Zhangjiajie

Avatar's Floating Mountains Come Alive

Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, China, features towering sandstone pillars that rise over 200 meters above lush valleys. These formations create dramatic scenery visible from both ground level and the air via cable cars. The region includes forested trails where visitors can walk among ancient trees and spot wildlife like macaques and pheasants. At night, local markets sell regional snacks such as stinky tofu or spicy hotpot. The climate remains mild in spring with occasional rain, supporting diverse plant life across the landscape.

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City in China

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.5

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

While Mandarin Chinese is the official language, some staff in hotels and tourist areas speak basic English. Learning a few Mandarin phrases or using translation apps can enhance your experience.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Zhangjiajie Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Famous for towering sandstone mountains. Walk glass bridges, hike scenic forest trails, ride cable cars and photograph dramatic pillar landscapes.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Natural sites

Mountains

Hiking

Forests

Van travel

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

💻 8

Digital Nomads

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Zhangjiajie, China

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

🌧️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌥️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	May, July - Nov.
Shoulder season:	April, June
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Chinese holidays (Labor Day 1 to 5 May, Golden Week 1 to 7 October) are extremely crowded, book tickets and hotels far ahead

Heavy rain and fog can close cable cars and hide the pillar views, especially June to July

Snow and ice from December to February can temporarily close Tianmen Mountain's road and cable car

Don't miss

🏞️ Explore the Avatar-inspired Hallelujah Mountain
🌉 Walk the thrilling Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
🚡 Ride the Bailong Elevator to cliff-top views
🥾 Hike along the scenic Golden Whip Stream
⛰️ Visit the panoramic Tianzi Mountain peaks
🚠 Take a cable car down from Tianzi Mountain

You've been here?

Why travel to Zhangjiajie?

Zhangjiajie offers a mesmerizing blend of natural beauty and thrilling experiences. From the towering quartzite sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to the exhilarating glass-bottomed bridges, every corner beckons adventurers and nature lovers alike. The region's unique geology, lush forests and panoramic vistas provide endless opportunities for exploration and photography. However, be prepared for crowds during peak seasons and ensure you're comfortable with heights, as many attractions involve elevated walkways and bridges.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Tianmen Mountain
A towering natural wonder in Hunan, Tianmen Mountain features a dramatic cliffside cableway and an iconic arch carved into the rock face. The site offers breathtaking views of misty peaks and lush valleys from its high-altitude observation decks.
2 Baofeng Lake
3 Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
4 Bajie Youth Hostel (national forest park)
5 Tianzi Mountain Bus Station (To Cableway)

🎡Places for activities

1 Tianmen Mountain Cableway Top Station
2 Coiling Dragon Cliff Glass Bottom Walkway
3 Bailong Elevator
4 Zipline start
5 Tianmen Fairy Fox Show
6 Transfer bus to Glass Bridge

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Avatar Hallelujah Mountain
2 贺龙公园
3 Ten mile Natural Gallery bus stop
4 Huanglongdong Scenic Area
5 Shentang Gulf
6 Mengdong River

🎈Events

Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week
Tujia New Year Festival
Lantern Festival
Dragon Boat Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
Zhangjiajie Love Valley Music Festival
Zhangjiajie International Forest Festival
Miao Nationality Singing Festival
Zhangjiajie International Tourism Festival
Chinese Valentine's Day Celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stay near Wulingyuan; it’s the most convenient park base.
Start early to beat crowds; use park shuttle buses and cableways to save energy.
Expect changing weather and misty views; pack rain gear and grippy shoes.
Do Golden Whip Stream late afternoon for quieter trails, then plan sunrise viewpoints from higher areas.

How to travel to Zhangjiajie

The primary gateway to Zhangjiajie is the Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, which offers flights from major Chinese cities and some international destinations. Alternatively, you can take a train to Zhangjiajie Railway Station. From the airport or train station, taxis and buses are available to reach the city center and nearby attractions.

Access summary

From Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG): Airport bus or taxi to downtown, about 15–20 minutes.
From Changsha: High-speed or overnight trains to Zhangjiajie, usually around 3–5 hours.
From Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou: Direct flights or long-distance trains, typically 2–12 hours total.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie offers a range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Staying in Wulingyuan Town provides easy access to the national park, while Zhangjiajie City offers more urban amenities. Consider booking in advance during peak seasons to ensure availability.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

LEADING MEN Hotel

9.6

Zhangjiajie Destination Youth Hostel

9.0

Zhangjiajie Huatian Hotel

8.7

Hotel Pullman Zhangjiajie

8.6

Sunshine Hotel & Resort Zhangjiajie

8.6

Zhangjiajie No.5 Valley Lodge

9.2

Hotel California Zhangjiajie

9.1

Howard Johnson Neodalle Resort Zhangjiajie

9.1

Atour Hotel Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Cableway

9.4

Pandora Vista Retreat

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Zhangjiajie

Getting around Zhangjiajie is relatively straightforward. The city has a network of buses connecting major attractions. For a more personalized experience, consider hiring a local guide or joining organized tours. Within the parks, shuttle buses and cable cars are available to transport visitors between key sites. Walking and hiking are also popular ways to explore the scenic areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-73 %

Daily expenses in Zhangjiajie are around 73% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£32	£67	£168
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£105
🍝 Food per day	£11	£19	£57
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£6

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£4
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.10
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.95

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.26
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.70
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.70
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£23
🤧 Cold medication	£3.80
💇 Basic haircut	£4.30

Safety information overview

General safety

Zhangjiajie is generally safe for tourists. However, always stay on marked trails, especially in mountainous areas and be cautious of personal belongings in crowded spots.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Zhangjiajie are adequate for basic needs. For serious conditions, larger hospitals in nearby cities are recommended. It's advisable to have travel insurance covering medical emergencies.

Accessibility

Major attractions have been developed with infrastructure like elevators and cable cars, making them accessible to a broad range of visitors. However, some natural trails may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water in Zhangjiajie is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and affordable. Ensure you stay hydrated, especially during outdoor activities.