How to see the best in Zhangjiajie in 2 days: a proven route and tips
If you are planning a trip to ChinaZhangjiajie National Forest Park will almost certainly be on your must-see list.
It’s a truly unique place – it was the inspiration for the soaring mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar. I was there recently and was delighted. The park is large and disparate, so at least two full days to experience its atmosphere (excluding nearby attractions such as the Tianmen Mountains).
Below are practical tips and my personal notes on how to plan 1-2 days in Zhangjiajie. A little secret: with a local guide, you will see more stories and secluded spots that are not listed on the maps.
Where better to stay
The first thing to decide is where to base yourself. Options:
Zhangjiajie Town is the main city with an airport and a railway station. Although it bears the same name as the park, it is located about 30 km south of it. I chose this option because I wanted to visit Tianmen Mountain: the cable car for it is right in the city. I can recommend Hotel California - the owner is very helpful with transfers and tips.
Wulingyuan Town is a small town at the east entrance to the park. Easy to access: there are many hotels and restaurants if you want to wake up next to nature.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - inside the park there is a hotel YOLO Resort. Staying here is convenient if you want to get ahead of the crowd and catch the dawn or sunset right from the top is a great way to get a feel for the place.
Examples of hotels in the region:
Hotel California; Yoba Boutique; Hampton by Hilton; Zhangjiajie YOLO Resort.
How to get to the park
The park is located about 30 km north of the town of Zhangjiajie, so you need transport - the trip by car takes about 40 minutes, by bus - about an hour.
- Tour (recommended for convenience)
The easiest way is a tour package, especially if you don’t want to think about transfers and tickets. Less flexibility in the route. There is a good two-day tour of the Zhangjiajie area on GetYourGuide with transport and an English speaking guide - a proven option if you need convenience and on-site explanations.
- Bus (cheap)
The cheapest way is by bus. Bus station in the center of Zhangjiajie, there are flights even from the airport. Departures every 15 minutes, from 6:30 to 18:30 in winter and until 19:00 in summer.
Taxi (fast and inexpensive by local standards)
Taxis are a simple option, prices are generally more pleasant than in Western Europe. Taxis are easy to find in the city, but for peace of mind you can order the day before. If based in Wulingyuan, there is a transfer from the airport (you can book), and Zhangjiajie Town usually helps with a taxi booking at the hotel.
Combined option: in the morning you can go by taxi, so as not to miss the early bus, and in the evening to return by bus - so I did: convenient and economical.
What else to consider?
The park has observation decks with impressive panoramas and one platform with a 360° view - a great point for photos.
If you want to catch the sunrise or sunset without crowds - discuss with the administration of the hotel YOLO Resort the possibility of early rise / extended stay on the territory.
A local guide will add context: legends, names of peaks and optimal routes – this significantly enlivens the walk.
To sum up: Zhangjiajie is worth a minimum of two days if you want to see the main points and take your time. Book your hotel wisely (especially if you are planning Tianmen), think about the transfer and, if possible, find a local guide - he will reveal the park from a new side.
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