Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. It is a national 5A-level scenic area and consists of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, and Yangjiajie Nature Reserve, with a total area of 397 square kilometers, of which the quartz sandstone peak forest landform covers 264 square kilometers. The scenic area has a complex geological structure and unique landform landscapes. It is known for "three thousand strange peaks and eight hundred beautiful waters" and possesses the unique Zhangjiajie landform. It is a World Natural Heritage site and a World Geopark.
Historical Culture
Wulingyuan was a border area in ancient times. Before the Qin Dynasty, it belonged to Qianzhong Commandery. From the Han Dynasty onward, it was under the jurisdiction of Wuling Commandery. During the period of the Republic of China, it was divided among several administrative inspection districts of Hunan Province. After the founding of New China, it was respectively under the administration of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture and Changde Prefecture. Ethnic minorities such as the Tujia, Bai, and Miao have lived here for generations, with unique folk cultures, such as the full-front garments of Tujia men and women, exquisitely crafted brocade, drip-water beds, and bamboo back baskets. Tujia stilted buildings harmonize with the strange mountains and beautiful waters. Marriage customs such as "crying marriage" and "contending for the marriage bed" continue to this day. "Celebrating the New Year Early," "April 8th," and "June 6th" are grand traditional festivals. The Tujia people are good at singing and dancing. Hand-waving dance, bronze bell dance, and others are distinctive, and traditional operas such as Maogusi and Nuoyuan Opera are highly representative. In addition, many works by men of letters also mention "Wulingyuan," giving it rich cultural deposits.
Main Attractions
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
It is China's first national forest park, with an area of 130 square kilometers. It can be divided into six small scenic areas: Huangshizhai, Pipa Stream, Golden Whip Stream, Yaozizhai, She Dao Ditch, and Yuanjiajie. Huangshizhai is the most famous scenic area, with more than twenty scenic spots such as the Heavenly Book Treasure Box and South Heaven Pillar. Other scenic spots include Golden Whip Rock, Divine Eagle Protecting the Whip, and Couple Rock.
Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area
Located in the northern part of Wulingyuan, with a total area of 67 square kilometers and a highest elevation of 1,262.5 meters, it is named after Xiang Dakun, an ancient Tujia leader who called himself Tianzi, or Son of Heaven. It has the reputation of "King of Peak Forests." Stone peaks stand in forests and ravines crisscross on its east, west, and south sides. The main scenic spots include Fairy Presenting Flowers, Imperial Brush Peak, Tianzi Pavilion, and Yunqing Rock.
Suoxiyu Scenic Area
It is connected to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park on the west and adjacent to Tianzi Mountain on the north, with a total area of 160 square kilometers. It is in the late stage of peak forest evolution. Within its territory, mountains and waters complement each other. It has scenic spots such as Baofeng Lake. Baofeng Lake is a component of the World Natural Heritage site, World Geopark, and one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist areas, Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area. It is a lake-type natural scenic area combining natural landscapes and folk culture within the Zhangjiajie landform.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area
It borders Zhangjiajie to the east and Tianzi Mountain to the north, with an area of 34 square kilometers and a highest elevation of 1,130 meters. It is in the juvenile stage of peak forest evolution. Within its territory, ravines crisscross, streams are clear, and vegetation is dense, with a forest coverage rate as high as 95%.
Tour Routes：
Route entering from the Wulingyuan Sign Gate (East Gate): You may first take the scenic area bus to the lower station of the Tianzi Mountain Cableway, take the cableway up the mountain to visit the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. The order of scenic spots is: Upper Station of Tianzi Mountain Cableway - Helong Park (Fairy Presenting Flowers - Imperial Brush Peak - Tianzi Pavilion - Yunqing Rock - Viewing Platform) - transfer point heading toward Yangjiajie, after which you may go to visit Yangjiajie Scenic Area and Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. You may also first go to the Bailong Elevator, visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and finally visit Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. Route entering from the Tianzi Mountain Ticket Station: Take the scenic area bus first to Sanchakou, visit Daguantai and the Farmland in the Air, and then visit Helong Park.
Tour Suggestions：
Plan your itinerary in advance and choose a suitable tour route according to your time and interests.
The mountains in the scenic area are high and the roads steep. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
Bring rain gear. The weather in mountainous areas is changeable and it may rain at any time.
If time permits, you can stay overnight in the scenic area to deeply experience its beauty.
Precautions：
Choose legally operating vehicles for travel and sightseeing, and firmly resist and refuse to take illegally operating vehicles.
Strictly abide by fire prevention regulations and do not smoke, barbecue, or use open flames in places where flammable materials gather or where there are fire prevention notices.
Observe public order, cherish public facilities, take personal protection, and travel safely.
Dine civilly, use serving chopsticks and serving spoons, eliminate food waste, and practice the "Clean Plate Campaign."
Protect the ecological environment, do not damage vegetation at will, and do not litter.
Transportation：
After arriving at Zhangjiajie West High-Speed Railway Station, you may choose to take the city-to-scenic-area bus or a taxi to Wulingyuan District (about 30-40 minutes by car).
After arriving at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, first take a taxi or Bus No. 4 to the city's Central Bus Station, and then choose to take the city-to-scenic-area bus to Wulingyuan District.
After arriving at Zhangjiajie Railway Station, first walk to the city's Central Bus Station (next to the railway station), and then choose to take the city-to-scenic-area bus to Wulingyuan District.
For self-driving tours, you may exit the expressway at the Wulingyuan transportation hub, Yangjiajie transportation hub, or Zhangjiajie West transportation hub to reach Wulingyuan District.
Opening Hours：
The usual opening hours are 7:00-18:00, and the specific times may be adjusted according to the season and actual conditions.
Tickets：
Ticket shuttle bus insurance: 227 yuan per person.