Hanging Mountains in China. Mountains from the movie Avatar in China. Included in the price

The unusually beautiful flying mountains located on the planet Pandora in the film Avatar are not an invention of the directors. Are located floating mountains in china, being part of Zhangjiajie National Park, and are called Wulingyuan. The rocks bewitch and amaze at first sight, so when going to the Celestial Empire, it’s worth going to Hunan Province for a few days, where the park is located. Excellent conditions for accommodation, food and leisure are created here for visitors. In addition to the mountains, there is the opportunity to see many other natural attractions.

National treasure of China

Zhangjiajie Park is a unique business card countries where he visits every year great amount tourists, the number of which increased after the release of the film "Avatar". Touch the unique nature, fauna, listen to many mysterious, mystical stories and legends - that's what I offer flying mountains in china to all visitors. Some objects on the territory of this protected area are protected by UNESCO, and the park itself is recognized as a national treasure of the Celestial Empire. Its residents are proud unusual beauties, which are breathtaking, and they say that numerous secrets and riddles are associated with mountains and rocks. Their emergence and spread are facilitated by incredible landscapes, lush greenery, picturesque rocks, which cause a soaring effect. This unique phenomenon is due to the fact that Mountain peaks go into the sky, getting lost there between the clouds. The rocks are covered with greenery, which complements the feeling of weightlessness.

A little history

The area where the park is located is also known under another name - Yangjiajie, i.e. lands of Yang. According to ancient legends, there was once a war between clans near the mountains. The representative of the Yang Dynasty set up his military camp right at the base of Mount Tianzi. The confrontation lasted for several decades and never ended. Therefore, the descendants of the clan began to gradually develop this territory, moving further and further from the location of the military camp. Archaeologists and scientists have confirmed this legend by constantly finding graves and burial places of members of the Yang clan.

Creation of the park

There is a park where the movie "Avatar" was filmed in the northwestern part of the country, not far from city of the same name. The area is full of wonders and natural attractions. Neighboring Zhangjiajie Park are the equally famous geological parks of Yangjiajie, Tanzishan and Xiuxiyu.

Zhangjiajie is the oldest park in China, created in 1982. Its territory is huge and is almost 13 thousand square kilometers, on which there are mountains, forests, other vegetation, and a huge number of animals. In 1992, it was taken under UNESCO protection as part of Wulingyuan. Nine years later, the park received the status of the Sandstone Peaks National Forest Geopark (by decision of the relevant Chinese ministry). It is also part of the Global Network of Geological Parks protected by UNESCO.

Natural and animal world

Decoration Zhangjiajie Park, China, the place where the films were filmed Avatar" and "Monster Hunt" are Mt. In fact, these are rocky pillar peaks, created from quartz and sandstone, and turned into a real miracle of nature under the influence of erosion and weathering. The total number of unusual rocks is more than 3 thousand, and about one thousand are 200 meters high. The highest peak is Mount Dupeng, which reaches 1,890 meters into the sky.

The peaks of the rocks are lost high in the clouds, and then abruptly give way to very dense forests. This is the habitat of a huge number of animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. You can also see quite rare relict plants, which include mahogany and gingko.

The climate in the park is humid and warm, although this does not create suffocating heat. People who cannot stand cold or very hot weather can feel comfortable here. In the warm season average temperature air temperature is +27 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to +4-5.

The entire territory of the park is divided into 6 natural areas, the largest of which are Tianji Mountains, attracting tourists to China. This area is famous for very thick clouds, constant fog and a mysterious atmosphere.

Attractions

You can walk around the park without getting tired, because you never know what awaits around every turn. It’s not only the mountains that take your breath away, but also the richness of the animal world, as well as a large number of monuments.

The Yellow Dragon Cave is created from karst formations, has a height of 140 meters, and is therefore considered one of the largest in the world. It is distinguished by a beautiful interior design of a natural character. The cave contains many unique natural attractions - waterfalls, rivers, pools. All this creates the feeling that you are in the palace of a fairy-tale Dragon.

The Buddhist Temple of Heaven's Gate has been known since the Ming Dynasty, which contributed to the transformation of this place into a center of pilgrimage. The temple occupies a huge area, which is equal to 10 thousand square meters. The temple is located in a cave that dates back to 263 AD. as a result of the breaking off of a huge stone from the Tianmen rock. The length of the cave-temple is 60 meters, the width reaches 57 meters, and the height is 131.5 m. The Chinese call the temple the Magic Cave of Western Hunan, since the place is imbued with a mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere. This is due to the fact that the cave, located at a great height above the ground, seems to be shrouded in clouds, which are very thick above the mountain. Therefore, tourists, entering the cave, feel that they are in heaven, or are somewhere nearby.

It was not by chance that the temple appeared in this place. According to ancient chronicles, the mountain is connected with the sky, therefore it has enormous strength and energy. In addition, it influences people, their destinies, lives, and is capable of doing miracles. In historical documents you can find many facts that various mysterious events and phenomena took place in the cave.

The height of Tianmen Mountain is 1518 m, and is considered the central attraction of the park. All tourists who are not afraid to travel the longest cable car in the world strive to climb to the top. Its length is almost 7.5 kilometers, and it passes through such picturesque panoramas of mountains, mountains, and forests that it will take your breath away. And the closer the cabin gets to the top, the more it seems that you are falling into the arms of the clouds. The mountain is always shrouded in fog and mist, which very rarely clears. From generation to generation, local residents pass on legends that before very important events, water begins to pour from the top.

Next door to Zhajiajie Park is an equally stunning park called Yanqiajie. There are a huge number of amazing and scenic spots, including the Baihur, Longquan valleys, and the Xiangzhi Mountains.

History of the Tianji Mountains

These rocks are worth talking about separately. According to historical records in chronicles and other documents, at the foot of Tianji Mountains, China, in the Middle Ages, farmers rebelled. They were led by a leader named Xiang Dakun, who styled himself the son of heaven. Such an unusual nickname was associated with the ambitions of the peasant, as well as the characteristics of the area where the mountains are located. There are more than two thousand stone pillars here, which, like rods, connect heaven and earth. The average height of the rock ranges from 1 thousand meters to 1250 meters. They were formed more than three thousand years ago. One part of the mountains is represented by quartz rocks, and the second by limestone. Despite ancient history, the area has not been studied and is practically unexplored. Once upon a time there were tropical forests, of which small areas and trees remain. Between the mountains there are very ancient caves, rock arches, impenetrable forests, in which there was never a person.

Tourist services

You can walk around the park for several days, especially since admission ticket valid for two days. You can buy it for 245 yuan, directly from central entrance V Zhangjiajie National Park in China. To save a little money, you can purchase a weekly pass, and such a ticket is not very expensive - about 300 Chinese yuan. There are significant discounts available for students who present their student ID. The most Better conditions for visitors. In particular, they have a wonderful opportunity to see the mountains from a bird's eye view and then walk around them on the ground. There is an elevator leading to one of the peaks, so you can climb the mountain directly on it.

The park has several tourist routes allowing you to see all the sights. But it’s difficult to do this in 2 days, so guides recommend using the cable car to see all the flying mountains. You should definitely walk along the natural bridges that go across the mountains, as well as go down into the valleys of rivers, waterfalls, and visit caves. Tourists do not have to worry about their own safety: fences are installed everywhere, there are safe stairs for movement, special paths and signs to help you navigate the park.

The entrance fee includes bus transportation according to routes, Separately you need to pay for the lift, use of the escalator, elevator, ride on tourist train. Travel between attractions free buses, which reach a certain stop. Here you can change to another bus and continue your trip. You can also travel by other means of transport - cable cars (two closed and one open), funicular.

For those who want to see pristine nature, they will have to go deeper into the remote areas of the park. The main attractions are nearby. It won’t take long to get to them - everything is within reach, you just need to buy a ticket and enter the park. In other cases, you need to cover considerable distances, so you need to choose comfortable shoes, clothes for the trip, and put things in backpacks. In addition, you need to go to the deep areas of the park either with a guide or along a pre-designed route so as not to get lost.

It is also worth considering the organizational aspects of the trip to the floating rocks:

Book accommodation in advance, given the many national holidays that exist in China;
Prepare for the fact that a huge number of Chinese come to the Wulingyuan rocks, so it is always crowded, and in some places there is a significant crowd of people;
Buy or download a map of the park and surrounding area, purchase a compass, raincoats and raincoats;
It is better to start your walks in the morning to see more interesting things. And in the morning there are fewer people than in the afternoon and evening hours. It is dangerous to wander around after seven in the evening, because... The park area is not illuminated.
Think about how you can get to Zhangjiajie from the Chinese capital.

You can get to the park from the city of the same name by taxi or bus, which come here regularly. You can enter the protected area through two entrances - the northeastern one, where the Wulingyuan Mountains are located, and through the southern one - Zhangjiajie. You need to start your journey from the first entrance, because there is a glass elevator that takes you up to the tops of the rocks and observation decks.

Housing and food

Experienced tourists advise staying in two villages – Zhangjiajie or Wulingyuan (the names here are all very original, so it’s worth considering that the park, city and village have the same name). Renting comfortable housing here is not a problem, the only negative and quite significant is that in the morning there is a queue at the entrance. And you will have to stand in it before entering the park.

You can also live in Zhangjiajie, where there are several types of housing:

Guesthouse;
Hostel;
Hotel.

The quality of the rooms is somewhat lower than in the villages, and walking is only allowed when the buses start running.

A budget accommodation option is to stay with local residents, ready to provide a bed in a room for several people for 40 yuan per day. You can choose the option for single occupancy, but the cost will increase accordingly.

You can eat in restaurants, local cafes, McDonald's. It is worth considering that the cuisine of this province is quite unique - it is based on mushrooms that have medicinal properties, and a large number of hot seasonings. In addition to traditional Hunan cuisine, you can try dishes from other regions of the country.

There are no restaurants or cafes in the park, but flat cakes, fried potatoes, fish, and chestnuts are sold everywhere. Everything is fresh and prepared in the presence of tourists.

It is better to buy water in the city or in villages, since it is much cheaper here than in the park.

The photos I want to show are from Zhangjiajie City in Hunan Province, namely the so-called Avatar Mountains. I heard about the highest elevator in the world, which takes you up the mountain and offers a very beautiful view from there. So I went without any preparation - what, where, and how? As always, I don’t know where I’m going, and I like it, then the impressions of the trip seem stronger, more impressive and more emotional to me. So this time I went to look at the elevator and the beautiful view from the mountain, and ended up in a fantastic place - the Avatar Mountains. On the day I climbed the mountains, the weather was beautiful and sunny.

Entrance to the park costs 158 yuan and allows you to visit the park for two days.

First on foot, then the cable car and again on foot, on foot and on foot, on cable car the queue is five kilometers long, and here I am in the cabin, riding up with the Chinese, we swim between the rocks, the view is simply amazing.

The cabins are designed for 6 people, if the “people” are small, then it is possible for eight of them.

The place is not in great demand among European tourists; during the entire time I met at most two or three Europeans, and not Russians.

That’s why I think the Chinese looked at me with interest and surprise, probably the same way I look at the mountains.

With every turn, more and more breathtaking panoramas opened up.

The mountainous region is famous for its quartzite rocks, up to 800 meters high. The most high peaks Wulingyuan reaches an altitude of more than 3 km above sea level.

Throughout the journey, my attention was attracted not only by the beautiful views of the mountains, but also by the girls dressed in bright national costumes.

You could take a photo with them for 10 yuan.

It was convenient to walk, there were smooth and neat paths along the rock with exits to observation platforms.

The mountains are a picturesque sight: huge stone pillars above tropical forest.

I met them at one of the observation platforms.

The baby was scared, but the mother was very pleased when I photographed them.

My wife called this photo “Dad, don’t leave.” -)

Mountain flower.

Tall, horizontally flat rocks. There are observation platforms located above a cliff with a glass bottom.

Almost the entire route is along these steps, and you can also rest on them.

For those who are tired, they could relax while enjoying the views from " minibus".-) But it's not cheap.

Taxi park -).

At transshipment points, sale of souvenirs and beautiful pictures with picturesque views of Pandora.

There you can have something to eat or drink tea, coffee and continue on your way, there is little time, but there are so many interesting things ahead.

Leaving the reserve in the evening, a flock of wild monkeys swooped in and one of them took away my banana, which I wanted to eat, and this happened to everyone who had something edible in their hands. And then one of the monkeys starts screaming, its whole flock runs away, and in the distance I saw a man running, he ran up, shot at them with a slingshot into the jungle and ran on. The monkeys instantly appeared and continued their go-stop mayhem.

Well, how can you not give the banana to such people, although they don’t ask or ask, but take it away.

Fruits are more expensive for tourists than for the Chinese, I asked a passerby on the fingers to buy me apples and bananas, it turned out to be four times cheaper.

Market, the seller fell asleep.

Like in a fairy tale, Masha and the Bear.

All along the way, pumps were sold on trays, I couldn’t understand what they were for, then I realized...

In the evening, returning to the hotel, I couldn’t help but have dinner at a cafe that served very unusual dishes, and I made an original order - frogs.

Looking ahead, I’ll say that the next day I ordered 20 frogs, only a different species, which they killed in front of me, throwing them on the ground, not a very pleasant sight, but they tasted no worse than chicken, and I ate them all.

The next day the weather was a little let down and it started to rain. It was windy and cloudy, but that didn't stop me from taking a bus to the world's tallest elevator. The elevator is transparent made of glass, the floor is ordinary, not transparent, when you go up, you can see all the beauty, if you want to see something, if possible, you should go in first and stand by the glass wall, the latter will only see the backs of their heads and listen to enthusiastic gasps. Part of the climb follows a shaft inside the rock, then suddenly opens up beautiful view. Elevator ride to the top, height 326m, ascent time 1m.58s. It was not possible to take a photo of the elevator from the outside, since it was raining heavily, and all attempts were unsuccessful, I just had to wipe the water off my camera and lens.

We were even lucky with the fog, it felt like the Hanging Mountains of Pandora.

Fog vapors slowly float, sometimes covering, sometimes briefly revealing the peaks of the peaks.

On this day, the rain did not interfere; its drops fell far down and disappeared from my sight, only emphasizing the height and splendor of the mountains.

The mountains are covered with moss - they are actually trees.

The dragon flies off the cliff onto the rock, the Chinese did their best, everything reminds of the film.

When I got to the famous Hallelujah Mountain, I was already soaking wet (my camera was saved by the umbrella I took from the hotel), and I didn’t expect that I might not be so lucky. The mountain was completely covered in fog, and nothing was visible at all.

After about 10 minutes, my joy knew no bounds, the fog began to dissipate and Hallelujah appeared before me in all its glory, probably so that I could take a picture of it, and quickly hid in the fog as it appeared.

The fences along the path were covered with locks so that I got the impression that there are not 1.5 billion Chinese, but 6 billion - the inhabitants of planet Earth.

The locks are in the shape of a heart; lovers especially come here to fasten their lock.

Passing from one rock to another, this huge stone arch is a natural bridge.

On the right side of the rock, they attached a banner with the inscription.

After looking at the mountains that were in the filming of Avatar, I went to the funicular to go down and move to another part of the reserve by bus. I was lucky, I stood in a three-kilometer queue, which was still shorter than when I went up.

The cabins fell into the fog, as if into an abyss.

To be continued in - Planet Pandora from Avatar is real!

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (湖南张家界国家森林公园) - unique place, once in which you will not believe that this is all happening in reality. And if you've seen the movie Avatar, you'll recognize the moon Pandora with its towering rock pillars. The park is located in southwest China, on the territory of the Wulingyuan Nature Reserve, in Hunan Province and belongs to mountain system Wulingshan. Zhangjiajie became the first park in China to be included in the List world heritage UNESCO.

The formation of such an unusual landscape is due to prolonged weathering and leaching rocks. The pillar rocks are composed of quartzite and sandstone. The most beautiful rock has a height of 1080 m; the Chinese called it “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” and placed several avatar figures here, where tourists love to take pictures.

In total, there are more than 3 thousand similar rocks in the Zhangjiajie Forest Park, a third of which rise more than 200 m. high point area - Mount Doupeng, its height is 1890 m.

Must see: the most beautiful areas of Zhangjiajie Park

"Bridge Over the Sky"

“Bridge over the sky”, also known as Natural Bridge No. 1, is a unique creation of nature, which is located at an altitude of 357 m. The bridge connects the tops of 2 rocks. The width is 4 m, the length is 50 m, and the thickness is 5 m.

Tianzishan - Mountain of the Son of Heaven

The terrain of this area is at an altitude of 1182 m. From here you can see peaks piercing the clouds. The spectacle is truly incredible!

"Elevator of 100 Dragons"

The 100 Dragons Elevator (Bailong Glass Elevator) is an outdoor lift that is also the tallest in the world. The elevator takes you to the top of a steep slope 330 m high. The ascent in a transparent cabin will give you an unforgettable experience. The elevator can accommodate up to 50 people, so not everyone gets to see the beauty. It’s better to come here early in the morning, otherwise you might end up in a 4-hour queue later.

Laowuchang

The most “wild” area of Zhangjiajie National Park, where tourists walk along muddy paths. The Spirit Soldiers Gathering and Paddies in the Sky rice fields are located here. Photographers especially love this place.

Brook "Golden Whip"

One of the most popular routes in the park, which stretches for 7 km. The path lies along a lovely stream surrounded by beautiful rocks. The downside is that there are too many people, always.

Yellow Rocks Region

This area is located slightly north of the Golden Whip. Here is the famous Five-Fingers Peak. Tourists prefer to stop at the observation deck, because it offers an incredible view - and there is no need to pay for a lift.

It should also be noted that in Wulingyuan Nature Reserve, on whose territory Zhangjiajie Park is located, there are several natural attractions for which tickets must be purchased separately:

cave of the dragon king Longwandong - 81 ¥ ($12.5);
Yellow Dragon Cave Huanglong - 100 ¥ ($16);
artificial lake Baofeng - 98 ¥ ($15).

Fauna and flora

About 3 thousand species of rare plants grow on the territory. Among the rarest representatives here you can find mahogany and pigeon trees, as well as gingko. The reserve is also home to more than 500 representatives of the animal world - various monkeys, civets, salamanders, etc.

Information for visitors

Address: Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, 427400

Schedule: 07:00-18:00

Best months to visit: April, September, October

How much is needed for inspection: 3-5 days

Ticket prices:

for 4 days for 245 ¥ ($38);
for 7 days for ¥298 ($46).

Where to stay

The nearest railway station and airport are in Zhangjiajie. From here to the park it is already 50 km, so there is no point in stopping in the city. Not far from the park there is small town called (Wulingyuan). There are cafes, hotels and all the infrastructure a tourist needs.

There are also accommodation options within the national park itself. As a rule, these are hotels with a minimum of amenities.

How to get there

By plane you can fly to Zhangjiajie from any large city China:

from Beijing - $110-130;
from Guangzhou - $70-80;
from Shanghai - 115 $;
from Xi'an - 70-80 $.

It is better to get from the airport to the national park by taxi, the approximate cost is $15.

If you prefer trains, then you can consider the following options:

from Beijing ($60-100*);
from Guangzhou ($50-80*);
from Shanghai ($60-80*);
from Changsha ($30-40*);

*more low price indicated for a reserved seat, higher - for a compartment.

From the railway stations there are buses to the city of Wulingyuan, from where you can take a taxi or walk to the park.

All calculations are carried out in RMB, prices are given for better understanding.

To visit Zhangjiajie Park in China, do not forget:

water;
snack (everything on site is quite expensive);
raincoat;
comfortable shoes;
camera;
park map;
cash.

Millions of people who watched the sensational blockbuster, in addition to the impressive plot, appreciated the unreality of the landscapes of the planet Pandora.

The planet's landscape is based on Jiankunzhu Mountain, located in China. In January 2010, the mountain was named "Hallelujah, Avatar".

Mount Avatar in China (translated as “Southern Pillar of Heaven”) is located in one of the provinces - Hunan. Its height is 150 meters (about 1000 m above sea level). Excursion programs China has already added 2 new routes “Avatar-Pandora Magic Tour” and “A Magic Journey to the Avatar Floating Mountains”.

Zhangjiajie National Park is an amazing place, rich in beautiful lakes, powerful mountain rivers and magnificent waterfalls. In the park you can also see about 40 caves with deep gorges, several beautiful natural bridges, as well as a large number of endangered plant species and rare animals.

In addition to the stunning scenery in national park There are many species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book. In addition, Zhangjiajie Park is home to original inhabitants who remain faithful to traditions and rituals and communicate in their own language.

When James Cameron first saw this place, he was inspired. The mountains are a picturesque sight: huge stone pillars above the tropical forest, rugged sharp peaks, waterfalls, a giant cave system. They say that Cameron was inspired by them to draw the flying islands of Pandora.

Entrance to the park costs 158 yuan and allows you to visit the park for two days. The airport is located 10 km west of Zhangjiajie city, it is 33 km from the entrance to the park, from there you can go Shuttle Buses to the city. Minibuses stop opposite the train and bus stations, and the village and park entrance can be reached in one hour. Trains run to Zhengzhou, Guangzhou and other regional centers of China.

Want to see the floating Avatar Mountains with your own eyes? Then go to China's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The amazing rocks of this unique park have become real prototypes of the world famous “floating Hallelujah Mountains”. We can talk about this park endlessly. The beauty and uniqueness of nature is simply incredible. Mountains, streams and parks calm, inspire, delight and make you think about the eternal. No photographs can convey all the splendor and grandeur of this place.

Formation of mountains

The world-famous Zhangjiajie Park, or rather the wider Wulingyuan Scenic Area, is the first Chinese park to receive World Cultural Heritage Site status. natural heritage UNESCO.

As a result of the weathering of sandstones and limestones, as well as the erosion of soil, about 3,000 peaks and cliffs of the most bizarre shapes were formed. The mountains are covered with dense vegetation and are separated by deep gorges with rivers, lakes and waterfalls. These distinctive mountain formations are a distinctive feature of the Chinese landscape, depicted in numerous ancient paintings.

Geography of Zhangjiajie Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, known as “Avatar Park”, is located in the northwest of Hunan Province in China and is part of the huge Wulingyuan Nature Reserve(Wulingyuan Scenic Area). The nearest airport and train station are located in Zhangjiajie (张家界市). However, The park is located 50 km from Zhangjiajie city, so staying in city hotels to visit the park is not recommended. Near the park there is the town of Wulingyuan, also known as Zhangjiajie Village, with all the necessary infrastructure, including hotels and restaurants.

In China it is always difficult with names. They are duplicated and nested inside each other like nesting dolls. I will try to explain a little about the situation with parks near Zhangjiajie.

Wulingyuan Nature Reserve(Wulingyuan Scenic Area, 武陵源) consists of four parts:

Zhangjiajie National Park(Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, 张家界国家森林公园),
Mount Tianji| Tianzi Mountain Natural Resource Reserve, 天子山,
Yangjiajie Region(Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, 袁家界),
Suosi Valley(Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, 索溪峪).

The Zhangjiajie Park ticket allows you to enter all of the above areas.

However, there are attractions in Wulingyuan Scenic Area that require separate tickets:

Yellow Dragon Cave (黄龙洞) – 100 RMB
Cave of the Dragon King Longwang Dong (龙王洞) – 81 RMB
Baofang Artificial Lake – 98 RMB
Museums, river rafting, etc.

Also near the city of Zhangjiajie there is (Tianmenshan National Forest Park, 天门山森林区). It is located in a completely different direction from Zhangjiajie and is not included in the Wulingyuan Nature Reserve. This is an absolutely beautiful, majestic and unique place. With a completely different atmosphere from Zhangjiajie Park.

Main areas of Zhangjiajie Park

Yuanjiajie

View from the elevator of 100 dragons

The most picturesque, but crowded with tourists area of the park. In this zone are located (the same one that is the main attraction of the entire park and renamed the “Avatar Mountains” in honor of the well-known film), The First Bridge under Heaven(natural bridge between two rocks), Lost Souls Platform, Bailong Elevator(the world's tallest elevator).

Bailong Elevator - the world's tallest elevator

Bailong Glass Elevator | Hundred Dragon Elevator

Hundred Dragons Elevator – highest outdoor lift in the world. It takes tourists to the top of a 330-meter sheer slope in the heart of Zhangjiajie Park. A ride in the glass elevator will give you stunning views of the plain. The main thing is to get closer to the window, because 50 people can fit in a booth, and not everyone will be able to enjoy the beauty opening from above.

Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

1080 meter mountain The Southern Sky Column was renamed Avatar Hallelujah Mountain in honor of the landmark film Avatar. The mountain is located in the Yuanjiajie region.

Natural Bridge No. 1 (The First Bridge under Heaven)

Natural Bridge No. 1 (The First Bridge under Heaven | Tianxia Diyi Qiao) or “Bridge over Heaven” is a kind of unique natural creation in the world. At an altitude of 357 meters it connects the peaks of two rocks. Its length is 50 meters, width – 4 meters, thickness – 5 meters. This is the highest natural bridge in the world.

Tianzishan | Mountain of the Son of Heaven | Emperor's Mountain (Tianzi Mountain)

Forest of rocks | Stone Peaks Forest

The most important advantage of this area is its height. The height of 1182 meters gives a great opportunity to see famous mountains in the clouds. Here the mountains really seem to float. The area is popular with photographers. In this area you can see Dian Jiang Tai, Yubi Feng, Ten-Li Gallery.

Emperor's Pavilion | Tianzi Pavilion

Ten Li Gallery | Ten-Li Gallery

Yellow Stone Village

Five Finger Peak | Five Fingers Peak

The area is just north of the Golden Whip stream. In this part of the park there is the famous Five-Fingers Peak. The area is equally scenic but less popular than Yuanjiajie. Many people go to the main observation deck, which offers views of Five-Fingers Peak on foot, without using the expensive lifts.

Yangjiajie Scenic Area

This area for real researchers. Here you will have to walk not along paved paths, but along dangerous and slippery paths. No infrastructure, but also no tourists or queues. Real nature.

Laowuchang Area

One of the most “wild” areas of the park. You will have to walk on dirt paths. But this is the best area for photographers. Rice fields are located here Paddies in the Sky and Spirit Soldiers' Gathering'.

Golden Whip Stream

A pleasant walk along a beautiful stream surrounded by incredible mountains is the park's most popular route. The path is quite long - 7 km, but not at all difficult. Everything is fine, except that there are always a lot of people here.

How much does a ticket to Zhangjiajie cost?

The park ticket is worth it 248 R.M.B. for 4 days or 298 RMB for a week. Prices for students, seniors and children are 160 RMB and 193 RMB respectively. Children under 1.2 meters tall are free. The price is far from low, but it is definitely worth it! You won't regret a penny.

The ticket price includes all of the areas and observation decks listed above, as well as all bus transportation within the park. However, trips on cable cars, trams and elevators require a separate fee.

Prices for ski lifts and trams:

Bailong Glass Elevator | 100 dragon elevator (Bailong elevator) - 72 RMB.
Tianzishan Cable Car - 67 RMB one way / 134 RMB round trip.
Huangshi Zhai Cable Car (Yellow Stone Village Cable Car) - 65 RMB one way / 118 RMB round trip.
Tram in the Ten Li Gorge (Tenli Gallery’s Mini Train) - 38 RMB one way / 52 RMB round trip.

Main entrances to the park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has two main entrances. The park ticket allows you to visit all the attractions located inside.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Gate (on map A): southwest entrance, convenient if you want to follow the Gold Whip Stream.
Wulingyuan Gate (on map B) : Closest to hotels in Wulingyuan Town. It has convenient access to Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain Cable Way and Ten-Li Gallery Train.

How long does it take to visit the park?

We only had 3 days to do everything about everything, and even during Chinese holidays. We walked quite a lot and in one and a half days we managed to see all the interesting things in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We went to the Yellow Dragon Cave for half a day, and on the last day we visited Tianmenshan National Forest Park.

When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie Park?

Avoid Chinese holidays(May 1-3, October 1-7) and the Chinese holiday period (July and August). There will be not just a lot of tourists, but an awful lot. You may have to stand in line for hours at the lifts.
IN winter time very cold, and in February, the park may be closed for reconstruction.
From April to June good time but high humidity and a high probability of rain and fog. But if this doesn’t scare you (and I advise you not to be afraid of a little rain), then this is a great time.
From May to October high season. Accordingly, prices are higher, and on average there are more tourists.
September and October – best time to visit the park. It's still quite warm, but it's already low season, and therefore there are no queues and prices do not bite.

Where to stop to eat?

The restaurants in the park are small and very authentic. The most European place is McDonald's on Tianzi Mountain. But on every corner there are street vendors with sausages, stinky tofu, fruit, water and other snacks. Everything is quite expensive and not particularly tasty. So I recommend taking sandwiches, nuts or fruits with you. You can eat well in the town of Wulingyuan or near attractions outside the park, such as Yellow Dragon Cave.

Hotels in Zhangjiajie

I recommend staying in Wulingyuan Town, also called Zhangjiajie Village, or inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You definitely shouldn't stop in the city of Zhangjiajie, because it is located quite far (50 km or an hour's drive) from the park.

Hotels in Wulingyuan Town

Walking distance to the entrance to the park. You can come early in the morning and return late in the evening. The infrastructure of the village is much better than inside the park. Restaurants, shops, everything is there. Hotel level from hostels to 5 stars.

An amazingly beautiful hotel with bright, fully equipped rooms, a swimming pool, and a terrace overlooking the mountains. And all this from $30.

3*, the best combination of price and quality and the highest rating of 9.6! Prices are below $30.

Hotels inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Hotels inside Zhangjiajie Park do not differ in comfort and quality. But you don’t need to stand in queues at the entrance and you can arrive at the most interesting places, and also watch sunrises and sunsets in the park. In terms of infrastructure, you will have to rely on the hotel and what you brought with you.

How to get to the Avatar Mountains?

Getting to the famous Avatar Park is not at all difficult:

Fly to Hunan Airport. Airplanes fly to Zhangjiajie from any major city in China.
Take a taxi or bus to the park or hotel.

I recommend a taxi, since the journey is not close, taxis in China are not expensive, and there are always plenty of cars near the airport. The price to get to the park and to the village of Wulingyuan will be about 300 RMB, but in fact they can get you there for 100 (these prices are offered to the Chinese). They don't like to turn on the meters, especially at night, so bargain furiously.

If you want to get there to the park by bus then go to bus station(Near railway station and McDonald's). You need a bus that goes to the main entrance to the park. The stop is called Wulingyuan Menpiaozhan (武陵源门票站). The fare costs 12 yuan, the controller takes money during the trip.

The entrance to the park is marked by a huge pagoda, it can be seen from afar.

Queues. There are a lot of Chinese. And during the holidays there are even more of them. You can spend 2-4 hours (as we did on May 1) in line for an elevator or an hour in line for a bus. That's why more walks, less transport.
Get to the park early. It's better to sleep early in the evening. The bulk of tourists arrive after 10, and the park opens at 7.
If you are traveling on your own, then learn the most important phrases in Chinese better. In China, almost no one speaks English.
Must be able to pronounce the hotel name and address, taxi drivers often cannot read and do not always know the area well.
Cash money (yuan, of course) will save you always and everywhere. Currency and Visa, Master Card may not be accepted. Don’t be surprised, China uses its own banking system.
If you take map park at the entrance, choose English-Chinese. It is most similar to the truth.

basic information

Place: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (张家界国家森林公园).
Nearest city: Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China.
Location: Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源).
Size: 48 sq. km
Ticket price: 248 / 298 RMB
Opening hours: 7.00-18.00
Time for inspection: 2-4 days
Number of visitors: a lot of
Best time to visit: September, October.
A must visit: Yuanjiajie, Yellow Stone Village, Tianzi Mountain areas.
We were in Park: May 1-2, 2014

Request

If the post was useful to you, please share it on Facebook, Twitter, VKontakte or any other social network. There are "social" buttons at the bottom of each page. So what needs to be done just one click! Thank you!

It might be useful to read: