Zhangjiajie Natural Scenery Tour (4 Days & 3 Nights)
$9.90
$9.90
Itinerary: Arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport or Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, then take a tourist bus (about 1.5 hours) to Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. Along the way, pass through western Hunan’s rural landscapes—terraced fields carved into hillsides, lush bamboo groves, and stilted Tujia ethnic buildings. Grab a light breakfast (e.g., soybean milk, steamed buns) at a roadside shop to stay energized.
Nature Highlights: When the bus stops at the “Tianzi Mountain Overlook Platform,” take your first photo of Zhangjiajie’s quartz sandstone peaks—they rise abruptly from the ground like a forest of stone pillars, their gray surfaces dotted with hardy pine trees, offering a preview of the scenery ahead.
Nature Highlights: Bring a small notebook to sketch a simple drawing of the peak forest—children (and adults!) can capture the unique shape of “Lion Peak” (a peak resembling a crouching lion) or “Incense Burner Peak” (a thin, tall peak like a traditional incense burner).
Itinerary: Dine at a local Tujia restaurant, ordering dishes that highlight mountain flavors: spicy braised mountain chicken (free-range chickens from nearby forests), stir-fried wild ferns (foraged locally), and Tujia glutinous rice cakes (sweet, chewy, and served with honey). After dinner, walk to the hotel’s mountain-view platform.
Nature Highlights: At night, the peaks turn into dark silhouettes against a starry sky (low light pollution here). Use a stargazing app to identify constellations like the Big Dipper—listen to the rustle of pine trees and the distant chirp of night birds, experiencing the tranquility of the mountain forest.
Itinerary: Take the scenic area shuttle bus to Yangjiajie Scenic Area (30 minutes), then board the Yangjiajie Cable Car (15 minutes, 1,432 meters long). During the ride, look down at the “Yuanjiajie Peak Forest”—the real-life prototype of Avatar’s “Hallelujah Mountains.” After exiting the cable car, walk along the Avenue to Heaven—a 3.8-kilometer flat plank road built on a cliff edge, with railings for safety. Stop at viewing platforms to take photos of peaks like “Eagle Beak Cliff” (a sharp peak resembling an eagle’s beak) and “Floating Cloud Peak” (often surrounded by clouds).
Nature Highlights: Pause at the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain Viewing Platform”—hold up a printed Avatar poster to align with the peaks, creating a “movie-meets-reality” photo. Notice how the peaks are supported by thin stone pillars (formed by millions of years of water and wind erosion) — explain this geological process to children in simple terms (e.g., “Like water wearing down a stone, but over millions of years!”).
Nature Highlights: Look for “Pine Trees on Peaks”—these trees grow in tiny soil pockets on rock surfaces, with roots that wrap around rocks to absorb water. Point them out to children as an example of “nature’s resilience.”
Itinerary: Return to the hotel and have a light dinner (e.g., vegetable congee, steamed fish from mountain streams). Some hotels organize optional Tujia-style campfires in the courtyard—join locals to sing Tujia folk songs and dance the “Hand-Waving Dance” (a simple, rhythmic group dance).
Nature Highlights: Before bed, step onto the hotel balcony to smell the fresh pine-scented air—listen for the call of owls or the rustle of small animals (like squirrels) in the trees, a gentle reminder of the forest’s nighttime life.
Itinerary: Take a tourist bus from Tianzi Mountain to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (about 1 hour). First, visit the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge (also called “Baling River Glass Bridge”)—the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge (430 meters long, 300 meters above the canyon floor). Put on anti-slip shoe covers and walk across the bridge: look down through the glass to see the canyon’s green forests and winding river below (don’t worry— the glass is 24mm thick and can hold 800 people at once!).
Nature Highlights: Stop in the middle of the bridge to take photos— the glass reflects the sky and surrounding mountains, creating a “walking on clouds” effect. For a fun challenge, let children (and brave adults!) jump lightly on the glass (it’s safe!) to feel the slight bounce, adding excitement to the experience.
Nature Highlights: Bring a magnifying glass to examine small plants along the trail—look at fern leaves, moss, and tiny mushrooms. Collect a few smooth pebbles from the riverbank (with permission) as natural souvenirs of the canyon.
Itinerary: Take a bus back to Zhangjiajie City (about 1 hour). Check into a hotel in the city center, then head to Wulingyuan Food Street for dinner. Try local snacks: Zhangjiajie stinky tofu (spicy and flavorful), grilled corn on the cob (seasoned with chili powder), and sweet potato soup (warm and comforting).
Nature Highlights: While walking the food street, notice the potted bamboo plants and small water features—they reflect Zhangjiajie’s love for integrating nature into daily life. Stop at a fruit stand to buy fresh local fruits (e.g., kiwi, persimmon) for a healthy snack.
Nature Highlights: Bring a bird-watching guidebook—spot local birds like the “red-billed leiothrix” (colorful, with a red beak) or “great tit” (black-and-yellow) in the trees. Listen to the sound of the stream flowing over rocks—it’s a natural “white noise” that feels calming.
Itinerary: Have lunch at a farmhouse near Golden Whip Stream—order stream fish hot pot (fresh fish from Golden Whip Stream, cooked with herbs) and stir-fried bamboo shoots (tender and crisp). After lunch, visit the Zhangjiajie Souvenir Market near the scenic area entrance. Buy natural souvenirs: bamboo crafts (e.g., bamboo baskets, fans), pine nut candies (made with local pine nuts), or hand-painted postcards of Zhangjiajie’s peaks.
Nature Highlights: Look for stalls selling small potted “Zhangjiajie pine trees”—these mini pines resemble the ones growing on the peaks, making them a living souvenir of the trip.
Itinerary: Take a bus from Golden Whip Stream to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport or Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (about 1 hour). Before boarding, take a final photo with a “Zhangjiajie Peak Forest” poster at the airport/railway station—marking the end of your natural scenery adventure.
Nature Highlights: On the way to the airport/station, look back at the distant peaks one last time—they’ll serve as a vivid memory of Zhangjiajie’s unique natural beauty.
