Zhangjiajie

Basic Overview

Zhangjiajie, located in northwest Hunan, is a world-famous natural scenic city and UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. It is globally renowned for its unique quartz sandstone peak forest landform, towering isolated mountain peaks, deep valleys and primitive forest ecology. With magnificent, strange and ethereal mountain scenery, it is known as “China’s Fairy Mountain” and attracts countless overseas landscape and hiking enthusiasts.

Natural Landscapes

Zhangjiajie owns the unique peak-forest landscape that cannot be found elsewhere in the world, featuring strange peaks, steep cliffs, dense forests, cloud seas and alpine valleys.

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: The first national forest park in China, with thousands of towering isolated sandstone peaks, dense primitive forests and fresh alpine air.
• Tianmen Mountain: Known as “Heaven’s Gate Mountain”, famous for the huge natural karst cave on the cliff, winding sky road and breathtaking glass plank road.
• Golden Whip Stream: A clear alpine stream winding through the valley, surrounded by strange peaks and green woods, with peaceful and fresh valley scenery.
• Yuanjiajie Scenic Area: Features iconic floating mountain peaks and plank roads built along cliffs, the shooting location of famous fantasy movies.

Historical and Cultural Sites

Zhangjiajie is the main settlement of Tujia ethnic group, retaining primitive mountain ethnic customs and ancient village relics.

• Tujia Ancient Villages: Well-preserved traditional Tujia stilt houses and ancient village layouts, showing original mountain ethnic dwelling culture.
• Zhangjiajie Museum: Displays local geological evolution, peak forest landform formation and Tujia ethnic customs and history.
• Ancient Mountain Trail Relics: Old mountain paths left by ancient mountain dwellers, witnessing the primitive living history of Zhangjiajie.
• Tujia Folk Custom Garden: Intangible cultural heritage exhibition base of Tujia culture, integrating architecture, handicrafts and folk performances.

Local culture experiences

Zhangjiajie’s folk culture is dominated by original Tujia ethnic customs, with unique mountain ethnic experience projects.

• Peak Forest Hiking & Photography: Walk on mountain plank roads, overlook the magnificent sea of peaks and clouds, and shoot classic fairyland scenery.
• Tujia Ethnic Performance: Watch traditional Tujia folk songs, dance and wedding custom shows with strong mountain ethnic characteristics.
• Glass Plank Road Adventure: Experience the thrilling alpine glass walk on Tianmen Mountain.
• Mountain Forest Leisure Tour: Stroll along valley streams, breathe fresh forest air and enjoy natural ecological scenery.

Local cuisine

Zhangjiajie cuisine takes mountain wild ingredients and Tujia traditional cooking methods, featuring fresh, fragrant and spicy mountain flavor.

• Tujia Bacon: Traditional local preserved meat smoked with mountain firewood, fragrant and chewy, a must-taste specialty.
• Wild Mushroom Soup: Simmered with various fresh mountain wild mushrooms, fresh and nutritious with natural umami taste.
• Spicy Mountain Chicken: Free-range local mountain chicken cooked with special spices, tender meat and rich flavor.
• Tujia Glutinous Rice Cake: Handmade traditional snack, soft and glutinous with sweet or savory fillings.

Recommended itinerary 

– Day1: Tianmen Mountain → Heaven’s Gate Cave → Glass Plank Road sightseeing
– Day2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park → Yuanjiajie Peak Forest scenery
– Day3: Golden Whip Stream hiking → Tujia ancient village folk custom experience

Travel tips

Best travel time: April-June and September-October with clear scenery and moderate temperature. The mountain area has changeable weather, prepare light rain gear. Wear non-slip and comfortable hiking shoes for mountain walking. Fear of heights is not recommended for glass plank road experience.