2 Days Zhangjiajie Mini Group Tour

At around 07:00 to 08:00 am, meet our guide at the lobby of your self-book hotel at the time agreed upon in advance, and then set off for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a nonesuch of the world geopark, which combine the grandeur of unique ‘Zhangjiajie Landform’, rich biodiversity and profound Tujia cultural connation. The most outstanding feature inside is the three thousand strange karst peaks that pierce into the sky, each of which is an impromptu creation of nature.

► Note:
Our pick-up service is available both around the East Gate of the park in Wulingyuan District and also in downtown Zhangjiajie. In order for you to reach the scenic area earlier and have more time for sightseeing, it is recommended that you reserve a hotel near the East Gate, where there are many sufficiently good places to stay or eat. The 4-star Expert Village Courtyard Hotel or the 5-star Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel could be given priority consideration.

After a fast entry at the East Gate, let’s hop in an eco-bus of the scenic area for 20 minutes or so to the Bailong Elevator, the world’s highest, fastest, and largest passenger-carrying outdoor sightseeing lift hanging on the edge of a cliff. It is not only a shortcut to the wonderland on the mountaintop, but also a model of the ingenious integration of human wisdom and natural landscape. Its transparent viewing window will allow you to behold the ever-changing scenery of those oddly-shaped sandstone pillars in a 360-degree view as it rises for 66 seconds, making you feel as if you were in a flowing landscape painting. Particularly arresting will be the Divine Soldiers Party, one of the iconic sights in the park, with dozens of peaks over 100 meters (328 feet) high standing in formation like troops from heaven. After reaching the summit, follow the guide to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, which is known as the ‘Avatar Planet on Earth’ for its peak forest landscape in the sea of clouds. And Hallelujah Mountain, aka Qiankun Pillar, is the typical work of this magical land. Standing on the Enchanting Platform, you’ll understand why Cameron, the director of the film Avatar, spent 200 million dollars on special effects - when the clouds and mists entwining around the waist of this solitary peak rising from the ground, it really seems as if it is about to break away from the force of gravity. Also, expect to be stunned by another highlight here, the No. 1 Natural Bridge under Heaven. After the visit, you can have lunch at your own expense at one of the restaurants in Yuanjiajie, and if you need, our guide will be glad to offer you some suggestions.

After lunch, take another 10 minutes on the eco-bus to Yangjiajie Scenic Area, where a rare peak wall sight known as the Natural Great Wall awaits your arrival. Quartz sandstone, after being eroded and weathered for hundreds of millions of years, stretches on and on, towering into the clouds, gradually forming a unique group of columnar peak walls. Under the sunlight, the textures on the surface are clearly visible, as if they were the marks left by time, telling the story of the vicissitudes of this land. Our next destination will be the Tianzi Mountain, named after the ancient Tujia leader Xiang Dakun, who led a local peasant uprising and called himself Tianzi, namely the Son of Heaven. Looking down from the viewing platform in Helong Park, you might feel that the peaks of various shapes seem to be endowed with life. Some of them are like upturned brushes soaring towards the sky, that is, the iconic Imperial Brush Peaks, some are like quietly standing flower fairies gazing ahead, and some are like majestic warriors galloping on horseback. After having a feast for your eyes on those legendary stone formations, let’s descend the mountain by cable car. Finally, the guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense):
If you are interested in authentic Hunan cuisine, perhaps patronize the My Courtyard, a popular homemade dishes restaurant popular among locals. It is just located near the East Gate of the scenic area, and our guide will be willing to show you the way. A must-order dish at every table is the specialty ‘A Pot of Fish from Husband’s Family’, which is cooked with locally raised and freshly killed fish, tasting tender and soupy. Also try another of its signature dishes, the High Mountain Wild Vegetables, made from ingredients you can’t see anywhere else.
Average cost per person: CNY 60 (USD 8)
Address: North of the intersection of Wu Road and Yuquan Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie

After breakfast, we will drive you for about 40 minutes to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The sheer cliffs on both sides here seem to be vertically slashed by the gods with huge axes, presenting a thrilling and spectacular scene that makes you can't help but marvel at the magical craftsmanship of nature. The transparent Yuntiandu Glass Bridge, the longest and highest of its kind in the world, is indisputably the brightest star in the scenic area. Spanning over the canyon, it is not only an architectural marvel, but also a name card for Zhangjiajie tourism. Step onto it boldly, and you’ll be mesmerized by the spectacular scenery including clear streams and grotesque rocks in the abyss and the picturesque green mountains from a distance. After that, leave the canyon for lunch and a short rest.

This afternoon, let’s head to the cableway station of Tianmen Mountain in the downtown area, where a 28-minute cable car ride will transfer you to the top via high-rise buildings, rural fields, and the primeval forests. This ‘aerial corridor’, with its amazing length of 7,455 meters (4.6 miles), has been rated as the longest high-altitude passenger cableway in the world. Then, you’ll be greeted by the Glass Skywalk embedded in the cliff. Every piece of glass here is so transparent and clean that walking on it will make you feel as if you are walking on a crystal bridge in mid-air, and you can touch the clouds at any time. Afterwards, take the 7-level escalator down to the Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate). This huge and naturally formed cave, which is high on the mountainside, was regarded as the gate to heaven in ancient times and attracted quite a few emperors, scholars, and poets to come for travel or seclusion. Learn more intriguing historical stories from our guide. Today’s trip will then end with taking the express cable car down the mountain.

It’s time to bid farewell to your 2 days Zhangjiajie tour, and our guide will send you back to your hotel. If you are interested in Chinese diverse ethnic cultures as well, feel free to contact us to extend your personalized trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town or Furong Ancient Town around Zhangjiajie.