Zhangjiajie Travel Tips You Must Know | Plus a Travelogue
The Best Season to Visit Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie has no severe cold in winter and no extreme heat in summer, with an average annual temperature of 16.8°C, so it can be called spring-like throughout the four seasons. The best time for tourism is April and October each year; in these two months, Zhangjiajie's natural scenery is the most beautiful. Zhangjiajie will have rain in July. On rainy days the roads are slippery, and there is heavy fog, so it is not suitable for mountain climbing. The mountain scenery 1-2 hours after rain is the most beautiful, wreathed in mist, like a fairyland; in winter it will snow, but the mountains will not be closed, and...
Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie has no severe cold in winter and no extreme heat in summer, with an average annual temperature of 16.8°C, making it feel like spring all year round. The best time to travel is April and October each year, as Zhangjiajie's natural scenery is at its most beautiful during these two months.
Zhangjiajie experiences rain in July. On rainy days, the paths are slippery and there is heavy fog, making it unsuitable for mountain climbing. The mountain scenery is at its most beautiful 1-2 hours after rain, shrouded in mist like a fairyland. In winter, it snows, but the mountains do not close. Zhangjiajie under heavy snow has a unique charm of its own.
The Zhangjiajie Scenic Area has peak tourist seasons every year during the Spring Festival, Labor Day, summer vacation, and National Day. Once peak season arrives, all prices for food, accommodation, and transportation rise by about 50% to 100%, and it may be very difficult to find accommodation. Visitors are advised to avoid these times as much as possible.
The best time to travel is April and October each year, as Zhangjiajie's natural scenery is at its most beautiful during these two months.
What medicines should you prepare before traveling?
During travel, factors such as region, climate, environment, and unexpected events often cause various discomforts, so you should prepare some medicines before setting out as a precaution. Common medicines are as follows: quick-acting cold capsules, compound aspirin, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), compound licorice tablets, berberine tablets, dried yeast tablets, rhubarb soda tablets, atropine tablets, Yinqiao Jiedu pills, Sangju Ganmao tablets, Niuhuang Shangqing pills, Shidishui, Huoxiang Zhengqi water, Rendan, cooling oil, Shangshi Zhitong plaster, chloramphenicol eye drops, bandages, adhesive tape, and Fengyoujing.
Travelogue:
Zhangjiajie has always been a dream destination for travel lovers. My first trip in 2010 was set for —— Zhangjiajie. I, my aunt,
Afeng, and Akan formed a small group of four.
2010/03/23: Xuchang —— Train No. 1645 —— Zhangjiajie
2010/03/24: Zhangjiajie Railway Station —— Tianzi Mountain Ticket Station —— Guesthouse inside the scenic area
The train was uncooperative and arrived 20 minutes late. At the station exit, I met up with Zhangjiajie's Chen Yang, whom we had contacted in advance. Since this was a trip I had planned,
Chen Yang (CY) was also a guide I had carefully selected for a long time, one who was very popular online and had no negative reviews.
Because it happened to be raining, the ladies in our group all wanted to rest for a day. Our originally planned 3-day, 2-night 470 RMB package temporarily became 4 days and 3 nights. First,
we headed directly with CY to the “home” on Tianzi Mountain so we could adjust and start the next day's journey in good shape. However, the journey in between was quite
winding, because local drivers drive rather boldly. As we went up the mountain road, it made me think of the movie Initial D. Those who get carsick should prepare themselves mentally and practically ^ -^.
Earlier, CY told us that with a student ID, the ticket price before 03/31 was the most discounted at only 65 RMB, and a 3-day all-inclusive package was just 285 RMB. After entering the scenic
area, we first settled in at the home. Everyone chatted about the itinerary and daily life, and then ate the local specialty dishes. It was very cozy.
2010/03/25: Daguantai —— Tianzi Mountain
The weather was very cooperative and cleared up. On the way there, we also saw a sea of clouds in the distance formed by the previous day's rain. It was truly stunning and lifted our spirits
right away. When visiting Zhangjiajie, you cannot miss Tianzi Mountain, because standing atop Tianzi Mountain and looking down at the vast world, that magnificent view is truly extraordinary.
First we went to Daguantai, Xianren Bridge, Tianzi Peak, and Tianzi Seat, and then visited many mainstream attractions in the park such as Shentang Bay, Yubi Peak, Xihai, and Xiannv Xianhua.
It was truly enchanting. According to CY, Tianzi Mountain is the most attractive mountain in Zhangjiajie, with an altitude of 1,260 meters. It was named after King Tianzi (Xiang Dakun) during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, who gathered forces here to rebel against the Ming. Hence the local saying, “If you don't visit Tianzi Mountain, your trip to Wulingyuan is in vain.” In addition, in Helong Park on the mountain there is a bronze statue of Marshal Helong, one of the Ten Marshals, and everyone went up to take photos with Marshal Helong. I remember when we went to Dianjiang Terrace, I excitedly discovered
two stone pillars that looked like they were embracing, and when I showed them off, CY calmly told me that many peaks in Zhangjiajie look like people. I nearly fainted~
2010/03/26: Yangjiajie —— Wulong Village —— Yuanjiajie
After touring Yangjiajie's Golden Rooster Crows at Dawn, Wulong Village, One Step Is Hard, Three Arrivals at Ghost Gate Pass, and Tianbo Mansion, actually, because this was an independent trip, CY had considerately not arranged One Step to Heaven or the Sky Corridor given our fitness. But on the sightseeing bus, a fellow traveler enthusiastically recommended these two attractions to me,
so as we kept walking and walking, my decaying body told me what it means to bring trouble on yourself. I was so tired. But fortunately the beautiful
scenery made me feel the hardship was worth it, so I still recommend those places to friends with poor stamina, though it is best to build up your fitness in advance. In the afternoon we
went to Yuanjiajie, where there is the No. 1 Bridge under Heaven and so on. Of course, the most memorable was undoubtedly the legendary Hallelujah Mountain~ haha
2010/03/27: Back Garden —— Luanchuan Slope —— Golden Whip Stream —— Zhangjiajie National Forest Park —— Zhangjiajie City —— Fenghuang
On the last day, we came down from the mountain and exited along Golden Whip Stream, passing Mihun Terrace, Zhangjiajie's Back Garden, and went down Luanchuan Slope with what seemed like more than three thousand steps.
It made me feel lucky that our route was rather special; otherwise, following the usual first-day route entering from the Forest Park, I would only have been able to rest and recover at home afterward.
Fortunately, there are cable cars and elevators there, the best choice for those with poor stamina. Golden Whip Stream is a beautiful stream, and also my favorite. It still flows in my memory, unforgettable.
Golden Whip Stream is nearly eight kilometers long. The murmuring stream water seeps into the thick soil and overflows from rock crevices; the stream carefully draws close to every place it passes, caressing every stone; the stream flows past the roots of plants, injecting part of its life into them, and the vegetation becomes green because of it. Along the way there are also wild macaques. Those monkeys are quite stylish~~ they will pose for you to take photos.
Finally, we exited the scenic area from the Forest Park ticket station. CY saw us off to Zhangjiajie city, and we reluctantly said goodbye~~ We then headed for Fenghuang.
Zhangjiajie's mountains are very special. Unlike ordinary rolling ranges, most stand as independent peaks, very worth seeing. With CY's explanations, it was even easier for us
to see beauty that would otherwise be hard to notice, and our body and mind truly relaxed wonderfully.
What I want to say here is that the “home” on the mountain, aside from being a bit cold at night, was basically quite good. The family was warm and the home was very clean. As for meals, if you don't eat much, there's no need to bring too much food, because the included meals were also quite good. My backpack full of snacks seemed like quite a burden, and was only used on the train rides. CY was very nice. Maybe because we were around the same age, he didn't seem like a guide but more like an experienced friend, which felt very comfortable. But don't be fooled by his youth—he is quite capable. The whole trip felt very safe, haha. CY's family belongs to a guide family, integrating guide services, accommodation, dining, and other travel services. Thinking about how big Zhangjiajie is, if I go again next time, CY should also be one of the reasons I choose to return, hehe.
This trip did not cost much, and CY brought us great convenience and value. In addition, the later accommodation in Fenghuang was not expensive in the off-season. For us students, including train tickets, 1,200 RMB was enough.
Finally, a little emotional expression and sentimentality: actually, after walking through Zhangjiajie's mountains and waters, I found that my inner world had become so rich and colorful because of this magical and beautiful landscape, and my mind had become so open and broad-minded——rivers winding through it, forests growing upon it, peaks layered in succession…… My heart
seemed to tell me that when people walk on the ground, they are actually also walking on the path of their own heart……
Anti-Scam Tips
1> People soliciting rides: generally mostly girls or middle-aged women, because people tend to sympathize with women and also let down their guard more easily. Many men find it very awkward to refuse.
2> Pickup locations: at fork roads, intersections, gas stations, toll stations, and traffic police duty points near the borders of cities and counties around Zhangjiajie (such as Li County, Shimen, Changde, Cili, and the highway drop-off points in Zhangjiajie city).
3> Targets chosen: sedans, vans, business travel vehicles, and non-route-operating minibuses or large buses from outside Zhangjiajie......
4> Reason for the ride: I'm from Zhangjiajie and just happen to be going back, so I'll hitch a ride and can also show you the way. Unknowing people often think they are lucky. There are also more advanced con artists who appear as public security, traffic police, or government agency personnel, asking traffic police on duty by the road to stop a car for them, claiming to be colleagues from that area and needing to find a ride back after handling business here.
Things to Watch Out For
1. Railway station
2. Strangers
3. Be sure to take licensed taxis
May Day Golden Week is coming soon
When traveling in Zhangjiajie in summer, special attention should also be paid to clothing, diet, and accommodation:
Zhangjiajie travel clothing: Wear comfortable clothing, and do not wear overly hard leather shoes. Clothing should be loose and casual. Wear a hat and carry an umbrella.
Zhangjiajie travel diet: Eat more soups and light foods, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, include some lean meat, and eat less fried and greasy food. Do not drink mountain spring water in the scenic area.
Zhangjiajie travel weather: Zhangjiajie's weather changes greatly. Friends coming to Zhangjiajie should pay attention to Zhangjiajie's weather.
Zhangjiajie travel accommodation: Choose hotels with good ventilation and light, and if conditions permit, choose star-rated hotels. It is best to take a hot shower before sleeping, and when sleeping, it is best not to leave the air conditioner on all night.