Tour Overview
1-4 Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Tianmenshan National Forest Park 5-6 Furong Ancient Town & Fenghuang Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town (Waterfall), Day View, Night View; Fenghuang Ancient Town, Boat Trip along Tuo River, Day View, Night View
Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Cities
zhangjiajie1 , FurongTown , Tianmen Mountain
Tour Type
Private Tour
Difficulty
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 Arrive in Zhangjiajie, Head to Wulingyuan | Airport or Train Station Transfers, Hotel Check-in
Warmly welcome you to Zhangjiajie! Right after you arrive, our dedicated private guide and driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel located in Wulingyuan, a ride that takes roughly one hour. After you check in and settle down, the rest of the day is entirely free for you to unwind or wander around the lively neighborhoods of this world-renowned scenic zone, getting ready for your official sightseeing tour kicking off the next day.
Don’t miss the allure of Xibu Old Street, which takes its name from the iconic hand-woven brocade craft of the Tujia ethnic minority. Lined with distinctive ethnic-style buildings, this pedestrian block gathers casual bars and artistic handicraft studios in one place. As night falls, you can treat your taste buds to authentic Hunan local snacks and stroll along the folk culture shopping lane. A wide array of exclusive ethnic ornaments and traditional handmade crafts are available as perfect souvenirs to bring back home.
Travel Tips for Getting to Zhangjiajie
Direct flights to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport are available from major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an. High-speed trains also offer convenient trips here: it only takes 2 to 4 hours from Changsha, 7 hours from Guilin, 9 hours from Shanghai, and more.
Day 2
Day 2 Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Tour | From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve; Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi Mountain
Sightseeing Itinerary
Travel by car from downtown Zhangjiajie to Wulingyuan Town → Bailong Elevator → Yuanjiajie Scenic Zone → Tianzi Mountain → Descend via mountain cable car
Trip Profile
Total Elevation Rise: +326 m
Altitude Scope: 1,074 m – 1,262.5 m
Physical Intensity: ☆☆ Easy. Full support from elevators, cable cars and eco-shuttle buses; perfectly suitable for elderly travelers and children
Total Walking Mileage: Approximately 6–9 km
Full Tour Duration (including rest breaks): 7–9 hours
Wulingyuan Scenic Area is a world-famous Global Geopark celebrated for its one-of-a-kind quartz sandstone peak forest landform. The scenic zone covers four large protected areas, and our handpicked route zeroes in on its UNESCO World Natural Heritage core highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.
Your mountain adventure kicks off at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, home to countless soaring vertical stone pillars. Ride the Guinness World Record-certified Bailong Elevator straight to the mountaintop, then set off on a scenic hike across Yuanjiajie.Travel Tip: Stand on the far right side of the elevator cabin to capture unobstructed panoramic shots. If this prime viewing spot is occupied, simply wait for the next carriage.
This area is home to the iconic South Sky Pillar, the real-life prototype of the floating Hallelujah Mountains from Avatar. Wander the 3,500-meter cliffside trail of Yuanjiajie to reach the stunning Lost Soul Platform, and learn about the extraordinary sandstone peak landscape forged by millions of years of crustal tectonic shifts and natural weathering erosion.Route Tip: Keep an eye out for ancient fossil relics dotted along the mountain path. If you feel uneasy with heights, cross the hollow iron mesh bridge at a quick pace without lingering.
Afterwards, board an eco-shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, honored as the “King of All Peaks”. It was named after a legendary Tujia tribal chieftain and boasts a dreamlike fairyland landscape. Don’t miss the mist-shrouded West Sea Peak Forest and the distinctive Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, whose stone columns closely resemble ancient Chinese writing brushes. Visit He Long Park and climb the Tianzi Pavilion to enjoy a sweeping bird’s-eye panorama of rolling cloud seas and boundless grand rock formations stretching to the horizon.Travel Tip: Apply motion sickness patches in advance before taking the winding shuttle bus from Yuanjiajie to Tianzi Mountain for a smoother ride.
Once the day’s sightseeing wraps up, take the mountain cable car downhill past the iconic Hallelujah Mountain vistas, then return to your hotel for a well-deserved relaxing rest.
Important Reminder
During peak tourist seasons, your local guide may reverse the visiting sequence of Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain to steer clear of massive tourist crowds and shorten waiting time.
VIP Upgrade Service for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Grab exclusive preferential rates on our premium VIP upgrade package and skip endless queues completely!
Our VIP privileges cover:
Fast-track direct entry at the main park gate
Priority boarding or exclusive chartered eco-shuttle buses inside the scenic area
Private dedicated carriage access for the landmark Bailong Elevator
VIP priority boarding lane for Tianzi Mountain Cableway
Get in touch with our team right now to enjoy a crowd-free premium mountain excursion and elevate your whole travel experience.
Day 3
Day 3 Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Tour | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake
Route
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge, then Baofeng Lake (visiting order flexible)
Trip Data
Altitude drop: about 300m (Glass Bridge ~700m above sea level, canyon bottom ~400m)
Difficulty: ☆☆☆ Medium. Mostly flat walkways with a few stairs. The glass bridge is exciting yet low physical effort; not suitable for guests with acrophobia.
Walking distance: 4–6 km
Total time with breaks: around 6 hours
After breakfast, private transfer takes 1.5 hours to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat tour on Baofeng Lake.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a popular adventure spot with waterfalls and fresh valley air. Its highlight is the world’s longest and highest glass bridge, 375m long across two cliffs, suspended 300m over the valley. You will feel like walking in mid-air. The world’s highest bungee platform is optional for thrill seekers. Walk the glass bridge and enjoy panoramic canyon views.
Full Adventure Route after Glass Bridge
VR Flight → Zip Line (358m long, 302m high) → One Line Sky Slide → Rainbow Lake Cruise → Easy Canyon Walk → Shenquan Lake Cruise
You can try all activities or pick your favorites.
After the bridge, enjoy VR flying, ride the canyon zip line and sky slide, take a 10-minute boat on Rainbow Lake, walk along the valley bottom, and cruise to the exit by boat.
Relaxed Standard Route
VR Experience → Downhill Elevator → Rainbow Lake Cruise
This route skips all high-altitude thrilling items; visitors can take the elevator down comfortably.
After the canyon trip, take a shuttle bus to Baofeng Lake and board a wooden sightseeing boat. This clear alpine lake is surrounded by dense forests and sharp stone peaks, with a maximum depth of 72m. On the boat, you can listen to local folk songs and see perfect mountain reflections on the water.Tip: The second floor of the wooden boat offers the best panoramic photo view.
After sightseeing, drive 1 hour back to Zhangjiajie City and check into your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4
Day 4 Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour | Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Cable Car, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway, Transfer to Furong Ancient Town (Night View)
Important Maintenance Notice
The upper segment of Tianmen Mountain Cableway (Middle Station to Summit) is temporarily shut down for maintenance. A revised sightseeing route will be arranged for all guests.
Adjusted Sightseeing Route
Cableway Lower Station → Cableway Middle Station → 99-Bend Eco-Shuttle Road → Tianmen Cave → Glass Skywalk & Cliff Plank Path → Tianmen Cave Lower Plaza → Express Gondola to Scenic Exit
One-way cable car ride time: 10–12 minutes
Altitude & Cave Specs: Summit altitude approx. 1,300 m; Tianmen Cave opening: 131.5 m tall, 50 m wide
Physical Difficulty: ☆ Easy. The whole journey is supported by cable cars and mountain escalators. Difficulty rises to ☆☆☆ Moderate if you choose to climb the 999 stone steps below Tianmen Cave.
Today’s half-day excursion takes you to Tianmen Mountain, honored as “the Soul of Zhangjiajie”. Merely 8 kilometers from downtown, this scenic spot caters to visitors of every generation, with no grueling uphill trekking required.
Start your trip at the Cableway Lower Station and board the 4,613-meter cable car for a 12-minute ride up to Middle Station. Along the ascent, feast your eyes on sweeping vistas of miniature peak landscapes resembling natural bonsai gardens far below.
Upon arriving at Middle Station, switch to an eco-friendly sightseeing bus that winds along the legendary 99-Bend Road. The road clings to sheer cliffs and features countless sharp hairpin curves with dramatic valley views.
You will then ride mountain escalators upward to Tianmen Cave — the magnificent natural arch standing 131.5 meters high, also named Heaven’s Gate. Watch soft mist drift through the giant cave opening, creating ever-changing dreamlike light and shadow effects.
Travel Tip: Adventurous guests may opt to climb the 999 stone steps for an extra challenge.
After visiting the cave, test your courage on the 60-meter Glass Skywalk suspended 1,430 meters above the deep valley. Continue along the Cliff-Hanging Plank Road for unobstructed mountain ridge scenery.
To soak in local Buddhist culture, pay a visit to tranquil Tianmen Temple surrounded by lush woods. Alternatively, climb to Yunmenxianding, the park’s highest peak at 1,518 meters, to enjoy a 360° bird’s-eye panorama of the entire mountain range.
Later, take the mountain elevator down to Tianmen Cave Lower Plaza, then catch the express gondola straight back to the scenic exit to wrap up your Tianmen Mountain tour.
After Tianmen Mountain sightseeing, embark on a 2.5-hour drive to Furong Ancient Town, a 2,000-year-old historic village famed as “the ancient town hanging on a waterfall”. You will spend the whole afternoon and evening exploring the grand waterfall from all viewing angles.
Step into Furong Ancient Town, filled with distinctive traditional Tujia stilted architecture. When twilight arrives, warm golden lanterns illuminate the waterside settlement, bathing the huge waterfall in soft glowing hues. Head to Qingxiu Waterfall View Pavilion to admire the 60-meter-wide cascading waterfall. You can also experience authentic local folk culture, including the primitive Maogusi Dance and melodic ethnic folk ballads.
Overnight accommodation will be arranged inside Furong Ancient Town.
Day 5
Day 5 Furong to Fenghuang Tour | Furong Ancient Town (Day View), Fenghuang Ancient Town (Tuo River Boating)
Basic Itinerary Info
Total driving distance: Around 120 KM
Estimated driving duration: 8 hours
Daily highlights: Waterfall ancient town scenery, Tuojiang River night views, optional Miao ethnic costume photoshoot
Wake up amid fresh misty air and serene quietness in Furong Ancient Town. Early morning blankets the village in soft fog hovering over the You River, with only the steady roar of cascading waterfalls breaking the peace. Take a slow, relaxing walk along time-worn stone lanes.
Visit the sacred Xizhou Bronze Pillar, an invaluable cultural relic of the Tujia ethnic group. Cross the picturesque Tuwang Wind & Rain Bridge, then tour Youyang Palace, the ancient summer palace of Tujia tribal chieftains. Cap off your Furong sightseeing with spectacular vistas of the grand central waterfall, where torrents cascade down green cliffs framed by classic Tujia cliffside stilted houses.
Afterwards, we set off for Fenghuang Ancient Town, approximately 116 kilometers away.
Nestled beside the calm Tuojiang River, Fenghuang Ancient Town is a priceless riverside gem famous for its picture-perfect rows of stilted buildings whose clear reflections float on the water just like a classic Chinese ink wash painting. Arriving while daylight lingers, wander cobblestone alleys lined with well-preserved Qing-dynasty architectures and capture postcard shots of landmark Hongqiao Rainbow Bridge. Once night falls, thousands of glowing red lanterns light up the riverbanks, turning the whole ancient town into a dreamy luminous wonderland bustling with lively night markets.
Tuojiang River Cruise (Day or Night Optional)
Sail along the Tuojiang River to appreciate Fenghuang’s signature riverside stilt houses. Opt for a daytime cruise to observe genuine local daily life along the banks, or pick an evening trip to admire shimmering lantern lights and their golden rippling reflections across the water.
Check into accommodation inside Fenghuang Ancient Town for an overnight stay.
Optional Add-On: Ethnic Travel Photoshoot
Enhance your trip with a full Miao costume photoshoot available in either Furong Ancient Town or Fenghuang Ancient Town. The package covers professional makeup, complete ethnic hair & outfit styling, plus 30–40 high-definition edited photos. Contact our service team in advance if you wish to book this experience.
Day 6
Day 6 Fenghuang Departure | Hotel Check-out, Airport or Train Station Transfer
Spend your morning wandering freely to uncover Fenghuang’s profound cultural heritage. You will quickly feel the profound imprint left by Shen Congwen — the celebrated writer and literary master who brought eternal fame to this water town through his works. His timeless novel Border Town turned this quiet riverside hamlet into a world-famous scenic destination, rendering his former residence an essential stop for all culture lovers.
Delve deep into Fenghuang’s literary legacy at Shen Congwen Former Residence. A collection of his personal relics vividly illustrates the inseparable bond between the writer and his hometown. Afterwards, head to the Ancient East Gate (Donghua Gate). This time-honored tower offers an unbeatable overlook over clusters of ancient architecture and the gently flowing Tuojiang River.
Do not miss Hongqiao Rainbow Bridge, Fenghuang’s most iconic landmark. You can sit back and relax in traditional teahouses on the bridge while admiring river views, with countless fantastic photo opportunities all around. Round off your cultural excursion by visiting local craft workshops, where ethnic artisans pass down age-old craftsmanship exclusive to the Miao and Tujia communities: intricate silver carving and natural batik dyeing.
Once your self-guided sightseeing wraps up, your 6-day Zhangjiajie themed tour draws to a perfect close. Our dedicated local guide will accompany you all the way to the airport or high-speed railway station to see you off for your return trip or onward travel.
Brief itinerary
Crafted to suit travelers of every generation, this fashionable 6-day Zhangjiajie itinerary gathers all iconic natural landscapes and authentic ethnic cultural treasures in one seamless journey.
Roam the magical stone peak forests of Zhangjiajie and test your courage on the world-famous glass bridge spanning Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Marvel at the legendary Hallelujah Mountains in Yuanjiajie, and gaze up at the gigantic natural arch of Tianmen Cave atop Tianmen Mountain.
Your adventure extends far beyond Zhangjiajie’s mountain wonders. Visit Furong Ancient Town, a quiet cliffside hamlet frozen in old-time charm, where twin cascades thunder right through the heart of the settlement. Later, take a gentle boat cruise on the Tuojiang River in Fenghuang Ancient Town, admiring elegant wooden stilt houses whose silhouettes mirror perfectly on the glassy river surface.