My trip to Zhangjiajie: Here's the truth!

My trip to Zhangjiajie: Here's the truth! Hey everyone, I just got back from Zhangjiajie, and I have to tell you all about it! Zhangjiajie's beauty is truly breathtaking, and traveling there during the off-season was amazing! Compared to popular mountain destinations like Mount Tai, Zhangjiajie is seriously underrated. Before I went, I read tons of guides and studied other travelers' tips on what to do and what not to do. I was super confident that I could handle it all. But once I got there, I got lost trying to find a place to eat and immediately lost my confidence. In the end, my friend and I decided to join a small tour group with a guide, which made things much easier. Here's my three-day itinerary: - Day 1: Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area - 9:00 am: Took the cable car up the mountain to start our adventure. - 9:40 am: Headed to the West Line Glass Skywalk. The entry fee is only CNY 5, totally worth it! (If you're short on time, you can skip the temple.) - 10:00 am: Reached Yunmeng Fairy Peak and enjoyed the misty scenery. - 10:20 am: Strolled along the East Line trail and discovered more beautiful views. - 11:50 am: Lunchtime. Food in the scenic area is a bit pricey, around CNY 40-50 per serving. We just had a simple meal to fill our stomachs. - 12:30 pm: Took the super long escalator to Tianmen Cave. The escalator has several sections and is quite impressive. - 12:50 pm: Took photos at the entrance of Tianmen Cave. The 999 steps are very steep, so if you don't want to walk, just take the escalator down. For great photos, try these spots: walk up a few steps and take pictures on the stairs, or take low-angle shots from the seats nearby. You can also take full-body shots from the viewing platform behind. - 2:00 pm: Took the bus, cable car, and another bus down the mountain. After getting down, don't rush off! Grab a cup of Chayan Yuese tea. - 3:00 pm: Picked up our luggage and took the bus to Wulingyuan. - Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (mountaintop) - 9:30 am: Entered through the east gate and took a bus to the Bailong Elevator. Then, we explored Yuanjiajie, visiting the Lost Souls Platform and the First Bridge Under Heaven. Yuanjiajie is where the Hallelujah Mountains in the movie *Avatar* were filmed, so make sure to take lots of pictures. - Took the park's shuttle bus (included in the ticket, super convenient) to Yangjiajie and saw the Natural Great Wall. - Hiked for an hour on a trail, climbed a ladder to reach One Step to Heaven, and then returned the same way. - Took a bus to Tianzi Mountain and walked along the trail to admire the Imperial Brush Peak and the Fairy Offering Flowers. - 4:30 pm: Took the cable car and bus down the mountain. After a long day of exploring, we headed straight to a restaurant for a satisfying meal of Sanxia Guo, a local must-try dish. Then, we went for a relaxing massage. - Day 3: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (bottom + Huangshi Village) - 10:00 am: Took a bus from Wulingyuan Bus Station to the south gate of the National Forest Park and started our walk along the Golden Whip Stream. After reaching Golden Whip Rock, we returned to the Oxygen Bar Square. - Took a bus and cable car to Huangshi Village and walked the small loop trail. - 2:30 pm: Took the cable car and bus down the mountain. - 4:50 pm: Left Wulingyuan Bus Station and arrived back in Zhangjiajie city at 5:45 pm. Here are some key takeaways: - Transportation between scenic spots is mainly by shuttle bus, which is included in the ticket price. Very convenient! - Avoid carrying plastic bags or rummaging through your bag in the park, as wild monkeys might try to snatch things from you. - If you only have one day in the National Forest Park, I recommend visiting the Golden Whip Stream. Start from the Water Around Four Gates, which is the beginning of the stream and offers stunning scenery. Return the same way and take the shuttle bus to other areas. Zhangjiajie is truly amazing! If you have the chance, you must visit!