Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains: Complete Visitor Guide (2025)

The towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie inspired the floating mountains in James Cameron's Avatar. These surreal formations—reaching 200+ meters into misty skies—are among China's most spectacular natural wonders.

This guide covers everything you need for an unforgettable visit.

Quick Facts

Info	Details
Location	Hunan Province, central China
Main attraction	Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Best time	April-May, September-November
Time needed	2-3 full days minimum
Entrance fee	¥225 (4-day pass)
Famous spot	Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

Understanding Zhangjiajie

It's Not Just One Place

"Zhangjiajie" refers to several things:

• Zhangjiajie City — The gateway city
• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — The main scenic area
• Wulingyuan Scenic Area — UNESCO site containing the park
• Tianmen Mountain — Separate mountain with glass walkways

Most visitors want the National Forest Park (the Avatar mountains) and possibly Tianmen Mountain.

The Avatar Connection

In 2010, a pillar was renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" after the film's success. The Southern Sky Column (南天一柱) was the specific inspiration. Whether you care about Avatar or not, the landscape is genuinely otherworldly.

Getting to Zhangjiajie

By Air

Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG)

• Direct flights from major cities
• Beijing: 2.5 hours
• Shanghai: 2 hours
• Guangzhou: 1.5 hours
• Xi'an: 1.5 hours

Airport to city: 30 minutes by taxi (¥50-80)

By Train

High-speed rail:

• Zhangjiajie West Station (张家界西站)
• Connected to major cities
• Changsha: 2.5 hours
• Wuhan: 4 hours

Regular trains:

• Zhangjiajie Station (older)
• Slower but more connections

From the City to the Park

To Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:

• Bus from city bus station: ¥13, 40 minutes
• Taxi: ¥100-150
• Multiple entrance gates—discuss with driver

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The Main Areas

The park is vast. Key sections:

Yuanjiajie (袁家界)

• Home to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain
• Most iconic pillar views
• Crowded but essential
• "First Bridge Under Heaven" natural arch

Tianzi Mountain (天子山)

• Highest viewpoints
• Sea of peaks
• Less crowded than Yuanjiajie
• Cable car access

Golden Whip Stream (金鞭溪)

• Valley-level walking trail
• 7.5km along stream
• Cool in summer
• Different perspective

Yangjiajie (杨家界)

• Fewer tourists
• Dramatic cliff views
• Longer hikes
• For adventurous visitors

Recommended 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain

• Enter via Wulingyuan gate
• Take Bailong Elevator up
• Explore Yuanjiajie (Avatar mountain, First Bridge)
• Walk or shuttle to Tianzi Mountain
• Cable car down
• Exit Wulingyuan gate

Day 2: Golden Whip Stream + Yangjiajie

• Enter Forest Park gate
• Walk Golden Whip Stream (3-4 hours)
• Take trail up to Yangjiajie
• Or reverse—down from above

Day 3 (Optional): Tianmen Mountain

• Separate attraction
• Cable car + glass walkways
• Full day needed
• Can skip if short on time

Getting Around Inside

Free shuttle buses:

• Connect major areas
• Included with ticket
• Run frequently
• Chinese announcements

Bailong Elevator (百龙电梯):

• "World's tallest outdoor elevator"
• 326 meters in 2 minutes
• ¥72 up, ¥72 down
• Alternative: hike (2+ hours)

Cable cars:

• Tianzi Mountain cable car: ¥76
• Yangjiajie cable car: ¥76
• Huangshi Village: ¥65 each way

Walking:

• Many trails connect areas
• Some are strenuous
• Stunning but time-consuming

Tickets and Costs

Main Ticket

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:

• ¥225 for 4-day pass
• Includes shuttle buses
• Doesn't include elevators/cable cars

Add-on Costs

Item	Price
Bailong Elevator (up)	¥72
Bailong Elevator (down)	¥72
Tianzi Mountain cable car	¥76
Yangjiajie cable car	¥76
Tianmen Mountain (separate ticket)	¥278
Tianmen Mountain glass walkway	¥5 shoe covers

Buying Tickets

• Online: Trip.com, Ctrip (book 1+ day ahead)
• On-site: Ticket windows at gates
• Passport required
• Book ahead during holidays

Tianmen Mountain (Optional)

A separate attraction, worth visiting if you have time.

Highlights

• World's longest cable car — 7.5km, 30 minutes
• Tianmen Cave — Natural hole in the mountain
• Glass walkways — Cliffside transparent paths
• 99 Bends Road — Dramatic switchback road
• Cliff-hanging walkways

Getting There

• Cable car from city center (included in ticket)
• Or bus up, cable car down

Ticket Price

¥278 (includes cable car + buses)

Time Needed

Full day. Don't try to combine with Forest Park same day.

Best Time to Visit

Weather and Seasons

Season	Weather	Crowds	Rating
Spring (Apr-May)	Mild, occasional rain	Moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Summer (Jun-Aug)	Hot, humid, rainy	High (school holidays)	⭐⭐⭐
Autumn (Sep-Nov)	Cool, clear, colorful	Moderate to high	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Winter (Dec-Feb)	Cold, possible snow	Low	⭐⭐⭐

Best months: April, May, September, October, November

Avoid: Chinese national holidays (May 1-7, Oct 1-7), summer school breaks

Fog and Visibility

The misty atmosphere is part of the beauty, but:

• Too much fog = can't see anything
• Clear days are spectacular
• Early morning often clearest
• Weather is unpredictable

Practical Tips

What to Bring

• Comfortable hiking shoes (essential)
• Rain jacket (weather changes fast)
• Water and snacks
• Sunscreen
• Portable charger
• Cash (some vendors don't take mobile pay)

Photography Tips

• Early morning for best light
• Fog adds atmosphere (if not too thick)
• Wide-angle lens useful
• Tripod for misty conditions
• Patience—wait for clouds to part

Where to Stay

Wulingyuan Town:

• Closest to main park entrance
• Many hotels and restaurants
• Convenient for park access
• Budget to mid-range options

Zhangjiajie City:

• More amenities
• Further from park
• Better for Tianmen Mountain
• International hotel chains

Inside the Park:

• Limited options
• Basic guesthouses
• Useful for sunrise photos
• Book ahead

Food

• Restaurants in Wulingyuan town
• Basic food inside park
• Local specialty: 三下锅 (Sānxiàguō) — mixed hotpot
• Tujia ethnic minority cuisine

Crowds

Zhangjiajie gets crowded, especially at:

• Bailong Elevator (lines can be 1-2 hours)
• Avatar viewpoints
• Holidays and weekends

Beat crowds:

• Arrive at park opening
• Visit popular spots early or late
• Consider off-season travel
• Yangjiajie is less crowded

Getting Back

To Other Destinations

Changsha: Train (2.5 hours), then connections Guilin: Flight or train via Changsha Chengdu: Flight (1.5 hours) Shanghai/Beijing: Direct flights

Sample 3-Day Trip

Day 1:

• Arrive Zhangjiajie
• Tianmen Mountain (full day)
• Stay in city

Day 2:

• Early bus to Wulingyuan
• Bailong Elevator up
• Yuanjiajie (Avatar mountain)
• Tianzi Mountain
• Stay in Wulingyuan

Day 3:

• Golden Whip Stream
• Or revisit favorite areas
• Depart afternoon/evening

Budget Estimate

3 days, mid-range (per person):

• Park ticket: ¥225
• Tianmen Mountain: ¥278
• Elevators/cable cars: ¥200-300
• Hotels (2 nights): ¥300-500
• Food: ¥150-250
• Transport: ¥100-200

Total: ¥1,200-1,750 (~$170-250)

Plus transportation to/from Zhangjiajie.

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Planning your Zhangjiajie trip? The China Survival Kit includes national park guides, transportation tips, and offline maps for remote areas.