Zhangjiajie is located in northwestern Hunan Province and is one of China’s most famous natural scenic areas. Its sandstone peak forest landscape is listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The floating mountains from the movie Avatar were filmed here, bringing Zhangjiajie global fame. However, due to the vast size and the dispersed distribution, first time visitors will benefit from knowing the top things to do in advance. This guide lists the top 10 things to do in Zhangjiajie, covering core experiences such as Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, the Glass Bridge, and Huanglong Cave, helping you fully enjoy this journey to natural wonders.
Take Bailong Elevator
Core Experience
The Bailong Elevator is the tallest outdoor elevator in the world, with a vertical height of 326 meters and a speed of 5 meters per second. The entire ride takes only 1 minute and 58 seconds. The elevator is built against a cliff, taking you from the foot of the mountain directly to the summit of Yuanjiajie. During the ride, you can watch the quartz sandstone peak forest across from you rise from below through the glass walls, creating a strong visual impact.
Tips
After reaching the top, you can overlook the core area of Yuanjiajie, including Mihun Terrace, Qiankun Pillar, and the No. 1 Bridge Under Heaven. It is recommended that you take the Bailong Elevator in the morning, when light from the east illuminates the peak forest in clear layers. A one way ticket costs 65 RMB. During peak season, wait times may exceed one hour, so it is recommended that you arrive before 7:30 am.
Bailong Elevator, the First Stop in Zhangjiajie
Stroll Through Yuanjiajie
Core Experience
Yuanjiajie is the essence of the core Wulingyuan scenic area and the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. Hallelujah Mountain, originally named Qiankun Pillar, is a 150 meter tall stone pillar with lush vegetation at its top. When surrounded by clouds and mist, it appears to float in the air. The scenic area features a 2 km boardwalk built along the cliff edge, connecting multiple viewing platforms.
Tips
Mihun Terrace is the viewing platform with the widest view in Yuanjiajie, offering a panoramic view of dozens of stone pillars forming a peak forest. The No. 1 Bridge Under Heaven is a natural stone bridge spanning between two peaks, with a bridge width of about 2 meters and a drop of about 350 meters below. Exploring Yuanjiajie takes about 2 to 3 hours. It is recommended that you combine this with the Bailong Elevator.
Explore Tianzi Mountain
Core Experience
Tianzi Mountain is the highest area in Wulingyuan, with its highest point at about 1,262 meters. This area is known for its seas of clouds and sunrise views. The Imperial Writing Brush Peak is a landmark landscape of Tianzi Mountain, with several slender stone pillars standing side by side, resembling upside down writing brushes. The General’s Platform is another classic viewing platform, where dozens of stone pillars stand like generals reviewing their troops.
Tips
Tianzi Mountain can be reached by cable car from the base (72 RMB one way) or by walking from Yuanjiajie (about 40 minutes). Early morning and after rain are the best times to view seas of clouds. On sunny days, the light is most ideal between 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Visiting Tianzi Mountain takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Walk the Glass Bridge
Core Experience
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is one of the highest and longest glass bridges in the world. The bridge deck is 430 meters long and 6 meters wide, suspended about 300 meters above the canyon floor. The deck is paved with 99 transparent glass panels, allowing visitors to look down through the glass into the canyon below. Walking on the bridge, with the bottomless canyon beneath your feet and steep rock walls on both sides, is a true test of courage.
Tips
The entrance fee is 125 RMB, including the Glass Bridge and the canyon tour. The bridge can be crowded, so it is recommended that you go in the morning. If you are afraid of heights, you can walk along the edge or close your eyes and cross with assistance from staff. Additional experiences such as a high altitude swing and zipline are available around the Glass Bridge for an extra fee.
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge: A Test of Courage
Hike Golden Whip Stream
Core Experience
Golden Whip Stream is 7.5 km long and flows through a valley between the peak forest. The stream water is crystal clear, with stone pillars towering on both sides and lush vegetation. The hiking route is entirely flat stone paths with no climbing, making it suitable for visitors of all ages. Along the way, you can see shaped stone pillars such as Golden Whip Rock, Eagle Protecting the Whip, and Master and Disciples Obtaining Scriptures.
Tips
Golden Whip Stream is also home to wildlife, with macaques often seen active near the stream. The full hike takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, ending at Shuirao Simen, where you can transfer to sightseeing buses to other scenic areas. It is recommended that you enter through the Forest Park ticket gate and hike along Golden Whip Stream to Shuirao Simen to minimize physical strain.
Climb Tianmen Mountain
Core Experience
Tianmen Mountain is about 8 km from downtown Zhangjiajie and is the highest peak in the area, with its main peak at about 1,519 meters. Tianmen Cave is the highest natural cave through a mountain in the world, located in the middle of the mountain. The cave is 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep. The staircase leading to Tianmen Cave has 999 steps, known as the Heaven Ladder, with a steep slope.
Tips
Climbing the Heaven Ladder takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you lack the stamina, you can take an escalator (32 RMB) directly to the cave entrance. Tianmen Mountain is also known for its winding mountain road. The road is about 11 km long with 99 bends, and taking the scenic area bus up the mountain is itself an exciting experience. The Tianmen Mountain entrance fee is 278 RMB (including cable car and bus), and a full visit takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Take the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
Core Experience
The Tianmen Mountain Cable Car is one of the longest passenger cable cars in the world, stretching 7.45 km from downtown Zhangjiajie directly to the summit of Tianmen Mountain. The ride takes about 28 minutes, with a vertical rise of over 1,200 meters. In the first half, you can see views of Zhangjiajie city and farmland; in the second half, you enter the mountains, with dense forests and steep rock walls below.
Tips
On clear days, you can see Tianmen Cave and the surrounding peak forest in the distance from the cable car. The ticket is included in the Tianmen Mountain entrance fee, so no separate purchase is needed. It is recommended that you arrive at the cable car station before 8:00 am to avoid peak waiting times. On weekends and holidays, wait times may exceed 2 hours.
Visit Huanglong Cave
Core Experience
Core Experience: Huanglong Cave is located in the Wulingyuan area and is one of China’s most famous karst caves. The cave is about 7.5 km long, divided into four levels, and consists of dry and water filled sections. Inside, you can see stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone draperies. The most famous formation is the Dinghai Shenzhen, a stalagmite about 19 meters tall with a diameter of only 10 centimeters, which has been growing for tens of thousands of years.
Tips
You can take a boat ride on an underground river inside the cave for about 8 minutes, with stalactites in various shapes along both banks. The temperature inside the cave is constant at around 16°C to 18°C, so you will need a light jacket when visiting in summer. The entrance fee is 100 RMB, and a full visit takes about 2 hours. It is recommended that you visit Huanglong Cave on a different day from the core Wulingyuan area.
Watch “Tianmen Fox Fairy”
Core Experience
“Tianmen Fox Fairy” is the most famous live performance in Zhangjiajie. Set against the backdrop of Tianmen Mountain, it tells a love story between a fox fairy and a mortal. The performance venue is located at the foot of Tianmen Mountain and can accommodate over 3,000 spectators. The stage is built into the mountain, using the natural landscape, lighting, and special effects to create a spectacular scene.
Tips
The performance starts at 8:00 pm each night and lasts about 70 minutes. Ticket prices vary by seat location, ranging from about 200 to 500 RMB. It is recommended that you purchase tickets online in advance, as performances often sell out during peak season. Buses return to the city after the performance, so transportation is not a concern.
Try Local Cuisine
Core Experience
Zhangjiajie’s local cuisine blends western Hunan and Tujia ethnic characteristics. “Sanxiaguo” is the most representative dish, a stew of pork, beef, offal, and other ingredients cooked with chili peppers, creating a rich and spicy flavor. Preserved meat is a traditional Tujia food, smoked and then stir fried with garlic shoots or bracken.
Tips
Kudzu root starch is a local specialty, made into jelly or pancakes. Wild mushrooms such as matsutake and porcini are abundant in summer, and you can try mushroom hot pot. It is recommended that you dine in the Wulingyuan area or downtown, as dining options within the scenic areas are more expensive and limited.
Top 10 Things to Do in Zhangjiajie: Enjoy Famous Mountains and Rivers
Zhangjiajie’s sandstone peak forest is a unique natural wonder on Earth. Taking the Bailong Elevator to overlook the Yuanjiajie peak forest, strolling through Yuanjiajie, hiking along Golden Whip Stream through the canyon, climbing Tianmen Mountain to challenge 999 steps, and visiting Huanglong Cave to explore an underground cave are all experiences worth including in your itinerary. Because the attractions are scattered, planning your route in advance and allocating your time wisely are key to a successful Zhangjiajie trip. It is recommended that you choose the activities that interest you most from this list based on your own stamina and available time. You do not need to do everything. No matter which experiences you choose, Zhangjiajie’s peak forests and seas of clouds will leave a lasting impression. We hope this guide helps you plan a satisfying trip to Zhangjiajie.
