Just returned from Zhangjiajie, and I honestly don't recommend visiting from May to July
Zhangjiajie actually has quite a few tourist traps if you don't plan well 😭 It's super popular here with so many people coming to check out the real-life "Avatar" mountains, so proper planning is essential. Without good preparation, I'd advise against visiting from May to July‼️
💕 Complete Zhangjiajie Travel Guide (May-July 2025 Edition)
Three Thousand Peculiar Peaks · Sea of Clouds Wonderland · In-depth Experience · Pitfall Avoidance
🔥🔥🌈
World Natural Heritage: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (including Yuanjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, Yellow Stone Village), Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park.
Geological Wonders: Quartz Sandstone Peak Forest Landform, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway, Grand Canyon Glass Bridge.
Cultural Experiences: Tusi City, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Western Hunan Miao Village.
Food Recommendations: Sanxiaguo (Three-pot Dish), Tujia Bacon, Rock Ear Stewed Chicken, Sour Pickled Fish.
🗾 2. Itinerary Planning (5 Days 4 Nights In-depth Tour)
🔵 Day 1: Arrive in Zhangjiajie · First Exploration of Tianmen Wonders
Morning:
Arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport/West Railway Station, check into hotel (recommend hotels near Tianmen Mountain Cableway Station).
Afternoon:
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (Ticket: ¥258, includes cableway):
Route: Tianmen Mountain Cableway → Glass Walkway → Ghost Valley Plank Road → Tianmen Cave → 99-Bend Road.
Tips: Book Line A (cableway up) in advance to avoid crowds.
Dinner:
Fuzhengyi Sanxiaguo (Tianmen Mountain Cableway Branch): ¥60/person, must-try bacon and pork tripe Sanxiaguo.
Night Tour:
Xibu Street: Explore intangible cultural heritage blocks, try kudzu root powder and glutinous rice cakes.
🔵 Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park · Peak Forest Exploration
Morning:
Yellow Stone Village (Ticket included in park pass, round-trip cableway ¥118):
Viewpoints: Five Finger Peak, Six Wonders Pavilion, Star Picking Platform.
Afternoon:
🔥🔥 Yuanjiajie (Bailong Elevator one-way ¥65):
Visit "Hallelujah Mountain" (Avatar filming location) and First Bridge Under Heaven.
Yangjiajie: Natural Great Wall, Peak Wall Wonder.
Dinner:
Lao Zaotao Local Cuisine (Wulingyuan Landmark Store): ¥50/person, recommend Tujia Mixed Dish and Rock Ear Stewed Chicken.
Accommodation:
Four Seasons by the Stream Resort (Wulingyuan Branch): Near Baofeng Lake with free shuttle service.
🔵 Day 3: Golden Whip Stream Walk · Overnight in Furong Town
Morning:
Golden Whip Stream (Free): 7.5km walk (2 hours), encounter wild macaques.
Afternoon:
Ten-Mile Gallery (Small train one-way ¥38): See Herbal Medicine Gatherer and Three Sisters Peaks.
Evening:
Head to Furong Town (Ticket: ¥108):
Visit the thousand-year-old town on waterfalls, enjoy night light show.
Dinner:
Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu Shop: ¥15/person, must-try rice tofu and mugwort cakes.
Accommodation:
Furong Town Tuwang Palace·Badu Hall: Built by the waterfall with scenic views.
🔵 Day 4: Tusi Culture · Fenghuang Ancient Town
Morning:
Tusi City (Ticket: ¥98):
See Nine-Heaven Stilted Building and Hand-Waving Hall, experience Tujia wedding customs.
Afternoon:
Head to Fenghuang Ancient Town (3-hour drive):
Walk along Tuo River, visit Rainbow Bridge and Ten Thousand Pagodas.
Dinner:
Junzi Restaurant: ¥60/person, must-try Blood Cake Duck and Sour Fish Soup.
Night Tour:
Boat ride on Tuo River, admire ancient town night view, try Miao silver jewelry DIY.
🔵 Day 5: Western Hunan Miao Village · Return
Morning:
Western Hunan Miao Village (Ticket with performance: ¥120):
Participate in Gate-Blocking Wine Ceremony, Long Table Banquet, learn Miao songs and make glutinous rice cakes.
Afternoon:
Return trip, can buy souvenirs: Zhangjiajie berry tea, eucommia tea, kudzu root powder.
🔥 3. Transportation Guide
🚄 External Transport:
Flight: Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, 10km from downtown, taxi ~¥15.
Train: Zhangjiajie West Station (high-speed), Zhangjiajie Station (regular), both have direct buses to downtown.
🚗 Local Transport:
Scenic Area Shuttle:
Downtown → Wulingyuan: Bus from bus station, ¥13/person, 50 mins.
Downtown → Grand Canyon: Direct bus, ¥22/person, 1.5 hours.
Ride-hailing/Taxi: Daytime starting fare ¥6, nighttime ¥7.
🏠 4. Accommodation Recommendations
📍 Tianmen Mountain Area:
Wyndham Garden Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain (near cableway station): 2000㎡ garden terrace with mountain views.
📍 Wulingyuan Area:
Hampton by Hilton Zhangjiajie (near forest park landmark gate): Offers free customized tour routes.
📍 Fenghuang Ancient Town:
Pushi Riverside B&B (Tuo River side): Stilted house views, 5-min walk to Rainbow Bridge.
🗾 5. Food Map
Sanxiaguo: Fuzhengyi Sanxiaguo (Tianmen Mountain branch), bacon/tripe/pork belly pot, ¥60/person
Tujia Cuisine: Lao Zaotao Local Cuisine (Wulingyuan branch), rock ear chicken/Tujia mixed dish, ¥50/person
Snacks: Xibu Street Old Noodle Shop, straw hat noodles/kudzu root powder, ¥15/person
Night Food: South Gate Food Street, grilled glutinous rice cakes/sour spicy noodles, ¥25/person
6. Pitfall Avoidance Guide
🎫 Ticket Traps:
Avoid "scalper" overpriced tickets, book via official platforms in advance.
🚄 Transport Tips:
Airport/station unlicensed taxis overcharge, insist on metered taxis or ride-hailing.
🍴 Dining Notes:
Higher prices in scenic areas, bring snacks; confirm prices before ordering.
‼️ Safety Tips:
Wild macaques at Golden Whip Stream/Yuanjiajie - don't feed or provoke them.
Take this guide and embark on your journey to the fairyland of peaks and clouds! 🏞️🌉