How many days in Zhangjiajie should you allow for your Itinerary?
If you’re planning a trip to the stunning natural wonder of Zhangjiajie, you might be wondering: How many days in Zhangjiajie should you spend to truly explore this popular UNESCO World Heritage site?
From its awe-inspiring mountains, glass bridges, and scenic parks, a well-planned Zhangjiajie itinerary can help you make the most of your time in this picturesque destination.
Whether you’re looking to wander around the top of the Avatar Mountains or experience the longest cable car ride in the world at the Tianmen Mountains, knowing how much time to dedicate to each attraction and to your Zhangjiajie itinerary, will ensure a perfect trip.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through an ideal Zhangjiajie itinerary to help you decide exactly how many days in Zhangjiajie will give you the best experience.
- How many days in Zhangjiajie should you allocate for your China Itinerary?
- Getting to Zhangjiajie
- Where to stay in Zhangjiajie
- Top 7 Things to do in Zhangjiajie
- Wulingyuan National Park
- Tianmen Mountain – “Heaven’s Gate”
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon
- 72 Strange Buildings
- Furong Ancient Waterfall City – 30minutes by bullet train
- Booking Tickets in Advance to Zhangjiajie
- Suggested Zhangjiajie Itinerary (3 Days)
- The Wrap on Zhangjiajie National Park
- Explore the rest of our China Guides and Itinerary’s
How many days in Zhangjiajie should you allocate for your China Itinerary?
Deciding how many days in Zhangjiajie to spend really depends on a few factors, such as your preferred travel pace and the number of Zhangjiajie attractions you’d like to explore. Whether you enjoy taking your time or prefer a more packed itinerary will influence how many days in Zhangjiajie you need to fully enjoy everything this stunning destination offers.
We recommend spending at least 3 nights in Zhangjiajie to get the most out of your visit. This amount of time allows you to steadily explore the top attractions and truly soak in the natural beauty of the area.
Getting to Zhangjiajie
The easiest way to get to Zhangjiajie is by plane, highspeed train or overnight sleeper train. Below I have set out the best options.
By Plane:
The quickest way to reach Zhangjiajie is by flying into Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG). You can find direct flights from many of China’s major cities.
Alternatively, you may choose to fly to Changsha which is a popular city worthy of exploring itself. There are even more flight options connecting Changsha with other major cities in China. You will then need to take a bullet train to Zhangjiajie which will take approximately 2.5 – 4hours.
By Train:
If you prefer train travel, Zhangjiajie is accessible via high-speed rail to many China Cities. You can also choose to take overnight sleeper train to Zhangjiajie.
We caught a high speed train from Shangrao (Wangxian Valley) which was one of Itinerary highlights.
Train Tips:
We booked all our Trains (plus Flights and Hotels) using the Trip.com app. They have a great booking platform, with live agents and access to book, change, and refund your train tickets. They also have a much larger selection of Hotel’s than any other platform.
Where to stay in Zhangjiajie
We decided to stay in three different areas for our Zhangjiajie Itinerary. This was so we were more central to the Wulingyuan National Park / Grand Canyon and then to Tianmen Mountain and 72 Strange Buildings and finally to the ancient Furong Waterfall Town. You can choose to base yourself at either one and commute to the other attractions (50-60minutes) or do what we did and split your time and experience multiple guesthouses.
Wulingyuan
The benefit of staying here is that you are close to the Wulingyuan National Park which includes the Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain and Baofeng Lake. You are also much closer to the Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge being only a 40-50 minute taxi ride away.
We highly recommend staying where we stayed which was: Happy Stay
This was only a 15minute walk to the Wulingyuan National Park as well as the main street in Zhangjiajie, Xibu Ancient Street. Our suite had a river view with free standing bath, which was such a great way to relax and unwind at the end of a day exploring. The Happy Stay hotel is modern and new and was a perfect base. The host was so helpful in mapping out our route as well!
Tianmen Mountain & The Zhangjiajie Railway Station
Another central spot to stay is near to the Tianmen Cable Car and / or the Zhangjiajie Railway Station. This will give you easy access to explore Tianmen Mountain and the 72 Strange Buildings complex. It is also an easy base if you plan to catch a train to Furong Waterfall town or the Pheonix Ancient City.
We stayed at the Zhangjiajie Waterfront Huajian Inn which was a waterfront guesthouse with another free-standing bath (yes, I loved these 🙂 overlooking the river, city lights and Tianmen Mountains.
Zhangjiajie Waterfront Huajian Inn was approximately 2 km from the Tianmen Cable Car, the main street and railway station.
Furong Ancient Waterfall Town
We discovered the only guest house that offered full front views of the waterfall, while most other guesthouses only have behind, partial or side views. You can take a look at the hotel we booked here: Tuwang Palace Babutang
Search ALL guesthouses in Zhangjiajie here
Top 7 Things to do in Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, often referred to as the home to the Avatar Mountains, is a picturesque town nestled in the heart of China’s Hunan Province. What we didn’t expect is the Avatar Mountains are just one of many many attractions. It is a stunning blend of natural wonders, modern attractions and charming guesthouses.
Zhangjiajie became famous for its out of this world landscapes, and the cities popularity exploded when it was named as the inspiration behind the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.
Zhangjiajie has many attractions and things to do! We have set them out below so that you can best work out how many days in Zhangjiajie you will need and to plan the ultimate Zhangjiajie Itinerary:
Wulingyuan National Park
Inside the Wulingyuan National Park you will find many incredible attractions. You can do these all in one very large day, or opt to take your time over 1 to 2 days.
Wulingyuan Highlights
- Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountains
- Tianzi Mountain
- Baofeng Lake
We suggest you prioritize Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountains, which can be done together in one day.
Where we stayed: Happy Stay
1. Yuanjiajie ‘Avatar mountains’ (Wulingyuan National Park)
A standout feature of the Yuanjiajie area is the opportunity to ride the Bailong Elevator, the tallest outdoor elevator in the world. The ride offers stunning views of the Avatar Mountains, making the ascent to the top of the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area an unforgettable experience.
Once at the top, you follow the walking trails and endless lookouts before eventually stopping by the No. 1 Natural Bridge for breathtaking views. You will then take the cable car down, for more close-up views of the avatar mountains from a different perspective.
We decided to purchase the multi day / multi trip pass. This gave us unlimited access to the park, cable cars, elevator and buses for 4 days for only $5 more.
The pass we bought was: Zhangjiajie Forest Park + Three Cableways and One Elevator (Multi-trip tickets)
We booked our tickets through Klook and you can use our discount code to get 10% off your bookings. TRAVELLIVNKLOOK
2. Tianzi Mountain (Wulingyuan National Park)
The next highlight of the Wulingyuan National park is Tianzi Mountain. You can either catch a bus or the cable car up the top of the mountains, where you will find more hiking paths and spectacular views and lookouts. We recommend exploring Tianzi Mountain by taking the cable car both ways, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the majestic rock pillars.
This is included in your Zhangjiajie Multi Ticket – Zhangjiajie Forest Park + Three Cableways and One Elevator (Multi-trip tickets)
3. Baofeng Lake & Huanglong Cave (Wulingyuan National Park)
Also, within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, you’ll find Baofeng Lake, offering a totally unique experience and one of the most serene, beautiful spots in Zhangjiajie. Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush forests, the lake is perfect for a peaceful boat ride, exploring nearby temples, or hiking through the scenic surroundings.
Baofeng Lake and Huanglong Cave Private Day Tour
Tianmen Mountain – “Heaven’s Gate”
Tianmen Mountain, also known as “Heaven’s Gate,” is another remarkable natural wonder. Its extraordinary features include the Tianmen Cave, which was formed over thousands of years. Visitors can also walk along suspended pathways at the mountain’s summit, enjoy the glass bridge, and experience the 99 bends and 999 stairs. To reach the top, take the world’s longest cable car ride, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and forests.
Highlights of Tianmen Mountain
- Tianmen Cave: Tianmen Cave is the centerpiece of Tianmen Mountain, an iconic natural arch located at the top of 999 stairs.
- Suspended Walkways: You can walk around the entire mountaintop on a series of suspended walkways. And trust me, they’re as impressive as they are a little scary!
- Glass Walkway: Here, you’ll have the chance to walk across a glass-bottomed walkway that clings to the mountain’s edge. Definitely not for the faint-hearted!
- The 999 Steps: These 999 steps, according to Chinese tradition represent good luck and are a steep set of stairs that rise to the peak of the Tianmen Cave.
- Light Show after dark the Tianmen Cave and 999 Steps come alight with an impressive light show.
TIP: We opted for Route A and arrived at 1pm, timing it perfectly to be at the 999 Stairs and Tianmen Cave for the stunning light show at sunset. The other routes, which follow the journey in reverse, are usually quieter. If you prefer to skip the light show, you can choose one of these alternative routes.
Tianmen Mountain was VERY BUSY and we suggest you get your tickets before you arrive. You will need to select your time slot as well as pick your route. We purchased our tickets through Klook, and you can use our discount code to get up to 10% off.
Tickets: Tianmen Mount Entry & Cable Car Tickets
Where we stayed: Waterfront Huajian Inn
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon
The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is a suspended icon of Zhangjiajie. Perched 300 meters above the ground and spanning 430 meters across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, this insta-famous bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the deep gorge below, and an expansive landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Bungee Jumping: If you’re brave enough, you can also take part in bungee jumping from the bridge for a thrill-seeking once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: After visiting the bridge, you can explore the canyon below, admiring its dramatic cliffs and vegetation.
Grab your tickets here: Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Tickets
72 Strange Buildings
The 72 Strange Buildings Complex in Zhangjiajie is a quirky collection of oddly shaped structures that make a bold statement and will make you feel like you’ve entered another dimension. They are particularly beautiful at night.
However, it’s not just about the unique architecture, this tourist spot also hosts traditional cultural shows every afternoon and evening, plus an opportunity to taste delicious local dishes at a variety of restaurants.
Entry is approximately $15usd (88CNY) after 4.30pm or $3usd (20CNY) before. You can pre-purchase your tickets through Trip to save lining up. 72 Strange Buildings
Opening Hours: 10:30~23:00 (changes slightly from season to season)
Furong Ancient Waterfall City – 30minutes by bullet train
The ancient Furong waterfall town is located only 40 minutes by high-speed train from Zhangjiajie. It is a hidden gem that offers both natural beauty, cultural charm and definitely worthy of an overnight stay. The town’s centerpiece is the magnificent Furong Waterfall, a spectacular 68-meter-high waterfall that plunges dramatically into an emerald lake below.
In addition to the waterfall, the town boasts picturesque traditional buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, giving it an authentic, old-world feel.
Furong Waterfall Town offers an unforgettable experience and is must for anyone visiting Zhangjiajie.
TIP: The best way to fully experience Furong Ancient Waterfall Village is by staying overnight. As night falls, the village transforms, with the waterfall and surroundings illuminated in a stunning display of lights.
We discovered the only guest house that offered full front views of the waterfall, while most other guesthouses only have behind, partial or side views. You can take a look at the hotel we booked here: Tuwang Palace Babutang
Booking Tickets in Advance to Zhangjiajie
We suggest you book your tickets in advance for your Zhangjiajie attractions. This will save you having to line up twice (once to get a ticket and once to get in), and let me tell you, lines can be very VERY long! In China, certain attractions also sell out so it’s always advisable to prebook.
Zhangjiajie Ticket List:
- Zhangjiajie Forest Park + Three Cableways and One Elevator (Multi-trip tickets)
- Tianmen Mount Entry & Cable Car Tickets
- Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Tickets
- 72 Strange Buildings
- Baofeng Lake and Huanglong Cave Private Day Tour
Suggested Zhangjiajie Itinerary (3 Days)
Over 3 Day you will explore the BEST Zhangjiajie has to offer.
Day 1: Zhangiajie ‘Avatar’ Mountain & 72 Strange Buildings Night Show
Wulingyuan National Park (Avatar Mountain)
Morning: Wulingyuan National Park (Avatar Mountain)
Midday: Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area:
Evening: 72 Strange Buildings
Stay: Happy Stay
Day 2: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge & Canyon or Baofeng Lake & Tiamnmen Mountain
Morning:
- OPTION 1: Explore the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
- OPTION 2: Baofeng Lake for a tranquil boat ride.
Midday: Tianmen Mountain (Route A)
Evening: At sunset watch as the 999 Steps are light up for a magical lightshow.
Stay: Waterfront Huajian Inn
Day 3: Zhangjiajie to Furong Waterfall Old Village
For your final day in Zhangjiajie, we suggest catching a High Speed Bullet Train to the Furong Waterfall Village. This was a highlight of our complete China Trip and is NOT TO BE MISSED!
Getting to Furong Waterfall Town from Zhangjiajie
You will need to prepurchase your high speed rail tickets tickets in advance, as they do sell out. We book all our trains through trip.com. It is a very easy site to navigate, you can make change and cancel bookings easily, and they have a live customer service team available 24/7.
Where to stay in Furong
We have just one recommendation for where to stay in Furong Waterfall Town and that is Tuwang Palace Babutang. This guest house offers the best views throughout the entire town. It’s the only guesthouse with direct, front-facing views, providing by far the most stunning panorama of the entire valley.
Tuwang Palace Babutang – 180° Waterfall-view Double Room
The Wrap on Zhangjiajie National Park
No matter how many days you spend in Zhangjiajie, you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with its natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes.
If you haven’t booked your flights yet, consider this your sign to hit BOOK! Pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Zhangjiajie!
Let us know if you have any questions, we’d be happy to answer them 🙂
