Zhangjiajie Facts
Zhangjiajie, nestled in south-central China, is not a bustling metropolis in the traditional sense, but it has quickly become a global spotlight in recent years. It owes its fame to unique landscapes such as jagged and towering stone peaks, heart-pounding cliff-side observation elevators, glass bridges spanning deep canyons, and alpine cable cars that rank among the longest in the world. On social media platforms like Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok, it enjoys constant high popularity, with appeal comparable to top-tier Chinese tourist cities such as Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. Moreover, it holds a special place in the hearts of South Korean tourists—for them, Zhangjiajie even surpasses these "classic destinations" and tops the list of must-visit places in a lifetime.
Chinese Name: 张家界 (Zhāng Jiā Jiè)
Population (2024): 1.4869 million
Area: 9,653 square kilometers (approximately 3,727 square miles)
Administrative Division: 2 municipal districts (Yongding, Wulingyuan) and 2 counties (Cili, Sangzhi)
Area Code: 0744
Postal Code: 427000
GDP (2024): 65.44 billion RMB (equivalent to approximately 9.1 billion US dollars)
Major Ethnic Groups: Han, Tujia, Bai, Miao, etc. (a total of 33 ethnic groups reside here)
Unlike Beijing and Xi'an, which are known for historical relics, and Shanghai, which is marked by modern skyscrapers, Zhangjiajie's charm stems from the uncanny craftsmanship of nature over millions of years. There stand nearly 3,000 quartz sandstone pillars here. When shrouded in clouds and mist, they may resemble graceful maidens, soldiers ready for battle, or cute animals, creating a dreamlike scene. Beyond that, natural caves hanging on mountainsides, lake surfaces as clear as mirrors, streams meandering through forests, lush primeval forests, and macaque groups wandering in the woods together form a vibrant natural picture. As early as 1992, Zhangjiajie was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List due to its unique quartz sandstone peak forest landscape.
Zhangjiajie is not only a place to enjoy scenery but also allows tourists to "interact deeply" with the landscape, making it an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts and experience-seeking travelers. You can step onto the fully transparent 300-meter-high glass bridge and feel the excitement of "walking in the air" above the canyon; you can also challenge the nearly vertical Via Ferrata steel cables on the cliffside to test your courage and physical strength; you can even climb 999 steep stone steps and gain a panoramic view after reaching the top.
In addition, Zhangjiajie carries the nostalgia of movie fans worldwide—the prototype of the stunning "Hallelujah Mountains" (floating mountains) in Avatar is exactly the "Southern Sky Pillar" here. For movie fans, taking a photo with this "alien mountain range" is undoubtedly the best tribute to the classic film.
When traveling in Zhangjiajie, you don't need to worry about language communication, payment methods, or other issues. Although English is not the local official language, English signboards are everywhere in major scenic spots, and some staff can provide basic English services. In terms of payment, international bank cards such as Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted here. There are also currency exchange windows in scenic spots and airports, making it convenient for tourists to exchange RMB.
The history of human activities in Zhangjiajie can be traced back to 4,000 to 10,000 years ago. It has been a settlement for the Tujia, Bai, and Miao ethnic groups since ancient times, and 29 other ethnic minorities also live here. To experience their cultural charm, you can watch live-action performances such as Fox Fairy of Tianmen Mountain: New Liu Hai Cuts Firewood and The Everlasting Love of Zhangjiajie to learn about folk legends through singing, dancing, and stories; you can also walk into the characteristic dwellings of ethnic minorities to experience the unique living atmosphere of stilted buildings; you can taste spicy delicacies such as Tujia bacon and Miao sour soup fish, and even put on gorgeous ethnic costumes to take photos and leave a unique memory.
Zhangjiajie is a tourist city with the triple charm of "nature + excitement + culture", and tourists with different needs can find their favorite places:
Must-visit for natural landscapes: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (core of peak forests), Tianmen Mountain (wonder of Tianmen Cave), Yuanjiajie (prototype of floating mountains), Huanglong Cave (secret cave world)
Must-try for thrilling experiences: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, high-altitude projects in Qixing Mountain, Via Ferrata in Tianmen Mountain
Must-visit for cultural experiences: Furong Ancient Town (millennium-old town), Fenghuang Ancient Town (border town style), 72 Wonderful Towers (folk architecture complex)
Zhangjiajie's attractions are widely distributed, especially Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which is very large, so it is necessary to allocate time reasonably. The following itinerary is recommended for reference:
Basic Tour (3 days): Spend 1.5 days visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (explore core areas such as Jinbian Stream and Tianzi Mountain in depth), half a day checking in at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, half a day touring Tianmen Mountain (including Tianmen Cave and Glass Plank Road), and the remaining half a day can be spent visiting 72 Wonderful Towers or Qixing Mountain.
In-depth Tour (5 days): On the basis of the 3-day basic tour, add 2 more days to visit the nearby Furong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town to experience the slow life of ancient towns in western Hunan.
By Air: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is the main air gateway. There are direct flights from most domestic cities (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Changsha, Hong Kong, Chengdu); internationally, there are also direct flights from countries such as South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. If there is no direct flight from your city, you can first fly to Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong, then transfer to a flight or high-speed train to Zhangjiajie.
By Train/High-Speed Train: Zhangjiajie West Station (high-speed railway station) and Zhangjiajie Station (ordinary-speed railway station) have direct connections to many cities in China. If tickets for direct trains are sold out, Changsha is the best transfer option—first arrive in Changsha, then transfer to a high-speed train (about 2.5 hours) or ordinary-speed train to Zhangjiajie.
Local transportation in Zhangjiajie is convenient: there are multiple long-distance buses running between the city center and major attractions (such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain) every day; city buses cover major business districts and transportation hubs; taxis (including online-hailing cars) are available on call, and you can also choose shared bicycles for short trips to easily explore the street scenery.
Questions & Answers on Zhangjiajie Travel
