Zhangjiajie

The filming location for Avatar: the quartz-sandstone pillar forests of Wulingyuan, the Tianmen Mountain glass skywalk and the Grand Canyon glass bridge.

Zhangjiajie lies in the heart of the Wuling Mountains in northwestern Hunan Province. It is famous for China's first national forest park, established in 1982. In 1992 the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Suoxiyu and Yangjiajie) was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Its landscape of more than 3,000 quartz-sandstone pillars inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. The climate is subtropical mountain monsoon. The best times to visit are April–May and September–November, when temperatures are comfortable, seas of clouds after rain are at their most frequent, and autumn foliage frames the peak forest. June–August is rainy but cool in the mountains, and is also the season for rafting on the Maoyan River. December–February sometimes brings snow, and the rime-covered peaks are beautiful, but cable cars and elevators may close because of ice. The area splits into three zones. First, the core Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, Huangshizhai, Golden Whip Stream and the Ten-Mile Gallery). Admission is a 4-day combined ticket (about RMB 225–230, including the park's eco-buses); most people allow 2 days. The most convenient base is Wulingyuan District (near the Gateway/Jundiping), where you can stroll Xibu Street and watch the show Charming Xiangxi in the evening. Second, Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie city (the cable car starts in the city; Tianmen Cave, the 99-bend road and the glass skywalk; 1 day). In the evening you can catch the outdoor show Tianmen Fox Fairy or see the night views of the Seventy-Two Wonder Tower in Dayong Ancient City. Third, east of Wulingyuan: Yellow Dragon Cave, Baofeng Lake and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge in Cili County (1 day). Getting there: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is about 5 km from the city center; Zhangjiajie West high-speed rail station has connections to Changsha (about 2.5–3 hours), Chongqing and Guiyang; the trip from the city to Wulingyuan bus station takes about 1 hour (direct buses available). We suggest 4 days: 1 for Tianmen Mountain, 2 for Wulingyuan, and 1 for the Grand Canyon glass bridge plus Yellow Dragon Cave or Baofeng Lake. Tips: on holidays, book real-name tickets for Tianmen Mountain and the core Wulingyuan area 1–3 days ahead through the official mini-program. Mountain weather changes quickly, so bring a raincoat and a jacket. Food inside the parks is pricey, so consider bringing snacks. Monkeys will snatch food, so don't hold it in your hands. Local specialties include sanxiaguo (a hot-pot-style stew), Tujia cured pork and Sangzhi salted tofu. Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Town belong to Xiangxi; see the “Fenghuang Ancient Town · Xiangxi” destination.

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