4-Day Zhangjiajie Itinerary: Avatar Mountains for Luxury Lovers

Guest contributor Agness Walewinder has lived in China on and off since 2011, exploring extensively most corners of the country. Follow her 4-day Zhangjiajie itinerary for a deluxe trip to the fairytale “Avatar” mountains.

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Zhangjiajie is a real hidden treasure for everyone who loves mountains, nature and, above all, hiking.

Zhangjiajie itinerary: 4 days

Day 1: Explore Changsha

The best place to kick off your Zhangjiajie travel adventure is Changsha, the capital of Hunan province.

Located on the Xiang River, the city is located some 300 miles from Zhangjiajie.

Then take a cab to the hot springs in the city center. If you don’t feel like going on your own, book a tour with a guide at your hotel.

The hot springs will relax you and prepare your muscles for hiking in Zhangjiajie later on.

Now go for a stroll around the city center.

There are plenty of street performances where you’ll see local women wearing traditional Hunan clothes, dancing and singing mountain songs.

These performances take place daily and you can have a chat with the dancers afterwards.

Changsha city center is also filled with small souvenir shops so you can buy a few gifts for back home too.

Day 2: Travel to Zhangjiajie

On the second day of your 4-day Zhangjiajie itinerary, take a taxi to Changsha Airport, where you’ll fly straight to Zhangjiajie.

You’ll have the entire rest of the day to explore the city.

You can go shopping. Or you might want to rent bikes to cycle around.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to pack your camera as the city scenes, against the backdrop of the Avatar mountains, are worth capturing.

Just be sure to get an early night, because the next day you’re going to be exploring the National Forest Park with a guide booked through your hotel – and you’ll want lots of energy for this!

Pssst! Want to do a Yangtze River cruise in China? It’s one of the best river cruises you can do

Day 3: Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

No words can quite describe what it’s like to hike through the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

The Avatar forest park is part of the huge Wulingyuan Scenic Area (an area larger than 100 square miles).

Stuffed with more than 3,000 rocky pillars rising up between deep ravines, Wulingyuan was designated China’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In particular, the Southern Sky Column – which rises 3,544 feet high – caught the attention of the movie producer and his production team.

In 2010, the Chinese renamed this column the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” after the highest-grossing film of all time.

You’ll pay a quick visit to the mist-shrouded Golden Whip Stream, a clear ribbon of water running through what is called “The Most Beautiful Valley in the World.”

You’ll also stop at Huangshi Village and Natural Gallery, a small village that can only be reached on foot or by cable car.

At 3,500 feet above sea level, it has incredible viewing platforms overlooking the pillar-like rock formations.

If time and your energy level allow, continue on to explore Tianzi Mountain (Tianzishan).

Known for its breathtaking scenery, Tianzi Mountain is characterized by towering old sandstone pillars. Locals call it the “Monarch of the Peak Forest.”

Don’t worry about admission fees for all these sightseeing spots as they’ll be included in your guide price.

A fine way to end this day is with dinner at Zhangjiajie Hua Mei Lou, a charming restaurant made of bamboo where you can enjoy delicious fish and bacon dishes.

Day 4: Cruise to the Yellow Dragon Cave

Today is all about the boat cruise on Baofeng Lake and exploring Yellow Dragon Cave.

Baofeng Lake is a few miles away from the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

The boat cruise is very relaxing. It’s another of the incredible things to do in Zhangjiajie – you’ll see waterfalls and reflections of the mountains in the water.

Inside the Yellow Dragon Cave, marvel at its enormous caverns and magical stalagmites and stalactites.

As this will be your last Zhangjiajie Avatar mountains travel day, don’t forget to visit the famous Charming Xiangxi Theater. You’ll see colorful folk performances that will give you a brief introduction to the culture of Zhangjiajie.

Day 5: See Fenghuang (Optional)

If you wish to travel more around the area, on your fifth day you can move to Fenghuang – an ancient Chinese town frozen in time, located about 125 miles away.

It’s not a far distance away, but you’ll end up in a completely different world than the world of Pandora you just experienced in Zhangjiajie.

Best time to visit Zhangjiajie

April through November (from spring to fall) is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie.

April is particularly pleasant. Temperatures range between 60 and 70 degrees F, and the mountains are green and luxuriant.

July is the hottest month, with temps hitting the 90s.

October is another great month to travel to Zhangjiajie – the weather is cooler and the leaves start to turn red at the end of the month.

If you viisit Zhangjiajie: Essential information

• Tickets: Your ticket to Zhangjiajie National Park is valid for four days.
• Opening hours: The park is open daily.
• Entrance gates: There are five entrances to the park, though most visitors use just two. Wulingyuan Entrance (East Gate) in Wulingyuan town is the primary gateway. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance (South Gate) is where the Golden Whip Stream hike ends.
• Shuttle buses: Free shuttle buses are provided inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, so you can easily access the main attractions.

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Photo credits: 5, 8, 9 Agness Walewinder

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