Description
Day 1: Arrival in Zhangjiajie · First Glimpse of Wulingyuan
- Fixed Itinerary (Arranged by us):
- Airport Pick-up: The guide will wait at the exit of Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport with a sign, assisting with luggage consignment and boarding procedures.
- Transportation: Approximately 35 km in total, 1 hour drive (mainly highway, good road conditions), direct to the partner hotel in Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
- Check-in: Check-in with ID after 14:00 (if the flight arrives early, luggage can be stored for free activities).
- Free Activities (Optional, Recommended Time: 14:00-18:00):
- Destination: Xibu Ancient Street (located in Xibu Street Community, Wulingyuan District, 10-minute walk from the hotel).
- Activity Duration: Suggested 2-3 hours; more charming in the evening when lights are on.
- Experience:
- Folk Culture: Visit “Tujia Brocade Workshop” (middle section of the old street, displaying Xilankapu weaving techniques, manual weaving process observable); explore “Xiangxi Silver Gallery” (left side of the entrance, run by descendants of Qing Dynasty craftsmen, silver jewelry engraved with Tujia totems).
- Architectural Features: Both sides of the bluestone road are Ming and Qing style wooden stilt houses (Diaojiaolou) with flying eaves; some courtyards retain “Horse Head Wall” designs, perfect for photos.
- Food Exploration:
- Rice Paddy Frog Cake: Recommended “First Paddy Frog Cake on the Old Street” (West exit of the street, freshly fried, crispy outside and tender inside, 10 Yuan/piece, average 20 Yuan for a taste).
- Tujia Fried Rice: Choose “Amei Local Cuisine” (in the middle section alley, stir-fried with cured meat cubes and wild onions, served with sour radish, average 25 Yuan).
- Haozi Baba (Mugwort Cake): Common at roadside stalls, made with wild mugwort around Qingming Festival, available in sweet and salty flavors, 5 Yuan/piece.
【Dining Instructions】
- Included Meals: None (meals at your own expense throughout the day).
- Recommended Dinner: “Tujia Impression Restaurant” near the hotel (Yujiazui Community, Wulingyuan Town, 800m from the hotel), signature dish “Stewed Local Chicken with Rock Ear” (using free-range chickens from Wulingyuan forests with wild rock ears, fresh soup and tender meat, average 60 Yuan).
【Accommodation Arrangement】
- Fixed Location: Partner hotel in Wulingyuan Scenic Area (such as “Wulingyuan Hotel” or similar, subject to the final tour notice), standard double room with private bathroom, air conditioning, and WiFi.
Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park · Peak Forest Wonders Journey
【Itinerary Overview】
- Fixed Itinerary (Arranged by us, Breakfast and Lunch included):
- 08:30-09:00 Hotel Breakfast (Buffet, including rice noodles, local eggs, corn porridge, and other local specialties).
- 09:00-09:40 Drive to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket Station (Scenic area shuttle bus, approx. 20 minutes).
- 09:40-10:20 Ascend via Bailong Elevator (one-way ticket included, 66 seconds to the top, panoramic windows for filming misty valleys).
- 10:20-12:30 Hiking tour of Yuanjiajie (core attraction group):
- Back Garden: Essence of quartz sandstone peak forest landform, jagged rocks like bonsai, 20 minutes suggested for photos.
- Mihun Platform (Enchanting Terrace): Suspended viewing platform overlooking “Three Thousand Peaks”, like a wonderland in foggy weather (pay attention to safety railings).
- First Bridge under Heaven: A natural stone arch bridge, 357m high with a 20m span, no artificial traces (geological wonder, must-visit spot).
- 12:30-13:30 Lunch inside the scenic area (Group meal, 8 dishes and 1 soup, including Tujia cured meat, stir-fried eggs with rock ear, wild vegetables, etc.).
- 13:30-14:00 Take the shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve (approx. 30 minutes).
- 14:00-16:30 Tour Tianzi Mountain:
- Dianjiang Platform: Elevation 1200m, overlooking the “West Sea Peak Forest” (thousands of stone peaks like soldiers in formation; best light before 10:00 or after 15:00).
- Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (Yubi Feng): A row of 6 stone peaks shaped like writing brushes, legendary transformation of King Xiang’s book box (best golden light effect at sunrise/sunset).
- Helong Park: Visit Marshal Helong’s bronze statue (6.5m high, built in 1986); climb Tianzi Pavilion (ancient-style building, 360° panoramic view of peak forest from the top, steep stairs, be careful).
- 16:30-17:30 Return to the hotel by shuttle bus to rest.
- Free Activities (Optional, Recommended Time: 19:00-21:00):
- Night Experience: Watch “The Romantic Show of Zhangjiajie” or “Charming Xiangxi” (Wulingyuan Grand Theatre, 3 km from hotel, 10 min drive, starts at 19:30, ticket 228 Yuan/person at your own expense, including Tujia Hand-swinging Dance, Miao Drum Dance, and other intangible cultural heritage performances).
【Dining Instructions】
- Included Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Scenic area group meal).
- Dinner at your own expense: Recommended “Suoxi Village” (Yingbin Road, Wulingyuan Town, 1.5 km from hotel), signature dish “Sanxiaguo” (cured meat, tofu, and radish stewed in one pot, spicy and flavorful, average 50 Yuan).
【Attraction Details Supplement】
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Became China’s first national forest park in 1982, famous for its “Quartz Sandstone Peak Forest Landform,” listed in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List (1992).
- Bailong Elevator: Completed in 2002, with a vertical height difference of 335m, certified by Guinness as the “Highest Outdoor Elevator,” speed 5 m/s, capacity 49 people.
- Tianzi Mountain: Originally named “Qingyan Mountain,” named after the early Ming Tujia leader Xiang Dakun who called himself “Xiangwang Tianzi,” reserve area 67 sq km, forest coverage 85%.
Day 3: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon · Glass Bridge & Baofeng Lake Secret Realm
【Itinerary Overview】
- Fixed Itinerary (Arranged by us, Breakfast and Lunch included):
- 08:00-08:30 Hotel Breakfast.
- 08:30-10:00 Drive to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Total 56 km, highway + provincial road, approx. 1.5 hours; you can see Karst peaks when passing “Yanghe Highway Exit”).
- 10:00-12:30 Tour Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon:
- Yuntiandu Glass Bridge (Ticket included, walking experience): 536m long, bridge deck 300m from the valley floor, using three layers of tempered laminated glass (24mm thick each), with a circular viewing platform in the center. Practical Tips: Wear non-slip shoes, avoid running; those afraid of heights can walk along the wooden side paths (partially non-transparent).
- Canyon Hiking: Lower valley tour route (optional, 30 Yuan/person), walk along the stream through “Shenquan Lake” and “A Strip of Sky,” view waterfall groups (more spectacular during the rainy season).
- 12:30-13:30 Lunch near the scenic area (Group meal, including Grand Canyon specialty “Stir-fried Pork with Wild Bracken” and reservoir fish).
- 13:30-14:00 Drive to Baofeng Lake (approx. 30 minutes, tea gardens visible along “Baofeng Road”).
- 14:00-16:00 Tour Baofeng Lake:
- Boat Experience: Take a traditional boat (Ticket included, approx. 45 minutes), passing “Eagle’s Nest Stockade” (hiking trail to the summit for lake views, 1 hour round trip, recommended for those with good physical strength) and “Fairytale Mirror” (peninsula shaped like a dressing table).
- Cultural Highlights: “Baofeng Temple” by the lake (originally built in Song Dynasty, current buildings rebuilt in 2002, housing a Ming Dynasty bronze bell).
- 16:00-17:00 Return to Wulingyuan hotel (approx. 1 hour drive).
- Free Activities (Optional, Recommended Time: after 17:00):
- Shopping Recommendation: “Xiang Embroidery Specialty Store” in Wulingyuan Town (Intersection of Yingbin Road and Wenhua Road), purchase Tujia brocade scarves (100-300 Yuan/piece, good as souvenirs).
【Dining Instructions】
- Included Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Scenic area group meal).
- Dinner at your own expense: Recommended “Fuzhengyi Sanxiaguo” (Jundi Road, Wulingyuan Town, near Landmark Gate, average 55 Yuan, available in mild/medium/extra spicy).
【Attraction Details Supplement】
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: Formed 1.4 billion years ago, 5.7 km long, deepest point 300m, containing natural landscapes like “Rainbow Waterfall” and “Butterfly Spring.”
- Baofeng Lake: An artificial lake formed by a hydropower station built in 1979, water area 274 hectares, water quality reaches national grade 1, famous for peak forest reflections, known as the “Sacred Lake in the Air.”
Day 4: Tianmen Mountain Wonders · Furong Town Night Charm (Tianmen Mountain → Furong Town)
【Itinerary Overview】
- Fixed Itinerary (Arranged by us, Breakfast and Lunch included):
- 07:30-08:00 Hotel Breakfast (Wulingyuan partner hotel, buffet including rice noodles, Haozi Baba, local eggs, etc.).
- 08:00-09:00 Drive to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (approx. 35 km, 1 hour drive, passing “Yongding Avenue” to view cableway supports).
- 09:00-09:30 Ascend via Tianmen Mountain Cableway (Round-trip cableway tickets included, 7455m long, the world’s longest high-mountain passenger cableway, 28-minute one-way, panoramic glass cabin overlooking “Avenue to Heaven” 99 bends—this road was hand-carved by local villagers over 8 years starting in 1998, with a max slope of 63°, known as the “Xiangxi Sky Road”).
- 09:30-12:00 Mountain Top Tour:
- Glass Skywalk (Self-paid 5 Yuan/person for shoe covers): Located on the West line, 60m long, 1.6m wide, made of fully transparent tempered glass, approx. 1400m from the valley floor (Tips: stay close to the inner side if afraid of heights; light is best before 10:00 or after 15:00 for photos).
- Ghost Valley Plank Road (Guigu): Starts at Yihong Pass and ends at Yefu Treasure Cave, 1600m long, average elevation 1400m, built against the cliff with some overhanging sections (Geological feature: Cambrian marine sedimentary rock layers visible, with “Baihe Pavilion” viewing platform for “Sky Garden” views).
- Tianmen Temple: Originally built during the Zhenguan period of Tang Dynasty (627 AD), a Buddhist holy land in Xiangxi, housing the bone relic of Sakyamuni Buddha (only 5 temples worldwide enshrine it); the Great Hall features Qing Dynasty style with copper bells on eaves.
- Yunmeng Fairy Peak: The highest point of Tianmen Mountain, 1518.6m elevation, with a meteorological station, offering a 360° view of Zhangjiajie city, Tianmen Cave, and “West Sea Stone Forest” (20 mins suggested; Lishui River visible on clear days).
- 12:00-13:00 Mountain Top Lunch (Group meal, including “Rock Ear Chicken Soup” and “Stir-fried Cured Meat with Bracken,” 40 Yuan/person standard).
- 13:00-14:30 Tour Tianmen Cave:
- Landscape Highlights: The world’s highest natural water-eroded cave (131.5m high, 57m wide, 60m deep), “Tianmen Spouting Mist” wonder (mist surging after rain), and “Stairway to Heaven” inscriptions on the cave walls.
- Descent Options (Choose one): ① Hike 999 steps (chains provided for steep parts, approx. 40 mins for fit hikers, passing “Lingquan Courtyard” ruins); ② Take the mountain-piercing escalator (Self-paid 32 Yuan/person, 7 sections totaling 892m, direct to Tianmen Cave Plaza).
- 14:30-17:00 Descend by cableway, drive to Furong Town (approx. 150 km, 2.5 hours, distant view of Mengdong River Canyon from “Furong Town Highway Exit”).
- 17:00-18:30 Check into Furong Town Guesthouse (Fixed Accommodation: Waterfall-view inn inside the scenic area, such as “Waterfall Family,” waterfall view from windows, including private bathroom, air conditioning, and WiFi).
- 18:30-20:30 Free Activities (Optional):
- Night View Experience: Stroll along the main street (“Five-Mile Bluestone Street”); waterfall lights turn on after 19:30 (warm yellow lights outlining the water curtain, echoing red lanterns on stilt houses); recommended photo spots: Waterfall Viewing Platform (opposite the waterfall) and Tuowang Bridge.
- Folk Performance: Baishou Hall (Center of town, 19:30-20:00 free Tujia Hand-swinging Dance, villagers leading in traditional costumes, tourists can join); Yi’nan Square (20:00-20:30 Miao Drum Dance performance).
- Humanities & Culture: Furong Town was originally named “Wang Village,” named after the Tusi King who lived here, renamed after the movie “Hibiscus Town” (Furong Zhen) was filmed here in 1986; it still preserves Tujia customs like “Gannian” (Lunar New Year) and “Crying Wedding Songs.”
【Dining Instructions】
- Included Meals: Breakfast (Wulingyuan Hotel), Lunch (Tianmen Mountain top group meal).
- Dinner at your own expense: Recommended “Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu” (middle of the main street, famous because the protagonist of the movie “Hibiscus Town” once had a stall here, rice tofu with chili and radish, average 15 Yuan); “Tusi Feast” (next to the waterfall inn, signature dishes “Steamed Cured Meat” and “Sour Fish Meat,” average 50 Yuan).
【Attraction Details Supplement】
- Tianmen Mountain: Anciently called “Songliang Mountain”; in 263 AD, the cliff collapsed to reveal Tianmen Cave, and it was renamed “Tianmen Mountain”; it belongs to Karst platform landform, with 10,000 mu of primitive secondary forest at the top (rare species like Dove Tree and Ginkgo).
- Furong Town Waterfall: 60m high, 40m wide, the largest waterfall in Xiangxi; the water flows through the town (houses built on stone platforms on both sides of the waterfall, forming the “Waterfall Family” unique landscape).
Day 5: Furong Town Exploration · Fenghuang Ancient Town Night Talk (Furong Town → Fenghuang Ancient Town)
【Itinerary Overview】
- Fixed Itinerary (Arranged by us, Breakfast included):
- 08:00-08:30 Guesthouse Breakfast (including rice tofu, Haozi Baba, Tujia oil tea soup).
- 08:30-11:30 Deep exploration of Furong Town:
- Xizhou Bronze Pillar Park (08:30-09:15): Located downstream, featuring a replica of the “Xizhou Bronze Pillar” (original in Hunan Museum)—erected in 940 AD, recording the border agreement between King Ma Xifan and Peng Shichou, with 2300+ characters in clerical script; it’s vital for studying ancient ethnic relations (Free guide explanation; listen to the “Bronze Pillar Oath” history).
- Tuowang Bridge (09:15-09:45): Spanning a branch of the Mengdong River, a Tujia Zhuanjiao building (2nd floor is a viewing corridor, eaves decorated with wood carvings); painted with “Tusi Outing Map” (Tips: shoot panoramic views of stilt houses and waterfalls early morning when no tourists are around).
- Youyang Palace (09:45-10:30): Tusi summer resort, originally built in 985 AD, current buildings reconstructed in 2000, with a “Three-entrance Courtyard” built against the mountain; displays Tusi seals and weapons (like maces and bull horns), with a “Waterfall Viewing Pavilion” in the backyard.
- Waterfall Terrace (10:30-11:30): Located directly above the waterfall, with a glass viewing platform (10m from water surface), offering a close-up experience of water mist (raincoat suggested during rainy season).
- 11:30-12:00 Drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town (approx. 116 km, 2 hours, Karst peaks and terrace views along “S306 Provincial Road”).
- 14:00-17:00 Tour of Fenghuang Ancient Town (Option to join group or free travel, shuttle bus included):
- Tuojiang River Boat Trip (14:30-15:30, Self-paid 80 Yuan/person): Take a wooden boat from North Gate Wharf, downstream past Hongqiao and Wanming Tower; view stilt houses (Diaojiaolou) and listen to Miao mountain songs from the boatman (song requests 10 Yuan/song).
- Night Walk (Free activities after 17:30): Lights turn on at 19:00; recommended route: Hongqiao → Jumping Rocks (stepping stones, photo stilt house reflections) → Wanming Tower (Qing Dynasty Wenchang Tower) → Bar Street (Recommended “Song of the Nomad” for folk songs starting at 20:00).
- Free Activities (Optional, Recommended Time: 19:00-21:00):
- Handmade Experience: “Lahun Batik Workshop” near Hongqiao (open 16:00-18:00), hand-make a batik square scarf (material fee 30 Yuan/person, masters guide the waxing and dyeing process, take the finished product home).
【Dining Instructions】
- Included Meals: Breakfast (Furong Town guesthouse).
- Lunch at your own expense: Recommended “Old Street Restaurant” (Furong Town main street west exit, signature “Tusi Sanxiaguo,” average 45 Yuan); Fenghuang Ancient Town lunch “Ambassador Hotel” (near Hongqiao, inscribed by Shen Congwen, Blood Duck average 60 Yuan).
- Dinner at your own expense: Fenghuang Ancient Town “Junzi Restaurant” (Huilong閣 Ancient Street, Sour Soup Fish using paddy carp, average 55 Yuan).
【Accommodation Arrangement】
- Fixed Location: Riverside inn in Fenghuang Ancient Town (such as “Fenghuang Memory Guesthouse,” mid-stream of Tuojiang, 5-minute walk to Hongqiao, including private bathroom, air conditioning, and viewing balcony).
【Humanities & Culture】
- Fenghuang Ancient Town: Built in 1704 (43rd year of Kangxi), a gathering place for Miao and Tujia ethnic groups; contains Xiong Xiling’s Former Residence (ROC Premier), Yang Family Ancestral Hall (Miao Ancestral Hall), and other relics; hosts the “Miao Song Festival” every June 6 of the lunar calendar.
Day 6: Slow Tour of Fenghuang Ancient Town · Farewell to Xiangxi
【Itinerary Overview】
- Fixed Itinerary (Arranged by us, Breakfast included):
- 08:00-08:30 Guesthouse Breakfast (including rice noodles, Miao Ciba, sour radish).
- 08:30-11:30 Free exploration of Fenghuang Ancient Town (Choose following routes, times for reference):
- Shen Congwen’s Former Residence (09:00-09:40, ticket 40 Yuan/person at your own expense): Located at 24 Zhongying Street, a Qing Dynasty Southern Siheyuan (green tiles, white walls, courtyard lighting), built in 1866; displays manuscripts and old items (like “Border Town” notes), with a century-old osmanthus tree in the backyard.
- East Gate Ancient Tower (09:40-10:20, ticket 35 Yuan/person at your own expense): The only remnant of the Ming Dynasty city wall, built in 1370; 11m high, overlooking Tuojiang, Wanming Tower, and the whole town (Tips: climb early morning for an “ink wash painting” view in the mist).
- Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge) (10:20-11:00, bridge access free): Originally “Wuhong Bridge,” built as a wooden bridge in 1670, rebuilt as a stone arch bridge in 1970; two floors: shops on 1st (ginger candy, silver), tea house on 2nd (Recommended “Hongqiao Tea House” for best window views of stilt house reflections).
- 11:30-12:00 Assemble for transfer to airport/station based on departure arrangements:
- Airport: Fenghuang → Tongren Fenghuang Airport (approx. 40 km, 1 hour drive, suggested flights after 14:00);
- Train Station: Fenghuang → Jishou East Station (High-speed rail, approx. 50 km, 1.5 hours drive, suggested trains after 15:00).
- Free Activities (Optional, Recommended Time: before 11:30):
- Souvenir Shopping: “Miao Silver Family” near Hongqiao (handmade silver jewelry, look for “S999 Fine Silver” mark, earrings 50-100 Yuan/pair); “Batik Workshop” (batik tablecloths 100-200 Yuan/piece).
【Dining Instructions】
- Included Meals: Breakfast (Fenghuang Ancient Town guesthouse).
- Lunch at your own expense: Recommended “Wanmuzhai” (Huilong阁 Ancient Street, Haozi Baba 5 Yuan/piece, Sour Soup Noodles 15 Yuan/bowl).
【Practical Tips】
- The bluestone roads in Fenghuang can be slippery, wear non-slip shoes; old ladies washing clothes by the river between 07:00-08:00 is great for street photography.
- Depart for the airport/station 2 hours early to avoid peak traffic (especially holidays near Hongqiao to the highway exit).
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — Practical Information
Tickets & Booking
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan core scenic area) single ticket: Standard ticket year-round CNY 165 each, with optional CNY 3 insurance, valid 4 consecutive days; concession ticket year-round CNY 83 each. Per the Hunan Provincial Development and Reform Commission “Notice on Matters Concerning Ticket Prices of the Wulingyuan Core Scenic Area” (Xiang-Fa-Gai-Jia-Fei-Gui [2024] No. 977), effective from Jan 1, 2025, valid 5 years; advance booking required (Timed and site-specific reservation entry is used; visitors are encouraged to use the “Zhangjiajie One-Machine Tour” WeChat mini-program for real-name reservation tickets and fast ticket-check entry)[src]
Transport & Schedules
- Inside the Wulingyuan scenic area → The various sights | Scenic-area eco-bus (included in the combined ticket/separate purchase): Eco-buses inside the scenic area connect the various zones; the high-platform touring lines at Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie operate one-way loops, so plan to avoid backtracking[src]
Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby
- Wulingyuan district (near the ticket stations) | Reference price Guesthouses/chain hotels about CNY 150–500 per night (reference) | Room tip: Close to the ticket stations, good for entering the park early and multi-day visits (the ticket is valid 4 days); conven | Nearby add-ons: Golden Whip Stream, Huangshizhai, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, Ten-Mile Gallery, Xibu Street[src]
- Zhangjiajie city (Tianmen Mountain cableway lower station/Dayong Ancient Town area) | Reference price About CNY 140–550 per night (reference) | Room tip: If you also visit Tianmen Mountain, staying in the city is closer (the lower station of the Tianmen Mountain cableway is | Nearby add-ons: Tianmen Mountain, Dayong Ancient Town, Nanmenkou, Tujia Folk Customs Park[src]
Typical Climate & Packing (Past Years)
- January: 2.6 °C–9.4 °C °C, Zhangjiajie has a humid subtropical monsoon climate, humid and rainy
- February: 4.5 °C–11.5 °C °C
- March: 7.8 °C–15.9 °C °C
- April: 13.4 °C–22.7 °C °C, Spring is cloudy and misty, with a higher chance of cloud seas
- May: 18.0 °C–27.2 °C °C
- June: 21.6 °C–30.2 °C °C, Relatively high rainfall; watch for rain gear and slippery surfaces
