1. Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (The "Avatar Mountains")2. Conquer Tianmen Mountain & Heaven's Gate3. Walk the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge4. Visit 72 Wonder Tower at Night5. Discover Furong Ancient Town6. Explore Fenghuang Ancient City (Phoenix Ancient Town)7. Ride the Bailong Elevator8. Visit Yellow Dragon Cave(Huanglong Cave)9. Hike Golden Whip Stream10. Watch a Night Show
Zhangjiajie is one of those rare destinations that genuinely feels like another planet. When I first saw those towering quartzite pillars rising out of misty valleys, I couldn't believe my eyes. It's no wonder James Cameron chose this landscape as the inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar.
But Zhangjiajie is so much more than just one park. From adrenaline-pumping glass bridges to ancient towns and spectacular cable car rides, this region in Hunan Province is packed with unforgettable experiences. Here are my top 10 things to do in Zhangjiajie—whether you're here for a quick trip or a longer adventure, these are the experiences you absolutely cannot miss.
Pro Tip: Check out my Ultimate Zhangjiajie Travel Guide for all the practical details before you go!
1. Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (The "Avatar Mountains")
Let's start with the obvious but absolutely essential one. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and China's first national park-. The towering quartzite sandstone pillars, some reaching over 200 meters high, are draped in mist and greenery that make them look like they belong in a fantasy film-.
What to see:
- Yuanjiajie is where you'll find the famous "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain".
- Tianzi Mountain offers incredible panoramic views.
- Golden Whip Stream is a 5.7km scenic溪谷步道 perfect for a peaceful walk.
- The Bailong Elevator is a massive outdoor glass elevator that's an experience in itself.
Tickets: Adult tickets start around 228–239 RMB for a 4-day pass including the eco-bus-. Add-on packages for cableways and the elevator are available-. Book in advance, especially during peak season!
How long: At least 2 full days-. The park is massive—4,810 hectares with 5 entrances-—and the weather can be unpredictable, so having extra days gives you more chances for clear views-.
2. Conquer Tianmen Mountain & Heaven's Gate
Tianmen Mountain is a completely different geological experience from the National Forest Park, but equally spectacular. Often called the "Soul of Zhangjiajie," it's famous for its colossal natural archway—Heaven's Gate—and vertigo-inducing glass walkways-.
The highlights:
- World's longest high-mountain passenger cable car (7.45 km!)—the 30-minute ride offers spectacular views, including a section that climbs steeply over the famed 99-Bends road.
- The 999 Steps to Heaven—climbing these stone steps to reach the base of Heaven's Gate is a rite of passage (or take the escalators if you prefer!).
- Glass walkways bolted to sheer cliff faces—looking 1,400 meters down through the glass is not for the faint of heart.
- Guigu Plank Road—a 1,600-meter cliffside path with dizzying views.
Tickets: 288 RMB for adults, including the main cableway, express cableway, eco-bus, and mountain escalator-. Book 3–5 days in advance during peak season-.
Which route? Route A (cable car up first, then down to Heaven's Gate) is the most popular-. Route B is the opposite direction. Either way, you'll get the full experience-.
3. Walk the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Standing 300 meters (984 feet) above the dramatic Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge is designed to test your limits-. Forget viewing platforms—this is a genuine skywalk experience-.
The experience:
- That first step onto the transparent floor is where the reality hits. The sheer vertical distance is breathtaking.
- Even though you know the glass is strong, your mind rebels. You'll see plenty of people moving slowly, hugging the solid railings, or testing the glass with a tentative foot.
- Watch thrill-seekers bungee jump off the platform—it's a jaw-dropping spectacle.
Tickets: The combined B route (Grand Canyon + Glass Bridge) is around 178–220 RMB-. The full loop—bridge, hike down into the canyon, and boat ride—takes about 2.5–3 hours-.
Pro Tip: You can't take backpacks or professional cameras onto the bridge. Lockers are available before you enter-.
4. Visit 72 Wonder Tower at Night
Every tourist in Zhangjiajie City comes to 72 Wonder Tower after sunset—and for good reason-. The number 72 symbolizes "supreme" in Chinese culture, and this 109.9-meter tower holds the Guinness World Record for the "World's Tallest Stilted Building"-.
What to expect:
- The tower itself is actually empty, surrounded by streets filled with shops and eateries.
- The whole place comes alive at night with roaming cosplay characters, food stalls, games, and various performances.
- Don't miss the City Opening Performance (18:00, 19:00, 19:30), the tower lighting up (19:50), the bonfire party (21:35), and the "Ten Miles of Foreign Land" performance (22:05).
Tickets: Day tickets are 48 RMB (enter before 4:30 PM and stay till closing—best value!), night tickets are 88 RMB. Students pay 60 RMB; children under 14 and seniors over 70 enter free-.
5. Discover Furong Ancient Town
Formerly known as Wang Cun, this ancient town of over 2,000 years was renamed Furong Town after a movie filmed there-. It's famous for the largest waterfall in Xiangxi—60 meters high and 40 meters wide-. The sounds of this waterfall can be heard 10 miles away during peak season!-
What to do:
- Walk under and behind the massive waterfall.
- Check out performances at Xizhou Tusi Square.
- Visit the Xizhou Bronze Pillar Garden, home to a sacred object for the Tujia people.
- Try local Tujia dishes like Spicy Pork, Beef Hotpot, and Osmanthus Fish.
Getting there: High-speed train from Zhangjiajie West Station to Furong Town Station takes about 25 minutes.
Tickets: Around 95 RMB for adults.
6. Explore Fenghuang Ancient City (Phoenix Ancient Town)
Fenghuang Ancient City is a 5A-level tourist attraction named after the green mountains behind it that resemble a phoenix spreading its wings-. It's famous for its wooden stilted houses ("diao jiao lou") along the Tuojiang River, rich Miao and Tujia ethnic culture, and magical atmosphere at night-.
What to do:
- Walk across the Tuojiang Stepping Stones.
- Take a traditional wooden boat ride on the river—daytime is around 85 RMB, night cruises are 148 RMB.
- Explore the Rainbow Bridge (Hongqiao) and ancient city walls.
- Watch the nightly light show when the stilted houses illuminate the riverbanks in a spectacular golden glow.
- Rent a traditional Miao costume for a photoshoot—packages start around 200 RMB.
Getting there: High-speed train from Zhangjiajie West Station takes about 1 hour.
Tickets: The ancient town is free to enter! Only individual attractions like museums and故居 require tickets. The "Nine Scenic Spots"联票 is around 128–148 RMB-.
Where to stay: Spend at least one night to experience the town lit up at night. Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hot Springs (just outside the town) offers complimentary shuttle service-, or stay inside at Phoenix City Boutique Hotel with a river view.
7. Ride the Bailong Elevator
This massive outdoor glass elevator is an experience in itself. The Bailong Elevator (百龙天梯) is a must-do part of the Avatar mountains experience. It's a breathtaking way to ascend the mountain, offering incredible views as you rise through the forested cliffs.
The elevator is included in the add-on transportation packages for the National Forest Park. A one-way ticket costs around 65 RMB.
8. Visit Yellow Dragon Cave(Huanglong Cave)
If you need a break from the heat or just want to see something different, Yellow Dragon Cave is a 4A-level attraction touted as the "most beautiful tourist cave in China. You'll find karst caves with underground waterfalls and rivers.
Tickets: Around 118 RMB for adults, including entrance, boat ride, and a guided tour (in Chinese)-.
How long: About 2 hours.
9. Hike Golden Whip Stream
Nature lovers will love the hiking trails around Zhangjiajie. While the National Forest Park has plenty of walking paths, a simple walk along Golden Whip Stream in the National Forest Park is a 5.7km scenic wonderland. Wear comfortable shoes—you'll be doing a lot of walking!
10. Watch a Night Show
After a full day of exploring, immerse yourself in local culture with one of the highly acclaimed evening performances:
- Charming Xiangxi Show (魅力湘西大剧院) —located right next to Neodalle and Pullman hotels.
- Zhangjiajie Eternal Love Show (张家界千古情) —located near Xibu Street.
Both are immensely popular and offer spectacular performances showcasing local ethnic culture, music, and dance-.
Whether you're here for the otherworldly landscapes, the adrenaline of the glass bridge, or the charm of ancient towns, Zhangjiajie has something for everyone. You don't have to do it all—just pick the experiences that match your style and go from there!
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