4 Days Zhangjiajie Hiking Tour: Hottest Karst Walking, Avatar Mountains

Welcome to Zhangjiajie City, an incredible destination where you can experience the reality of Hallelujah Mountain from the Movie Avatar! Upon your arrival in Zhangjiajie, the local guide and driver will meet you at the airport exit and accompany you to your hotel in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (35km, 1 hour drive). After checking in at the hotel, you will have some free time to explore the area at your leisure.

You can visit Xibu Old Street (溪布街) to admire the architecture influenced by the local Tujia ethnic group culture. "Xibu" refers to a type of exquisite handwoven brocade created by the Tujia minority people, which is the origin of the name "Xibu Old Street". It is a pedestrian street that encompasses a bar street, a local snack street, a West Hunan folk culture souvenir shopping street, and creative workshops. When the street comes alive in the evenings, you can satisfy your hunger with Hunan's local snacks such as "Frog Cake" and "Tujia Fried Rice" while appreciating various Tujia-style accessories, clothing, and handicrafts.

Arrival Ideas:

1. Transportation to Zhangjiajie: There are numerous flights connecting to ZhangjiajieHehua Airport. You have the option to fly to Zhangjiajie from cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and more. Additionally, you can also take the high-speed train to Zhangjiajie from Changsha (2-4 hours), Guilin (7 hours), Shanghai (9 hours), Beijing (11 hours), Fenghuang Ancient Town (1 hour) and other destinations.
2. Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源景区), situated in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China, is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and World Geological Park. As the rare quartz sandstone peak forest canyon landform in the world, Wulingyuanis widely recognized as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in China. Wulingyuan consists of four parts: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve. Our trip will cover the most popular and iconic sections, including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.

After breakfast, you will visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Wulingyuan, where you will explore Yuanjiajie and behold the awe-inspiring Hallelujah Mountains (乾坤柱). Following lunch, you will be transferred to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve in Wulingyuan, where you will have the opportunity to explore Tianzi Mountain (天子山). Throughout the day, you will have ample time to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a captivating haven of nature adorned with over 3,000 slender quartz sandstone pillars.

In the morning, your first destination will be Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which is the first national forest park in China. This park showcases a unique landform characterized by towering stone peaks in various shapes, abundant vegetation, and a majestic landscape. You will board a sightseeing bus to reach the Bailong Elevator, widely known as the "World's No.1 Ladder". This elevator holds the Guinness World Records for being the tallest, fastest, and heaviest outdoor elevator for sightseeing. In just 66 seconds, you will ascend 326 meters from the valley bottom to the pinnacle of the pillar. Next, you will hike into a mysterious Pandora World - Yuanjiajie (袁家界), the actual filming location of the movie "Avatar" and the renowned Hallelujah Mountains (哈利路亚山) in reality. Don't miss the chance to capture the South Sky Pillar (南天一柱; Avatar Mountain), the Floating Mountain (1,074m;悬浮山), a towering vertical peak standing approximately 150 meters high from the deep valley, resembling a giant standing upright under the heavens. Take your time to walk along the Yuanjiajie Scenic Trail, which spans 3,500 meters and is built on the edge of a precipice. The trail is adorned with red prayer ribbons, and as you journey, you will be able to admire breathtaking natural wonders such as the Backyard Garden (后花园), Lost Soul Platform (迷魂台; The Best Natural Viewing Platform in Yuanjiajie), and the First Bridge Under Heaven (天下第一桥, a natural stone bridge and the landmark of Yuanjiajie). While immersing yourself in the extraordinary beauty, you will also deepen your understanding of Zhangjiajie's sandstone peaks and forest landform. This unique landscape is the result of specific geological structures, tectonic movements, and external forces, making it an exceptionally rare and remarkable phenomenon.

Next, board the sightseeing bus to reach the second tourist site - Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, which derives its name from Xiang Dakun (Xiang Tianzi), the leader of the local Tujia ethnic group who referred to himself as “Tianzi” (天子), meaning the Son of Heaven or the emperor in Chinese, during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Tianzi Mountain (天子山) is currently in the prime stage of its peak forest evolution and is renowned as the "King of Peaks". It gained fame as a fairyland in the popular Chinese TV Series - Journey to The West. Tianzi Mountain (1,262m) is well-known for its magnificent sunrise, the sea of clouds, red moon, winter snow, red leaves, and grand forest of peaks. You can proceed to Dianjiangtai Platform (点将台) to overlook the West Sea Peaks Forest (西海峰林), where rugged rocks rise from the depths of a misty canyon. You will not like to miss a view of the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (御笔峰) which are a row of six stone pillars, each standing approximately a hundred meters tall. They are arranged in a square shape, intricately connected, and exhibit varying thicknesses from top to bottom, resembling the shape of a pen. According to legend, it is believed to be the pen used by Xiang Tianzi. Afterward, hike to He Long Park (贺龙公园) to visit the bronze statue of Marshal He Long and his warhorse, as well as the Tianzige Pavilion(天子阁). The Tianzige Pavilion, standing at 30 meters, offers a panoramic view of Tianzi Mountain, with its peaks and mountains stretching as far as the eye can see. The scene is truly spectacular. After the tour, return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Notes: If you are traveling during the peak season, your guide may consider reversing the itinerary to avoid the largest crowds of tourists.

Today, enjoy a half-day hike and spend the rest of the day at Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge.

After breakfast, head to Golden Whip Brook (金鞭溪), "China’s most beautiful canyon hike." It is one of the most classic and nature-focused trails in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The path leads you through a spectacular gorge, lined with towering stone peaks. Surrounded by the peaceful sound of the water and the local monkeys, you’ll find a quiet escape.

The full trail is 7.5 km long and flat. You can choose Line 1 or Line 2.

• Line 1: Easy Hike(Entrance - Purple Grass Pond): 5 km (2.17 miles), 1.52 hours. Best for beginners who want to see the highlights.
• Line 2: Full Hike(Entrance - Water Winding Through Four Gates): 5 km (4.66 miles), 33.5 hours. Best for active hikers.

As you walk, the first landmark is Golden Whip Rock (金鞭岩), a 350-meter-tall pillar that glows golden in the sunlight. Further ahead, you’ll see Eagle Protecting the Whip (神鹰护鞭), a rock shaped like an eagle with outspread wings. You will also pass filming locations for classic TV series Journey to the West, which perfectly match the "fairyland" setting of the myths.

Continue along flat path to see Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother (劈山救母), a massive peak with a straight vertical crack down the middle. Next is Purple Grass Pond (紫草潭), where water pools over purple-colored stones, creating a beautiful hue.

If you choose full hike, continue to admire Meeting from Afar (千里相会), where two pillars stand side-by-side like a pair of lovers. The journey ends at an open, flat area where four streams converge.

Next, you will be transferred from Golden Whip Brook to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which is approximately 56 km away and takes about 1.5 hours by car. There, you will have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. Following that, enjoy a delicious lunch before proceeding to Baofeng Lake for a relaxing boat trip. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to Zhangjiajie City.

Well-known for its numerous waterfalls and fresh air in the valley, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a must-visit scenic spot in Zhangjiajie, especially for photographers and adventurers. The Glass Bridge is the highlight of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, as it is the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, stretching between two dramatic cliffs. It spans 375 meters in length and stands 300 meters high. Designed by Israeli Haim Dotan Architects, the bridge is capable of accommodating up to 800 people at a time. It is entirely made of glass, with no steel structure. In the middle of the bridge, there is a bungee jumping platform, which is the highest in the world. Here, you can experience the thrill of the highest bungee jump and fulfill your dream of flying like Spider-Man (bungee jump fees are self-pay). Exploring the Glass Bridge typically takes about 1 hour. People from around the world are excited to take on the challenge of walking on the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. While walking on the bridge, you can look down through the crystal-clear base, which hovers above a lush forest and a mist-filled canyon. Standing on the transparent glass feels like floating in the air, offering a superb panoramic view of the entire Grand Canyon. Come and take the skywalk on the glass bridge to showcase your courage to the world!

After the tour, return to Zhangjiajie City, which is approximately 35 kilometers away and takes about 1 hour by car, for an overnight stay.

Today, spend half a day hiking in Binlang Valley.

Binlang Valley is a primitive hiking passage in Zhangjiajie, famous for its wild Karst landscape adventures. This area is secluded and quiet, with far fewer tourists, preserving vast old-growth forests, streams, and unique rock formations. Under professional safety guidance, you can experience cave exploration, walk through narrow canyons, and discover hidden natural stone wonders.

• Hiking Distance: 5 kilometers (3.11 miles)
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours
• Route: Binlang Hole Cave → Valley of Stars → Mystery Cave → Angel’s Gate

After arriving at the starting point, we will pass through Binlang Hole Cave and walk through the mountains and fields of the Valley of Stars. Next, we enter the Mystery Cave, an ancient underground riverbed. Using flashlights, you can explore stalactites and perhaps spot rare cave frogs. The exit is often shrouded in mist and shaped like a crescent moon—perfect for photos. Afterward, you will see a triangular cave opening covered in lush plants. Finally, climb up to Angel’s Gate, a magnificent 100-meter-tall natural stone arch spanning the canyon.

Tips: Binlang Valley also offers a more intense 6-hour, 4-kilometer crack climbing challenge where you navigate narrow rock crevices. Contact us if you are interested!

As your exploration concludes, so does your 4 Days Zhangjiajie Hiking Tour. Your guide will escort you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

Thank you for traveling with Asia Odyssey Travel! We're honored to have been part of your China tour and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Asian Vacation.