November is one of the most comfortable and budget-friendly times to visit Zhangjiajie. With the National Day holiday over, visitor numbers drop significantly, making popular attractions far less crowded. Accommodation prices often fall by 30–50% compared to October. During this transition from late autumn to early winter, travelers can witness colorful foliage among sandstone pillars, dramatic cloud seas after rainfall, and occasionally even the first light snowfall of the season.
Weather Overview of Zhangjiajie in November
Zhangjiajie is in the transition period from late autumn to early winter in November, with temperatures dropping gradually, but it is quite comfortable during the daytime when the sun is out. According to meteorological data, the average daytime temperature in November is about 15℃, dropping to 6-8℃ at night. The temperature in high-altitude scenic areas (such as Tianmen Mountain and the top of the Forest Park) is 3-5℃ lower than that in the urban area. The average number of rainy days in this month is about 13, which is significantly less than that in summer, with a high probability of sunny days.
Highlights of traveling in November:
- Sea of clouds: After rain on clear days, mist rises in the valleys, making the peak forests partially visible and partially hidden.
- Autumn scenery: Leaves of liquidambar, ginkgo, Chinese tallow tree and other tree species in the mountains turn colors, dotting the peak forests.
- First snow: If hit by a strong cold air in late November, short-term snowfall may occur, forming a scene of “autumn scenery on half the mountain and winter on the other half”.
The small number of tourists is another advantage in November, with shorter queuing time in scenic areas and a wider view for taking photos.
Ten-Mile Gallery in Zhangjiajie
Introduction to Major Attractions in Zhangjiajie in November
The core scenic areas of Zhangjiajie include Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park), Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon and so on, each with its own characteristics in November.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
The ticket is 228 CNY (valid for 4 days, including environmental protection vehicles), covering Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Village, Ten-Mile Gallery and other areas. The following areas are recommended for visiting in November:
- Yuanjiajie: Famous for the “Heavenly Pillar”, the shooting location of Avatar. Sea of clouds often appears in the early morning, with stone pillars floating on the mist. The main viewing spots include Mi Hun Tai and the First Bridge Under Heaven. You can go up the mountain by the Bailong Elevator (65 CNY for a one-way trip).
- Tianzi Mountain: With a broad view, it overlooks dozens of stone peaks. Helong Park and Dian Jiang Tai are ideal locations for shooting the sea of clouds. You can take the Tianzi Mountain Cableway (72 CNY for a one-way trip) to go up and down the mountain. The hiking route from Lao Wu Chang to Shen Bing Ju Hui offers a view of the dense peak forest landscape.
- Golden Whip Stream: The canyon stream is gentle, with rich colors of vegetation on both banks. The whole hiking journey is about 7.5 kilometers with flat roads, suitable for casual walking. Wild rhesus monkeys can be seen along the way, so you need to keep your food safe.
- Ten-Mile Gallery: You can walk or take a small train for sightseeing. There are pictographic peaks such as the Index Finger Peak, the Medicine Man and the Three Sisters Peak along the way, among which the “Medicine Man” is a landmark landscape.
- Huangshi Village: There is a saying that “You haven’t really been to Zhangjiajie if you haven’t been to Huangshi Village”. The circular tour road on the top of the mountain has a wide view, overlooking the mountains.
- Yangjiajie: With a dangerous terrain, scenic spots such as Wu Long Stockade and the Natural Great Wall are famous for their peak wall landscapes.
- Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park
The ticket is 278 CNY (including cableway) and needs to be reserved in advance. The main highlights in November:
- Tianmen Mountain Cableway: About 30 minutes for a one-way trip, directly from the urban area to the top of the mountain. You may pass through the clouds in November and experience “climbing up through the clouds”.
- Glass Plank Road: Hanging on a cliff one thousand meters high, with a total length of 60 meters, an additional 5 CNY for shoe covers is required. There are fewer tourists in November, so you can experience it at your leisure.
- Tianmen Cave: The “Heavenly Staircase” with 999 steps leads to the cave entrance. If there is mist, the cave entrance seems to hang in the sky. You can take the through-mountain escalator (32 CNY) to go up and down.
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge
The ticket for Route B is 219 CNY (including the glass bridge and the canyon). The glass bridge is 536 meters long and 300 meters high, with a transparent deck, overlooking the autumn scenery of the canyon. The scenic area provides shoe covers for free.
- Huanglong Cave
The ticket is about 100 CNY. The cave has a constant temperature of 16℃, suitable for visiting on rainy days. You can take a boat to tour the underground dark river and watch the stalactites. The treasure of the cave, the “Magic Needle Stabilizing the Sea”, is insured for 100 million CNY.
- Baofeng Lake
The ticket is about 96 CNY. The lake water is green, reflecting the peaks, and the scenery is picturesque in the morning mist in November. The boat tour takes about 1 hour.
- Qixing Mountain
A relatively less popular scenic area, the off-season package ticket is 168 CNY (including ticket, cableway and sightseeing car). The “1520 Sky Eye” on the top of the mountain is a circular glass viewing platform, overlooking the forest sea. The cableway has a slope of 43 degrees, offering a unique experience.
The 1520 Sky Eye on Qixing Mountain in Zhangjiajie
Travel Cost Reference for Zhangjiajie in November
Most scenic areas still implement peak season ticket prices in November, but the costs of accommodation, chartered cars and so on have decreased due to the reduction of tourists. The following is an estimate based on a 4-day and 3-night trip for one person (excluding round-trip long-distance transportation).
Ticket costs (all peak season prices in November):
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: 228 CNY (valid for 4 days)
- Tianmen Mountain: 278 CNY (including cableway)
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: 219 CNY (Route B)
- Huanglong Cave: about 100 CNY
- Baofeng Lake: about 96 CNY
- Qixing Mountain: 168 CNY (off-season package ticket)
If you visit 2 to 3 major scenic areas, the total ticket expense is about 500-700 CNY.
Accommodation costs:
Accommodation prices in November are 30%-50% lower than those in the peak season, with the following options:
- Budget inns/hostels: 100-200 CNY per night
- Comfort hotels: 200-350 CNY per night
- High-end hotels: 400-600 CNY per night
The 3-night accommodation budget is about 600-900 CNY.
Transportation costs:
- Shuttle bus from urban area to scenic areas: 13 CNY to Wulingyuan, 12 CNY to the Forest Park
- Transportation tools in scenic areas (cableway, elevator): 65-72 CNY for a single trip, take as needed, with a budget of 150-200 CNY
- Taxi/online car-hailing: 10-20 CNY for short trips
Catering costs:
The average cost per person is 40-60 CNY per meal in ordinary restaurants, and 10-15 CNY for breakfast. The daily catering cost is about 100-120 CNY, totaling 400-480 CNY for 4 days.
Other expenses:
Reserve 200 CNY for travel insurance, snacks, souvenirs and so on.
Total budget: About 1800-2500 CNY for a 4-day pure play trip. If you choose budget accommodation and take fewer cableways, the cost can be controlled at about 1800 CNY. Note that tour groups with quotes lower than this may include shopping arrangements.
Dressing and Equipment Suggestions for Zhangjiajie in November
The temperature in the mountainous areas changes greatly in November, so the “onion layering” method is quite practical:
- Inner layer: Quick-drying thermal underwear for sweat wicking
- Middle layer: Fleece jacket or light down jacket for warmth
- Outer layer: Windproof jacket or coat to cope with mountain wind and light rain
- Lower body: Hiking pants or thick sports pants, avoid jeans which are hard to dry when wet
- Footwear: Non-slip hiking shoes or sports shoes, the stone roads in scenic areas are slippery after rain
- Accessories: Hat, gloves, scarf (strong wind on the mountain top), thermal insulation cup (for hot water), raincoat (more convenient than umbrella)
It is warm in the daytime when the sun comes out, and extra clothes are needed in the morning and evening.
Practical Travel Tips for Zhangjiajie in November
Queuing and Reservation
- There may be queues at Tianmen Mountain and the Bailong Elevator from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., so it is recommended to arrive at the scenic area entrance before 8 a.m.
- Tianmen Mountain needs to be reserved 3 days in advance, and Route A (cableway up the mountain, highway down the mountain) is a better experience.
- The Forest Park ticket is valid for 4 days, allowing multiple entries and exits.
Rhesus Monkeys
- Wild rhesus monkeys in the scenic area will snatch food and plastic bags, do not carry transparent bags by hand, and put food in backpacks.
- Do not feed, tease the monkeys, and keep a distance from them.
Accommodation Choice
- For mainly visiting the Forest Park: Stay in Wulingyuan District (near the Symbol Gate) for convenient entry and exit and concentrated catering options.
- For mainly visiting Tianmen Mountain or transfer: Stay in the urban area (near the Tianmen Mountain Cableway Station) for convenient transportation.
- For watching the sunrise: Stay in Tianzi Mountain Town, but the accommodation conditions are relatively simple.
- Some inns provide floor heating or air conditioning in November, you can confirm when booking.
Weather Response
- The weather in mountainous areas is changeable, the morning fog may dissipate with the sunrise, and clouds may form in the afternoon.
- Follow the official WeChat account “Zhangjiajie Weather” or check the real-time images of the scenic areas to adjust the itinerary conveniently.
Catering
- Local special dishes include San Xia Guo, preserved pork, fungus stewed chicken and so on, San Xia Guo is suitable for sharing with multiple people.
- For those who do not eat spicy food, clearly state “no spicy” or “slightly spicy” when ordering.
- Catering prices in scenic areas are relatively high, you can bring a small amount of dry food by yourself.
Common Pit-Avoidance Tips
- Ignore the “low-price tour guides” and “free pick-up and drop-off” at stations and airports, as most of them are traps.
- The “free photo taking” in scenic areas may charge fees later, ask clearly before participating.
- The glass bridge scenic area provides shoe covers for free, no need to buy them at the entrance.
Transportation to and from Zhangjiajie
- Plane: Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport has flights to major domestic cities, with many ticket discounts in November. It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport to the urban area.
- High-speed rail: Zhangjiajie West Station, it takes about 1.5 hours to get there by bullet train from Changsha. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from the West Station to the urban area.
- Self-driving: The mountain roads are open to traffic normally in November, but private cars are not allowed to enter the scenic areas and need to be parked in the parking lots outside the scenic areas.
- Urban transportation: There are shuttle buses from the bus station to Wulingyuan and the Forest Park, the ticket price is about 13 CNY, and you can buy tickets on the bus.
A Quieter Season, A Fuller Experience in Zhangjiajie in November
Visiting Zhangjiajie in November means trading peak-season crowds for space, perspective, and better value. Mornings filled with drifting clouds, hillsides brushed with red and gold, and the chance of early snow create a landscape that feels both dramatic and serene. With shorter queues and lower accommodation costs, the overall journey often feels more relaxed and rewarding.
For travelers who prefer a smoother experience, arranging tickets, transfers, and accommodations in advance can make a significant difference—especially for first-time visitors. With thoughtful planning, November reveals a side of Zhangjiajie that feels personal, peaceful, and unforgettable.
