Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located at No. 279 Jinbian Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City. Covering a total area of 48.1 square kilometers, it forms Wulingyuan together with the three contiguous nature reserves—Suoxiyu, Tianzi Mountain, and Yangjiajie. Situated in the central part of the Wuling Mountain Range, it is the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie.

Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day Address: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket Prices & Promotions

Best Hotels near Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

  • Yishu Yihua Inn

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    8.57km straight line from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

  • Zhangjiajie Yuezhu Mountain Homestay

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Reviews of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

4.5/5
7226 reviews
5/5
It was incredible, an exceptional experience, I highly recommend it!!
review picture
4/5
visit national forest in end of october. raining all day, a bit tiring but overall worth to visit.
review picture
5/5
A little confusing, but the effort is well worth it! The view is fantastic.
review picture
4/5
I had a lot of worries about traveling independently with my parents to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Nevertheless, Trip.com's booking service allowed me to prepare well in advance! However, I missed the time limit for my admission ticket, and the staff at the ticket booth and entrance were strangely responsive, which was a huge waste of time. They suddenly asked for my student ID, even though I hadn't made a reservation. They also abruptly canceled my reservation and told me to go back to the ticket booth to negotiate a deal. The staff at the ticket booth then bizarrely denied any such arrangements. I found this odd, so I called the hotel staff and asked for help, and they resolved the issue immediately. I'm not sure if they were trying to deceive foreign tourists. Why didn't they resolve something that should have been resolved immediately, leaving me spending over an hour at the entrance? So, I gave the park a 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted a point from the South Gate staff's foreign language skills and friendliness. The scenery, as you can see in the photos, was truly beautiful. I was also worried about how to catch the shuttle bus, and while it wasn't perfect, it was still a pleasant experience.
review picture
5/5
The weather was bad. There was a lot of fog, and it was almost impossible to see anything up there.
review picture

      

Want to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park? As one of the famous attractionss of Zhangjiajie, you can't miss this place. Read this article and know everything about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park including ticket prices, transportation, opening hours, location and routes.

About Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

About Avatar Mountains China

Source from Unsplash

Located at 279 Jinbian Road in Zhangjiajie's Wulingyuan District, this 48.1 km² park is the core of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a unique sandstone landscape formed by erosion and weathering, with a humid subtropical climate (average 17°C yearly). Key sights include Yellow Stone Village, Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie, and Yangjiajie.

​​Main Attractions​​:

  • Yellow Stone Village
  • Golden Whip Stream
  • Yuanjiajie
  • Yangjiajie

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets: Prices & Booking Tips

Avatar Mountains China Tickets: Prices & Booking Tips

Attraction / Service

Full Price (CNY)

Student Price (CNY)

Validity / Notes

​​Zhangjiajie National Forest Park​​

¥228

Not Specified

​​Valid for 4 days.​​ Includes park entry & eco-bus transport. ​​

Bailong Elevator (One-way)

¥65

¥38

Provides access to the Yuanjiajie area.

Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (One-way)

¥72

Not Specified

Offers scenic views of the peak forest.

​​Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park​​

¥278

Not Specified

Separate park. Price likely for Cableway Route A. Includes cable car, shuttle buses, glass walkway.

​​Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Glass Bridge)​​

¥128

¥118

Includes shuttle bus & shoe covers.

Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave)

¥100

Not Specified

Features karst formations and an underground boat ride.

​​Tianmen Fox Fairy Show (VIP Seat)​​

¥228

Not Specified

Cultural performance. Price includes round-trip transfer from city.

  • Additional fees for ​​Bailong Elevator​​ or cable cars are usually required to reach the summit viewpoints efficiently.
  • ​​Tianmen Mountain​​ and the ​​Glass Bridge​​ are separate attractions with their own tickets.
  • ​​Student discounts​​ are available for many attractions with a valid student ID.
  • Booking ​​combo tickets online​​ (e.g., via Ctrip) might offer savings.
Reviews of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
4.5/5
7226 reviews
5/5
It was incredible, an exceptional experience, I highly recommend it!!
review picture
4/5
visit national forest in end of october. raining all day, a bit tiring but overall worth to visit.
review picture
5/5
A little confusing, but the effort is well worth it! The view is fantastic.
review picture
4/5
I had a lot of worries about traveling independently with my parents to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Nevertheless, Trip.com's booking service allowed me to prepare well in advance! However, I missed the time limit for my admission ticket, and the staff at the ticket booth and entrance were strangely responsive, which was a huge waste of time. They suddenly asked for my student ID, even though I hadn't made a reservation. They also abruptly canceled my reservation and told me to go back to the ticket booth to negotiate a deal. The staff at the ticket booth then bizarrely denied any such arrangements. I found this odd, so I called the hotel staff and asked for help, and they resolved the issue immediately. I'm not sure if they were trying to deceive foreign tourists. Why didn't they resolve something that should have been resolved immediately, leaving me spending over an hour at the entrance? So, I gave the park a 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted a point from the South Gate staff's foreign language skills and friendliness. The scenery, as you can see in the photos, was truly beautiful. I was also worried about how to catch the shuttle bus, and while it wasn't perfect, it was still a pleasant experience.
review picture
5/5
The weather was bad. There was a lot of fog, and it was almost impossible to see anything up there.
review picture

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Opening Hours, Contacts & Location

  • Open Opening hours: 7:00 AM-5:00 PM (Tickets available until 5:00 PM. Last admission at 5:00 PM) No pets allowed
  • Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 days
  • Address: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City
  • Phone: Ticket inquiry: +86-744-5959888
  • Customer support: +86-744-5518000

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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Recommended Tour Route​

Avatar Mountains China Recommended Tour Route​

To fully experience the magnificent scenery of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the following tour route is recommended:

  • Enter the scenic area from the ​​East Gate​​ and take the ​​Ten-Mile Gallery sightseeing train​​ to enjoy the picturesque views along the way.
  • Then, take the ​​Tianzi Mountain Cable Car​​ up the mountain to admire the unique peaks of the ​​Imperial Brush Peak​​ and ​​Helong Park​​.
  • From there, transfer to an ​​eco-friendly shuttle bus​​ to ​​Yangjiajie​​ for a brief visit before proceeding to ​​Yuanjiajie​​.
  • Walk approximately ​​2 kilometers​​ through the most spectacular section of the trail. Finally, you can choose to descend via the ​​Bailong Elevator​​ or explore the route in reverse.

How to Get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

How to Get to Avatar Mountains China

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Tourist Bus​

Direct tourist shuttle buses are available from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (located next to the train station) to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Departures are every ​​30 minutes​​, the journey takes approximately ​​40-45 minutes​​, and the fare is around ​​12 RMB​​.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Taxi / Ride-Hailing​

Taxis or ride-hailing services (such as Didi) can be taken from the city center to the scenic area. The trip takes about ​​40 minutes​​, with a cost of approximately ​​100 RMB​​.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park | Car Rental​

For greater flexibility and convenience, visitors can also rent a car on Trip.com from various rental companies in Zhangjiajie. Renting a car allows you to explore the park and its surrounding areas at your own pace. Many international and local car rental agencies offer services in the city, with options ranging from economy to SUV models. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. Please note that a valid driver's license (an international driving permit may be required for foreign visitors) is necessary for renting and driving a car in China.

Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Best Time to Visit Avatar Mountains China

Here’s a month-by-month guide to help you decide based on your priorities:

Season

Months

Pros

Cons

​Spring​

Apr - Jun

​​Ideal scenery:​​ Lush greenery, blooming flowers.
​​Comfortable temperatures.​​
​​Magical sea of clouds​​ is very common.

​​Rainfall:​​ Increased chance of rain and fog (which can also be a pro.
Crowds build up in late May/June.

​Summer​

Jul - Aug

​​Lush landscapes.​​
Long daylight hours.
School holidays (good for families).

​​Peak Crowds:​​ Extremely busy; long queues for cable cars/elevators.
​​Hot & Humid:​​ Can be uncomfortably hot for hiking.
​​Unpredictable thunderstorms.​​

​Autumn​

Sep - Nov

​​Best Overall Conditions:​​ Stable, comfortable weather.
​​Clear skies​​ and excellent visibility.
​​Stunning autumn foliage​​ (Oct-Nov).

​​Peak Season in October:​​ Can be crowded during national holidays (Golden Week, Oct 1-7).

​Winter​

Dec - Feb

​​Lowest Crowds:​​ Minimal queues, a more tranquil experience.
​​Snow & Ice:​​ Occasionally, a dusting of snow creates a magical, ethereal landscape.
​​Lowest prices​​ for accommodation.

​​Cold & Damp:​​ Temperatures can be near freezing.
​​Less Predictable:​​ The famous "sea of clouds" is less frequent.
​​Potential Closures:​​ Icy paths may lead to closed trails for safety.

The "Sea of Clouds" Phenomenon

The most breathtaking and iconic view in Zhangjiajie is the ​​"sea of clouds"​​, where mist fills the valleys, making the quartzite pillars appear to float in the sky—exactly like the movie Avatar.

  • ​Best Chance to See It:​​ This phenomenon is ​​most common after rain or during periods of high humidity​​.
  • ​Prime Seasons:​​ ​​Spring​​ (highest rainfall) and ​​early winter​​ (temperature differentials) offer the highest probability.
  • ​Time of Day:​​ ​​Early morning​​ is almost always the best time of day to witness this spectacle, before the sun burns the mist away.

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FAQs about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

  • Where did they film Avatar in China?

    The "floating mountains" and landscape in the Avatar movies were inspired by the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China's Hunan Province, though the film itself was not shot there. The real-life inspiration features unique, towering pillars of sandstone and quartz that appear to float in the mist, similar to the Hallelujah Mountains in the film.
  • Which month is the best to visit Zhangjiajie?

    September to November is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie—cool temperatures, fewer crowds, and clear views. April to May is also great for lush greenery and misty mountain peaks. 🚫 Avoid: Golden Week (Oct 1-7) and summer (July-August)—crowds are insane, and the humidity can be unbearable.
  • What is special about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?

    Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is probably the most coveted part of the area. The park is comprised of dense forests, deep ravines, deep canyons, unusual peaks, caves, and pillar-like rock formations blanketed throughout the park. These pillar rock formations are what the park is renowned for around the world.
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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park