2 Days Mini Group Zhangjiajie Tour, No Shopping

At 7:00 to 8:00 this morning, our guide will punctually show up at your hotel lobby according to the agreed time and warmly greet you to set off on the journey to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We offer pick-up service from hotels near the East Gate of the Park in Wulingyuan District and also in downtown Zhangjiajie. However, you are advised to book your hotel near the East Gate for your convenient access to the park. Rest assured that the area is well developed, with a wide variety of safe and hygienic hotels and restaurants for you to choose from. Of course, we will be happy to provide you with some dining and accommodation recommendations if you need them.

The beauty of Zhangjiajie Forest Park can not only bring you a visual feast, but also a shock to the soul. Every tree, stone, and mountain here bears the extraordinary workmanship and endless charm of nature. In particular, there are more than 3,000 sandstone peaks of various shapes rising from the ground, some like swords straight into the sky, some like giant bamboo shoots breaking out of the soil, and some like fairies dancing, which will certainly amaze you. It also boasts dense subtropical forests, clear streams and deep valleys, making it an ideal habitat for a wealth of rare plants and animal species. It is right the breathtaking landscapes that make the park a must-visit destination for every travel connoisseur.Since the sights we will visit today are all up the mountains, we will first take you to ride the Bailong Elevator, which can save your time and energy. As the world’s highest, fastest, and largest sightseeing elevator hanging on the edge of a cliff, it takes only 88 seconds to transport us to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area at the top, while also offering stunning views of Sky Garden and Divine Soldiers Party across the valley. Before the elevator was built, it was not an easy thing to witness the primitive natural beauty of Zhangjiajie. To get to the summit, it used to require either a three-hour trek along treacherous trails or a five-hour drive on rugged winding mountain roads. So its appearance is nothing short of a miracle. Follow our guide out of the carriage, and you will see an otherworldly stone peak rise from the unfathomable gully, with its upper and lower parts being almost equally thick, like a loyal guardian protecting this land. It is the Hallelujah Mountain, the representative karst peak of Zhangjiajie Forest Park, also known as the “floating mountain” which gives the fantastic visual effect of the movie ‘Avatar’. Also you will be led to discover other breathtaking sights, such as No. 1 Bridge under Heaven and Enchanting Platform.

For lunch, perhaps enjoy local specialties at your own expense at a hygienic restaurant on the mountain. If you are uncertain about which one to go, our guide will be happy to offer you some advice. Then, continue our way to Yangjiajie Scenic Area by eco-bus. Before 2008, Yangjiajie was still a neglected corner for visitors. But as soon as it was introduced, it was highly sought after by people all over the world. Once a director of the photography department of the magazine China Today and his several American friends visited here, and they were so fascinated by the beautiful scenery that they stayed in a cave for a few days. What will attract you most would be the Natural Great Wall, a rare geomorphic peak wall landscape in the world, with extremely high ecological and aesthetic value. Simon Winchester, an international geologist, exclaimed that it was as grand as the Chinese Great Wall.

After that, let’s ride the bus again and head to Tianzi Mountain. We arranged the route this way because this would be the best time for a stunning sunset, something that great photographers dream of. And with the commentary of our guide, you will definitely tell which one is the Imperial Brush Peak. It is said that the cylindrical peak in front of it is turned from an imperial table, on which is engraved with a pair of couplets left by Xiang Da Kun, a Tujia king. But no one has yet made it to its top to find out if this is the case. Finally, take the cable car down the mountain and get back to the hotel.

After your delightful breakfast, our guide will escort you to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which takes about 40 minutes on the way. As the “Zhangjiajie Landform Museum”, it not only has the traditional mesmerizing natural scenery, but also is a treasury of folk legends. One of its original names was Rotten Boat Gorge, supposedly because of many rotten canoe boards that gushed from the Shenquan Lake in the canyon, and locals could not explain where they came from. The main reason we are here is to experience the Glass Bridge, which lies across the canyon like a transparent dragon. It is the longest and highest of its kind in the world, and your every step on it will allow you to enjoy the magnificent charm of nature in a thrilling adventure. Next, walk back and go for your self-arranged lunch.

The schedule in the afternoon is to explore Tianmen Mountain (Heaven's Gate Mountain), the highest and the earliest-recorded sacred mountain in Zhangjiajie. It was originally known as Songliang Mountain, but changed its name due to a sudden opening of a hole, which was later the world-famous Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), in The Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280). Let’s set off on a car journey to the downtown lower cableway station, from where the guide will accompany you to take the world’s longest ropeway, at 7,455 meters (4.6 miles), to the summit. Some parts of it slope up to 39 degrees, which allows you to experience the excitement while enjoying unique karst mountain views. Then take a leisurely sightseeing on the top. Still want a little more thrill? The transparent 60-meter-long (197-foot-long) Glass Skywalk hanging over the cliff will do the trick for you. Afterwards, follow the guide down to the Tianmen Cave by the 7-level escalator to uncover its mysterious veil. Intriguingly, legend has it that the famous Chinese sage Guiguzi in the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC) once practiced invincible martial arts here. Finally, take the express cable car down the mountain.

Your 2 days small group Zhangjiajie tour draws to an end, and we will transfer you back to your hotel. As our last stop ends in the downtown area of Zhangjiajie, and to facilitate your departure next whether by train or plane, you can book a hotel for tonight here with the assistance of our guide. Hope you had a good time with us! If you still have holiday time left, you can refer to our other tours of Zhangjiajie, such as to Fenghuang Ancient Town to experience the Tujia and Miao culture. Please feel free to call us for specific information.

Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense):
In Zhangjiajie, the streets are filled with restaurants named after the Tujia Stewpot, and so is the East Gate of the forest park in Wulingyuan District. So under such circumstances, will you be curious to taste it? This is one of the most famous local dry pot dishes, made of 3 to 6 kinds of meat and vegetables, with a spicy but delicious flavor. If you want to enjoy dinner without being too crowded, we recommend you to the restaurant Chinese New Year Stewpot , which harvests quite a few repeat customers for its friendly hospitality, reasonable prices and authentic Tujia cuisine. Salty cured bacon is also a specialty of Zhangjiajie, and if you are interested, order one to try.
Average cost per person: CNY 50 / USD 7
Address: No. 633, Wuling Avenue, Jundiping Street, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie