Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (湖南 张家界 国家 森林 公园) is a unique place where you will not believe that this is all happening in reality. And if you watched the movie "Avatar", then you will recognize the satellite Pandora with its towering rock pillars. The park is located in the southwest of China, on the territory of the Wulingyuan reserve, in the Hunan province and belongs to the Wulingshan mountain system. Zhangjiajie became the first park in China to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The formation of such an unusual landscape is due to the prolonged weathering and washout of rocks. Pillar rocks are composed of quartzite and sandstone. The most beautiful rock has a height of 1080 m, the Chinese called it "Mount Avatar-Hallelujah" and put several avatar figures here, where tourists like to take pictures.
In total, there are more than 3 thousand similar rocks in the Zhangjiajie Forest Park, the third part of which rises by more than 200 m.The highest point of the area is Mount Doupeng, its height is 1890 m.
Must see: the most beautiful areas of Zhangjiajie Park
"Bridge over the sky"
"Bridge over the sky", aka Natural Bridge No. 1, is a unique creation of nature, which is located at an altitude of 357 m. The bridge connects the tops of 2 rocks. The width is 4 m, the length is 50 m and the thickness is 5 m.
Tianzishan - Mountain of the Son of Heaven
The terrain of this area is located at an altitude of 1182 m. From here it is possible to contemplate the peaks piercing the clouds. The spectacle is truly incredible!
"Elevator 100 Dragons"
The 100 Dragons Elevator (Bailong Glass Elevator) is an open lift, which is also the tallest in the world. The elevator takes you to the top of the 330 m high steep slope. The ascent in a transparent cabin will give you an unforgettable experience. The lift can accommodate up to 50 people, so not everyone is able to observe the beauty. It is better to come here in the morning, otherwise later you can get into the 4-hour queue.
Laowuchang
The wildest area of \u200b\u200bZhangjiajie National Park, where tourists walk along muddy paths. Here are the rice fields Spirit Soldiers Gathering and Paddies in the Sky. This place is especially loved by photographers.
Stream "Golden whip"
One of the most popular routes in the park, which stretches for 7 km. The path lies along a lovely stream surrounded by beautiful rocks. Of the minuses - too many people, and always.
Yellow Rocks Region
This area is located slightly north of the Golden Whip. Here is the famous Five-Fingers Peak. Tourists prefer to stay at the observation deck, because from here an incredible view opens up - and it is not at all necessary to pay for the lift.
It should also be noted that in the Wulingyuan Nature Reserve, on the territory of which Zhangjiajie Park is located, there are several natural attractions, where tickets must be bought separately:
- dragon King's Cave Longwandong - 81 ¥ ($ 12.5);
- cave of the Yellow Dragon Huanglong - 100 ¥ (16 $);
- baofeng artificial lake - 98 ¥ (15 $).
Fauna and flora
About 3 thousand species of rare plants grow on the territory. Among the rarest representatives here you can find red and pigeon trees, as well as gingko. And more than 500 representatives of the animal world live in the reserve - various monkeys, civets, salamanders, etc.
Information for visitors
The address:Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, 427400
Schedule: 07:00-18:00
Best months to visit: April, September, October
How much is needed for inspection: 3-5 days
Ticket prices:
- 4 days for 245 ¥ (38 $);
- 7 days for ¥ 298 ($ 46).
Where to stay
The nearest railway station and airport are in Zhangjiajie city. From here to the park as much as 50 km, so it makes no sense to stop in the city. Not far from the park there is a small town called (Wulingyuan). There are cafes, hotels and all the necessary infrastructure for tourists.
There are also accommodation options on the territory of the national park itself.As a rule, these are hotels with a minimum of amenities.
How to get there
By plane you can fly to Zhangjiajie from any major city in China:
- from Beijing - $ 110-130;
- from Guangzhou - $ 70-80;
- from Shanghai - $ 115;
- from Xi'an - $ 70-80.
It is better to get from the airport to the national park by taxi, the approximate cost is $ 15.
If you prefer trains, then you can consider the options:
- from Beijing (60-100 $ *);
- from Guangzhou ($ 50-80 *);
- from Shanghai (60-80 $ *);
- from Changsha ($ 30-40 *);
* the lower price is for a reserved seat, a higher price is for a coupe.
From the train stations there are buses to Wulingyuan, from where you can take a taxi or walk to the park.
All calculations are in RMB, prices are for better understanding.
To visit Zhangjiajie Park in China, don't forget:
- water;
- snack (everything is quite expensive on the territory);
- raincoat;
- comfortable shoes;
- camera;
- a map of the park;
- cash.
Remember the place called Pandora with its fabulous mountains from the movie Avatar by James Cameron? It turns out that it really exists, and all the sketches for the film were made exactly here, in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park 湖南 张家界 国家 森林 К. Of course, there are no rocks floating in the air and unusual waterfalls, alien creatures or unusual animals from You won't see a movie here either, but these stunning landscapes will stick in your memory for a long time, and the photos will amaze your friends and acquaintances.
Zhangjiajie National Park is located in the Wulingyuan Mountains in southeastern China, in the Hunan province. This place is striking in its beauty, but in addition to the magnificent landscapes, Zhangjiajie Park is also a zoo, botanical and geological reserve. The area in which the park is located is famous for its quartzite rocks, whose height reaches 800 meters, and the highest peaks of the Wulingyuan massif reach a height of more than 3 kilometers. The mountain peaks are covered with dense crowns of trees, many of which are more than one century old.
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The national park was opened in 1982. And 10 years later, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area of \u200b\u200bthe park is 13,000 sq. km. This territory is inhabited by over 500 different species of animals, as well as rather rare plant species. Among them there are such as gingko, pigeon tree, mahogany, and the animal world is represented by monkeys, birds, salamanders and even rare representatives of the feline family - civets. Sometimes visitors to Zhangjiajie National Park compare a walk through it with viewing an exhibition of traditional Chinese painting, only all the beauty here can be seen live.
And at an altitude of more than 1 kilometer above sea level, the Yellow Lion Village is spread, where representatives of three small nationalities live - Tujia, Bai and Miao, which make up 70% of the local population. Despite the fact that the Han culture had a huge influence on their traditions, they managed to preserve the national language, as well as traditional costumes, holidays and even a special architectural style.
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So, after a long 26 hour drive from Guilin to Zhangjiajie, I finally made it to the park.
The entrance to the park is paid, there is an opportunity to buy a two-day ticket for 245 yuan and a weekly pass for 298. Tickets also include domestic transportation by buses (yes, the park is large, you can't walk up here). As it turned out later, the price was not included : lifts by elevator, escalators and a paravo train that runs through the park. There is a separate fee for them, prices are in the order of 50 yuan one way.
If you are under 24 and have a student ID with you, there is a substantial discount on entry.
Tickets are checked only at the entrances to the park, no one checks tickets in the park itself, so you can easily “live” there for a month with a two-day ticket. But due to the relatively high prices in the park itself, you will most likely have to go out to withdraw money or buy provisions.
Accommodation in Zhangjiajie
There are two options for accommodation:
- In the town near the park there are many hotels and guesthouses for every budget.
- In the park itself.
But there is a small nuance: living in the city and entering the park in the morning, you will have to wait long lines every time, especially during the summer holidays and the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Living in the park itself, you can walk around it from the moment the buses start to ride in the morning, but the quality of housing there leaves much to be desired.
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I chose to stay in the park, it was important for me to be there from morning to evening. I stayed in the guesthouse of the Yoth International hostels chain (phone 0744-5713568), you can book places through Hostelworld. In order not to get confused, these guesthouses in Zhangjiajie are 2-one in the park itself and the second is near the train station.
This is very convenient, because you can come, check in at the guest house near the railway station, check from there if there are free rooms in their branch in the park and the coolest thing is that you can leave large backpacks or ask them to be delivered to the hostel in the park and then not you will have to carry all your luggage with you. Of course, I found out about all this only a few days later, having smuggled all the luggage on myself into the park.
Price:
- 40 RMB per dorm (multiple beds per room)
- 120 RMB per double room (double room)
Photo 4. 
To find a hostel, I recommend that you visit these guys http://backpacker-ru.livejournal.com/36853.html, they even have a map on their website, which they filled in with useful information.
The bus drivers do not understand English, out of the four respondents, only 1 understood where I wanted to go, despite the fact that I had a map in Chinese and the hostel was marked with a circle, so it is better to ask the guides who came to hand.
Caveat: The walking road to the hostel is very long, about two hours, and you have to overcome a huge number of steps (600 m up), so it's better to pay 50 yuan and take the elevator.
While I was running through the park with a backpack on my shoulders, locals came up to me and offered to stay with them for the night, so in addition to this hostel, apparently there are other affordable housing options.
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- During the day, the park is overcrowded .. it is better to come early or closer to closing
- Buses run until 7 pm, the roads in the park are not lit at night, it is not recommended to walk
- If you come for 2-3 days, use buses, visit the main observation points
- If you come for 3+ days, get off the main route there and quieter and much more beautiful
- If you save money, you will have to walk a lot
Photo 6. 
There were 7 days in Zhangjiajie, and a ticket for this period costs 301 yuan. They left for the National Park through the central entrance in the morning (8-9 am), returned in the evening (16-17 hours). There are many routes inside the park that you can get (from the central square inside the park) by free buses. You get to a certain place, then - at will: on foot or, having been in one place, change to another bus and go further. Inside the park, you can also move on cable cars (2 closed, 1 - small - open), on an elevator located in the rock (from which you can take pictures through glass), on foot.
The park is located in the mountains, the weather is often rainy and foggy, so you need appropriate shoes (possibly changeable with you), raincoats. Serious food on the territory of the park is impossible, therefore - either snacks (fried potatoes, chestnuts, fish, etc.), or take with you. Water (drinking) - everywhere, however, it is cheaper to take with you from the city (village). There are 5 entrances to this "complex" (since the national park is only one of the 5 territories). On one of these territories there is a lake, on the other - a cave (these are separate entrances for a fee). Better to live in a tourist village close to the main entrance. From the city of Zhangjiajie to the entrance to the park, you need to get by bus (11 yuan) or taxi, the journey time is about 40 minutes. Huge opportunities for filming with a camera and / or camera, even if there is fog. Worth visiting: cave (Sosiyuei park), Baofen lake, nat. park - repeatedly, on its territory it is obligatory to use all cable cars, the Baylong elevator, take a short trip by the funicular train (round trip), walk along the Golden Whip Stream on different paths (you can take a rickshaw, about 300 yuan), walk along glass-floored trail: unforgettable because there is an abyss under your feet, and there are rocks all around, and from the city itself on the cable car (7 km) climb Tianmen Mountain, where the Heavenly Gate is located, 999 steps lead to them, which must be walked (up / down), down to the entrance then take the bus down the serpentine road.
Stunning impressions! It is also necessary to visit the Huanglong Cave (an underground lake, on which people ride a boat, many stalactites, stalagmites, the largest - 19.4 m, everything is highlighted, it looks good in photographs). So, to travel through the park, you must have: a camera and / or camera, shoes (including removable ones), waterproof clothing, food and drink with you in a backpack (optional), it is better to live on a tour. village near the entrance to the nat. park, prepare for the fact that almost no one SPEAKS ENGLISH, the inscriptions inside the park are in Chinese and English, there are also maps with routes inside the park, but it is advisable to have a skill in order to understand them, a little desire and ability walk (a lot!), and also - A HUGE DESIRE TO SEE ALL THIS! We need to prepare to either study everything in advance (Internet forums, reviews of those who have visited), or take a guide-translator with knowledge of English (at least!) Language, and also - if you can find - texts in Russian (English) languages \u200b\u200bwith a number written in Chinese characters, denoting a particular place or name, so that you can show what exactly you need.
And one more note: if you are not too fond of national Chinese food, it will be a little difficult, then you can eat in small cafes, where you can show what you specifically want to eat (chicken, rabbit, fish, vegetables), they will quickly cook you , not bad, or eat fast food in Chinese, we found only one burger. But this all concerns living in the village, and not in the city, where there are McDonald's and, I think, many other restaurants and cafes. Good luck! Take a trip - you won't regret it!
Photo 7. 
The sensations that you experience being in the mountains of Zhangjiajie National Park or Wulingyuan are indescribable in words and photos. These protected areas in Southeast China's Hunan province must be seen with your own eyes. Mysterious mountain trails, abyss along the edge of which you walk in search of fantastic landscapes, clouds leaving from under your feet and rocks surrounded by a subtropical forest, the intoxicating air of the Suosi Valley, the magic of Lake Baofen ...
You can fly to Zhangjiajie from almost any major city in China, you can also come by train. It is more convenient to settle in the village of Wulingyuan or in the village at the entrance to Zhangjiajie National Park. Entrance to the park for 3 days costs RMB 245. The territory of the reserve is huge, it is worth downloading a map in advance and exploring the area, you can buy a map at the entrance to the park, you should take a compass with you, secluded enticing paths can lead to unexpected places. Tourist buses run through the park, a cable car has been built, and even a Baylong elevator with a transparent cabin, which rises through the rocks to the very top. If you are hungry, you can have a bite to eat with fried potatoes, fish, chestnuts, flat cakes, cooked in the old fashioned way in the fresh air by the locals, and again on your way for impressions.
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It turns out that the Avatar mountains really exist and this is not a fiction of James Cameron, for his film of the same name. Prototype pandora Mountains mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - part of the reserve Wulingyuan... After the release of the film, the tourist flow increased so much that in gratitude it was renamed in honor of the film.
Mountains in the Yunjiajie area
Bizarre rocks that rise high into the sky with lonely pillars will not leave you indifferent. The mountains are incredible, and if the fog or clouds are still low, they become "soaring".
Zhangjiajie Park and Wulingyuan Scenic Area is the first park in China to receive UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage status. And according to the Chinese system of assessing attractions, it received the highest rating - AAAAA.
Back of the dragon
The mountains were formed back in the Mesozoic era, and over millions of years in the process of weathering and washing out of sandstones and limestones, more than 3,000 pointed rocks have been formed, many of which reach 800-1000 meters in height. Today, cliffs and mountain crevices are overgrown with abundant vegetation and pine trees. Rivers and lakes, sometimes beautiful waterfalls, flow through deep gorges.
I am a lover of high mountains, and passed more than one mountain range, but these are completely different and completely different from all the others. Even on the Chinese mountains: or. But it is worth noting that here they are more touristy, and you will not have to conquer them, but this makes them no less interesting, and walking along them, you will feel like “on another planet”.
Avatar mountain route in 1 day
We spent 3 days in Zhangjiaze, but the program of the route around the surroundings was very busy, so there was only 1 full day left for Avatar Park itself.
Pagoda at the main entrance
In order not to waste time on long journeys from Zhangjiaze to the reserve, it is most convenient to settle near the central entrance to the National Park in Wulingyuan village and in just 5 minutes of walking, you will be there.
How are the attractions located in the park
Wulingyuan is very popular with travelers and even at 8:00 am there are a lot of sightseeing groups, so come even earlier, because the park is open from 6:30 am.
The queue to enter the park at 8 am
This is what the line looks like at 8 am.
The town works for travelers, so even at 7 am near the park, you will find many open cafes offering breakfast. Of course, it will be a Chinese breakfast, maybe not everyone loves rice konji, but boiled eggs, noodles and steamed rice buns can also be found.
Early morning cafes for breakfast are open
How to see Zhangjiajie Park
To avoid long lines, start exploring in the opposite direction from the excursion crowd. Choosing a bus to the lower cable car station to the area TianZiShan, with the title Lower station of Tanzishan cableway... Tourist groups go straight to the open elevator. Baylon "Bailong", so the queue there is 10 times longer and longer. In the morning we stood for only 15 minutes. on our bus.
Mountains in the Tianzishan region
Taking the cable car up the mountain Tianzishan, also called it mount Emperor, and there is a reason, because the height is 1182 m, and peaks sinking in the clouds form a real Stone Peak Forest.
Stone Peak Forest
The views here are amazing, and there are many Chinese people in the central viewing platforms, but they are surprisingly culturally standing and waiting for their turn to take a fantastic photo. If you go down a little further from the tourist routes, there are noticeably fewer people, and there are many places where you can stay alone.
It is on this site that there is a beautiful emperor's Palace pagodafrom which the most charming views open. And also McDonald's here, if someone still needs European food.
There are many different eateries at the main stops, you can easily find water or some kind of snacks. If you're not afraid, you can also try Chinese street food, all kinds of rice steamed cakes, sausages or fish balls on skewers, etc. Water, cola, corn - 10 yuan each. Sausages, eggs, steamed bun - 5 yuan each. A large tortilla or sandwich - 15 yuan each.
Rice steamed buns with different fillings
And also strange fruits, we didn't even know all the names.
Outlandish berries
A walk in this part of the park is enough for 1.5 hours.
Then take the bus to Yangjiajie (YangJiaJe)... The nature here is also breathtaking, but there are practically no people. Several paths where you already need to climb the mountain, with interesting names - The man praying to the Buddha "The man praying to the Buddha", Step to heaven "One step to the Heaven", Tiger and Dragon "The Tiger and The Dragon", Kitten fishing "The Fishing Kitten".
Mountain region with few tourists
There is also an ethnic village here Wu long, in which local residents still live and farm according to ancient traditions. Even the evidence for bees is specific here. Although mountain honey is very fragrant, we bought a jar.
In such hives honey is collected in the mountains
If you are tired of climbing the mountains, you can use the services of local Chinese, who, for a fee, will take you to the mountains in a special bamboo chair. Prices, as for a good attraction, 300-400 yuan.
In this chair you will be carried to the mountains
If you have time, you can get off the paved path to an abandoned Chinese house. But then you will have to climb the Yang Jia Je cable Way again, ticket 76 yuan.
Abandoned house in the mountains
All tourist routes and paths are carefully laid out and marked with signs, of course you need comfortable shoes, but getting around is quite easy.
If you go down far from the main attractions, be careful, the paths are already overgrown with moss and are very slippery from constant humidity, rain or dew. And the slopes, according to the height of the rocks, are very steep.
You can spend 2-3 hours here.
Hallelujah Avatar
From the upper cable car station in the area YangjiaJe by bus we will get to the tourist center in the park - Yunjiajie (YuanJiaJie)... It is here that the same mountain Avatar Hallelujah Mountain or "Stone Pillar - Support of the Sky", the highest Natural Bridge in the world connecting 2 rocks The First Bridge under Heaven.
You will immediately recognize the bridge, because it is all hung with red satin ribbons with wishes and locks of couples in love.
Lucky clasp or wish ribbon
The enterprising Chinese have even opened a kiosk here, where you can immediately buy a ribbon and a lock 😉
The first bridge under the sky
Despite the fact that there are always crowds of Chinese, from spectacular views, you do not always pay attention to them and consider them already part of the landscape.
Observation deck in Yundzadze
There are already monkeys here, of course, many want to feed these cute creatures, but some of them are impudent and snatch food themselves, and not only, from their hands. Be careful, mobile or lightweight bags can snag.
Wild monkey
In these parts, 1.5-2 hours is enough.
From YunjiaJie you can walk down to Golden Whip Stream, the path is not very difficult, about 1-1.5 hours. Or take the bus to the popular elevator Bailong.
Baylong elevator
The elevator is, of course, an "attraction for visitors", but you will spend much more time in the queue than inside the elevator. They will descend you from a height of 330 m in just 1 minute. The mountains, of course, will be beautiful, but no more.
And most importantly, there is always a huge queue to leave the elevator. We arrived at 5 pm on a weekday, stood for more than an hour on the bus. Judging by the reviews, many people were waiting in line at the elevator for 2-4 hours.
2-hour queue to the elevator
This is the main route for 1 day.
If you plan to spend 2-3 days in the reserve Wulingyuan, you can break everything into parts and walk more on footpaths. Near the mountain TianZiShan visit Ten mile gallery Natural ecological linegoing down from the Pagoda Tianzi Pagoda. Takes about 3 hours. Here, you can also travel by tourist train, the cost is 38 yuan. And from here take a bus to the Bailong elevator.
Visit part HuangShiZhai or Yellow stone village, which is a little distant.
Lesser-known mountain regions
There is still an unexplored part of the park, the area Laowuchang Area... There are practically no tourists here, so there is complete freedom for photographers.
When is the best time to go to Avatar Park
Reserve Wulingyuan open all year round, but in February, often after the Chinese New Year, the park is closed for renovation. And in winter, after all, it is not so pleasant to walk in cold mountains without the opportunity to ski. Due to heavy snowfall, many slopes and observation decks may be closed for safety reasons.
But at this time there are practically no tourists, so there is no need to waste time in queues, and no one will obstruct the snow-covered views at the observation decks. And tickets are cheaper in winter
UNESCO natural heritage
FROM april to June, here begins the season of doges and fogs. But this has its own charm, when a thick fog covers the base of the rocks, the mountain peaks seem to hang in the air and the effect of "floating peaks" is created. Although, when a thick fog is not visible absolutely nothing even after a couple of meters, in September we got into such a fog on Tianmenshan Mountain, it is a frequent occurrence there.
In the summer it is good in the mountains, although it is hot +35, but the breeze will blow you in the shade of the trees. Even at this time, high humidity and the largest influx of tourists (although on Chinese holidays May 1-3 and the beginning of October are even greater).
Zhangjiajie Park
Optimal season in september and October... We were in mid-September, the weather was perfect, no longer hot or cold. But there are many tourists. With the weather, as luck would have it, a couple of days before our arrival, there were rains, and the tourists could not see anything at all. In the same way, we, the next day, got into the fog on the mountain in Chandzyadze.
How many days does it take to visit Avatar mountains
For the Wulinyuan reserve itself, 1-3 days are enough, it all depends on how detailed you want to consider all the sites.
Due to unpredictable weather and frequent fogs, it is better to have a couple of days more in stock, and there is still a lot to see in these parts. Grand Canyon and the highest Lake Baofeng Lake), Mount Tanmen or (Tianmen mountain National Forest Park) with the longest cable car in the world, National Park Red Stone Geopark, ancient city Fenhuan.
If it rains heavily, you can safely go to "" (Yellow Dragon Cave)a huge cave, we were completely delighted with what we saw.
For how many days to come to, of course, you decide based on your schedule. In ours, we stayed here for 3 full days, but not all had time to see, we did not get to the Red Stone Forest and the authentic town of Fenhuan. And judging by the photos on the Internet, they are also very colorful places. So, when planning a route across China today, I would have laid 5 days for the Zhandzyadze area and the surrounding area.
Where are the Avatar mountains
The soaring Avatar mountains are located in China, in the Hunan province, in the Zhangjiaze urban district, in the Wulingyuan village in the reserve of the same name. First you need to get to the nearest transport center, the city of Zhangjiajie.
In the Yundzadze area
How to get to Zhangjiajie
1. By plane
Zhangqiajie can be reached from many Chinese cities. The fastest way is of course by plane, only 2-3 hours on the way from major cities in China and you will arrive in Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport... The airport receives domestic flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Nanjing, Haikou, Henyang, Yinchuan, Chongqing, Wenzhou, Jinan, Shantou.
International flights are still only a few countries: in South Korea - Busan airport, and Thailand - Bangkok airport, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan.
Average ticket prices range from 70 to 130 USD, depending on distance and season.
It takes only 15-20 minutes to get from the airport to the city and a taxi costs 40 yuan. But here, as in many other airports, taxi drivers call an exorbitant price. Therefore, you need to either bargain, or agree in advance with the hotel (provided that they speak English) about the transfer, or book the transfer yourself in advance.
If you decide to go straight to Wulingyuan, where the soaring mountains are, then the taxi will be 200 yuan, because the distance is a little more than 60 km and about 1.5 hours on the road.
You can also get from the airport to the bus station by bus number 4.
View from the observation deck
2. By train
There is a fairly good railway station in Zhangtsiadze, but high-speed trains do not run yet.
It is not very convenient to get from Beijing and Shanghai by train, since you will spend 20-26 hours on the way. And the ticket will cost 60-110 dollars, depending on which carriage you choose.
From the southern cities of China, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guilin, it is quite convenient to go by night train, it takes about 11-16 hours and a ticket costs from $ 30 to $ 50, depending on the type of carriage.
The fastest train journey is from Changsha, only 4-6 hours.
We traveled by night train from Guilin in 11 hours, the ticket cost only 263 yuan in a 1st class compartment car.
Rather, from Guilin we took a fast train to Liuzhou, just 30 minutes on the way and got on the night train to Zhangjiaze. In Liuzhou, you need to be very careful, as you need to get to another train station Liujiangfrom where high-speed trains depart. Book tickets with a margin of time, as there is 14 km between stations.
It is very easy to find a taxi, there is a whole queue of them if a normal taxi driver comes across, only 30 minutes on the way and the price is 20-30 yuan. If you see that the taxi driver is swinging and the price is completely different, go straight to the policeman at the station and the price immediately changes in the normal direction.
You can communicate with taxi drivers using an electronic translator, in China they were used everywhere, and there were absolutely no problems. Or, if you need to go to the station, immediately show the ticket, all the names of the station and the required terminal are written there, in all languages.
In the Tianzishan Mountains
We booked tickets for all trains in advance on the Internet, and upon arrival in China, we received all the boarding passes at once, going to the nearest ticket window at the railway ticket office of the first station. You just need to show your reservations and passports.
The Zhangjiajie Railway Station is ideally located for tourists and is a wonderful landmark. Directly in the city center, immediately there is a bus station and the airport is 15 minutes away.
And here is the beginning of the cable car to Mount Tanmen or Heavenly Gate, which is also a "must see" in China and in particular in these parts.
3. By bus
You can also get there by bus. There are connections with almost all major cities. But if to go to Beijing and Shanghai for a very long time, a valuable day of vacation is lost, then the bus travels to the nearest cities like Changsha only 5 hours. And to the glorious ethnic town of Fenghuan - 50 minutes.
A bridge in a mountain village
How to get to Wulingyuan
To see the coveted Avatar Mountains, you need to drive to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Wulingyuan Conservation Area.
Today the reserve has 5 entrances, each near the village of the same name.
The main entrances to the park
1. Wujiayu (Wulingyuan Gate) - The main entrance closest to Wulinguan Village, where the main hotels and restaurants are located.
2. Zimugang is the least equipped part of the park, but photographers love it
3. Luoguta (Zhanggiajie National Forest Park Gate) - The closest entrance if you go from Zhangqiatse and from here it is convenient to go to the Golden Whip Stream.
4. Yangjiajie - Not a busy part of the park, with very steep slopes and an abandoned old house
5. Tianzishan (Tianzi Mountain Gate) - If you want to get to Tianzishan Mountain before everyone else, without using the lift.
Distance to various entrances is about 30-60 km.
The most common or main entrance number 1 is Wujiayu (Wulingyuan Gate), the map shows only 42 km, but we drove twice from the station to almost the entrance to the reserve, it was 58 km. They did not drive us in circles, there is nowhere, only 1 expressway. A taxi costs 150 yuan in the afternoon, 180-200 yuan in the evening, 50 minutes on the way.
The bus can also be reached from the central bus station, they operate from 6:30 am to 19:00 in the summer. You need bus # 1 or # 21, the journey takes a little over an hour and you will pay immediately on the bus, about 20 yuan. In China, everywhere you can pay with WeChat or AliPay, so you can install the application on your mobile in advance and learn how to use it. It was a novelty for us, so we paid in cash.
Where to stay for a better view of the Avatar mountains
Since the Wulingyuan nature reserve, in which the mountains of interest to us, are located at a fairly large distance from the city of Zhangjiajie, it is best to settle right in the village, near any entrance to the park. Thus, you will save time for the morning transfer to the park (a little over an hour by bus), and in the evening you will also have money for a taxi (about 200 yuan), because the buses stop running at 19:00, and there is a high probability of being late for the last one.
The largest selection of hotels and hostels in Wulingyuan Village, near the main entrance. Also in the village there are enough cafes, shops, ATMs, there is a central bus station.
Streets in Wulingyuan
Almost all hotels and hostels do not offer breakfast, but this is not a problem. After all, the area is tourist, and in the early morning cafes offering breakfasts are already open everywhere. There are especially many of them when approaching the main entrance to the park.
Of course, you can stop at any other entrance to the park, but the infrastructure there is more modest, basically only hostels and there is no such choice of dishes in cafes, basically only all kinds of "nudels" - noodles, in our opinion.
It is quite sad with the cultural program in the evening in distant villages, where there is nothing to do except stay in a hotel or a nearby cafe.
There is even a theater in Wulinyuan, show "Charming Xiangxi" grand show, starting at 19:00, ticket price - 228-308 yuan. The show is quite spectacular, a lot of dances and acrobatics, based on folk legends and traditions.
Ancient Chinese raincoat
Be sure to go to local restaurants in the evening, there are so many unusual dishes, it's good at least there are pictures on the menu. Unfortunately, dishes from rare animals were also on the menu.
The most popular hostel right next to the entrance to the reserve was this hostel. According to reviews, clean, great service and most importantly, English speaking staff. On average, a room costs from $ 15.
We stayed at this hotel, also very close to the main entrance of Wulingyuan, clean and excellent staff. We were given a map and, having learned our preferences, they wrote out the route, how best to walk in Zhanzyadze Park. We were also prompted to deliver luggage to the hotel in the city of Chandzyadze the next day. It costs only 20 yuan per suitcase. Also, the administrator filled in all the addresses in Chinese. A full room for two, with a mountain view cost $ 26. Zhandzyadze, then I recommend this hotel, the price is $ 26 or this hotel, the price is $ 19. Both hotels are located in the center, close to the Tianmenshan ski lift and next to the train station. Also in both hotels the staff speaks English.
2019 ticket prices for Wulingyuan
The park is huge and in order to see a larger or better part of it in 1-2-3 days, it is better to come as early as possible.
In summer, the park is open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm
In winter from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
4 days ticket - 245 yuan, annual subscription - 298 yuan. The ticket is personalized, when you buy you show your passport and at the entrance they take a fingerprint, so do not confuse the ticket when you enter the next day.
The buses running through the park are included in the ticket price, and you can change to any of them as many times as you like.
But here is additional transport or entertainment, you need to pay separately.
Cable car
Huangshi Fort Cable Car (Yellow Stone Village area) - one way 65 yuan, both 118 yuan.
Cable car to Tianzishan mountain (TianZi Mountain) - 72 yuan
Yangjiadze cable car (YangJi Je) - 76 yuan
Tourist train along the 10-mile gallery (Ten-mile gallery Sightseeing tram) - one way 38 yuan, round trip - 52 yuan
Bailong elevator - 72 yuan
Charming Xiangxi Show - from 228 to 308 yuan
Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglong Cave) - 100 yuan
Baofeng Lake - 96 yuan
Museum of Technology and Science (Dani Science and Technology Museum of Zhangjiajie)- 98 yuan
1. You need comfortable footwear for long walks, preferably one that does not slip. Of course, almost all of the paths are paved with steps. But sometimes, if you go down further from the hiking trails, the steps are covered with moss and very slippery.
2. Remember that all buses and cable cars stop moving one hour before the park closes. So if you climbed high, you have to go down on your own.
3. Of course, on the territory of the reserve there are cafes and food stalls. But this is only near major stops. It is advisable to take water and some snacks with you, suddenly you will go far from civilization.
4. In some parts of the park there are many monkeys, they are aggressive and take all food, as well as cameras and bags.
5. In summer, it is hot enough, so apply sunscreen, mosquito spray to open skin areas. Also take a panama hat and glasses. In winter, keep yourself warm. After all, climbing the mountains, the temperature is even cooler. Even in the mountains, the weather often changes, from sunny very quickly it turns into rainy. It will be good if you bring waterproof clothing
6. Avoid queues for morning transport to the main viewpoints. This also applies to buses to the park from the city. Especially avoid the Bailong elevator in the morning and in the evening, there are always queues for several hours, and at rush hour and 4 hours you can stand for the pleasure of a ride in 1 minute. Better to take a different route and go down.
7. Take a card at the hotel, they will be distributed free of charge. Ask for the most interesting places for you. It is very easy to get around on buses in the park, either look for the name in English where the bus is heading, or show the driver where you need to go on the map.
8. In China, few people speak English, but now there were no problems with the help of an electronic translator, all Chinese use it. Download in advance a Chinese dictionary from Google Translate that works even without the Internet. Maps.me - download a map of the area in advance, also works offline. If you need the Internet, use it better, as the Chinese SIM card bans many of our popular sites and programs
9. When you print your hotel reservation, also print the Chinese version to facilitate understanding with the drivers. At the same time, the name of the attractions is, if possible, in Chinese translation, and even better, just a picture.
10. In China, Visa and Master Card are not accepted everywhere, they have their own Union Pay system. So it's more convenient to always have cash or use the WeChat or AliPay payment system. With these systems, you can immediately pay from your smartphone everywhere, even in a minibus, bus and at the souvenir market.
11. When buying tickets, they almost always ask for a passport. Therefore, you need to carry it with you, a photocopy does not help.
Enjoy your trip and be sure to leave comments if you liked the mountains 😉
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to introduce you to a unique place in central China's Hunan province, which served as the inspiration for the creation of the world famous movie Avatar. Welcome to the lost world of Pandora - Zhangjiajie National Park!
Wulingyuan Nature Reserve
Zhangjiajie Park, established in 1982, is recognized as the first authorized national forest park in China. It is located on the territory of the most picturesque Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Chin. 武陵源 风景 名胜 区), which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here water and wind have created about three thousand peaks of bizarre forms, consisting of sandstone and quartz. The picturesque area boasts natural beauty, where mountains, valleys, forests, caves, lakes and waterfalls coexist in perfect harmony. To tell the truth, it was this place that served as the main reason for the trip to China. I really love nature in its original form, so while looking for something that could impress no worse, I found my treasure and began to pave.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Ch. 张家界 国家 森林 公园) belongs to the Wulingyuan nature reserve and includes 4 zones:
- Suosi Valley (Suoxi Gully, Chin. 索溪峪)
- Yuanjiajie (Chinese 袁家界 风景区)
- Yangjiajie (Chinese 杨家界 风景区)
- Tianzi Mountain (Chin. 天子山)
Other objects located outside the park also belong to Wulingyuan Nature Reserve:
- Baofeng Lake
- Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglong Cave, 黄龙 洞)
- King Long Wang Dong's Cave (龙王 洞)
A few kilometers south of the city of Zhangjiajie (not to be confused with the Zhangjiajie Park) there is another chic park - Tianmenshan. It does not include the Wulingyuan Conservation Area, but it is no less unique place, but it will be discussed in the next post.
In 2016, another interesting place was opened 20 kilometers northeast of Zhangjiajie Park - the Grand Canyon with a completely transparent bridge. When it opened, it became the longest and tallest glass bridge in the world.
For convenience, I have provided information on how to get to Zhangjiajie and where to stay. But here I will note once again that if you plan to visit the Zhangjiajie National Park, then it would be best to stop at the southeast entrance in the village of Wulingyuan of the same name (Wulingyuan, Southeast Gate, Ch. 武陵源, 东南 门) the day before. Just below on the map below, it is marked as Entrance B.
Well, let's go see the great creation of nature? From our hotel to the southeastern entrance to the park, 25 minutes walk or 5 minutes by taxi. In order not to waste time, we catch a taxi for 10 yuan to the park.
How much is a ticket to Zhangjiajie National Park?
There are 2 types of entrance tickets:
- For 4 days. Entrance fee is 248 yuan for an adult, 163 yuan for benefits.
- For 8 days. Entrance fee is 301 yuan for an adult, 196 yuan for privileged persons.
Notes:
- The discount ticket can be used by children from 1.2 to 1.5 meters in height, students under 24 years old, pensioners aged 60-70 years.
- For persons with a 1st or 2nd group of disabilities and pensioners over 70 years old, the cost of an entrance ticket for 3 days is 60 yuan, for 7 days - 80 yuan.
- The free ticket is provided to Chinese military personnel, journalists and children up to 1.2 meters tall.
When buying, your finger is scanned, so if you come the next day, it will be enough to put your finger on the turnstile. Together with the tickets, they give a map of the park with routes and stops. You can move around the park between the main points on free shuttle buses that run every 10-15 minutes. Bus stops at major attractions are marked with a “P” on the map below. I will write the cost of tickets for additional transport in the process of describing the route.
Park opening hours
- The park is open every day from 07.00 to 18.00
- Funicular opening hours up from 07.30 to 16.00, down from 07.30 to 18.00
- Buses run from 07.00 to 18.00
Zhangjiajie National Park Map
For convenience, I am posting a map of Zhangjiajie National Park
Zhangjiajie National Park Visiting Route
The park is divided into upper and lower plateaus, between which you can move by funiculars and a huge lift in the rock. There are many routes, including hiking trails. We took 1 full day to visit the park, so we decided to move clockwise.
We go into the park, take a bus and go to the railway station, where the first stop awaits us - Ten-mile Natural Gallery, China. 十里画廊), located in the northwestern part of the Suoxi Valley at the foot of Tianji Mountain . A small railway road 5.8 kilometers long (marked in gray on the map) runs through picturesque landscapes of unusual rocks. The journey takes 10 minutes. Round-trip fare 52 yuan per person. If you don't want to spend money, then there is a path nearby, a walk along which will take no more than 30 minutes.
On both sides, many peaks look like statues, as if carved by someone. The most famous peak is Herb Collecting Old Man ит 采药 老人 图片... He is a symbol of this valley and looks like an old man with a basket on his back, collecting medicinal herbs.
Not far from the herbalist, you can also see a towering peak, which, according to the locals, resembles a man with crossed legs, and near him a series of smaller ones. This composition is called Immortals Worshipping Guanyin (Chinese 观音 十里画廊)... According to legend, it is said that the highest peak is the deity Guanyin, and 19 people worshiped nearby, asking for mercy to this world and blessing people with a happy life.
At the final stop you can see 3 sisters (Chinese 三 姐妹).
Admire the monkeys living in the cage.
And invest the first money in the Chinese economy by looking at various counters that sell Chinese herbs, postcards, wood and glass products. Having bought a wooden fruit basket, we return back by train and go to the bus stop.
The next item is bailong elevator (Chinese 百 龙 电梯)... It is located in the area Yuanjiajie and is installed in the mountain of the same name, and Bailun itself translates as "one hundred dragons" and is considered the tallest external elevator in the world, its height is 326 meters. When you approach this structure, your legs give way, and the lens cannot completely fit it into one shot.
We go upstairs. The cost of the lift is 72 yuan per person. On the way to the elevator, there are posters from the movie "Avatar".
The ascent takes 2 minutes. First, part of the ascent takes place in the rock, but then this height opens up to the eye and you no longer know what to do, whether to photograph, or to be afraid. If you exit the elevator and turn right, you can find a steep observation deck on the elevator itself.
After a little admiring the views and fashionable Chinese slippers with pandas, we moved on to the bus stop, already at an altitude of more than three hundred meters.
Arriving at one of the most important points in the park, McDonalds was discovered. Suddenly. But we decided to support a local producer and tried an unknown fruit for us - yangmey, Chinese strawberry tree or mountain peach. Juicy and tasty.
So, the walking path lies along the cliff. In some places there are observation platforms from where breathtaking panoramas open up. Where the views are especially good, there are platforms for photographers who will take a picture for you for a fee.
The weather was far from sunny, sometimes a white shroud enveloped the mountains. Moreover, it is not clear whether these are clouds, or fog, however, one way or another, all this added some mysticism to the picture, visually it seemed that the mountains were soaring, and you were as if on another planet, as if in truth now blue would jump out from somewhere little men. And here, by the way, they are.
After overcoming a few hundred meters more, we came to the most important exhibit. Mount Jiankunzhu (Qiankunzhu, Chinese 乾坤 柱) more than a kilometer high and consisting of quartz sandstone, it translates as the column of the Southern Heaven and has a deep philosophical meaning.
Qian (䷀) - the first trigram in the ancient Chinese philosophy I-Ching, a symbol of the masculine principle, sky, sun, father, husband, fortress.
Kun (䷁) is the second trigram in the ancient Chinese philosophy I Ching, a symbol of the feminine principle, earth, moon, mother, wife, subject.
Zhu - pillar, column.
Having deciphered the trigrams, we get another name "The Column Between Heaven and Earth", which, in my opinion, sounds much better.
In 2010, commerce defeated philosophy when Western media spread information that this mountain formed the basis for the creation of the planet Pandora from the movie Avatar. After some time, in order to develop tourism, the mountain was given a new name - Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, Chinese 阿凡 达 - 哈利路亚 山... And then they came up with an inviting slogan: "Pandora is far away, and Zhangjiajie is close!"
However, despite the fact that the park is promoted at the international level, in fact we were the only Europeans walking in this park. By the way, my girlfriend is blonde, and during these 2 weeks in China she was a celebrity. Here, too, every 10-15 minutes, they tried to either settle down to us so that we could get into someone's lens, or openly asked to be photographed together.
Further on our way - The First Natural Bridge under Heaven (Ch. 天下第一 桥)... It connects two peaks at an altitude of 360 meters and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest natural bridge in the world.
On the bridge, lovers can buy a lock for 40 yuan, ask them to carve names and hang it, and throw the key into the abyss. They say that after that the family will be happy and strong. True, finding a place for your lock will not be easy - the railings and stairs are closely bound by thousands of locks. It seems to me that from time to time they are filed.
Having passed to the end of the path, we come out to another stop. Here we also found a post office, but my attempts to find out whether our postcards will reach Russia were unsuccessful.
To get to the next attraction, which is already in a different area Yangjiajienext to the funicular of the same name, we get off at the next stop "WuLong Village" and set off for a short trekking. First we go down, and then at the T-shaped intersection we turn up to the right. Compared to previous trails, this is a rather steep climb, and some of the stairs seem to be about to fall apart.
But at the end of the ascent, a surprise awaits us - Tianbo Mansion (Tianbo Mansion, Ch. 天波 府)... From here, an amazing panorama of Great natural wall stone pillars (The Natural Great Wall)... A distinctive feature of this place is the narrow and high natural rock walls, different from the typical pillars.
After that we go down back to the T-shaped intersection and go already in the opposite direction to the next observation deck, which is called One Step to the Heaven (Ch. 一步登天).
I will say that the first one was more interesting. Although it is also beautiful, but after spending half a day in the park you start to get used to it and the “wow-effect” disappears a little. Some even manage to sleep.
We return back to the bus stop and go to the area Tianzi to the final attractions to date. The Highest Peak of Tianji Mountain, also called Son of Heaven Mountain, is the highest point in the park, at 1182 meters. Friends, just look at this beauty!
Well, let's plunge into history a little? Mountain Tianzi before the reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was called "Qing Yan Mountain". In 1353, Xiang Dakun, the leader of the Tujia ethnic group, started a rebellion in the area and declared himself Tianji, which means Son of Heaven and is a traditional synonym for the Chinese emperor. In 1385, Xiang Dakong faced a fierce siege by an army commanded by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), the first emperor of the Ming dynasty, whom we have already heard of. Sadly, Xiang died in the battle and fell into Shentang Bay. To show their respect for Xiang Dakun, the settlements were rebuilt and the mountains were named after Tianji. Legend has it that sometimes the sounds of drums, neighing horses and shouts of people can be heard from the canyon, as if an ancient medieval battle is still going on somewhere below!
Confuses nothing? Right. There is no bay here. So called Valley of Heavenly Abode (Shentang Gulf, Chin. 神堂 湾)where we headed. In order not to go in the opposite direction, you need to ask the driver to stop a little earlier than the last stop. In the heart of the gorge there is a dark pool and there is only one way there - a terrible staircase, as if leading into an abyss. Shentan Bay still remains untouched by human footprints, like a mythical labyrinth with a bottomless gorge that bathes in fog all year round. And again, mesmerizing panoramas make us freeze for a moment in order to capture this extraordinary beauty forever in our memory.
At the final stop of the main route, we get to he long Park (Chinese 贺龙 公园), named after the Chinese revolutionary Marshal He Long. The Tianji area was one of the places of his fighting in the 30s. In these parts, he organized a Soviet Red Army of more than 200,000 men and in 1935 joined Mao Zedong to support him in the uprising. He subsequently led the guerrilla forces in Northwest China in both the Chinese Civil War and the Sino-Japanese War, and was generally successful in expanding communist control. By the end of 1945, he was commanding a force of 170,000 troops. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, he held a number of civil and military positions, and in 1955 he was awarded the honorary title of Marshal (there are 10 in China) for his invaluable contribution to the victory of the Communist Party. To perpetuate the memory of the great Marshal, at the 90th birthday celebration in 1986, the Zhangjiajie city government established a park and erected a seven-meter bronze statue weighing about 9 tons. It is the largest in China.
Passing the bronze statue, we find ourselves on Emperor's platform (Tianzi Sightseeing platform, Chinese 天子 观景 台), from which the next breathtaking landscapes open. Of course, nature creates amazing things, somewhere it has created huge canyons, somewhere a magnificent ensemble of rivers and lakes, but here it is hard to imagine where these isolated mountains came from, which seem to stand on a thin leg, and are waiting for something. After 10 minutes, this beautiful picture was again covered by a white veil. The weather here is completely unpredictable. It is believed that the best time to visit Zhangjiajie is during spring and autumn.
There was not much time left before the closure of the park, the shuttles stopped running at 18.00, and we still need to go down the funicular, so we make the last dash towards the pagoda, which is called Pavilion of the Son of God (Tianzi Pavilion, Chin. 天子 阁)... Here you can also have a bite to eat, buy souvenirs or even go inside.
Further from the pagoda, a long hiking descent into the Suosi Valley starts (remember, we started with it at the very beginning?). Of course, we will not go down it, but we will only go down a couple of hundred meters to capture the final and one of the most important attractions of the park - Imperial Writing Brush Peaks or Yu Bi Feng, Chinese 御笔 峰. These are free-standing sandstone columns surrounded by mountainous green peaks. The tops of more massive peaks flow smoothly into thinner ones. The name Yubi Feng derives from the brush used by the imperial calligrapher, where the thicker end turns into a thin brush. Legend has it that the stone tassels belong to the same king of Xiang. They say that it was these places that served as the reason for the park to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Well, it's time to return to earth, for this we head towards He Long Park and take another bus that takes us to the upper station of the Tianzi cable car (Chin. 天子山 索道, which costs 67 yuan per person). And finally, probably, Zhangjiajie wants to tell his visitors: "You still have not realized all my majesty and power? So get a flight around my planet!"
Time flew by here unnoticed. Of course, one day to explore the park is not completely enough, but to be honest, more days are not needed either, especially considering that there are other attractions in the vicinity, but Zhangjiajie Park will definitely be included in the top of the most amazing places on the planet that I happened to see. Such places will be remembered for a lifetime and give rise to inspiration and a passion for travel inside.
Unusual beauty flying mountains, located on the planet Pandora in the movie Avatar, is not an invention of the directors. Are located soaring mountains in China, being part of Zhangjiajie National Park, and are called Wulingyuan. The rocks fascinate and amaze at first sight, so when going to the Celestial Empire, it is worth going to Hunan province for a few days, where the park is located. For visitors, there are excellent conditions for accommodation, food and pastime. In addition to the mountains, there is an opportunity to see many other natural attractions.
China's national treasure
Zhangjiajie Park is a kind of visiting card of the country, where a huge number of tourists come every year, the number of which has increased after the release of the film "Avatar". To touch the unique nature, fauna, listen to many mysterious, mystical stories and legends - that's what I propose flying mountains in china to all visitors. Some objects on the territory of this protected area are protected by UNESCO, and the park itself is recognized as a national treasure of the Celestial Empire. Its inhabitants are proud of the unusual beauties that take your breath away, and they say that numerous secrets and mysteries are associated with mountains and rocks. Incredible landscapes, lush greenery, picturesque rocks, which cause a soaring effect, contribute to their emergence and spread. Such a unique phenomenon is due to the fact that mountain peaks go into the sky, getting lost there between the clouds. The rocks are covered with greenery, which adds to the feeling of weightlessness.
A bit of history
The area where the park is located is also known under a different name - Yangjiajie, i.e. Yang land. According to ancient legends, there was once a war between the clans near the mountains. A representative of the Yang Dynasty set up his military camp right at the base of Tianzi Mountain. The confrontation lasted for several decades, and never ended. Therefore, the descendants of the clan began to gradually develop this territory, moving further and further from the location of the military camp. Archaeologists and scientists have confirmed this legend, finding all the time the graves and burials of members of the Yang clan.
Park creation
The park where the movie "Avatar" was filmed is located in the northwestern part of the country, not far from the city of the same name. The area is full of wonders and natural attractions. Zhangjiajie Park is adjacent to the equally famous geological parks of Yangjiajie, Tanzishan and Xiushiyu.
Zhangjiajie is the oldest park in China, created in 1982. Its territory is huge and is almost 13 thousand square kilometers, on which there are mountains, forests, other vegetation, and a huge number of animals. In 1992 it was taken under the protection of UNESCO, as a part of Wulingyuan. Nine years later, the park received the status of the National Forest Geopark of Sandstone Peaks (by the decision of the relevant Chinese ministry). It is also part of the Global Network of Geological Parks protected by UNESCO.
Natural and animal world
Decoration zhangjiajie Park, China, the place where the films were filmed " Avatar"And" Monster Hunt "are mountains. In fact, these are rocky peaks-pillars, created from quartz and sandstone, and turned into a real miracle of nature under the influence of erosion and weathering. The total number of unusual rocks is more than 3 thousand, and about one thousand are 200 meters high. The highest peak is Mount Dupeng, which reaches 1,890 meters into the sky.
The peaks of the rocks are lost high in the clouds, and then abruptly give way to very dense forests. It is a habitat for a huge number of animals, birds, reptiles, insects. You can also see quite rare relict plants, which include mahogany and gingko.
The climate in the park is humid and warm, although this does not create a stifling heat. People who cannot stand cold or very hot weather can feel comfortable here. In the warm season, the average air temperature is +27 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to + 4-5.
The entire territory of the park is divided into 6 natural zones, the largest of which is tianji Mountains,attracting tourists to China. The area is famous for its very thick clouds, constant fogs and a mysterious atmosphere.
sights
You can walk in the park tirelessly, because you never know what awaits at every turn. It captures the spirit not only from the mountains, but also the wealth of the animal world, as well as a large number of monuments.
The Yellow Dragon Cave is created from karst formations, has a height of 140 meters, and therefore is considered one of the largest in the world. It has a beautiful natural interior design. There are many unique natural attractions in the cave - waterfalls, rivers, pools. All this creates the feeling that you are in the palace of the fabulous Dragon.
The Buddhist Temple Heavenly Gate has been known since the Ming Dynasty, which contributed to the transformation of this place into a center of pilgrimage. The temple occupies a huge area, which is 10 thousand square meters. The temple is located in a cave that arose in 263 AD. as a result of the breakaway of a huge stone from the Tianmen (Tianmenshan) rock. The length of the cave-temple is 60 meters, the width reaches 57 meters, and the height is 131.5 m. The Chinese call the temple the Magic Cave of Western Hunan, because the place is saturated with a mysterious and mysterious atmosphere. This is due to the fact that the cave, located at a great height above the ground, seems to be shrouded in clouds, which are very thick above the mountain. Therefore, tourists, getting into a cave, feel that they have gone to heaven, or are somewhere nearby.
The temple arose in this place for a reason. According to ancient chronicles, the mountain is connected with the sky, therefore it has tremendous strength and energy. In addition, it affects people, their destinies, lives, and is capable of doing miracles. In historical documents, you can find many facts that various mysterious events and phenomena took place in the cave.
The height of Tianmenshan Mountain is 1518 m, and is considered the central attraction of the park. All tourists who are not afraid to overcome the path on the longest cable car in the world strive to climb to the top. Its length is almost 7.5 kilometers, and it passes through such picturesque panoramas of mountains, mountains, forests that it takes your breath away. And the closer the cabin gets to the top, the more it seems that you are in the arms of the clouds. The mountain is always shrouded in fog and mist, which very rarely dissipates. Local residents from generation to generation pass on the legends that before very important events, water begins to pour from the top.
In the vicinity of Zhajiajie Park, there is an equally stunning park called Yangqiajie. There is a huge number of amazing and picturesque places, including the Baihur Valley, Longquan, and Xiangzhi Mountains.
History of the Tianji Mountains
These rocks are worth mentioning separately. According to historical records in the annals and other documents, at the foot tianji Mountains, China, in the Middle Ages, farmers revolted. They were led by a leader named Xiang Dakun, who called himself the son of heaven. Such an unusual nickname was associated with the ambitions of the peasant, as well as the peculiarities of the area where the mountains are located. There are more than two thousand stone pillars here, which, like rods, connect heaven and earth. The average height of the rock is from 1 thousand meters to 1250 meters. Formed more than three thousand years ago. One part of the mountains is represented by quartz rocks, and the other - limestone. Despite the ancient history, the area has not been studied and practically not explored. Once upon a time there were tropical forests, about which there were small areas and trees. Between the mountains there are very ancient caves, rocky arches, impenetrable forests, in which a person has never been.
Tourist services
You can walk in the park for several days, especially since the entrance ticket is valid for two days. You can buy it for 245 yuan, right at the main entrance to Zhangjiajie National Park in China.To save a little, you can purchase a subscription for a weekly visit, and such a ticket is not very expensive - about 300 Chinese yuan. There are significant discounts for students if they show a student ID. The best conditions for visitors have been created here. In particular, they have a wonderful opportunity to see the mountains from a bird's eye view, and then walk around them on the ground. An elevator goes to one of the peaks, so you can climb the mountain directly on it.
There are several tourist routes in the park, allowing you to see all the sights. But it is difficult to do it in 2 days, so the guides recommend using the cable car to see all the flying mountains. It is imperative to walk along the natural bridges that go through the mountains, as well as go down to the valleys of rivers, waterfalls, and visit the caves. Tourists do not have to worry about their own safety: fences are installed everywhere, there are safe ladders for movement, special paths and signs that help to orientate in the park.
The cost of the entrance pass includes bus transportation along the routes. Separately you need to pay for the lift, use of the escalator, elevator, travel on the tourist train. Free buses run between attractions, which reach a specific stop. Here you can change to another bus and continue your journey. You can also use other types of transport - cable cars (two closed and one open), funicular.
Those who want to see the pristine nature will have to delve into the remote areas of the park. The main attractions are nearby. It won't take long to get to them - everything is within reach, you just have to buy a ticket and enter the park. In other cases, you need to overcome considerable distances, so you need to choose comfortable shoes, clothes, things to put in backpacks for travel. In addition, you need to go to the inland areas of the park either with a guide, or along a pre-drawn route so as not to get lost.
Separately, it is worth considering the organizational aspects of the trip to the floating rocks:
- Book your accommodation in advance, considering the many national holidays that exist in China;
- Prepare for the fact that a huge number of Chinese come to the Wulingyuan Cliffs, so that one is always crowded, and in some places there is a significant crowd of people;
- Buy or download a map of the park and its surroundings, purchase a compass, raincoats and raincoats;
- It is better to start walking in the morning in order to see as many interesting things as possible. And in the morning there are less people than in the afternoon and in the evening. It is dangerous to wander after seven in the evening, because the territory of the park is not illuminated.
- Think about how you can get to the city of Zhangjiajie from the Chinese capital.
You can get to the park from the city of the same name by taxi or bus, which travel here regularly. You can get to the protected area through two entrances - the north-east, where the Wulingyuan mountains are located, and through the south - Zhangjiajie. You need to start your journey from the first entrance, because there is a glass elevator that takes you up to the tops of the rocks and observation platforms.
Accommodation and food
Experienced tourists are advised to stay in two villages - Zhangjiajie or Wulingyuan (with the names here, everything is very original, so it should be borne in mind that the park, city and village are named the same). It is not a problem to rent comfortable housing here, the only disadvantage and quite significant is that in the morning there is a queue at the entrance. And you have to stand in it before getting to the park.
You can also live on the territory of Zhangjiajie, where there are several types of housing:
- Guesthouse;
- Hostel;
- Hotel.
The quality of the rooms is slightly lower than in the villages, and besides, walking is allowed only when buses start to run.
A budget option is to stay with local residents who are ready to provide a bed in a room for several people for 40 yuan per day. You can choose the option for single occupancy, but the cost will increase accordingly.
You can eat in restaurants, local cafes, McDonald's. It should be borne in mind that the cuisine of this province is quite peculiar - it is based on mushrooms with medicinal properties and a large number of hot spices. In addition to traditional Hunan cuisine, you can taste dishes from other regions of the country.
There are no restaurants or cafes on the territory of the park, but tortillas, fried potatoes, fish, chestnuts are sold everywhere. Everything is fresh and prepared in the presence of tourists.
It is better to buy water in the city or in the villages, because here it is much cheaper than in the park.
