Zhangjiajie is a renowned scenic area in China that draws millions of tourists annually. Its main attractions include Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The scenic spots are far apart, with varying ticket prices and rules. Tourists often find the ticketing information confusing, and ticket expenses often account for a significant portion of the budget. This article details ticket prices, discount policies, and important purchasing considerations for the main scenic areas. It aims to help tourists understand the costs, plan expenses, and avoid travel disruptions caused by unclear information.
Zhangjiakou National Forest Park Tickets
Zhangjiakou National Forest Park is the core scenic area of Zhangjiakou, encompassing regions such as Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, and Ten-Mile Gallery. The ticket is valid for four days and includes access to the park’s shuttle buses but does not cover cable cars, the Bailong Elevator, or other transportation options.
Ticket Prices:
- Full-Price Ticket: Peak season 228 CNY/person, Off-season 118 CNY/person
- Discounted Ticket: Students, seniors over 60, active military personnel, etc., can purchase discounted tickets with valid identification. Peak season 116 CNY/person, Off-season 60 CNY/person.
On-site Transportation (Requires separate tickets):
- Bailong Elevator (One-way): 65 CNY/person
- Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (One-way): 72 CNY/person
- Yangjiajie Cable Car (One-way): 76 CNY/person
- Huangshizhai Cable Car (One-way): 65 CNY/person
- Ten-Mile Gallery Mini Train (One-way): 38 CNY/person
Purchasing Advice:
Tourists planning multiple entries to the park may consider the Zhangjiakou National Forest Park 399 CNY “Annual Pass.” The annual pass includes park admission (including shuttle buses) and unlimited use of the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, Huangshizhai Cable Car, Yangjiajie Cable Car, and Bailong Elevator throughout the year (excluding the Spring Festival, May Day, and National Day holidays). The annual pass can be purchased through the “Zhangjiakou Tourism” mini-program, online platforms like Ctrip and Meituan, or at the ticket windows of the park’s five entrance stations. Unused passes can be returned or exchanged unconditionally within 7 days of purchase.
Important Notes:
The park is vast, and shuttle buses are necessary for traveling between scenic spots. The ticket is valid for four days, so it’s advisable to plan your visit over multiple days. On rainy or foggy days with poor visibility, consider exploring valley areas like Golden Whip Stream and Ten-Mile Gallery first.
Zhangjiakou National Forest Park
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Tickets
Tianmen Mountain is famous for its Tongtian Avenue (Heaven-Linking Avenue), Glass Walkway, and Tianmen Cave. It is located close to Zhangjiakou city and requires half a day to a full day to visit. The ticket includes the cable car and shuttle bus, with three route options: Route A (cable car up, road down), Route B (road up, cable car down), and Route C (road up and down). All three routes have the same price.
Ticket Prices:
- Full-Price Ticket: Peak season 278 CNY/person, Off-season 225 CNY/person
- Discounted Ticket: Discounted prices for students, seniors, etc. Peak season 155 CNY/person, Off-season 113 CNY/person
Additional Paid Items:
- Glass Walkway Shoe Covers: 5 CNY/person (mandatory rental)
- Tianmen Cave Escalator: 32 CNY/person (one-way, requires separate ticket purchase during peak season, sometimes free during off-season)
Important Notes:
Tickets are sold with designated entry time slots. The entry time is assigned by the system upon successful booking. Queues can be long during peak season, so arriving early is recommended. Due to cable car upgrades, the current touring route is: Route A cable car to the middle station, transfer to a shuttle bus to Tianmen Cave, then take the escalator to the mountaintop; Route B follows the reverse order. The escalator for descending from Tianmen Cave is currently free.
Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan tourists need to provide their Mainland Travel Permit (Home Return Permit) number, and international tourists need to provide their passport number.
Zhangjiakou Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tickets
Zhangjiakou Grand Canyon is famous for its Glass Bridge. The Glass Bridge is ticketed separately, but combo tickets that include the Grand Canyon and a boat ride are also available.
Ticket Prices:
- Glass Bridge + Grand Canyon Combo Ticket: 219 CNY/person (includes Glass Bridge, Grand Canyon, and boat ride)
- Glass Bridge Only: 138 CNY/person
- Discounted Ticket: Discounted combo price for students, seniors, etc. is 111 CNY.
Important Notes:
The Glass Bridge requires advance booking for a specific time slot; tickets may not be available on-site. The Glass Bridge may close during adverse weather conditions like strong winds or heavy rain. Park regulations prohibit taking any items onto the Glass Bridge except for wallets and mobile phones with cases; security checks are strict. Visitors wearing high heels must change into shoe covers and are not permitted on the bridge in their own shoes. Individuals with heart conditions, high blood pressure, acrophobia (fear of heights), or those under the influence of alcohol should not go on the bridge.
Zhangjiakou Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Huanglong Cave and Baofeng Lake Tickets
Huanglong Cave and Baofeng Lake are located near Wulingyuan town and can be visited on the same day. Huanglong Cave is a karst cave featuring an underground river that can be explored by boat. Baofeng Lake is a high-altitude lake where visitors can take boat tours to admire the mountain scenery.
Ticket Prices:
- Huanglong Cave: Peak season 100 CNY/person, Off-season 55 CNY/person; Discounted ticket: Peak season 60 CNY, Off-season 33 CNY.
- Baofeng Lake: Peak season 96 CNY/person, Off-season 50 CNY/person; Discounted ticket: Peak season 58 CNY, Off-season 30 CNY.
Tour Tips:
The temperature inside Huanglong Cave is low; bringing a light jacket is recommended even in summer. The cave tour takes approximately 1.5 hours, with many stairs in the latter half, requiring a certain level of physical fitness. The peak tourist season for Baofeng Lake is from April to November, offering the best scenery.
Zhangjiakou Scenic Spots Ticket Discount Policies
In addition to standard student and senior discounts, the following groups may qualify for free entry or discounts:
- Children: Children under 1.2 meters in height enter free (some scenic spots specify under 1.3 meters).
- Seniors: Seniors aged 70 and above with a valid ID or Senior Citizen Preference Card may receive free entry at some scenic spots.
- Journalists: Journalists with press cards issued by provincial-level or higher publishing departments may receive free entry at some scenic spots.
- Military Personnel: Active military personnel can enjoy discounted tickets with their military ID.
- Disabled Individuals: Free entry with a valid Disability Certificate.
Zhangjiakou Scenic Spots Ticket Purchasing Tips
- Purchase Tickets Online in Advance. Platforms like Ctrip and Meituan allow you to book scenic spot tickets. Prices may be slightly lower than on-site rates, and you can often enter directly by scanning your ID card, saving queue time. It’s advisable to purchase tickets in advance during peak season to avoid sell-outs.
- Utilize Combo Tickets or Annual Passes. Consider combo tickets if you plan to visit multiple scenic spots. The Zhangjiakou National Forest Park 399 CNY annual pass includes access to the “Three Cable Cars and One Elevator,” saving nearly 1600 CNY compared to purchasing single tickets. The annual pass is valid all year (excluding Spring Festival, May Day, and National Day holidays).
- Note the Real-Name Registration Policy. Scenic spots implement a real-name ticketing system. You must bring your ID card or passport. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan tourists need to provide their Mainland Travel Permit (Home Return Permit) number.
- Pay Attention to Entry Times. Popular attractions like Tianmen Mountain and the Glass Bridge operate on a timed-entry basis. You must arrive during your booked time slot. If you are delayed, the latest entry is generally no later than 4:00 PM, and the scenic spot will arrange entry based on real-time crowd conditions.
- Avoid Unofficial Tour Guides. Beware of unofficial tour guides near scenic area entrances who may lure tourists with promises of low prices or free tickets; these are often scams. Please purchase legitimate tickets through official ticket windows or authorized partner platforms.
- Choose to Travel During the Off-Season. The off-season runs from December to February. Ticket prices are approximately 50% of peak season rates, visitor numbers are lower, and the touring experience is often better. Be aware that some plank walks or trails may be closed due to ice or snow; check scenic area announcements before your trip.
Zhangjiakou Scenic Spots Ticket Budget Reference
For touring the main scenic spots in Zhangjiakou, the cost of tickets and on-site transportation is approximately 800-1200 CNY per person. A detailed breakdown:
- Forest Park Ticket 228 CNY + Bailong Elevator 65 CNY + Tianzi Mountain Cable Car 72 CNY = 365 CNY
- Tianmen Mountain Ticket 278 CNY
- Grand Canyon + Glass Bridge 219 CNY
- Huanglong Cave 100 CNY + Baofeng Lake 96 CNY = 196 CNY
The total is approximately 1058 CNY, representing a fairly comprehensive ticket expenditure. If you have limited time and only visit the Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain, the cost would be around 600 CNY.
Tickets are only one part of the travel budget; you also need to factor in accommodation, meals, transportation, etc. It’s recommended to plan your overall budget in advance. If you prefer not to handle ticket purchases yourself, you can entrust arrangements to a local travel agency. China Dragon Travel offers local tour services in Zhangjiakou and can assist with booking tickets, arranging vehicles, and providing guides or group tours.
Planning Your Zhangjiajie Attraction Tickets and Travel Budget
Each scenic area in Zhangjiajie has its own ticket system and visiting rules, and some popular attractions require advance reservations, especially during peak travel seasons. Checking ticket prices ahead of time and arranging the visiting order of attractions can help travelers avoid long queues and make better use of their time in the region.
For travelers who prefer a more convenient arrangement, China Dragon Travel can assist with booking attraction tickets, transportation, and local guides. With experience in organizing trips in Zhangjiajie, the team can help visitors plan a smooth itinerary and enjoy the region’s iconic landscapes without worrying about complicated ticket arrangements.
