Zhangjiajie Notes

The following content is a collection by the editor from major websites of notes for visiting Zhangjiajie. Some may be repeated. Please forgive me, readers:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Going to Zhang...

The following is a collection of notes for visiting Zhangjiajie gathered from various websites online. Some may be repetitive, so please bear with us:

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Notes for Visiting Zhangjiajie During National Day

During the National Day holiday, scenic spots in Hunan all maintain their original prices!!

Below are the main core attractions in Zhangjiajie. For the Huangshizhai and Tianzi Mountain cable cars, a student ID gets you half-price tickets.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: 248 RMB/person (two days); with student ID 134 per person

Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain: 258 RMB/person (city area)

Baofeng Lake: 76 RMB/person; with student ID 38 per person

Yellow Dragon Cave: 80 RMB/person; with student ID 41 per person

Tujia Folk Custom Park: 80 RMB/person (city area)

Does your 500 RMB include transportation, accommodation, and meals? During Golden Week, rooms in Zhangjiajie are basically never below 200,

500 RMB will only get you into a tour group with a travel agency — only then is it possible to get by.

Here is a website for you, with route quotations and customer service that can directly answer any travel questions you encounter in Zhangjiajie!!

Zhangjiajie Travel Website:
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When visiting Zhangjiajie, besides enjoying the magical natural scenery, most people come to seek a pleasant and relaxed mood. But when

traveling away from home, you inevitably come into contact with different people and matters — some good, some bad; some beautiful, some ugly; some kind, some

evil. Of course, being cheated or ripped off is what everyone least wants to see. Although with the continuous regulation of the tourism market and the strengthening of crackdowns on illegal operations, some lawbreakers, driven by their own interests, pass off inferior goods as fine, mix fake with genuine, and use ever-changing tactics, making it impossible for the unprepared to guard against them, falling victim and regretting it too late. Zhangjiajie Backpacker Travel welcomes you, QQ1011983506.
That said, this doesn't mean Zhangjiajie has reached a point where people are deterred from coming. Overall, Zhangjiajie's tourism market is still well-regulated. You

just need to be a little careful, book in advance with a legitimate travel agency, ignore provocations, stand firm, don't seek small gains, and keep yourself clean — these things can be completely avoided. Here are the common issues to watch out for:

Zhangjiajie Ticket Attraction Distribution and Ticket Price Notes:
① Regarding the many so-called "Zhangjiajie travel guides, Zhangjiajie independent travel guides" appearing online, most of them say not to go to Huangshizhai, then

stay in guesthouses on the mountaintop, and visit attractions like Yuanjiajie. A special note here: the entire Zhangjiajie Scenic Area consists of: Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Zhangjiajie

National Forest Park (Huangshizhai Scenic Area, Golden Whip Stream Scenic Area) and Suoxiyu Nature Reserve (the entire through-ticket is 248 RMB/person, valid for 2 days,

during which you can enter freely). The entire Zhangjiajie Scenic Area plus the Wulingyuan government is collectively called Wulingyuan District (Suoxiyu)
.
② A special reminder to all tourists visiting Zhangjiajie: never believe those two-day one-night itineraries (Forest Park + Tianzi Mountain + Yellow Dragon Cave)

priced at 1000 RMB/person (group tour for individual travelers). In fact, the tickets included in this 1000 RMB/person have been split in price by rogue guides. Simply

put, some rogue guides split the 248 RMB through-ticket for Forest Park + Tianzi Mountain into separate prices (Forest Park 248, Tianzi Mountain 248). This kind of trick

can only deceive those who have just arrived in Zhangjiajie and don't understand it. Remember this well, because many tourists have suffered this loss. One last thing you

must remember (the through-ticket for the entire Zhangjiajie core scenic area is 248 RMB/person, valid for 2 days, during which you can enter freely)

③ Zhangjiajie's essential scenic areas are mainly divided into two major parts: Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area and Huangshizhai Scenic Area, with over a hundred attractions in total. Among them, Huangshizhai and Golden Whip Stream have over 70

attractions, and Tianzi Mountain has over 50. As the saying goes: "If you don't go up Huangshizhai, your trip to Zhangjiajie is in vain." Zhangjiajie was named a World Natural Heritage Site and

National Forest Park because of Huangshizhai, not because of what some people say about Huangshizhai being hyped up by the cable car company. Therefore, Huangshizhai is still very

much worth visiting, otherwise you really would have wasted your trip to Zhangjiajie (if you don't go up Huangshizhai, your trip to Zhangjiajie is truly in vain).

Zhangjiajie Railway Station: Beware of rogue tour guide tactics:

If you travel to Zhangjiajie by train, the crowds on the train are complex and heavy, and this is where most problems occur. Petty theft,

let's set that aside for now. On the train coming to Zhangjiajie, at Zhangjiajie Railway Station, and at Zhangjiajie Airport, there are often people wearing uniforms (mostly impersonators

), or claiming to be from some reception department, or using the name of some travel agency to solicit tourists. These illegal touts will fix their eyes on you—a piece of “fat meat

”—early on. As soon as the train enters a city near Zhangjiajie (such as Changde, Shimen, Cili, Jishou, etc.), they will swing into action, claiming to be

reception staff from ××× travel agency or ××× hotel. Some even put on a full railway uniform and a peaked cap (note: this is mostly to confuse tourists.

Think carefully—would real train staff ever solicit business for travel agencies or hotels? True or false, you'll know with a little reflection.)

They strike up a conversation with you and hand out price lists for various tour routes, painstakingly doing “heart-melting” work on you, urging you to join a tour organized by ×××

, saying how good the quality is, how good the reputation is, how good the fame is……. If this group doesn't succeed with you, a second group will

come at you. It's truly a high-difficulty battle, and their “spirit” is really “admirable.” In such situations, you should stay cautious and not lightly

engage with them. For those who pester you endlessly, you can report them to the duty officer, or call 110, or call the tourism complaint hotline to get it

resolved. In fact, they are not reception staff from any travel agency or hotel at all. They just want to lock you in (as a piece of business), and once they succeed

they hand you over to a travel agency and collect a kickback from it. Some touts, in order to earn higher profits themselves, do not hand you over to

a travel agency at all—rogue guides go straight to work. If problems arise, you'll have nowhere to complain and no tears to shed.

Rogue tour guide solicitation tactics:

(1) Play the long game, play the low-price card, lure you in, then strike at the right moment.
Premise: Your position is temporarily firm and you have not yet compromised with them!
If they achieved no “results” on the train, and you get off and arrive at Zhangjiajie Railway Station square, those touts, if they feel there is

still hope of profit from you, generally will not let go just like that. There is still tactic two! What is it? That is, sending someone to follow you. Wherever you go

, they follow (note: we often hear scattered tourists pour their hearts out to us like this: “At the railway station I nearly got torn limb from limb

by them......”; “Tell me, do we look like we're doing underground work?.....”; “Ugh! It took so much effort to escape!......”. There were once two Hong Kong

visitors who, after getting off the train, could not stand the pestering, immediately bought tickets and went back, and later reported them), if you stay at a hotel, they follow you to the hotel. After you settle in at the hotel, they demand a kickback from the hotel, insisting these guests were referred by them.
If at this point you think their guide service fee is too high, they will lower it again and again, until even you dare not believe it—there is still

such a cheap “good deal”? In fact, the guides they provide are mostly rogue guides with little ability in explaining scenic spots, but they are really good at taking kickbacks

from you during the trip, cheating you, and fleecing you. To be honest, such a guide is worse than none at all.

(2) Exploit loopholes in tour routes, adopt low-cost expenses and poor-quality service to obtain high profits.
Premise: Your position has been compromised and you have already been conquered by them!
Many tourists, because they do not understand the local tourism situation well enough, do not consider things carefully enough. On the train, when discussing a package tour

with those scattered touts, as long as it looks like a Zhangjiajie several-day tour itinerary, densely packed with scenic spots, and

the price is especially affordable, they accept it without much thought. Actually this is wrong. You must first understand the following two facts:
1. Zhangjiajie tour routes are roughly as follows: the highlight scenic spots include Yellow Dragon Cave, Baofeng Lake, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, and Zhangjiajie Forest Park. More

Zhangjiajie premium tour routes; non-highlight scenic spots include Back Garden, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Jiutian Cave, and so on. 2. Main accommodation hotels are divided

The distribution areas are: Wulingyuan District (Suoxiyu), the exit of the Forest Park, and Zhangjiajie City — these three major areas. Tourists are advised to stay on the Wulingyuan Scenic Area side, as transportation and public security are better here, and bus services are now available. From Wulingyuan, you can take Bus No. 1 directly to Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area and the Tianzi Mountain entrance ticket station, and Bus No. 4 directly to Baofeng Lake Scenic Area.

Travel agencies, in order to reduce costs and expenses and thereby achieve the goal of obtaining high profits, generally tend to change the conventional routes and accommodation areas:

① Reducing the attractions on the highlight tour routes (especially those requiring admission tickets), and adding less important attractions (which are free or have low ticket prices anyway — the more they list, the more you psychologically feel you've gotten a bargain).
② Changing the area where you should be staying, placing tourists in remote family inns in Yangjiajie, Yuanjiajie, the top of Tianzi Mountain, and other out-of-the-way locations where conditions and service cannot keep up, making the promised star-rated hotels or guesthouses an empty phrase — or they simply wouldn't dare make such a promise at all. When tourists question why the standards don't meet their expectations, they change their tune and say that's the only standard available in this area. In those desolate mountain areas, who can you explain things to? Once again, you've been cheated without room for argument. (The Tourism Bureau has issued documents prohibiting travel agencies from placing tourists in accommodations on the mountain.)

Zhangjiajie entertainment precautions:

The nature of being ripped off or scammed in the hotel area where you're staying is completely different from what happens on the train or after getting off the train. The targets of these scams are no longer any tourist, but mostly male tourists.
Many hotels in Zhangjiajie have massage, foot soaking, hairdressing, and similar service facilities. As soon as tourists check into a hotel or take a walk around the hotel at night, these people will approach you in various ways to "ask about your well-being" — saying things like the journey must have been tiring, why not try a Chinese herbal foot soak, or a legitimate massage with excellent results. Some men then ask about the price, and are told "It's very cheap, just give whatever you want, a few dozen yuan," and some even say it can be provided for free. How could there be such a good deal? In fact, this is mostly bait (though it cannot be denied that some are indeed legitimate). They use these services that appear very affordable and that tourists often need to lure some men into a trap, then use young, pretty women as a second bait to launch another round of psychological attack, asking whether you want "special" services and similar topics. At this point, some male tourists with weak resolve may start to waver at the sight of a beautiful woman, and begin to haggle with her, eventually reaching a price you think is acceptable — generally between 100-300 RMB. In fact, it's unlikely you'll actually receive the "special" services they offer at this price... Afterwards, they will extort you using various excuses and methods — at minimum 600-800 RMB, at most thousands or even tens of thousands, whatever outrageous figure they demand — otherwise you won't be able to get away. Only then do you realize it's too late for regret. If you want to report it or file a complaint, you've done something shameful and dare not make it public; if you don't complain, the knife has cut too deep. It's truly like a mute person eating bitter herbs — unable to express the bitterness!

Here, we sincerely advise all male tourist friends: keep yourself clean and respectable, and those women must absolutely never be touched!
(Note: In Zhangjiajie, simply getting a foot soak or legitimate massage is not necessarily a problem — as long as both parties agree on the price, cases where the service provider tries to extort money with other excuses after the service is completed are relatively few. The above-mentioned extortion types mostly occur when guests engage in illegal special transactions with hostesses. If this happens, it's best to dial 110 to report to the police. However, while the person extorting you will be punished, you will also be penalized — it's just that handing money to the public security department is psychologically more balanced than handing it to those thugs. Of course, this is only a suggestion. The best approach is still to maintain a firm stance, haha!)

Zhangjiajie shopping precautions:

Zhangjiajie's shopping market is generally fairly well regulated. Especially in recent years, cracking down on and shutting down illegal shopping venues has achieved good results, and forced buying and selling practices are virtually nonexistent. However, tourists should still pay attention to the following aspects when shopping during their travels:
(1) Do not spend money at unlicensed "black shops" — if you're not at ease, I'm worried too;
(2) Do not casually buy "antiques and curios," "fossils and rare stones," "jewelry and jade," or "precious medicinal materials" unless you are very knowledgeable;
(3) Don't believe in "human-shaped fleeceflower root" — no matter how much it looks like one, it's still a "once-in-a-millennium" find;

Zhangjiajie travel transportation precautions:
(1) Do not take the so-called free or low-priced airport or train station pickup vehicles at Zhangjiajie Railway Station or Zhangjiajie Airport. The best transportation is to take a public

bus or ask a legitimate travel agency to send a vehicle, otherwise they will take you to places you do not want to go;
(2) Do not easily trust tour guides or touts who offer overly low route prices or are excessively enthusiastic; they are very likely to be a “wild horse”;
(3) Friends who come to Zhangjiajie by self-driving car must absolutely not let people you do not know ride

in your car along the way, such as at three-way or crossroads, or at toll stations; they are very likely to be a “high-level wild horse”
(4) Many wild horses operate illegal tourism reception in public places under the guise of being received by ××× legitimate travel agencies. Tourists must not casually trust

Zhangjiajie travel precautions: weather:
When tourists go to Zhangjiajie, of course they should choose an appropriate time. If it rains for several days in a row, it will also dampen your originally happy mood. Tourists should, to a large extent, check the weather online when choosing the weather,

climate, and tourism season.

Zhangjiajie travel precautions: complaint guide

Whenever tourists encounter troublesome matters involving fraud or persistent pestering, do not be weak and afraid, otherwise they will become even more arrogant and unrestrained. The first thing you

should do is refuse decisively and forcefully; they will not do anything to you. If this does not work, you can complain to the relevant management department.

I firmly believe the management department will uphold justice for you, and at the same time this is also what they fear most and your most effective move.

In short, during your trip you should be more vigilant and not believe that pies will fall from the sky. As a legitimate travel agency, we sincerely tell you:

Only those who want to take advantage are likely to be deceived. If you want to have a pleasant journey in Zhangjiajie, choosing a legitimate travel agency will not be wrong.

Even if a travel agency has shortcomings, there is still somewhere to reason things out. I believe shrewd tourists will make a smart choice. We wish you in Zhang

jiajie a pleasant, fulfilling, relaxing holiday free of mental burdens.
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Overall, Zhangjiajie's tourism market is still relatively well regulated. In particular, in recent years the Zhangjiajie municipal government has achieved certain results in purifying the tourism market and cracking down on illegal operations and price gouging and other undesirable phenomena, but this does not mean such undesirable phenomena do not occur. As tourists, it is very important to protect yourselves and avoid unpleasant incidents.
1. When traveling to Zhangjiajie, it is best to choose a legitimate travel agency (such as a travel agency of the Zhangjiajie Xiangzhonglv International Travel Service type). Before departure,

agree on the price and reception matters with them. After arrival, formally sign a travel contract (note that the latest standard contract issued by the National Tourism Administration should be used), and then travel with peace of mind.

2. On the train coming to Zhangjiajie, and at Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Zhangjiajie Airport, there are often people wearing uniforms (mostly impersonators), or claiming to be from some reception department, or using the name of some travel agency to solicit tourists. They will ask you to join their travel agency, or ask to provide you with accommodation, guide, vehicle, and other services. At this time you should remain cautious and not casually deal with them. For those who pester endlessly, you can report to the duty officer, or dial 110, or call the tourism complaint telephone number to resolve it. If you have already joined a local travel agency tour group and someone still comes to pester you, you can directly call their number to ask the travel agency for help, 400-700-9558.

3. If you are driving your own car, in places before entering Zhangjiajie such as Gong'an County, Shashi City, Li County, Shimen, Cili, and so on, there may be people of unknown identity who, when you stop for fuel, when you pay at road or bridge toll stations, when you ask for directions at a fork, or when you are checked at a traffic police post, will get into your car by hitchhiking and offering to guide you for free. Even worse, there are actually people pretending to be traffic police stopping cars on the road, and people who bribe traffic police or toll station staff to make you stop so they can get in. Then in the car they do their utmost to publicize and boast about their tour package prices. They are familiar with many aspects of Zhangjiajie tourism, as if they have extraordinary abilities. If a deal can be made in the car (or an intention to deal), then their task is complete. If the guest is disgusted, they will have contacts

After arriving at the scenic area, the "more capable" members of their group will handle this business deal with you. If their efforts still fail to persuade shrewd guests, the guests may find a hotel on their own or look for a reputable travel agency locally. At this point, they may fix their eyes on you like flies, going to the hotel (or travel agency) you are staying at to demand a commission, claiming that they spent great effort bringing you in. The hotel (or travel agency), as a business entity, would have to raise accommodation prices if it considered giving commissions to these "wild horses." In the end, it is the guest who suffers the loss, and more importantly, it disrupts the normal order of the tourism market. In such situations, you have every reason to refuse them. If you encounter someone who keeps pestering you, you can call the police (110), or better yet, call the Quality Inspection Team of the Zhangjiajie Municipal Tourism Bureau (0744-8380193) or the Quality Inspection Office of the Wulingyuan District Tourism Bureau (0744-5618331).

4. If you need a tour guide, it is best to go through a travel agency (according to the State Council's "Regulations on the Management of Tour Guides," only travel agencies have the authority to assign tour guides). Never casually hire those guide touts outside (most of them are "wild horses"). Although the price is cheap, they certainly have their own tricks for fleecing tourists, because there is no such thing as a free lunch.

5. Shopping is a normal activity in tourism, and basically every scenic area has such activities. What tourists need to do is compare prices at three shops, be good at bargaining, and be good at spotting fakes. As for those so-called Chinese yams and precious teas, do not easily believe their claimed miraculous effects.

In short, during your travels you should be more vigilant and not believe that pies will fall from the sky. As a legitimate travel agency, Xiangzhonglv International Travel Service Co., Ltd. sincerely tells you: only those who seek to take advantage are likely to be cheated. If you want to have a pleasant journey in Zhangjiajie, choosing a legitimate travel agency will not be wrong. Even if a travel agency has its shortcomings, at least there is still somewhere to seek redress. We believe shrewd tourists will make a smart choice. We wish you a pleasant, fulfilling, relaxing, and worry-free holiday in Zhangjiajie.

Friendly Tips -- When Spending Money in the Scenic Area

1. Do not easily trust an overly enthusiastic tour guide; he is very likely a "wild horse."

2. Do not trust a tour guide whose route quotation is too low; he is very likely to "abandon you" midway.

3. Do not blindly follow without asking clearly about the route, to prevent the guide from leading you into an "adventure."

4. Do not spend money at "black shops" without a business license.

5. Do not casually buy "antiques" or "curios" unless you are a connoisseur.

6. Do not believe in "human-shaped fleeceflower root"; that is something encountered once in a thousand years.

7. Check the goods clearly before bargaining, agree on the price before taking the item, and ask for a receipt for future reference.

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What to Pay Attention to When Coming to Zhangjiajie:
1. Before coming to Zhangjiajie, it is best to gather more relevant information online and make comparisons. This way, after you arrive, you will have a basic idea in your mind and avoid being cheated by some "black guides."
2. At the exits of Zhangjiajie (train station, airport, bus station), there will be some people in uniforms, or people claiming to represent some travel agency. They are all fake. Their usual tactic is to lure you in with a low price first, then fleece you hard, leaving you in a dilemma. So friends, be reminded not to "lose your wife and your troops" just to gain a small advantage!
3. After leaving the station, you will encounter some extremely enthusiastic aunties and older women who say they will help you carry your bags and ask whether you need a guide, accommodation, or anything else! They will surround you tightly. At this time, the best approach is not to pay attention to anyone, or just say you have already arranged a guide.
4. In short, traveling is about having fun and enjoying yourself. Do not lose more just to save a little money! Here, I wish all you travelers coming to Zhangjiajie excitement on arrival and happiness on departure!!
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Zhangjiajie Travel Precautions

1. Zhangjiajie Scenic Area is composed of: Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Huangshizhai Scenic Area, Golden Whip Stream Scenic Area), and Suoxiyu Nature

Reserve. The entire Zhangjiajie Scenic Area plus the Wulingyuan government are collectively known as Wulingyuan District.

2. Zhangjiajie admission is a single-ticket system (that is, one through ticket, and it is a magnetic card verified by fingerprint), 248 RMB, valid for 48 hours.

3. The highlight scenic areas of Zhangjiajie are Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area and Huangshizhai Scenic Area, with over one hundred attractions in total, among which Huangshizhai and Golden Whip Stream have more than 70 attractions, and Tianzi

Mountain has more than 50 attractions. As the saying goes: "If you don't go up Huangshizhai, your trip to Zhangjiajie is in vain." Zhangjiajie was rated a World Natural Heritage site and National Forest Park because of

Huangshizhai. Huangshizhai is really a must-visit; otherwise, you truly would have wasted your trip to Zhangjiajie.

4. Ever since UNESCO issued a yellow card warning because hotels built on the mountain damaged the natural landscape, all the hotels on Zhangjiajie's mountain have been removed.

Now there are only local homes, and you can imagine the conditions. This kind of room generally costs about 80 RMB——200 RMB per room, and for the poorest conditions, the kind with just

two beds, you might get it for 50 RMB.

5. On the train coming to Zhangjiajie, as well as at Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Zhangjiajie Airport, there are often people in uniforms (mostly impostors), or wearing the badge of some

reception department, or using the name of some travel agency, who solicit tourists. They will ask you to join their travel agency, or ask to provide you with accommodation,

guide, vehicle, and other such services. At this time you should remain cautious and not casually get involved with them. For those who pester endlessly,

you can report to the duty officer, or dial 110, or call the tourism complaint hotline to get it resolved.

6. If you are driving your own car, in places before entering Zhangjiajie such as Gongan County, Shashi City, Li County, Shimen, and Cili, there may be people of unknown identity

who get into your car under the pretext of hitchhiking and offering to guide you for free when you stop for gas, when you pay at a road or bridge toll station, when you ask for directions at a fork,

or when you are checked at a traffic police post.

7. If you need a guide, it is best to go through a travel agency. Sometimes you can also hire an unlicensed guide outside, but they are generally unreliable. Although the price is cheap, they certainly have their own ways of fleecing tourists.

8. When shopping, you should compare prices at three stores, be good at bargaining, and be good at spotting fakes. Do not easily believe the so-called miraculous effects of those so-called medicinal herbs (especially fleece-flower root, which are all fake) and expensive teas. Helpful tips -- when you spend money in the scenic area

9. Do not spend money in shops without a business license.

10. Do not casually buy "antiques" or "curios" unless you are an expert.

11. Do not believe in "human-shaped fleece-flower root." That is something encountered once in a thousand years, with a lower probability than winning the jackpot in the lottery.

12. Look clearly at the goods and bargain, agree on the price before taking the item, and ask for a receipt for future reference.

13. Communications: Unicom mobile phones are available in Zhangjiajie Scenic Area; there are IC card public telephone booths in the scenic area; mobile phone signals in the scenic area are fairly strong, and communications are relatively normal.

14. Banks: At present in Zhangjiajie, probably the most usable is the ICBC Peony Card. Other usable bank cards include the CCB Dragon Card, Postal Savings Card,

and Bank of China Great Wall Card, etc.; Bank of China can freely exchange foreign currency into RMB.

15. Internet cafes: Apart from a few four-star hotels such as Xianglong International Hotel, most hotels and guesthouses currently still do not have special internet cafe rooms providing online services;

in the city area there are more than 300 privately run internet cafes that provide online services.

16. Rafting: When rafting, be sure to bring some money with you, but not much, about 50 RMB is enough. It is best to bring a raincoat, and go to the restroom before boarding. It is best not to bring a camera or portable audio player, as they may very likely get wet.

17. Equipment: The less luggage the better, because your lodging in the mountains is not fixed each day, and you will have to carry your bag while traveling all the way. It is best to bring an umbrella or buy a disposable raincoat locally, a few yuan each. In summer, be sure to bring sunscreen with SPF 40, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, a sun hat, and at least three sets

of replacement underwear and socks, some tissues and disinfecting wet wipes; wear thick-soled, non-slip sports shoes; bring extra film, as buying it locally is too

expensive; also prepare some simple medicines such as band-aids, anti-inflammatory tablets, and anti-diarrhea tablets.

18. You can bargain wherever you pay, especially for meals, accommodation, and chartered cars. Generally you can bargain down to 70% or 80% of the original price.

19. Most ticket offices at scenic spots can store luggage. Just give 2 RMB, and it generally will not be lost.

20. Pay attention to taking only the dedicated vehicles of legal tour groups, and clearly verify the credentials of guides and porters.

21. Do not cook outdoors or light campfires in the scenic area.

22. When climbing, it is best to carry as little luggage as possible and wear non-slip sports shoes with soft soles; in summer, remember to bring sun protection items, mosquito repellent, and cooling oil;

23. The weather on the mountain is changeable, so remember to bring rain gear or buy a disposable rain poncho when climbing;

24. Bring extra film, as film is more expensive at local tourist attractions;

25. Before climbing, pay attention to the weather forecast. If it is rainy, please bring a lightweight raincoat and wear non-slip hiking shoes.

26. Zhangjiajie is a mountainous area, and climbing takes a relatively long time, so please prepare lightweight cloth shoes or rubber shoes.

27. During the climb, tourists should note: "Do not look at the scenery while walking, and do not walk while looking at the scenery!"

28. During the tour, please stay close to the guide, and it is best to remember the guide's mobile phone number so you can contact them if you get separated.

29. The order of attractions arranged by the local receiving travel agency may be adjusted, but the number of attractions will not be reduced.

30. In the mountainous areas of Zhangjiajie, the temperature difference between morning and evening is relatively large, so please make corresponding preparations.

31. During peak tourist season, there may be situations such as long waits for cable cars and eco-buses.

32. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park offers free admission for seniors over 70 and children under 1.2 meters, and discounted tickets for officer certificates or soldier certificates, disability certificates,

and students under 24. Please bring the original copies of the relevant documents and give them to the guide before the guide purchases tickets.
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Notes for Self-Driving Tours to Zhangjiajie

1. I am preparing to drive to Zhangjiajie, but I do not know what the road conditions in the Zhangjiajie area are like.

Highways are the main form of tourist transportation within Hunan Province. Hunan Province plans to build a highway network extending in all directions across the province within 15 to 20 years

. At present, several expressways have been opened, including Changzhu, Changtan, Changyong, Tanshao, Ningchang, Changchang, Leiyi, and the Changsha Ring Road. The completed expressway

mileage exceeds 1,200 kilometers; the expressways from Changde to Zhangjiajie (completed) and from Changde to Jishou are under construction.

At present, the Changzhang Expressway from Changsha to Zhangjiajie opened to traffic on December 26, 2005. As a result, it now takes only about 3.5

hours from Changsha to Zhangjiajie, making transportation more convenient; the section from Zhangjiajie city to Wulingyuan is a high-grade highway with wide roads and good road conditions.

The Zhangluo high-grade highway from Zhangjiajie city to Jishou city was completed in 2004. The road surface is smooth, and a car can reach Jishou city in nearly 3 hours.

The highway from Jishou city to Fenghuang was also renovated in 2004 (1 hour from Jishou to Fenghuang).

With the continuous renovation of various road sections, road conditions in Zhangjiajie and the Xiangxi region have now greatly improved, and it is no longer the former "Highway with Eighteen Bends"

.

2. I heard that on the way to Zhangjiajie by self-driving car, there are many "wild horses" soliciting passengers. What is that about?

If you come to Zhangjiajie by self-driving car, wild horses and unlicensed guides will try every possible way to talk with you about tour packages. Because you are

self-driving, the first thing they want to do is get into your car before you arrive in Zhangjiajie. As long as they get into your car, they have a place to work their magic, and there is nothing they think they cannot accomplish.

1. Boarding locations: the Zhangjiajie exit of the Changzhang Expressway, the route from the exit to the urban area, and branch roads near Zhangjiajie in surrounding cities and counties (such as Lixian, Shimen

, Changde, and Cili), intersections, gas stations, toll stations, and traffic police duty points.

2. Targets: sedans, vans, business travel vehicles, and non-route-operating minibuses or large buses from outside Zhangjiajie......

3. Reason for boarding: I am from Zhangjiajie and happen to be going back to Zhangjiajie. I can hitch a ride and also show you the way. Uninformed people often

think they are lucky. There are also more sophisticated wild horses who appear as public security, traffic police, or government agency personnel, asking traffic police on roadside duty to

stop a car for them, claiming that they are colleagues from that area, are handling matters here, and now need to find a ride back.

After getting in the car, they promote and boast about themselves as much as possible, as if they have extraordinary abilities and know every tourism link and department in Zhangjiajie. If a deal can be

made in the car (or if there is an intention to do so), then their task is complete. If the guest is disgusted, they will have contacts, and after arriving at the scenic area, "more capable"

and "more influential" accomplices will negotiate with you. If all these efforts still do not work on shrewd guests, and the guests may find a hotel on their own or

find a reputable travel agency locally, then they may stare at you like flies and go to the hotel (or travel agency) where you are staying to demand a kickback,

They claim these are guests they went to great lengths to bring in. If a hotel (or travel agency), as a business entity, were to consider giving a kickback to the "wildcat" operators,

it would inevitably have to raise the accommodation price, and the ones who lose out would still be the guests. More importantly, it disrupts the normal order of the tourism market.

In the above situations, self-driving friends have every reason to refuse them. If you encounter someone who keeps pestering you, you can dial 110 to call the police.

3. I heard that outside vehicles cannot enter Zhangjiajie Forest Park, and that you must take an eco-friendly bus within the scenic area?

In order to protect the World Natural Heritage, within the five ticket gates of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, visitors must travel between all scenic spots by the eco-friendly buses of the scenic area's passenger transport eco-bus company. The cost of the eco-buses is already included in the main entrance ticket purchased when entering the scenic area; therefore, self-driving friends

can only park their cars in the parking lot beside the scenic area entrance or at the hotel where they are staying outside the scenic area.

4. How much time does Zhangjiajie generally require, and which scenic areas are worth visiting?

If speaking purely of touring Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area alone, visiting the main regular scenic spots generally takes 2 to 3 days. The main spots include:

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Huangshizhai, Golden Whip Stream, Shuiraosimen, Tianzi Mountain, Ten-Mile Gallery, Yellow Dragon Cave, Baofeng Lake, Yuanjiajie,

Mihuntai, the No. 1 Bridge under Heaven, and so on. If you want to tour more thoroughly, it takes 4 days, and you can additionally add scenic spots such as Yangjiajie and Yaozizhai.

However, the main entrance ticket to Zhangjiajie's core scenic area is generally valid for only two days, so this involves the issue of buying another main entrance ticket for a second entry into the core scenic area.

To visit all these spots without leaving the scenic area, it is recommended to stay at farmhouse inns within the scenic area. As long as you do not exit the main gate of the scenic area, you can tour for as many days as you like. Zhangjiajie has the reputation of

"three thousand exotic peaks, eight hundred beautiful waters." A large area, vast land, and complexity are its typical characteristics. The entire scenic area is divided into four major regions, namely:

1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Its well-known scenic spots include: Golden Whip Stream, Golden Whip Rock, Couple Rock, Huangshizhai, Star-Picking Platform, Heavenly Book Treasure Box,

Heavenly Bridge Leftover Pier, Fir Forest Path, Meeting After a Thousand Miles, Purple Grass Pool, and so on;

2. Suoxiyu Nature Reserve. Its well-known scenic spots include: the underground maze -- Yellow Dragon Cave, the earthly jade pool -- Baofeng Lake, Baizhang Gorge, South Heavenly Gate,

Macaque Garden, West Sea, Ten-Mile Gallery, Shuiraosimen, and so on;

3. Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. Its well-known scenic spots include: Imperial Brush Peak, He Long Park, Shentang Bay, Point-General Platform, Fairy Presenting Flowers, Stone Boat Emerging from the Sea, Moon Pass, and so on.

4. Yangjiazhai (formerly Yangjiajie) Nature Reserve. Its well-known scenic spots include: General Rock, Wulong Village (formerly Heilong Village), One Step to Heaven, Tianbo Mansion, Kitten Fishing, Quiet Valley Cool Terrace, Qu Yuan Chanting, the No. 1 Bridge under Heaven, Mihuntai, Back Garden, Heaven-Hung White Silk, and so on.

5. What is the relationship among the place names Zhangjiajie City, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Wulingyuan District, and Suoxiyu?

Self-driving friends often cannot sort out the above place names, so here is a special explanation:

Zhangjiajie City: Zhangjiajie City is one of Hunan's 14 prefecture-level cities and governs two districts and two counties: Yongding District (the urban area of Zhangjiajie City), Wulingyuan District (the scenic area), Cili County, and Sangzhi County. If tourists travel by train or plane, they first arrive in Zhangjiajie City.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: China's first national forest park, under the jurisdiction of Wulingyuan District, and the destination for tourists. Wulingyuan District: the district is rich in tourism resources and administers many famous scenic areas, including Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area, Baofeng Lake Scenic Area, and others. If self-driving tourists come from the direction of Changsha or Wuhan, they will first pass through Cili County and then reach Wulingyuan District. From Wulingyuan District, they then drive to Zhangjiajie City.

Suoxiyu: the seat of the Wulingyuan District government, and also the original place name of Wulingyuan District. Because Suoxiyu is located at the center of many scenic spots such as Tianzi Mountain, Yellow Dragon Cave, and Baofeng Lake, transportation to each scenic spot is extremely convenient, so it is also a concentration of hotels.

6. About accommodation in Zhangjiajie:

The main areas where hotels are distributed in Zhangjiajie are: Zhangjiajie urban area, Wulingyuan District (Suoxiyu), and the exit of the forest park -- these three major areas; farmhouse stays

are mainly distributed in Yangjiajie's Wulong Village, and secondly within the Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain scenic areas.

Generally, for a self-guided tour to Zhangjiajie, it is best to stay within the scenic area. Although the accommodation conditions there are somewhat worse than in the urban area, it can save the fatigue of traveling back and forth, avoid retracing your route, and also save time. Within the scenic area, it is recommended to stay in Yangjiajie's Wulong Village.

First, this place is in the core zone of the scenic area, making it very convenient to visit the surrounding scenic spots;

Second, after going up the mountain, you can leave your luggage at the inn, making it easy to tour lightly. The Tujia inns are adjacent to scenic spots such as Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, Daguantai, Tianzi Mountain, and Laowuchang;

the farmhouse stays highly praised by netizens are all in this place; (because the scenic area has limited capacity, tour groups cannot stay within the scenic area); staying in Zhangjiajie

For city hotels, if you want a slightly higher grade, a two-star standard twin room is 80—100 RMB per room; a three-star is 180——220 RMB per room. A four-star is 320-420

RMB per room. In the city area, the most concentrated area of hotels is on Renmin Road, near the bus station. Zhangjiajie International Hotel, Xianglong International Hotel, Guizu Grand Hotel,

Langhao Hotel and others are all very good choices. It is suggested that backpackers had best choose to stay near the bus station, because it will be more

convenient when going to the scenic area or returning.

VII. Zhangjiajie Independent Travel Route——Recommended

D1: Visit Forest Park (248 RMB/person), Golden Whip Stream, Guanyin Songzi, Golden Whip Rock, Pishan Jiumu, Longevity Spring, Wenxing Rock, Zicao Pool, Qianli

Xianghui (climb the mountain to Houhuayuan), Shuirao Simen (you can take the elevator to Yuanjiajie), Houhuayuan, Mihun Terrace, Tianxia Diyi Bridge. Overnight stay in Yuanjiajie or

Yangjiajie

D2: After breakfast, visit Daguantai, Yibu Nanxing, Shenji Zhuoshi (here you can view the full panorama of Ten-Mile Gallery), Xianren Bridge, Yangjiajie, Wulong Village, Tianbo

Mansion, Yibu Dengtian, Sky Corridor (this is a place tour groups do not go). Overnight stay in Yuanjiajie or Yangjiajie."

D3: Visit Tianzi Mountain, Shentang Bay, Dianjiang Terrace, Helong Park, Tianzi Viewing Platform, Yunqing Rock, Xiannü Xianhua, etc., return to the city area, send off the group.

Source & reference