Zhangjiajie is a dramatic mountain landscape where stone pillars rise into the clouds, glass bridges span deep canyons, and quiet lakes sit within a setting shaped by Chinese myth and imagination. The route covers the region’s best-known scenic areas, whose distinctive forms have long inspired artists and, more recently, influenced the visual language of the film Avatar.
The journey leads through the main highlights of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It begins with visits to Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, followed by an ascent on the Bailong glass elevator. You then cross the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon via its glass bridge before continuing to the calmer surroundings of Baofeng Lake later the same day. The tour concludes at Tianmen Mountain, widely known as the Heavenly Gate of China.
The 4-Day Zhangjiajie Nature Tour offers a focused way to explore one of China’s most distinctive natural regions. Review the detailed itinerary to see how these four days can be incorporated into a broader journey through China.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Zhangjiajie, a natural labyrinth located in north-western Hunan Province. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for a good rest.
Today we drive to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (30 km, 1 hour), including Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. The Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie areas are the core sites of Zhangjiajie, where you can find stone formations of various shapes and a wide variety of plant species. We first take the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie, then use the shuttle bus to visit Tianzi Mountain, and finally descend by cable car. Before transferring back to the hotel, we take a walking tour along Golden Whip Stream.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6–7 hours
In the morning, we drive to visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (60 km, 1.5 hours). The canyon is popular with explorers and outdoor enthusiasts from both China and abroad, featuring the characteristic Zhangjiajie landform, dramatic cliffs, lush forests, ancient caves, colourful ponds, and a river running through the gorge. The highlight of the visit is the Glass Bridge, an architectural marvel designed by Haim Dotan and constructed from transparent glass, with a bungee-jumping platform at its centre, offering panoramic views of the magnificent Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
On the way back to Zhangjiajie city, we visit Baofeng Lake and enjoy a boat cruise.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
In the morning, we drive to visit Tianmen Mountain. Located to the south of Zhangjiajie city, Tianmen Mountain is the second most recommended tourist area in Zhangjiajie after the national forest park. The mountain is named after its large natural cave, which resembles a great gateway to the heavens. You can walk along the glass walkway built along the mountainside.
Then we drive to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination. End of the Zhangjiajie Tour.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4–5 hours
Price includes:
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary;
- 3 nights of accommodation with daily breakfast at the hotels listed;
- English-speaking guide at each location;
- Private transfers by comfortable air-conditioned vehicles: 4-seat car for 1–2 pax, 7–9-seat car for 3–4 pax, 12–14-seat car for 5–6 pax, 17–19-seat bus for 7–9 pax.
Price doesn't include:
- Personal expenses;
- Tips for local guides and drivers;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Any services not mentioned above.
