Hidden Gems for China’s Landscape Travelers
I bet you’ve seen the epic Avatar movie, or at least you’ve heard of it. Now, imagine that the world you see on the movie screen is real.
Close your eyes and try to imagine yourself among the amazing floating mountains.
It sounds surreal, but there’s a place in China where you can literally step into Pandora’s biosphere and explore it.
for real.
Agness has traveled in China for more than 3 years. She managed to visit 12 of the 22 provinces in the Land of Dragons, and in today’s post, she will share one of her favorite spots, the world-famous Avatar Mountains.
how could I know? I’ve been there and I’ve seen miracles happen.
Know that this secret place is not well known, I’m here to spread the word about it so you and your loved ones can add it to your bucket list and maybe go there one day .
Welcome to Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is a small town located in Hunan Province, China. Its location in central China, away from any other famous attractions, makes it a very rare destination for most Western tourists visiting the Dragon Kingdom.
Although Zhangjiajie is known for its wonderful national parks – Zhangjiajie National Park, the town itself is more than just a set of mountains known from the Avatar movies. In fact, there are plenty of hiking trails you can try, lots of history to explore, and some delicious Chinese food – something to keep in mind when going there for more than a weekend.
Zhangjiajie Floating Mountains
It’s time to finally introduce you to Pandora – the imaginary land of floating mountains so beautifully featured in the American blockbuster “Avatar”. The idea of space travel is hard to believe, and as far as the general public knows, it’s fictional, but the mountains shown in Avatar are real (just not floating above the ground).
Let me tell you, the beauty of Zhangjiajie National Park can easily make you swoon, and I mean it.
While many of you can imagine the Hallelujah Mountains floating in the air because that’s how we remember them from the Avatar movies, it doesn’t really happen in real life. What a pity! However, even though they don’t fly in the sky, when you watch them, they are still impressive, some even better than they are on a movie theater screen.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – a gem of a Chinese landscape
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park deserves the attention of tourists from all over the world, who love to walk among the rocks that soar into the sky and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
The sandstone columns scattered throughout the area can exceed 1000 meters and require a good photographer and/or hiking drone Capture the footage of his or her life.
However, it’s not just the view that will take your breath away, it’s the height as well. Some sandstone columns are 1,080 meters (3,549 feet) long!
Entrance fees and opening hours
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is open all year round, and the admission fee depends on the month you visit. From March to November, you’ll pay 248 yuan ($38,26) per visit, while the price drops to 139 yuan ($21,44) from December to February.
Your ticket is valid for up to 4 days, covering attractions such as Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie.
The park is open daily from 7am to 6pm.
best time to visit
Choosing the right time to visit Zhangjiajie is crucial, as the town can be foggy and rainy most of the year (some say over 200 days).
Spring (March to May) is the best time to travel. This is a wonderful season to experience, especially in the Hallelujah Mountains. March is getting warmer, and the forest is full of life. Since spring is not the peak season here, you’ll avoid the large crowds so you can enjoy more.
The hottest month in Zhangjiajie is July, which is too hot for you. In general, summer is hot and crowded, so avoid planning your trip between June and August.
Fall (September-November) can be an epic season similar to spring. There is less rain and temperatures are okay, but you may find the parks more crowded.
In winter, while the park looks absolutely stunning when it’s covered in snow, it’s too cold and dangerous due to the heavy snowfall.
Top 5 attractions not to be missed
Since this is a huge park, there are many different attractions to discover. For your convenience, here are the top 5 attractions worth visiting:
#1 Tianzi Mountain
This is one of the highest peaks in Zhangjiajie National Park, with an altitude of 1262.5 meters. If you prefer, you can get there by taking the scheduled shuttle bus from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station. Located in the northeastern part of the park, it will welcome you with incredible views. Great place for people who like to hike!
NOTE: Again, make sure you get the best view on a sunny day. The bus ride costs only 15 yuan ($2.31) per person.
#2 Tianmen Mountain
This will be one of the highlights of your visit to Zhangjiajie – Tianmen Mountain, known as the soul of Zhangjiajie.Its impressive height of 4,983 feet (1,519 meters) will take your breath away, especially when you take the cable car to the top (a must do, read more Zhangjiajie Cable Car paragraph).
notes: Make sure the weather is clear when you go there. I highly recommend summer. You need clear skies to fully appreciate the view.
#3 Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Here is another attraction you can’t miss, it is the longest and highest bridge in the world – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. Imagine crossing a glass-bottomed bridge 430 meters long and suspended 300 meters above the valley floor! How great! It will definitely surprise you.
NOTE: Make sure the bridge is currently open before you get there. It has been closed a few times in the past, but has since been reopened.
#4 Bailong Elevator
You just heard about the world’s longest and tallest bridge, now it’s time for the world’s longest outdoor elevator. It is located in the middle of Zhangjiajie National Park, called Bailong Ladder. It is 326 meters high and allows you to walk across beautiful cliffs and enjoy wonderful views. Be careful if you are afraid of heights!
#5 Yuanjiajie
This unique place, home to the beautiful Bailong Elevator, is not to be missed. Located on the opposite side of Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie is a great place for photography enthusiasts as they can capture some magnificent mountain views here.
ZhangJiaJie cable car
Thanks to Chinese technology, or bravery, there are cable cars that connect towns and mountains.they claim it’s longest cable car in the world It will take you more than 800 meters off the ground. You’ll then have the chance to walk on a winding walkway on a vertical cliff. If you are like me afraid of heights, this is the best way to face your fears.
At one point, you can even walk on the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. Yes, you should understand the feeling by now.
When I went to Zhangjiajie for the first time, I didn’t even expect to see what I saw. I was working at a nearby school (only 4 hours away, like in the same street in China), and the school management decided to reward us teachers with a school trip to see the mountains. Since then, I have asked everyone to see the Chinese Fushan Mountain.
Honestly, I recommend it more than going to Beijing.
Take one of the following Zhangjiajie tours:
Is it worth it?
I hope this little guide helps you decide to visit Zhangjiajie at some point during your China trip. It’s truly a majestic attraction that makes you fall in love with it at first sight. I asked everyone to see the Chinese Fushan Mountain.
Well worth adding to your bucket list and I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.
Have you heard of Zhangjiajie National Park? Did you know there are other places on this planet where you can see something incredible like this? Share your experience with me in the comment section below.