Zhangjiajie Travel Guide

1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: As China’s first national forest park and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, it is renowned for its unique quartz sandstone peak forest landscape. Over 3,000 peculiar peaks rise abruptly, forming a spectacular natural panorama. Notable attractions include Huangshi Village, Jinbian Stream, and Yuanjiajie’s “Qiankun Column,” famous as a filming location for Avatar.

2. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park: Famous for the rare natural arch cave “Tianmen Cave,” it features the world’s longest alpine cableway, offering views of the 99-bend “Tongtian Avenue.” The cliffside glass skywalk at 1,400 meters is thrilling. The pristine secondary forest is often shrouded in mist, and in winter, the “Tianmen Mist” phenomenon can be observed.

3. Yuanjiajie Scenic Area: Known for its dense peculiar peaks, “Mihun Terrace” is the best vantage point, overlooking hundreds of uniquely shaped rock formations. The “World’s First Bridge,” a natural stone bridge between two peaks, is a marvel. Cliffside walkways allow visitors to experience the grandeur of the sandstone peaks up close.

4. Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve: Home to Zhangjiajie’s most spectacular sandstone peak landscapes. Iconic sites include “Yubi Peak,” resembling a calligraphy brush pointing skyward, and “Fairy Scattering Flowers,” shaped like a maiden holding a flower basket. The reserve boasts pristine ecology, rich flora and fauna, and vibrant Tujia cultural heritage. A cable car provides easy access to the summit for breathtaking views.

5. Huangshi Village Scenic Area: Known as “You haven’t truly visited Zhangjiajie without climbing Huangshi Village.” Along the trail, marvel at formations like “Dinghai God Needle” and “South Heaven Pillar.” The summit platform offers expansive views, ideal for sunrise and cloud sea watching. Dense vegetation, fresh air, and frequent sightings of wild macaques enhance the experience.

6. Jinbian Stream Canyon: Named after the Jinbian Rock by the stream, this clear brook winds through peculiar peaks and odd rocks, flanked by lush vegetation with high negative ion content in the air. Highlights include vividly shaped rocks like “Mother and Son Peak” and “Zhu Bajie Carrying His Wife,” alongside rare flora and fauna.

7. Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: The world’s first high-altitude glass bridge spans Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Its transparent glass deck creates the sensation of walking in mid-air, offering a thrilling experience. The bridge hosts extreme activities like bungee jumping and zip-lining for adventure seekers. Surrounding lush canyon scenery, with cascading waterfalls, complements the bridge, making it a must-visit Zhangjiajie landmark.

8. Baofeng Lake Scenic Area: Dubbed a “heavenly jade pool,” this alpine lake has crystal-clear waters surrounded by peculiar peaks. Boat tours showcase attractions like “Baofeng Waterfall” and “Fairy Mirror,” with Tujia boatmen singing folk songs. Small islands dot the lake, and jagged rocks along the shore reflect poetically in the water.

9. Ten-Mile Gallery: A 5-kilometer canyon scenic strip lined with towering peaks, resembling an unrolled landscape scroll. Visitors can tour by sightseeing train or on foot, passing lifelike formations like “Herb-Picking Elder” and “Three Sisters Peak.”

10. Yangjiajie Scenic Area: Famous for its rugged “peak wall” landscape, hailed as “Zhangjiajie’s most spectacular peak wall wonder.” The “Natural Great Wall” stretches for kilometers with sheer cliffs, exuding grandeur. Less crowded than other areas, it retains a more pristine natural state. The highlight, “One Step to Heaven,” involves climbing an iron ladder to the summit for unparalleled views.

1. Tujia Sanxiaguo :  The most iconic Tujia dish in Zhangjiajie, combining cured pork, tofu, and radish in a single pot, offering rich flavors and a robust aroma. (Recommend：Master Hu Sanxiaguo or Lao Zao Tai Sanxiguo)

2. Cured Pork Stir-Fried with Ferns : A mountain delicacy featuring local smoked cured pork stir-fried with fresh wild ferns, blending smoky richness with the crisp texture of ferns. (Recommend：Restaurant near the spot)

3. Rice Pudding with duck blood : A Xiangxi specialty, combining duck meat with glutinous rice blood dumplings, where the tender duck and flavorful, broth-soaked dumplings create a unique taste. (Recommend："Zhai Zi Li De Bo Bo Cai" 或 "Zhangjiajiexiang Restaurant")

4. Sour Soup Fish: Made with a traditional Tujia sour soup base, featuring tender fish cooked in a spicy, appetizing broth with a smooth texture. (Recommend："Zui Xiangqin Private Kitchen" )

5. Rock Ear Stewed with Chicken: A Zhangjiajie specialty using local rock ear (a type of fungus) and free-range chicken, slow-stewed for a clear, fresh, and nutritious broth.(Recommended: Any local restaurants)

6. Kudzu Root Powder : A Zhangjiajie health food specialty, which can be mixed into a paste or made into cold jelly, offering a smooth texture and detoxifying properties. (Recommend：Supermarkets)

7. Sticky Rice Dumplings (Ciba): A traditional Tujia sticky rice snack, which can be fried, grilled, or boiled in sweet soup, with a crispy exterior and soft, fragrant interior. (Recommend: Tujia Folk Customs Park)

8. Steamed Cured Meat Platter: A mix of cured pork, cured fish, and cured sausage steamed together, allowing the fats to meld for a savory, satisfying dish. (Recommend：Zhangjiajie Old Courtyard )

9. Wild Vegetable Sticky Cakes: Made with local wild greens and sticky rice flour, featuring a soft, glutinous skin and fragrant filling, a healthy mountain snack. (Recommend："Shanli Renjia")

10. Ginger Candy : A Zhangjiajie specialty snack made from old ginger and brown sugar, sweet with a spicy kick, warming the stomach and dispelling cold. (Recommend：Liu Shi Jiang Tang)

1. Tujia Cured Meat

A traditional Xiangxi cured meat, made from local free-range pork smoked with fruitwood, featuring a rich red hue and savory aroma. Vacuum-packed for easy transport, it’s an excellent gift for friends and family.

• Address：Tujia Folk Customs Park

2. Rock Ear Mushroom

A rare mountain delicacy growing on Zhangjiajie’s cliffs, with a crisp texture and high collagen content. Often used in soups for its nutritional value, it’s beautifully packaged to highlight its rarity.

• Address: Supermarket in Wulingyuan

3. Kudzu Root Powder

A Zhangjiajie specialty health food made from wild kudzu roots harvested in deep mountains. When brewed, it forms a transparent paste, offering detoxifying and cooling benefits, ideal for modern wellness needs.

• Address: Speciality Store in City

4. Berry Tea

A traditional Tujia medicinal tea with a golden infusion, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. Rich in flavonoids, it helps manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels, and comes in convenient tin packaging.

• Address: Direct Store in Sangzhi County

5. Ginger Candy

Handmade traditional candy crafted from aged ginger juice and brown sugar, sweet with a spicy kick, known for warming the stomach and dispelling cold. Individually wrapped for hygiene and convenience.

• Address：Liu Shi Jiang Tang in Fenghuang County

6. Tujia Brocade

A national intangible cultural heritage craft, woven on traditional waist looms. Vibrant patterns reflect ethnic motifs, suitable as scarves or tapestries, with high collectible value.

• Address：Tusicheng

7. Cured Meat Steamed Platter Gift Box

A curated set of cured pork, sausage, and fish, vacuum-packed to preserve authentic flavors. Simple to steam, it perfectly showcases Xiangxi’s cured meat tradition.

• Address：Cured Meat Speciality Store in Cili County

8. Wild Honey

Harvested from pristine forests in the Wuling Mountains, this deep amber honey has a subtle medicinal fragrance. Pure and additive-free, it’s an excellent wellness product.

• Address: Tianzi Mountain

9. Sandstone Painting

A unique folk art using natural colored stones as pigments. The vivid, three-dimensional artwork captures Zhangjiajie’s landscape charm, framed elegantly for display.

• Address：Dayong Town

10. Eucommia Tea

Made from the leaves of Zhangjiajie’s unique eucommia tree, this tea has a clear, light green infusion. Known for supporting liver, kidney, and bone health, it’s packed in foil to preserve its aroma.

• Address：Souvenir Shop at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Spring (March to May):

Temperatures range from about 8-20°C, cooler in March (5-15°C) and warming up by May (15-25°C). Frequent spring rains (monthly rainfall around 150-200mm) create misty mountain landscapes, with azaleas blooming in April, and peak forests appearing faintly like an ink-wash painting.

• Suggestions: The best season for sightseeing, with Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain recommended for cloud sea views. Wear a windproof jacket, lightweight raincoat, and non-slip hiking shoes.

Summer (June to August):

Temperatures range from about 22-35°C, with July and August being hot and humid (3-5°C cooler in the mountains). June brings a humid rainy season (monthly rainfall over 300mm), followed by sudden showers in July, with post-rain cloud waterfalls frequently appearing. Jinbian Stream is ideal for cooling off.

• Suggestions: Visit Huangshi Village in the early morning to avoid the heat and explore Baofeng Lake in the afternoon. Wear quick-dry clothing, a sunhat, and bring mosquito repellent. Participate in the Tujia “Sixth of June” dragon robe airing festival in June.

Autumn (September to November):

Temperatures range from about 12-28°C, with lingering heat in September (above 25°C) and cooler nights by November (below 10°C). Crisp and clear weather (monthly rainfall under 100mm) features vibrant foliage in October, with red maples contrasting against sandstone peaks.

• Suggestions: Prioritize hiking Jinbian Stream and visiting Ten-Mile Gallery for autumn scenery, and experience the Tujia Autumn Harvest Festival. Dress in layers (sweatshirt + windproof jacket).

Winter (December to February):

Temperatures range from about -2 to 10°C, with January being the coldest (down to -5°C at summits), occasionally featuring rime ice. Dry and cold with minimal rain (monthly rainfall under 50mm), snow-draped peaks offer a serene, silver-clad landscape with fewer tourists.

• Suggestions: Visit Tianmen Mountain for ice formations and Yangjiajie for snow photography. Wear a down jacket, anti-slip ice claws, and use a camera insulation cover. Warm up with cured meat hotpot and berry tea, and experience the Tujia New Year pig-slaughtering feast.