Zhangjiajie Guide: Save Money and Worry!!!
Zhangjiajie is vast—never go with a tour group, or you'll never appreciate the most beautiful scenery. Yangjiajie and Yuanjiajie are must-visits. The ticket is valid for only two days (natural days, not 48 hours; fingerprints are recorded, and you can enter and exit multiple times within two days), but it expires after that, so it's best to stay in the mountains. There are no hotels but there are family-run inns. On the mountain...
This article is compiled from the original travel notes on the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com); it is a record of trips from earlier years. Time-sensitive information such as ticket prices, schedules, and accommodation prices is subject to the latest announcements from scenic areas and transportation authorities; the itinerary ideas and attraction introductions still have reference value.
Zhangjiajie is very large. Never go with a tour group—that way you simply cannot appreciate the most beautiful scenery. Yangjiajie and Yuanjiajie are must-visits. The ticket is only valid for two days (natural days, not 48 hours; fingerprints are recorded, and you can enter and exit multiple times within two days), but it becomes invalid after two days. So it's best to stay in the mountains. There are no hotels but there are farmhouse inns. Camping on the mountain is rather dangerous—there are wild animals—but if there are enough people, you can try. All transportation within the mountain is free, with buses shuttling between different scenic areas. Almost all scenic spots in Zhangjiajie are covered by the ticket; others that are farther away are only considered if you have more time.
2. In Zhangjiajie, it's best to find a local self-guided tour guide. You can choose an all-inclusive package (tickets, 5 main meals, 2 breakfasts, and 2 nights' accommodation). They quote 460 yuan; depending on your negotiating skills and the season, you can bargain, but after all, they make their living from this, so don't drive too hard a bargain. You can also hire just a guide for 50 yuan a day. We chose the all-inclusive package for peace of mind. But note that meals are one meat, one vegetable, and one soup. Guide Jun agreed that we could choose our own dishes, but those restaurant owners often make things difficult—this isn't available, that isn't available. Haha, they'll tell you there's shredded potato and egg soup. My experience is to eat local Tujia and Miao dishes, argue your case firmly, and it depends on your own skill. Note that the prices marked on the menus are scary—don't go by them.
3. Be sure to visit Wangcun before Fenghuang; otherwise you'll be overshadowed by Fenghuang's impression and find Wangcun bland. Actually, Wangcun has very distinctive features too. In Wangcun, spend a little time taking the ferry from the dock to the opposite bank, where you can see the full view of Wangcun. The round trip costs only 2 yuan.
4. In Fenghuang, you must do as the online guides say—'walk and read.' Really, 'walking' is the most important thing. Look at every street in Fenghuang, see every scene in Fenghuang. Walk in the early morning, at dusk, and at night. In two days I saw every place in Fenghuang—it's truly simple and honest. You can walk along the Tuo River to Shen Congwen's grave and then walk back along the opposite bank. You should also visit the new town. Fenghuang's greatest enjoyment is the snacks—you must eat them all, eat non-stop. When I left Fenghuang, I couldn't even bend over, but my mouth still wanted to eat—so delicious.
5. In Fenghuang, you must stay in a stilted house, and one facing the river. Best to stay one night on the south bank and one night on the north bank—you'll see different scenery. Choose near Hongqiao or near the North Gate. I stayed at Yonghong Inn, directly facing the North Gate. I must say a few words about the proprietress: she is truly simple and honest. From when I checked in until I left, she never asked for any ID or a single cent of deposit. This kind of trust I've only seen abroad. Moreover, based on her own experience and tours, she tells you many routes and ideas for reference.
6. In Fenghuang, the most important thing is to observe local customs and folkways. I hope everyone won't destroy their simplicity (including in Zhangjiajie), and won't use outside influences to affect their honesty. In one sentence: if Fenghuang loses its simplicity, it loses Fenghuang. Spend more energy thinking about how to protect some of humanity's pure lands. Don't forget the purpose of our travel: leave nothing but footprints, including no damage to folk customs.
7. To visit villages around Fenghuang, you can charter a car—it's fast. Current prices range from 60-80 yuan a day, depending on your bargaining. However, many roads are rough, and the drivers drive without complaint—I even feel sorry for their cars. Go see for yourself. Shujiatang is optional—it's not well preserved. These old houses are all used by local villagers to raise pigs, with pig manure everywhere, but it is indeed authentic.
8. Our Zhangjiajie itinerary was: Day one, Forest Park, Golden Whip Stream, Golden Whip Rock, Journey to the West, Meeting After a Thousand Miles. Those with good stamina can climb up to the Back Garden along Luanshuan Slope. Those with less stamina can take the Water Winding Around Four Gates and ride the Bailong Elevator up. Afternoon: Yuanjiajie, Back Garden, Soul-Stirring Terrace, Number One Bridge Under Heaven. Stay at a farmhouse inn. Or stay at the only quasi-three-star hotel in the scenic area. If you stay at the quasi-three-star hotel, the price will be higher. Day two: Yangjiajie Bandit's Lair, Wulong Village, Tianbo Mansion, One Step to Heaven, Sky Corridor. Afternoon: Daguantai, Immortal Bridge, Tianzi Seat, One Step Difficult, Divine Chicken Pecking. View the panorama of Ten-Mile Gallery. Day three: Get up early to visit Shentang Bay, Point General Terrace, Marshal He Long Park, East Heaven Gate, Imperial Brush Peak, Fairy Scattering Flowers, Wolong Ridge, Ten-Mile Gallery, Sisters Peak, Herb-Gathering Old Man, Longevity Star Welcoming Guests, and other attractions. Take a bus for about an hour to Zhangjiajie city.