Breakfast → Huangshizhai → Jinbian Stream → Ten Mile Gallery → Dinner → Charming Xiangxi
Breakfast is an important meal today because there will be a 5-6 hour hiking trip ahead, and there aren't many recommended foods in the Wulingyuan scenic area, so it's advised to eat well and fill up as much as possible. If you want to eat something familiar, there is a KFC in this area. For noodle dishes, you can choose either noodles or rice noodles as the main ingredient; the noodles（面条）are rich and flavorful, while the rice noodles（米粉）are lighter and fresher. Just tell the waiter what you like, and the prices are all the same.
If there are 2 or fewer people in your party, it is recommended to navigate to [Wulingyuan Passenger Transportation Station]. You can either walk there or take a taxi. Directly buy a ticket to 'Forest Park' from the ticket machine in the hall, the journey takes about 30 minutes, with buses departing every 25-30 minutes. Don't worry if you don't understand the ticket machine interface; you can find English instructions on how to use the ticket machine, and the staff nearby are also happy to help you. Then you will pass through a long corridor, and there are many signs along the corridor. Find the corridor that says 'Forest Park Station'（森林公园站） and queue up there. Note: If someone at the entrance of the bus station tells you that you can no longer get on the bus inside, or that there are no buses inside and advises you not to enter the station, ignore them. After buying the ticket, enter the boarding area. There are no ticket barriers at the entrance, and you don’t need to show your receipt or swipe your ID card. No one checks tickets until you are on the bus. If you visited Forest Park yesterday and had your face recognized at the entrance, you can go through the 'Second Entry Channel' at the south gate and enter by facial recognition directly.
Opening hours: All year round 07:30-18:30 Recommended visit duration: 1-3 hours. Note that if there are too many people taking photos at the attraction, there may be a long wait time, which could necessitate more visiting time. Huangshizhai is the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and is also the birthplace of Zhangjiajie tourism. At the end of 1979, Chinese ink painting master Wu Guanzhong visited Zhangjiajie Forest Farm to sketch and discovered Huangshizhai, which he described as a 'pearl lost in the deep mountains,' and published an article that unveiled the mystery of Zhangjiajie to the world for the first time. He observed the steep cliffs jutting into the sky, with stone peaks and walls standing in lines, and the cross lines twisted and interwoven forming a composition. He also mentioned that people are accustomed to using images like 'Monkey gazing at peace' and 'Child worshipping Guanyin' to praise the beauty of natural forms, but he believed many stones are inherently beautiful, existing in the realm of resemblance and non-resemblance. He wrote: The beauty here is not inferior to Guilin, but the peaks are even more mysterious, denser, more towering, and wilder than those in Guilin. This great artist concluded: Having trudged through many famous mountains, he felt that places like Yandang, Wuyi, Qingcheng, and Shilin could not compare to the nameless beauty of Zhangjiajie. Thus, 18 years later, in November 1997, the first tourist sightseeing cable car in Huangshizhai officially opened. From then on, Zhangjiajie began its 'beautiful legend.' Today, the Huangshizhai we see is at an elevation of 1080 meters, with a top area of 16.5 hectares, resembling Australia's Ayers Rock, a massive flat-topped mountain. However, Huangshizhai is not a single chunk but a dense jungle of rocks. It is known as the most beautiful viewing platform in Wulingyuan. Climbing it, countless stone peaks and pillars scatter widely, and the peak forest appears vast, allowing one to take in the magnificent scenery of Zhangjiajie at a glance, hence the saying, 'If you don't go to Huangshizhai, you've wasted your trip to Zhangjiajie.' Famous scenery inevitably brings many legends. Huangshizhai is no exception; it is related to a very famous figure in Chinese history, Zhang Liang, who is considered one of the top ten wisest strategists in the 5000-year history of China. When Zhang Liang was young, the country was in turmoil. One day, while strolling on a bridge, he encountered an old man wearing coarse clothing. The old man intentionally threw his shoes into the river below, prompting Zhang Liang to retrieve them. Although surprised, he endured and picked them up. The old man then asked him for help to put the shoes on, and Zhang Liang complied. Recognizing Zhang Liang's good character, the old man invited him to meet five days later on the bridge at dawn. The first time, Zhang Liang arrived on time, but finding the old man already waiting, he became angry; the second time, Zhang Liang arrived two hours early, only to see the old man still waiting; so on the third time, Zhang Liang waited at the bridge in the middle of the night, finally earning the old man's approval. The old man then gifted him a precious military treatise, telling him, 'Reading this book will help you become a teacher to emperors.' This military book later became an important source of Zhang Liang's wisdom. Later, Zhang Liang met a man named Liu Bang, who was then a leader of a few hundred soldiers, often fleeing in panic. Yet, Zhang Liang saw great ambition and ideals in him. Utilizing strategies learned from the military book, he helped Liu Bang through multiple crises, assisting him in growing step by step and ultimately uniting the nation, becoming the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty. After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang advised him to reduce taxes so that the people could recuperate, promoting economic recovery and development. This philosophy of non-interference in governance laid a solid foundation for the long-term stability and prosperity of the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang wanted to appoint Zhang Liang as a 'Marquis of Ten Thousand Households' (a very high rank with vast lands and subjects), but Zhang Liang declined. He said, 'My wish when I was young was to help the world attain stability. Now that my goal has been accomplished, I wish to return to the mountains and forests for a quiet life.' Thus, Liu Bang granted him a vast fortune, allowing him to escape the whirlpool of politics, and he ultimately enjoyed a peaceful and happy old age. At the core of Zhang Liang's story is simple: he gained opportunities through wisdom and character, used his abilities to help others achieve great deeds, and in the end, did not crave power but chose the life he wanted. This quality of 'having capability and knowing when to advance or retreat' has made him a highly respected figure in Chinese history. In the legend of Huangshizhai, Zhang Liang's mentor, the Yellow Stone Immortal, once told him, 'Thirteen years later, you will see a yellow stone at the foot of Mount Jibei Gucheng, that will be me.' After resigning from office, he, in gratitude for the teachings of the Yellow Stone Immortal, traveled everywhere searching for tranquil places related to 'Yellow Stone' and ultimately arrived at this peak in Zhangjiajie. Noticing the unique peak forest, far from the noise, and the rocks mostly exhibiting a yellow-brown color, he chose to practice here. Later generations thus named this peak 'Huangshizhai' to commemorate his connection with the Yellow Stone Immortal. Although there is no historical evidence to prove that Zhang Liang actually visited Huangshizhai, this legend creates an emotional connection between natural landscapes and historical figures, becoming a part of local culture. Overview of Huangshizhai Route— This route is only a suggestion; you can decide freely whether to go. Wu Guanzhong Statue→Large Oxygen Bar Square→Huangshizhai Cable Car Lower Station→Six Wonders Pavilion→Prince Peak→Nine - fold Immortal Pavilion→Star Picking Platform→Double Doors Welcoming Guests→Copper Wall and Iron Curtain (Zhang Liang's hanging seal opposite)→Five-finger Peak→Lovers Peak→Bagua Furnace→Natural Wall Painting→Echo Wall→Jade Bottle Peak→Nine - fold Wall→Front Garden→Huangshi Pine (pointing to the sky)→Harmony Pavilion→Song Request Pavilion (viewing platform opposite to see the bridge ruin)→Sacred Elephant Observation Array→Tongtian River Conch Peak→Fog Sea Golden Turtle→Monkey King Knocking Soldiers To go towards 'Huangshizhai Cable Car Lower Station,' walk for 10 minutes, and on the left side, you will see a brown sign indicating 'Vehicle Entry.' Take the eco-friendly car to the Huangshizhai Cable Car Lower Station, which takes about 2 minutes to arrive.
Hiking duration: about 2~3 hours (excluding photography and rest) There are no transport options here, and if you're feeling exhausted, you can end today's journey here and return to the East Gate of Wulingyuan. At the East Gate of Wulingyuan, you can choose to rest or take a car to explore the 'Ten Mile Gallery'. If earlier at Huangshi Village you viewed the peaks from above, appreciating the macro beauty of the landscape, then hiking in Golden Whip Stream is about walking between the peaks, looking up at the grandeur and steepness from below, seeking subtle emotions. Golden Whip Stream is located in the core scenic area of Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, and is a winding clear stream between peak forests and valleys, approximately 7.5 kilometers long. It is known as one of 'the most beautiful canyon streams in the world,' named after the Golden Whip Rock towering by the creek. Here, mountains and water complement each other, the air is fresh, and each season is picturesque, making it the most suitable route for hiking, photography, and a tranquil connection with nature in Zhangjiajie. Golden Whip Stream is not one of those instant-shock 'internet celebrity' spots; rather, it is a journey well worth walking slowly and observing in detail. It consists of gentle streams, deep valleys, vibrant peaks, and imaginative legends that create an ecological gallery that captivates visitors. If you truly want to engage in a slow-paced 'dialogue' with the mountains and waters of Zhangjiajie, starting from Golden Whip Stream is definitely the right choice. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking here, while summer is also suitable for escaping the heat; on rainy days, the stream flows faster but be cautious of slippery paths. There are many wild monkeys along Golden Whip Stream, and you can feed them, but please keep valuable items in your backpack and do not carry them in hand; otherwise, they may be snatched away. Also, do not carry food in transparent bags in hand, as it will be taken. Furthermore, do not let the monkeys see all your food; otherwise, it will also be stolen. Hiking route: Mother and Son Peak → Splitting Mountains to Save Mother → Eagle Guardian of Whip → Filming location of 'Journey to the West' → Golden Whip Stream Gorge → Jumping Fish Pool → Collapsed Rock Blocks → Water Surrounds Four Gates
The entire Ten-Mile Gallery is about 5 kilometers long, with a gentle terrain, taking about 1 hour to walk through. If you feel tired, you can choose to take the 'Ten-Mile Gallery Sightseeing Train' to pass through the 'Ten-Mile Gallery,' which takes about 10 minutes to reach the east gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Note that if you are heading towards the east gate, the scenery of the Ten-Mile Gallery is all on the right side of the train, so you can try to choose a seat on the right side. The adult one-way ticket price is 38 yuan per trip, not included in the 'Three Cables and One Ladder' four-trip joint ticket, and needs to be purchased separately. Learn about Ten-Mile Gallery It is a beautiful canyon, surrounded by lush trees and fragrant wildflowers. The peaks and strange rocks are all shapes and sizes, and the rocks on the mountain have formed about 200 stone formations resembling people, animals, and birds. Walking through it feels like strolling through a painting, hence it is called the 'Ten-Mile Gallery.' The viewing logic of the peaks here is similar to that of Huangshizhai and Jinbian Stream, which is '30% relies on sight, 70% relies on imagination.' Although each peak has its own name, it is merely the imagination of the namer; you can freely daydream and give them a name that belongs to you. At the deepest point of the Ten-Mile Gallery, right after the sightseeing train stops, directly to the north is the famous 'Three Sisters Peaks.' The three peaks are about a thousand meters tall, standing side by side, looking like three graceful young girls from a distance. The one on the left is the eldest sister, carrying a child on her back; the one in the middle is the second sister, holding a child in her arms; the one on the right is the youngest sister, who has just married and is pregnant. They bear the responsibility of raising the next generation, showcasing the virtues of diligence, resilience, and kindness of women in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing the image of Tujia women and reflecting local praise and respect for women’s qualities. After reaching the end of the Ten-Mile Gallery, you can take the sightseeing bus directly to the 'Sign Gate'（标志门） If you are unsure whether you got on the right bus, you can show your destination to the driver after getting on, and he will assist you.
After a day of hiking, you must be very hungry, and we have arranged a sumptuous dinner for you. Of course, if you're not hungry, you can watch 'Charming Xiangxi' first and then enjoy dinner.
Performance Time: First show 18:20, Second show 19:40, Third show 21:00, please enter 20 minutes in advance. Note: The performance schedule may be adjusted according to the tourism peak and off-peak seasons. Please pay attention to the official WeChat mini program. If you haven’t made a reservation, you can buy tickets on-site; there are generally spare tickets available. Learn about 'Charm of Western Hunan' 'Charm of Western Hunan' is a large-scale ethnic song and dance performance featuring the culture of the Tujia and Miao people in Western Hunan, one of the most representative cultural projects in Zhangjiajie. The stage language is concise and powerful, with a smooth and natural integration of ethnic and modern elements, possessing a strong visual impact and emotional resonance. The performance has little verbal explanation, mainly conveying content through dance, music, costumes, and emotions, making it easy to understand even without knowledge of Chinese. The performance focuses on the Miao and Tujia people, integrating elements of song and dance, acrobatics, drumming, costumes, customs, weddings, crying marriages, and shamanism, making one feel as if they are in the primitive tribes of Western Hunan. You can see China's national intangible cultural heritage — the Tujia 'Crying Marriage Song', Miao silver ornament dance, and 'Dancing in Circles', all adapted from real local customs, possessing significant cultural value. The entire theater is equipped with advanced lighting, LED backgrounds, and movable stage devices, blending reality with virtuality, especially in the scenes of 'Mao Gus Dance' and the 'Crying Marriage', which are heartfelt and moving. The entire performance is divided into X acts. Prologue: Fire Drum Drilling wood to make fire is one of the greatest discoveries of primitive humanity. The drum is an essential medium for the ethnic minorities of Greater Xiangxi to express emotions and vent feelings. Fire illuminates the darkness, creates smoke, and brings warmth; the drum heralds the dawn, ignites passion, and stirs wildness. This is a group of people who cannot live a day without fire and drums; their passion, imagination, courage, and resilience are forged in fire and inspired by the sound of drums. Throughout thousands of years of history, all their great steps and captivating stories have been accompanied by soaring flames and boisterous drums. Cui Cui Based on the representative work of modern Chinese writer Shen Congwen, the story revolves around a Tujia girl named Cui Cui. Cui Cui lives by a small river in Western Hunan with her grandfather, who is a ferryman, leading a simple and peaceful life. Every day, Cui Cui sits at the bow of the boat, watching the river flow quietly, waiting for passing ferries. As time goes by, Cui Cui grows up and meets two young men who like her — Tian Bao and Qiao Song. These two young men express their feelings for Cui Cui in different ways; Tian Bao demonstrates his affection through practical actions, while Qiao Song conveys his love through beautiful songs. Cui Cui's heart ripples shyly like a lake disturbed by a small stone, silently liking Qiao Song but never confessing due to her girlhood shyness. However, fate plays a trick on them. Tian Bao unexpectedly dies while pursuing Cui Cui, and Qiao Song leaves his hometown to handle his brother's funeral. Cui Cui can only continue to wait by the riverside day after day for Qiao Song to return, just as her grandfather once told her, “Waiting is also a kind of beauty.” This chapter is characterized by its distinct features. It has no fierce conflicts or extravagant special effects but touches the heart with delicate performances and simple scenes. Yao Clan: Climbing the Building Every ethnic group's courtship methods are imbued with their own wisdom and passion, and the Yao people of Western Hunan are no exception. They love freely, passionately, and madly. The Yao “Climbing the Building” is a unique marriage custom that has evolved from their matriarchal society. Yao villages are often built alongside rivers and mountains, with many two-story wooden houses, and special hanging houses constructed for girls to live and court. When a girl reaches the age for romance, her parents will arrange for her to live there. At this point, if a young man wishes to court a girl, he must climb the building's pillars to enter; this is the custom of “Climbing the Building.” The origin of this custom is rooted in the matriarchal society, where women hold predominant roles in social and family domains, granting girls significant autonomy in choosing their partners. “Climbing the Building” serves as a means for girls to test young men. Young men who can successfully climb are considered brave, intelligent, and strong, qualities that align with a girl's ideal partner expectations. This custom has been passed down through extensive historical development, becoming a unique part of Yao culture. This custom comes with strict rules: married individuals are forbidden from participating in the “Climbing the Building” activity; girls who have confirmed their marriage must not allow other young men to participate; and any misconduct is strictly prohibited during the process. Those who violate this will face severe punishment. When both parties develop mutual affection through “Climbing the Building,” the young man may enter the girl's home openly to meet her parents. “Climbing the Building” usually takes place at night; under the moonlight, the hanging houses appear dreamlike, as the girls gather to embroider and weave, while the young men below attract their attention by singing, hoping to embark on a romantic love journey. Tenderness of the Mulberry Tree The countless mountains and towering peaks are classic symbols of Zhangjiajie's geography, where villages are nestled apart and expression must be conveyed through resonant singing. Thus, the Chinese intangible cultural heritage of Sangzhi folk songs was born. The songs became vessels of love, and among them, “The Mulberry Tree Sets Up the Lantern” is hailed as the world's most beautiful love song. This performance combines acrobatics and choral singing to narrate a moving love story, allowing appreciation of both the love song and the spectacular acrobatics. Wild Mao Gus “Wild Mao Gus” is a strikingly visual and culturally rich scene. “Mao Gus” is the oldest sacrificial dance of the Tujia people in Western Hunan, expressing scenes of ancient ancestors’ sacrifices, hunting, and farming in a rough and uninhibited manner, making it known as “a living fossil of Chinese primitive drama.” The “wildness” it displays is not savagery but the primal spirit of nature. They sincerely honor their ancestors, fervently wish for a good harvest, and express raw desires for fertility and relationships between the sexes. With solemnity infused with wit and mystery manifested through humor, it vividly illustrates the multiplicity, richness, and dynamism of the spiritual roots of Xiangxi, showcasing the strong vitality of its ancient residents. Xiangxi Corpse Driving The “Corpse Driving” segment is one of the most mysterious and emotionally charged scenes in the performance, combining the mystical legend of corpse driving in Xiangxi with profound sentiments for family and country, creating scenes of war with flashing lightning and booming cannons, portraying the Tujia people's bloody battles and tragic deaths. Subsequently, shamans from Xiangxi appear to perform rituals to start the journey of corpse driving home. In the mist, the “corpses” synchronize their movements, talismans flutter, and the corpse driver shakes a special bell to guide the corpses forward, creating a mysterious and chilling atmosphere. Finally, it culminates with the return of the souls to their hometown, welcomed by family and friends. “Corpse Driving” is a mysterious shamanic legend in the Xiangxi region. Located in the core of the Wuling Mountains, the southern part of Xiangxi has high mountains and dense forests in the Yuanjiang river basin. In ancient times, transportation was difficult, and transporting corpses through coffin-lifting was costly. In the heat of summer or rainy seasons, corpses could easily decompose, leading to disease. Many wandering souls who died far from home and soldiers who perished in battle never had a last look from their families. This predicament fostered the unique corpse driving method. According to legend, corpse drivers can make corpses “walk” through “forbidden incantations,” along with herbal medicine, talismans, and auditory stimulation; skills like using red lead to prevent decay, bamboo frames to carry the corpses, and herbal anesthesia are also applied. The special bell not only drives away wild beasts but serves as a navigational signal to the lost souls. Due to the extreme mystery of “corpse driving,” it has given rise to many cinematic works, becoming a “childhood shadow” for many Chinese people. Although the technique in this legend has been lost, modern researchers have provided scientific explanations that might approach the truth — to prevent decay, reduce weight, and facilitate transport, corpse drivers would remove the internal organs and fill the body with straw, then secure it in a standing position with bamboo poles. Two or four corpses would be evenly distributed in a front-back balance, with the corpse driver in the middle, lifting the corpses like carrying a burden. Fearing that direct sunlight would speed up decay, they could only travel at night; to avoid attracting insects by the corpse's smell, they would shake the bell. There are also extreme claims that corpse drivers would leave only the head, hands, and feet of the corpses for the family, making them appear complete on the surface. Of course, these are merely conjectures; the specific truth may never be fully known. The legend of corpse driving, while filled with mystery, is deeply rooted in the soil of traditional Chinese culture, reflecting the core understanding of the Chinese people towards life, ethics, emotions, and social order. Traditional China was an agrarian society, and people relied on land for survival, where “hometown” is not just a geographical concept but also a bonding of clan bloodlines. “Dying far from home” is regarded as life’s greatest regret, while “the soul returning to its roots” is the ultimate consolation for the deceased. In traditional Chinese culture, “death” is not the end of life but another form of existence, known as “treating the deceased as if alive” — respecting the deceased as one would in life, even believing that the departed soul still has “awareness” and “needs.” In the legend of corpse driving, “returning the corpse home” fundamentally responds to the deceased's “needs”: if a soul remains in a foreign land, it becomes a “lost and lonely spirit” without a home, unable to enjoy the sacrifices of future generations and possibly suffering from grievances; only by returning home can it “find rest in the soil,” entering the ancestors’ “world” to attain peace. This reflects the reverence and empathy of the Chinese towards the “departed soul,” as well as a simple understanding of the “two realms of existence”: the living have a duty to assist the departed in completing their final journey home, maintaining the balance of yin and yang order. This concept deeply intertwines with Confucian traditions of reverent remembrance and commemoration, Daoist philosophy of life and death being one, and folk beliefs concerning spirits and deities. Daughter's Meeting “Daughter's Meeting” is a festival celebrated by local ethnic minorities, held on the twelfth day of the seventh lunar month every year. The girls rise early to dress up, wearing elaborately decorated left-collared robes with layers of exquisite lace, paired with long skirts that cascade in layers. They carry baskets filled with carefully selected mountain goods to the market. While this seems to be a material exchange, it is, in fact, a chance for courtship and romance. Young men carry empty baskets slung over their shoulders, pretending to buy things while striking up conversations with the girls. Through “bargaining,” the two parties deepen their understanding of each other, and if the girl likes the young man, she will gradually lower the price. Then both will head into the woods to engage in “song exchanges,” discussing everything from natural scenery to family and personal situations, eventually leading to lifelong commitments. On the stage of 'Charm of Western Hunan', the 'Daughter's Meeting' performance vividly portrays the lively scene of the festival and the process of Tujia youth pursuing love through dance, music, and artistic expressions. The actors wear splendid traditional Tujia costumes and use graceful dance movements to simulate matchmaking and singing exchanges. Sorrowful Crying Marriage Song The chapter of 'Crying Marriage Song' vividly showcases the unique crying marriage customs of the Tujia people. In Tujia marriage customs, it is imperative for girls to cry when they marry, and female relatives and friends must accompany the crying, known as “Crying Marriage.” Tujia girls often start crying three days before the wedding, continuing to cry for three days and nights. They sit around a table in the stilted bedroom with the bride at the center, crying for all direct and collateral relatives, and any who come to urge the crying must also join in; women must accompany the crying. Why “cry for three days and nights”? In the Tujia crying marriage customs, the tradition of “crying for three days and nights” is not a mere formal requirement but encapsulates profound cultural significance and reality — in traditional society, a woman's marriage signifies leaving her home of over a decade, separating from parents, siblings, relatives, and neighbors to enter a completely new and unfamiliar family environment. This enormous shift in identity and lifestyle triggers complex emotions — gratitude towards parents for their nurturing, reluctance to part from loved ones, anxiety and uneasiness about future life, etc. The crying marriage process, especially the three-day-and-night crying, becomes a crucial outlet for women to express these emotions, releasing their inner sorrows for psychological comfort. As an important ritual in Tujia marriage customs, “crying for three days and nights” is a long-established tradition viewed as a manifestation of a daughter being “sensible” and “emotional.” Within Tujia culture, the duration of the crying, the sincerity of the cries, and even the content of the crying words are seen as criteria for measuring a woman’s virtue, upbringing, and intelligence. Abiding by this ritual shows respect for tradition and displays one’s good character while upholding the family’s reputation. Crying at marriage is not solely the bride's “performance,” but a collective activity involving the women of the entire family and even the village. Throughout the three days and nights, mothers, sisters, aunts, and friends take turns accompanying the crying, sharing emotions and giving advice for the future. This process not only strengthens emotional bonds between the bride and her relatives, it also allows the female members of the family to jointly participate in the wedding ceremony, passing on life experiences (such as the wisdom of being a wife and daughter-in-law), reflecting mutual support and cooperation within the family and community. Outdoor Performances Duyong Hard Qigong Duyong Hard Qigong is one of the traditional sports of various ethnic groups, especially the Tujia people, within Zhangjiajie city, enjoying a high reputation both domestically and abroad. It is a unique hard qigong developed by the indigenous ethnics of Duyong during their long struggle against conquest and oppression, integrating the essence of martial arts from various schools. The performer lies flat on the ground while being able to bear a heavy stone slab weighing three thousand jin on their chest without harm. Walking on Knives Performers walk barefoot on giant steel knives over ten meters long, scaling up against the sharp blades. The edges are so sharp that a piece of cloth lightly grazing them can be sliced in two immediately. Walking Through Fire Performers step barefoot on burning hot coals, traversing a fire pit with a diameter of roughly five meters. The fire pit is piled with about thirty centimeters of charcoal that has burned for nearly two hours. According to on-site visitors, they were already sweating profusely from four meters away from the fire pit.
If you still have energy, then there are two more bars worth trying.
As the last beat of the drum from 'Charming Western Hunan' sinks into the night, your memory card may be filled with the sea of clouds at Huangshizhai, the ripples of Jinbian Stream, and the rock silhouette of the Ten-Mile Gallery... On this day, you truly became part of the painting. Wu Guanzhong never expected that those stone peaks he captured on rice paper would breathe because of your presence; those clouds he blurred would flow around your steps. The paintings in the British Museum are frozen marvels, while the bluestones beneath your feet are carving new stories into the rings of Zhangjiajie. On this day, you are watching Zhangjiajie, and Zhangjiajie is watching you. She has stood here for billions of years, watching artists create, watching tourists come and go, watching clouds gather and disperse. This brief day may be just a tiny moment in all her experiences, but you know that no matter how brief this encounter is, it will become a memory worth remembering forever. Those memories are not just the scenery in a photo but the heartbeat that has been shocked by the peak forest, the ears soaked in songs, the deep emotional movement and surprise within, and the feelings and artistic conception that are hard to describe in words. Good night. If you are satisfied with today's itinerary, please do not hesitate to give us a good review. This will be very helpful for others planning to travel to China. Of course, if there was anything that made you unhappy, please let us know promptly. This can urge us to constantly improve our services. Thank you very much.
1. How to get to Zhangjiajie: There are direct flights to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport from big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. If you prefer to take the high-speed train, you can first go to Changsha. As the capital of Hunan Province, Changsha has many delicious food and fun activities. You can enjoy yourself here first, then take the high-speed train for 2-3 hours to reach Zhangjiajie.
2. It is recommended to choose a hotel near the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, as this area is suitable for exploring the Grand Canyon, Huanglong Cave, and the forest park. If you would like to explore these areas thoroughly, staying here for 3-4 days is necessary. Today's itinerary will also be based on your stay in this area.
3. The ticket for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is valid for four days; in fact, it does take 2-3 days for exploration. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase the 238 RMB 'Three Cables and One Ladder' four-ride combo ticket, valid for four consecutive days, to use the Tianzishan Cableway, Yangjiajie Cableway, Huangshizhai Cableway, and Bailong Elevator. One-way counts as one ride, round trip counts as two, saving at least 40 RMB compared to purchasing separately. Following our itinerary, you only need to buy the 238 RMB four-ride ticket. If you have additional needs, you can also purchase a 298 RMB unlimited ride ticket.
4. It is recommended that after purchasing this itinerary, you also buy the article '<Avatar> Stunning Filming Locations Wonder Trip, Taste 'Three Down Pot'.' These two itineraries will cover all important attractions in the forest park.
5. There is a small shop at the entrance of the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park where you can store your luggage; the price is about 10 RMB for a suitcase and 5 RMB for a backpack. The closing time is between 5:30 and 6:30, and they are generally reliable and safe.
6. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast because the food in the scenic area is definitely not as good as that outside. Breakfast choices can also refer to dining suggestions in other itineraries.
7. The main attractions and cableway stations in Zhangjiajie Forest Park sell food, with prices typically 20%-30% higher than those in the valley. You can fill your stomach for 15 RMB, and there's no need to bring too much water and dry food.
8. Please wear comfortable shoes; today, you'll need to walk quite a bit.
9. Try to bring a power bank to ensure your phone is online.
10. Make sure to carry your passport.
11. Bring a raincoat or umbrella; the weather in the mountains can change quickly, and weather forecasts are not always reliable. But if it rains, please don’t be discouraged; in fact, the Wulingyuan area is the most beautiful in the rain!
12. Try to leave early; arriving early helps reduce waiting times.
13. You may encounter wild monkeys along the way; you can feed them, but please keep valuable items in your backpack and do not hold them in your hands, or they may be snatched away. Also, do not carry food in transparent bags in your hands, as it may be snatched. Do not let the monkeys see all your food, or they will snatch it all.
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★ 5.0 / 5 · 7 reviews from app travelers
Huangshizhai's summit viewpoint — sandstone peaks floating in the cloud sea — is the image that sold me on Zhangjiajie, and it did not lie. Jinbian Stream below was a peaceful walk through the forest, and the Ten-Mile Gallery's pillars are unreal. The Charm of Western Hunan show at night was a great finish. A full, spectacular day.
한국 여행자분들, 장자제는 사진이 약속하는 모든 것입니다. 황스자이의 구름 바다, 진볜 계곡의 맑은 물, 십리화랑의 기괴한 돌기둥 — 자연의 과시. 밤 공연은 에너지가 가득했어요. 광각 렌즈와 좋은 신발을 챙기세요.
Der klassische Zhangjiajie-Tag, und er hält, was er verspricht. Huangshizhai für das Gipfelpanorama, dann hinunter in den grünen Canyon des Jinbian-Bachs — da hätte ich Stunden bleiben können — und die Zehn-Meilen-Galerie, wo die Felspfeiler wie geschnitzt aussehen. Die Abendvorstellung mit Tanz und Gesang war ein richtiger Willkommensgruß. Die Wanderschuhe haben sich gelohnt.
The stone peaks floating in the sea of clouds really do look like a moving ink painting, and the sound of Golden Whip Stream followed us all the way. The audio guide told us that forty-odd years ago a Chinese painter put these mountains on the world map — standing on Huangshi Village I finally got why he painted them. In the evening the “Charming Xiangxi” show sings the wild side of western Hunan out loud.
Каменные пики Хуаншичжая торчат как гигантские сталагмиты, шум ручья Цзиньбянь сопровождает всю гору, а песни и танцы народности туцзя добавляют горе человеческого тепла. Маршрут дня был настолько продуман, что не пришлось ни о чём думать — я ни разу не переживала.
This was a day of pure natural immersion. The hike along the Golden Whip Stream was one of the most peaceful and beautiful walks I've ever taken. The air was so fresh, and the stream was crystal clear, with monkeys playing in the trees above. It felt like a fairy tale. The Ten-Mile Gallery was equally stunning, with rock formations that looked like they were carved by artists. What made this day truly special was how it transitioned from serene nature to vibrant culture. The "Charming Xiangxi" show in the evening was spectacular! It was a dazzling display of local folk culture, with incredible costumes, dancing, and stories. I was fascinated by the depiction of traditions like the "crying marriage." Booking this combination of a full day's hike and an evening show through the app made everything seamless. It was a long day, but worth every second.
More ideas for a day you’ll remember.
Self-guided tour
Self-guided tour
Self-guided tour