Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province was China's first national forest park (established 1982) and is the core of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is famous for thousands of towering sandstone pillars rising through the mist, and the Yuanjiajie area inspired the floating 'Hallelujah Mountains' in the film Avatar. The park is huge, so most visitors spend two to three days exploring it.
Yuanjiajie: home of the 'Southern Sky Column' that inspired Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain, plus the No. 1 Bridge Under Heaven viewpoint
Golden Whip Stream: a gentle, mostly flat valley walk beside a clear creek, with wild monkeys often around
Bailong Elevator: a 326 m cliffside glass lift, the world's tallest outdoor elevator (Guinness records), whisking visitors up to Yuanjiajie
Tianzi Mountain: dramatic pillar clusters such as Imperial Brush Peak, reached by trail or cable car
Huangshizhai and Ten-Mile Gallery: panoramic plateau viewpoints and a scenic valley mini-train route
Good to know
CautionBeware of fake tickets and 'skip-the-line' offers. Entry uses real-name registration and timed slots, so book only through official channels and ignore anyone selling tickets or QR shortcuts outside the gates.
CautionTouts posing as 'free guides' may lead you to restaurants or shops that overcharge. Arrange any guide through a licensed travel agency instead.
CautionAvoid unlicensed 'black taxis' and flat-fare haggling; use only metered taxis. Counterfeit notes are sometimes given as change, so avoid large bills and prefer mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay).
SafetyWild macaques will grab food and plastic bags and can scratch. Do not feed them or accept a staged 'professional photo' that ends in a fee demand, and keep snacks zipped inside your bag.
SafetyTrails have many steep stone steps and cliff edges that get slippery when wet. Wear grippy hiking shoes, bring a rain poncho and water, and pace yourself; the peaks are cooler than the town.
SeasonSummer (June–August) is rainy and very crowded with long cable-car queues due to school holidays; May Day (early May) and National Day (early October) are peak. Winter offers snow and ice scenery but expect freezing paths and reduced services.
Practical info
Tickets are typically valid for multiple entries over four days, and prices, hours, and eco-shuttle-bus service differ by peak/off season, so confirm the latest details with the official booking site before you go. Entry requires passport-based real-name reservation with timed slots, so book early. Note this is a different park from Tianmen Mountain in the city.
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