Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the southwest of Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China, and is the core scenic area of the Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is a 5A-level scenic area. It is China's first national forest park, with a total area of 48.1 square kilometers. The scenic area is famous for "Zhangjiajie landforms," which are landform landscapes dominated by tall, angular, and straight stone pillar forests formed by quartz sandstone as the parent rock for landscape formation, through water erosion, gravity collapse, weathering, and other processes. The forest coverage rate in the scenic area reaches 98%, and the air is rich in negative oxygen ions, reaching up to 100,000 per cubic centimeter in some core scenic spots.
History and Culture
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was originally Zhangjiajie State-owned Forest Farm, established in 1958. In 1979, after inspection, the Hunan Provincial Government considered its tourism resources unique and of high development value. In 1982, the State Council approved the establishment of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In 1988, the State Council established Yongding District and Wuling District. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, together with Suoxiyu Nature Reserve and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, began unified development and management, forming today's Wulingyuan Scenic Area. In addition, from the sixth day of the sixth lunar month to Qixi Festival, Zhangjiajie holds a month-long folk culture event, with various original ecological ethnic and folk cultural art performances such as the thousand-person Nuo mask ancestor worship and the thousand-person grand hand-waving dance.
Main Attractions
Huangshizhai
Located in the western part of the scenic area, with an altitude of 1,080 meters, the top area of the village is 0.165 square kilometers. The main attractions include Tianshu Baoxia, Nantian Yizhu, Tianran Bihua, Dinghai Shenzhen, Yuanyang Spring, and others. There is a saying, "If you don't visit Huangshizhai, you haven't really visited Zhangjiajie."
Jinbian Stream
Also known as Jinbian Grand Canyon, with a total length of 7.5 kilometers, it is known as "the most beautiful grand canyon in the world." Along the stream, visitors can see Jinbian Rock, Zui Luohan, Guanyin Songzi, Shenying Huba, Zicao Pool, and other scenic spots. Jinbian Rock, with an altitude of more than 300 meters, is one of the landmark scenic spots of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Yuanjiajie
Located in the northern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, with an area of about 12 square kilometers and an average altitude of 1,074 meters. The main attractions include Tianxia Diyi Bridge, Mihun Platform, Houhuayuan, Yangzhai, Hallelujah Floating Mountain, Bailong Elevator, and others.
Yangjiajie
Located on the western side of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, with a total area of 34 square kilometers and the highest point at an altitude of 1,130 meters. It contains three sub-scenic areas: Xiangzhi Stream, Longquan Gorge, and Baihou Valley. It mainly includes attractions such as the Sky Corridor, Wulong Village, and Yibu Dengtian.
Tianzi Mountain
Located on the northern side of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, with a total area of 67 square kilometers. The highest point within the area is Kuncang Peak, with an altitude of 1,262.5 meters; the lowest point is Qiunan Valley, with an altitude of 534 meters. It is named after the Tujia leader Xiang Dakun, who called himself Tianzi. The scenic area includes six sub-scenic areas such as Shijiayan, Huanglong Spring, and Yuanyang Stream. Shijiayan has major attractions such as He Long Park, Yubi Peak, and Xiannü Sanhua.
Shili Gallery
Located in the Suoxiyu Scenic Area, with a total length of 3.5 kilometers and a total of 298 stone peaks in various postures, it is called a "natural sculpture exhibition corridor." There are pictographic stones such as Caiyao Laoren and Sanmei Peak.
Tour Route：
The following is a four-day tour route:
On the first day, enter from the North Gate, take the eco-friendly bus to Tianzi Mountain, enjoy the strange peaks and rocks and the magnificent sea of clouds, then go to Yuanjiajie to experience the magic of the floating mountains from "Avatar."
On the second day, go to Yangjiajie to explore the mysterious natural landscapes, then go to Daguantai to watch the beautiful sunrise or sunset.
On the third day, go to Laowuchang, which is not yet fully developed, and the scenery is primitive and charming. Afterward, return to the accommodation to rest.
On the fourth day, visit Jinbian Stream and Shili Gallery at the foot of the mountain, and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere.
Travel Tips：
Learn about the scenic area's weather in advance, and prepare clothing and equipment according to the weather conditions.
Arrange your time reasonably, make full use of the ticket validity period, and visit popular attractions during off-peak times.
There are eco-friendly buses in the scenic area. You can choose to take them according to your itinerary to avoid backtracking.
If you want to save money, try to avoid paid auxiliary transportation such as cable cars and elevators.
Notes：
There are wild macaques in the scenic area. Do not feed, touch, or tease them at will to avoid being hurt.
According to the "Hunan Provincial Forest Fire Prevention Regulations," open fires and smoking in non-smoking areas are prohibited in the scenic area.
Pay attention to information about scenic spot closures for renovation and traffic closures, and make itinerary adjustments in advance.
Observe the scenic area's traffic regulations and public order, take care of public facilities, and protect the ecological environment.
Transportation：
By plane: After arriving at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, first take a taxi or Bus No. 4 to the city center bus station, then choose a city-to-scenic-area bus to Wulingyuan District.
By train: After arriving at Zhangjiajie Railway Station, walk to the city center bus station (next to the railway station), then choose a city-to-scenic-area bus to Wulingyuan District.
By high-speed rail: After arriving at Zhangjiajie High-speed Railway West Station, you can choose a city-to-scenic-area bus or taxi to Wulingyuan District (about 30-40 minutes by car).
By self-driving: You can exit the expressway at Wulingyuan Transportation Hub, Yangjiajie Transportation Hub, or Zhangjiajie West Transportation Hub to reach Wulingyuan District.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are 07:00-17:00, with entry and ticket sales stopping at 17:00. Please refer to the scenic area's actual opening hours.
Tickets：
Ticket eco-friendly bus insurance: 227 yuan/person. Other experience projects require separate charges.