4 Days Tour Through Zhangjiajie

Day 1: Arrival

Upon your arrival in Zhangjiajie, get picked up at the airport by your local driver and tour guide according to your schedule. Get transferred to your hotel to take a rest. Enjoy a free and relaxing evening.

Meals: N/A

Overnight in Zhangjiajie

Day 2: Zhangjiajie

Today we first explore Tianmen Mountain, which is located in Hunan’s north-west. It is the highest mountain of the Zhangjiajie area with an elevation of 1518 meters above sea level and is praised as the Soul of Zhangjiajie. It is also known as Heaven Gate Mountain due to a large natural ark and many locals believe that the Tianmen Mountain is the Closest Earth Landmark to God. Your tour guide accompanies you to explore the best scenic spots such as the Heavenly Bus Road, the Glass Plank Walk, Tianmen Cave and others.

The close Tujia Folk Customs Park is next on our visiting list. It is a tourist site in Zhangjiajie with art and dance performances and various exhibitions, showing the cultural heritage of the Tujia ethnic minority. The buildings are constructed according to the traditional Tujia architecture with beautiful woodcarvings, painted pillars and elegant upturned eaves. Among others, we visit the Chongtian Tower with its 12 floors and an overall height of 48 meters and the Tusi Village.

Afterwards, we visit Li Junsheng’s Sandstone Painting Museum. The artist only uses traditional painting materials and natural substances to create his pictures. The colors and shades of his artwork are unique and hence quite famous throughout the region.

Optional: After dinner, either have a free and relaxing evening or enjoy the open-air Tianmen Fox Fairy Show. The stunning performance takes place after sunset and right in front of breathtaking Tianmen mountain range, which is being spectacularly illuminated. The beautifully choreographed play right below the magnificent back setting in the amphitheater, is based on a traditional Chinese myth and folklore about a fox falling in love with a herdsman and their trials and tribulations and how time turned into centuries before they could be together. The drama integrates the elements of local folk music and modern art.

Meals: B, L

Overnight in Wulingyuan

Day 3: Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan Scenic Area

Today after a rich breakfast in the hotel, we visit the Wulingyuan Scenic Area with its great variety of scenic spots.

First, the Ten-Mile Gallery (or Shi Li Hualang), which is a canyon with bizarre rock formations rising up to both sides. Nearly all of them have been given specific names. The scenery with dense woods and fragrant flowers can be marveled at by trekking through the gorge or taking the narrow-gauge train.

The Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve is unique with its dramatic towering rock columns, adorned with twisted vegetation amongst deep stone canyons. The area’s highest peak is 1262 meters high and is particularly known for four different natural wonders: The Sea of Clouds and Mist circling around the numerous peaks and columns, the stunning views of the rising sun over the nature reserve, the amazing moonlit nights as well as the snowcapped peaks in winter. More than 80 natural platforms offer great opportunities marbling at the magnificent scenery.

Yuanjiajie, as another part of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is considered the main attraction of the scenic area. Thousands of peaks and rock pillars can be seen when standing on the observation platform. This area gave the movie makers of Avatar its inspiration and today, the Hallelujah Mountain and the Number One Bridge Under Heaven are popular and famous places to visit.

Back in Zhangjiajie, your tour guide takes you to a very characteristic dining hall, typical for the area. The very special local food of the Tu minority people is spicy, has a lot of vinegar, pickles and bacon – enjoy!

Optional: After dinner we have the option enjoying the Charming Xiangxi Show, a very nice way to end the evening in Zhangjiajie. The show is about the colorful local culture, its minority people as well as the local Hunan history and myths. Fabulous music, stunning acrobatics and dance routines are showcasing different parts of the province.

Meals: B, L

Overnight in Wulingyuan

Day 4: Zhangjiajie & departure

Today after breakfast, we start our visits at the Huanglong Cave (literally Yellow Dragon Cave). This large, beautiful but cold karst cave is praised to be one of the most special and big ones in China. With its deep and secluded underground rivers, waterfalls of up to 50 meters, hidden lakes, dry and wet levels as well as its overall 15 km of explored cave area it is unique of its kind in China. Find your way through gigantic stalactites and stalagmites and take a boat on one of the underground streams.

Located in the Baofeng Mountain Range and surrounded by green trees and numerous stone peaks, the water of Baofeng Lake is produced by rainfall, mountain springs and underground streams and thus stays emerald and clear all year around. We join a short cruise on the 30 ha large lake and enjoy Tujia songs of people at the shores.

Afterwards, get dropped-off at Zhangjiajie airport or train station according to your travel plans. We are looking forward welcoming you again!

Meals: B, L