Tour Overview
1-4 Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Nature Reserve, Tianzishan Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountain (Avatar Mountain), Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake, Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cable Car, Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway 5 Fenghuang, China Fenghuang Ancient Town, Boat Trip along Tuo River, Daytime View and Night View 5 Yongshun, China Furong Ancient Town (Waterfall, Daytime View) 5 Zhangjiajie Depart from Zhangjiajie
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Cities
zhangjiajie1 , Zhangjiajie National Forest Park , Tianmen Mountain , 72 Unsual Houses
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
Dear valued travelers, welcome to Zhangjiajie — the real-world land that inspired the iconic floating Hallelujah Mountains seen in Avatar. As soon as you arrive, our seasoned local guides will greet you at either the airport or high-speed railway station, then arrange a one-hour private transfer covering 35 kilometers straight to Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Once you complete hotel check-in, you will have free leisure time to wander around the surrounding area. We highly recommend taking a relaxing walk through Xibu Old Street. The block takes its name from delicate hand-woven brocade crafted by the Tujia ethnic minority, and this bustling pedestrian precinct stands as the cultural core of western Hunan.
When dusk settles over the street, it bursts with lively atmosphere filled with the tempting fragrance of authentic Hunan local delicacies. Sample signature snacks such as Frog Cake and traditional Tujia fried rice, browse a wide array of handmade ethnic crafts, and fully immerse yourself in the rich folk culture of western Hunan.
Handy Travel Reference: Transportation & Scenic Introduction
How to Reach Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie boasts convenient transport links nationwide. Direct flights to Hehua Airport operate from major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. You may also take high-speed trains traveling from Changsha, Fenghuang, Chongqing, Chengdu and other destinations.
About Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Honored as both a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and Global Geopark, Wulingyuan is celebrated globally for its scarce quartz sandstone peak forest landform. It consists of four major zones: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie Scenic Area and Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve. Our elaborately arranged itinerary selects the most classic and representative highlights for your unforgettable sightseeing experience.
Day 2
Day 2 Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Tour | From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve; Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi Mountain
Polished Official English Copy
After breakfast, we venture deep into the core of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, home to more than 3,000 one-of-a-kind quartz sandstone stone pillars. Today’s full-day excursion covers two iconic highlights: the otherworldly landscapes that inspired Avatar, and the revered “King of Peaks”.
Morning Session: Yuanjiajie — The Real-World Avatar Pandora
Our journey begins at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China’s very first national forest park. We will ride Bailong Elevator, Guinness World Record holder as the world’s tallest outdoor sightseeing lift, ascending 326 vertical meters in merely 66 seconds straight to the mountain summit.
Upon reaching the top, you step foot into Yuanjiajie — the authentic natural prototype of the floating Hallelujah Mountains from the blockbuster Avatar.
Stroll along the 3,500-meter cliffside plank road lined with fluttering red blessing ribbons, and encounter landmark scenic spots including the First Bridge Under Heaven, Lost Soul Platform, and South Sky Pillar (officially named Avatar Mountain). Towering vertical stone forests stretch endlessly into the distance, forming an unparalleled geological formation that exists nowhere else on the globe.
Afternoon Session: Tianzi Mountain — The King of All Peaks
In the afternoon, we transfer to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. The mountain takes its name from Xiang Dakun, a legendary Tujia tribal leader who proclaimed himself “Tianzi (Son of Heaven)” in the early Ming Dynasty. It is celebrated for its grand, dramatic and rugged mountain vistas.
Hailed as the “King of Peaks”, Tianzi Mountain delivers broader, more expansive panoramic views of the entire peak forest landscape. We will visit Dianjiangtai Viewing Platform to overlook the mist-shrouded West Sea Peak Forest, and admire the iconic Imperial Writing Brush Peaks — six slender stone spires shaped just like giant ancient Chinese calligraphy brushes.
Later, we head to He Long Park to view the bronze statue of Marshal He Long, then climb Tianzige Pavilion, which offers the widest, most far-reaching unobstructed panorama of the whole mountain range.
Important Note
During peak tourist seasons, your local guide may reverse the visiting sequence of Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain to bypass massive crowds and shorten waiting time.
Day 3
Day 3 Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Tour | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake
Morning: Take on the Famous Glass Bridge
We set off after breakfast for a 1.5-hour drive to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Its signature attraction is the world’s longest and highest glass-bottom bridge. Suspended 300 meters above the valley floor, this engineering wonder lets you gaze straight down at lush woods and mist-shrouded ravines through clear glass panels. Crossing it delivers an incredible sensation of walking on air, a thrilling test of bravery!
If you crave extreme excitement, you may opt for the world’s highest bungee jump at your own expense — this adrenaline activity will easily become the most memorable highlight of your whole trip.
Afternoon: Baofeng Lake Scenic Cruise
After the morning’s heart-racing adventures, retreat to Baofeng Lake to unwind and calm your spirits. Tucked in a high mountain basin, this crystal-clear alpine lake is an underrated natural treasure. Step aboard a classic wooden sightseeing boat and drift across jade-green waters encircled by jagged towering peaks and distinctive rock outcrops. While sailing, enjoy soul-stirring folk ballads sung by local ethnic performers, bringing a peaceful, gentle finish to your day’s mountain excursion.
Later in the afternoon, we drive roughly one hour back to downtown Zhangjiajie, where you will check into your hotel for the night.
Day 4
Day 4 Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour | Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Cable Car, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway, Transfer to Fenghuang Ancient Town (Tuo River Boating)
Today’s half-day excursion takes you to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, honored as “the Soul of Zhangjiajie” and “the No.1 Sacred Mountain of Western Hunan”. Merely 8 kilometers from downtown Zhangjiajie, this scenic spot suits travelers of every age group with minimal uphill hiking required.
Start your journey with a 30-minute cable car ride stretching 7,455 meters directly from the city to the mountain’s summit. While ascending, feast your eyes on the legendary 99-Bend Road to Heaven twisting along steep cliffs, alongside magnificent miniature peak landscapes resembling natural bonsai gardens.
Get ready for an exhilarating challenge: wander the cliffside sky trails. Step onto the 60-meter Glass Skywalk suspended 1,430 meters above the deep valley; its transparent surface delivers a heart-stopping floating sensation as if you are walking mid-air. Continue along the 1.6-kilometer Cliff-Hanging Plank Road clinging to mountain ridges for unbeatable panoramic mountain views.
You may optionally pay a visit to Tianmen Temple, a serene Qing-dynasty Buddhist shrine wrapped in thick verdant woods. Alternatively, climb to Yunmenxianding (1,518 meters above sea level), Tianmen Mountain’s highest peak, to overlook the entire mountain range from a bird’s-eye perspective.
Afterward, ride a series of mountain escalators downhill to Tianmen Cave — the world’s tallest natural mountain arch, standing 131.5 meters high. Also named Heaven’s Gate Cave, it is often shrouded in rolling mist or pierced by soft golden sunbeams, forming constantly shifting, dreamlike light-and-shadow scenes ideal for photography. You can choose to descend the famous 999 stone steps or take a convenient elevator before heading to the cable station to ride downhill.
Upon finishing Tianmen Mountain sightseeing, we will take a private 3-hour transfer covering 211 kilometers southwest to Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Fenghuang Ancient Town is a fairy-tale riverside gem resting beside the gentle Tuojiang River, renowned as one of China’s most photogenic ancient towns. The winding river flows past rows of wooden stilt houses, whose flawless reflections ripple across the glassy water just like an ancient Chinese ink wash painting. It also stands as an essential cultural hub for the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities.
Arriving before dusk, you can wander cobblestone lanes lined with well-preserved Qing-dynasty architecture, full of fantastic photo opportunities. Iconic Hongqiao Bridge and mirror-like river reflections are unmissable shooting spots.
Once night falls, Fenghuang transforms completely. Countless glowing red lanterns light up riverside alleys, night markets and waterfront bars buzz with lively crowds, and warm lantern light shimmers across the river, dramatically enhancing the charm of the stilt house clusters.
Tuojiang River Cruise (Day or Night Cruise Optional)
Sail along the Tuojiang River for a relaxing sightseeing trip:
Day cruise: Drift past stilt houses and under Hongqiao Bridge. Witness local daily life — fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes on riverbanks, and children playing by the water’s edge.
Night cruise: Admire the town lit up in full splendor. Illuminated bridges and thousands of lanterns create a surreal romantic glow, with golden light reflections rippling all over the river surface.
Check into your hotel inside Fenghuang Ancient Town and stay overnight.
Day 5
Day 5 Fenghuang - Furong - Zhangjiajie Tour | Fenghuang Ancient Town, Furong Ancient Town (Day View), Airport or Train Station Transfer
This morning, take your leisure to wander Fenghuang and soak up its profound cultural heritage at your own relaxed pace. Whenever Fenghuang Ancient Town is mentioned, Shen Congwen (1902–1988) immediately comes to mind — the celebrated Chinese litterateur and historian whose timeless novel Border Town brought this riverside ancient settlement worldwide renown.
Start your cultural journey at Shen Congwen’s Former Residence, the well-preserved ancestral house of this literary giant. Original manuscripts and personal belongings displayed inside reflect his inseparable bond with Fenghuang. A short stroll away stands the Ancient East Gate (Donghua Gate). Climb its 18th-century gate tower for sweeping panoramic vistas covering the entire old town and the Tuojiang River.
Your Fenghuang sightseeing cannot be finished without visiting Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge), the town’s symbolic landmark. Lined with teahouses and handcraft stalls, it serves as an ideal shooting spot to capture stilt houses mirrored clearly on the river surface. Nearby craft workshops let you watch local Miao silversmiths and batik artisans pass down time-honored traditional handicrafts that have lasted for centuries.
After bidding farewell to Fenghuang Ancient Town, we will make a stop at Furong Ancient Town on our return trip to Zhangjiajie. Get ready to explore the magical “Ancient Town Hanging on Waterfall” from all perspectives. One of a kind, this 2,000-year-old historic village features a grand waterfall rushing straight through its central area.
Renamed after the classic 1986 movie Hibiscus Town, Furong Ancient Town boasts distinctive charms: wooden cliff stilt houses clinging to green precipices, winding ancient stone lanes full of historic vibes, and authentic living Tujia folk culture shrouded in soft mist.
Must-see Highlights of Furong Ancient Town with Asia Odyssey Travel
Xizhou Bronze Pillar Garden
Marvel at the monumental sculpture group illustrating the peace treaty signing between the ancient Chu ruler and local Tujia chieftain around the sacred Xizhou Bronze Pillar. Cast with 5,000 jin of copper, this cultural relic holds profound sacred meaning for all Tujia people.
Tuwang Wind & Rain Bridge
Cross this classic covered corridor bridge built in the Tusi era. When wrapped in morning mist, its reflection blends with cliff stilt houses to form a vivid moving Chinese ink landscape painting.
Youyang Palace
The former summer palace for successive Tujia kings, preserving complete historical ethnic architecture.
The ultimate highlight awaits — the grand waterfall!
Head to Qingxiu Pavilion Waterfall View Platform to admire the 60-meter-wide roaring waterfall framed by reddish rock cliffs. Shrouds of mist float around the cascades, creating an ethereal fairyland atmosphere as if the whole ancient town hovers above the clouds. This iconic scenery is perfect for stunning social media photos; take plenty of pictures of this one-of-a-kind natural wonder.
Once Furong sightseeing concludes, we transfer back to Zhangjiajie. Your full western Hunan panorama tour comes to a perfect end. Our guide will accompany you to the airport or high-speed railway station for your departure to the next destination.
Brief itinerary
Simplified English Text
Fast Adventure Trip in Zhangjiajie: Stone Pillar Peaks & Classic Ancient Towns
Our local Zhangjiajie professional guides bring you richer travel experiences! As a leading local travel service with exclusive guide teams, we optimized this 5-day Zhangjiajie itinerary to help you save money while seeing maximum highlights. This well-planned efficient tour includes all top scenic spots of Zhangjiajie:
4 Days Exploring Avatar’s Mountain Scenery
Admire the giant sandstone peaks that inspired Pandora, experience the world’s longest glass bridge in Grand Canyon, and walk the thrilling high-altitude glass skywalk on Tianmen Mountain.
1 Day Two Ancient Towns with Unique Views
Enjoy two totally different ancient town styles. Visit Fenghuang Ancient Town at night to appreciate romantic lantern riverside scenery, then tour Furong Ancient Town by day to witness magnificent waterfalls running through the whole town.