Natural Wonders | Zhangjiajie National Forest Park + Tianzi Mountain Highlights 3-Day Tour
Discover a World Natural Heritage site, ride the Bailong Elevator straight up into the clouds, walk among the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, and marvel at the magnificent West Sea Stone Forest of Tianzi Mountain.
Explore the Highlights of a World Natural Heritage Site
A carefully planned 3-day itinerary that takes you deep into Zhangjiajie's most iconic natural wonders
Itinerary at a Glance
Zhangjiajie → Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Bailong Elevator + Yuanjiajie) → Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve (West Sea Stone Forest + Yubi Peak + Helong Park) → Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Huangshizhai + Golden Whip Stream)
Tour Type
Private boutique tour — flexible dates and group size, a dedicated guide throughout, and an itinerary that can be adjusted to suit your needs
Landscape Type
Forests, peak forests, streams and mountains — a journey through Zhangjiajie's most iconic natural scenery, taking in a variety of landforms in a single trip
Difficulty
Easy for all ages — sightseeing buses, elevators and cable cars are provided throughout, and the walking sections are gentle, making it suitable for visitors of every age
Guide Service
Professional Chinese/English-speaking guides throughout, plus experienced local drivers, ensuring your journey is safe and comfortable
Quality Assurance
A lowest price guarantee, no forced shopping, and a dedicated team offering attentive service around the clock, so your journey is completely worry-free
Moments to Look Forward To
A preview of the breathtaking scenery you're about to explore
Cover
3 Days / 2 Nights of In-Depth Discovery
Arrive in Zhangjiajie & Transfer to Wulingyuan
Welcome to Zhangjiajie! Our guide will meet you at the airport or railway station exit and drive you to your hotel in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area for check-in. The transfer is about 35 km and takes roughly one hour.
Once you've checked in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this old town, full of the charm of western Hunan.
Xibu Old Street
Stroll along the town's characteristic old street, admire the traditional Tujia-style houses, browse the western Hunan folk-culture souvenir shops, and try local Hunan specialities such as frog cakes and Tujia fried rice
- By air: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) offers many direct international routes (Malaysia, South Korea and more) as well as domestic flights (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and others)
- By train: High-speed trains reach Zhangjiajie from Changsha (2–4 hours), Fenghuang Ancient Town (1 hour), Beijing (11 hours), Shanghai (9 hours) and other cities
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park → Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
After breakfast, head to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China's very first national forest park. Your first stop is the Bailong Elevator, known as the "world's No. 1 lift" — in just 66 seconds it carries you from the foot of the mountain to the top, a breathtaking ride from a secluded valley straight up into the clouds!
Once at the top, walk into the real-life world of Pandora — Yuanjiajie. This is where the film Avatar was shot and where Hallelujah Mountain (originally named South Heaven Pillar) stands.
In the afternoon, continue to the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, the "king of the peak forests", to look down over the West Sea Stone Forest and admire the magnificent Yubi Peak.
Bailong Elevator
The world's tallest, fastest and highest-capacity outdoor elevator, a Guinness World Record holder that takes you to the top in 66 seconds
Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
Visit highlights such as the Back Garden, Mihun Terrace and the No. 1 Bridge Under Heaven (a natural stone bridge), and lose yourself in the surreal peak forest
Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
Look out over the West Sea Stone Forest from Dianjiang Terrace, admire the pencil-straight peaks at Yubi Peak, see the marshal's bronze statue in Helong Park, and take in the panorama from Tianzi Pavilion
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Huangshizhai + Golden Whip Stream
After breakfast, continue exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Take the cable car up to Huangshizhai (also known as "Yellow Lion Village"), the park's largest and most concentrated viewing platform, for a spectacular scene of three thousand peaks rising before your eyes.
After lunch, visit the Golden Whip Stream, praised as "one of the most beautiful canyons in the world". Wind your way through towering peaks and quiet valleys, getting close to nature amid green hills and clear water. If you're interested, you can also tick off the spots where the TV series Journey to the West was filmed — Flowers and Fruit Mountain and Water Curtain Cave.
Huangshizhai
The forest park's largest viewing platform, with panoramic views of three thousand peaks and a mountaintop loop trail offering superb natural scenery
Golden Whip Stream
One of the world's most beautiful canyons, winding between peaks and valleys beside clear water, with filming locations from Journey to the West along the way
- You may encounter wild monkeys along the Golden Whip Stream — please keep your distance and avoid carrying plastic bags or food, which can lead to scratches
- While hiking, try not to step on mossy or smooth rocks to avoid slipping
- After the tour, your guide will transfer you to the airport or railway station; if you'd like to extend your journey, contact us and we'll arrange it
Transparent Pricing · Travel with Peace of Mind
What's Included
Service guaranteed throughout
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Professional Guide Service
Chinese/English-speaking professional guides throughout, with in-depth commentary on each site's culture and history
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Attraction Tickets
First-entry tickets to every attraction listed in the itinerary (including the Bailong Elevator and cable car fees)
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Transport Throughout
Vehicles assigned according to group size, with a guaranteed seat for every guest, including airport and railway station transfers
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Handpicked Accommodation
Hotel stays listed in the itinerary (3–5 star, your choice), with daily breakfast included
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Meals in the Itinerary
Meals listed in the itinerary (breakfast at the hotel, with local speciality lunches arranged on some days)
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Attentive Service
One-to-one dedicated service from your first enquiry right through to the end of your trip
What's Not Included
Personal expenses
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Visa Fees
Visa fees for entering China (where applicable; Zhangjiajie supports 144-hour visa-free transit)
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and special experiences recommended during the tour (such as shows and extra attractions)
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Personal Expenses
Hotel laundry, hairdressing, telephone, fax, pay-TV, drinks, tobacco and alcohol, etc.
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Force Majeure Costs
Additional costs arising from force majeure such as transport delays, strikes, weather, or flight cancellations and schedule changes
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Other Costs
Any other costs not mentioned under What's Included
Please note: You can specify your preferred accommodation standard for the itinerary. Travel prices vary with travel dates, group size, hotel category and other factors, so please contact our team for an exact quote.
Essential Information Before You Travel
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Zhangjiajie operates a 144-hour (6-day) visa-free transit policy for travellers from 54 countries. Visitors holding a valid international travel document and a connecting ticket to a third country or region may enter and stay without a visa.
Itineraries Tailored to You
If you have suggestions for the itinerary above, or other travel ideas in mind, feel free to get in touch at any time. Our professional travel consultants will create a Zhangjiajie itinerary around your needs and budget.
Extend Your China Journey
If you have time to spare and plan to visit other destinations in China, we can design an extended itinerary for a richer, more in-depth China travel experience.
Tell us which destinations and attractions interest you, and our travel experts will plan the most suitable itinerary for you.
Professional Service · Guaranteed Quality
Over a decade of experience in global travel, dedicated to giving every traveller an unforgettable journey
Better Value
Enjoy our best rates on transport, accommodation, tickets and tour packages, with extra discounts available for early-bird bookings
Your Own Travel Consultant
Experienced consultants providing professional travel service around the clock, with one-stop support for ticket bookings and any problems along the way
The Best Travel Experience
Truly touch and taste the local scenery, culture and cuisine — pure sightseeing with zero shopping stops, for a high-quality trip
More Professional Service
Experienced drivers and guides, well-designed custom packages, and complete, thoughtful amendment and cancellation service
Begin Your Zhangjiajie Journey
Lowest price guarantee — book now and enjoy a superb trip. Our professional team is on hand 24 hours a day, making every moment an unforgettable memory.