russian Air Force was held on the Tianmen Mountain.