National Day Golden Week Route: Zhangjiajie DIY Travel Guide
For the long eight-day holiday, if you're worn out in the concrete jungle, why not drop your burdens and escape the daily grind—rest on soft golden sands or wander alone among emerald green mountains. Here, our lifestyle editors have prepared National Day route recommendations for you who want to escape, and...
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.
During the long eight-day holiday, if you are already physically and mentally exhausted in the forest of reinforced concrete, will you put down the burden on your shoulders and escape from the monotonous daily routine, either lightly stepping onto golden soft beaches or wandering alone among the emerald green and tranquil mountains? Here, the Life Home editor has specially prepared National Day travel route recommendations for you who want to escape. Come with us and let every cell in your body take a deep breath of fresh air.
Independent travel allows you to freely see many beautiful sights that tour groups cannot show you, without having to go to places you do not want to visit to buy travel products much more expensive than outside, saving a lot of time and money. Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang, two scenic areas popular around the world, are like twin sisters closely connected. This is a paradise for those who like independent travel. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, let us provide you with a simple and affordable Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang independent travel route and a hand-drawn tour map of the Zhangjiajie scenic area. With these two things, you can explore Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang on your own.
First, it's suggested to go to Zhangjiajie first, then to Fenghuang. The reason is that climbing Zhangjiajie is too tiring — Zhangjiajie Forest Park and the other four major scenic areas cover 264 square kilometers. It generally takes three days, and it's all walking. Of course, there are elevators, cable cars, and sightseeing trains you can take, but for independent travelers in the wild, one goes for economy, two for freedom, and three to see more things. There's really no need to save effort on that. So after climbing the mountains, go to the Tuo River in Fenghuang and soak your already sore and swollen legs, relax, and it's like a rest and recovery. Then head home, and it will feel easy.
In summer, when going from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang, you can choose to go rafting on the Mengdong River, then stop at Wangcun (Furong Town) (there's no need in winter). Wangcun got its name from the film "Hibiscus Town," directed by Xie Jin and starring Liu Xiaoqing and Jiang Wen. The streets are built along the river and paved with bluestone slabs. Although most of the houses have been renovated, it still has a bit of the flavor of a border town, and it's worth lingering for more than two hours. If you also want to go to the number one rafting in the world — Mengdong River rafting — then you can spend a day in Furong Town. Between Wangcun and the Mengdong River there is also a canyon — Zuolong Gorge. Those who like adventure can also go in and take a look.
Brief explanation of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area:
The Zhangjiajie Scenic Area and the Suoxiyu Nature Reserve are collectively called the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The Zhangjiajie Scenic Area is further divided into four scenic zones (that is, the zones included in the 248 yuan ticket): Zhangjiajie Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. The Suoxiyu Nature Reserve includes the Huanglong Cave Scenic Area (ticket 80 yuan) and the Baofeng Lake Scenic Area (ticket 74 yuan).
For the Zhangjiajie scenic area, ordinary small-group tours are arranged as three-day trips. This kind of group can be formed with just two people, and you can go whenever you arrive — very convenient. Moreover, these travel agencies that put together small groups all have posts online, so you can contact them in advance. The cost is economical too — generally between 460 and 480, including five main meals, two breakfasts, two nights' accommodation, and the entrance ticket fee (248), but not including the elevator and cable car fees within the scenic area. No need to worry about being cheated. These travel agencies generally make contact through the internet and have a certain reputation; they do honest business to earn money.
Be sure to ask clearly whether the guide has arranged travel liability insurance and accidental injury insurance for the guests. Only in this way are your rights fully protected from the time you arrive in Zhangjiajie until you leave.
For independent travel in Zhangjiajie, you can choose from the following four itineraries and routes.
First, the popular route: Zhangjiajie-Yuanjiajie-Yangjiajie-Tianzi Mountain (3 days 2 nights). The specific itinerary is:
On the first day, after being picked up at the station, take a bus to the designated place to Zhangjiajie Forest Park, and tour along the world's most beautiful canyon, the Jinhua Stream premium tour route. Along the way there are famous scenic spots "Mother and Child Peak" "Zhu Bajie Carries His Wife" "Golden Whip Rock" "Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother" "Longevity Spring" "Wenxing Rock" "Zicao Tan" "Qianli Xianghui (Meeting After a Thousand Miles)" and others. After reaching Qianli Xianghui, climb up Luancuanpo to Houhuayuan, then take a bus to check in"Tujia mountain village" If you do not want to climb the mountain, you can follow Jinhua Stream to Shuirao Simen, take the world's number one elevator (Bailong Elevator) to Houhuayuan (those taking the elevator must buy a separate ticket at 56 yuan/person), then check in at "Tujia Shanzhai."
Second day itinerary: After breakfast, visit the core of the World Natural Heritage--Yuanjiajie "Tianxia Diyi Qiao (Number One Bridge Under Heaven)" "Five Women Going to Battle" "Double Dragon Spring" "Lianxin Bridge" "Divine Turtle Asking Heaven" "Lianxin Bridge" "Mihun Tai" At noon, have lunch at Tujia Shanzhai. After lunch, visit the premium scenic spots of Yangjiajie: Wulong Village, Yibu Dengtian, and the Sky Corridor. After visiting these places, return to "Tujia Shanzhai" to stay.
Third day itinerary: This is also the last day in the Zhangjiajie scenic area. On this day you must get up early. After breakfast, take a bus to visit the famous scenic spots of the Tianzi Mountain scenic area"Shentang Bend" After visiting Shentangwan, continue by bus for a few minutes to Helong Park to visit"He Long Bronze Statue" "Tiannü Sanhua (Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers)" "Yubi Feng" "Tianzi Pavilion" Follow Nantianmen to Shili Gallery. The whole descent takes about 1.5 hours. If you do not want to work too hard, you can take the Tianzi Mountain cableway down. Taking the cableway requires a separate ticket at 52 yuan/person. After descending, if time permits, you can visit Shili Gallery. Walking round trip takes 2 hours. If you take the mini train, the tour takes only 40 minutes, but requires a separate ticket at 33 yuan/person. Then exit the Suoxiyu ticket station and take a bus back to the city. Transfer to the station.
Second, the leisure business-style route: Zhangjiajie-Yuanjiajie-Yangjiajie-Tianzi Mountain-Huanglong Cave or Baofeng Lake (3 days 2 nights). The specific itinerary is as follows:
On the first day, after being picked up at the station, take a bus to the designated place to Zhangjiajie Forest Park, and tour along the world's most beautiful canyon, the Jinhua Stream premium tour route. Along the way there are famous scenic spots "Mother and Child Peak" "Zhu Bajie Carries His Wife" "Golden Whip Rock" "Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother" "Longevity Spring" "Wenxing Rock" "Zicao Tan" "Qianli Xianghui (Meeting After a Thousand Miles)", walk to Shuirao Simen, take the world's number one elevator (Bailong Elevator) to Houhuayuan (taking the elevator requires a separate ticket at 56 yuan/person), then visit the core of the heritage--Yuanjiajie "Tianxia Diyi Qiao (Number One Bridge Under Heaven)" "Five Women Going to Battle" "Double Dragon Spring" "Lianxin Bridge" "Divine Turtle Asking Heaven" "Lianxin Bridge" "Mihun Tai" Then check in at "Tujia Shanzhai."
Second day itinerary: After breakfast, visit the premium scenic spots of Yangjiajie: Wulong Village, Yibu Dengtian, and the Sky Corridor. After lunch, go to Helong Park to visit "He Long Bronze Statue" "Tiannü Sanhua (Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers)" "Yubi Feng" "Tianzi Pavilion" Take the cable car down the mountain (separate ticket required, 52 yuan/person). If time permits, you can visit Ten-Mile Gallery; walking round trip takes 2 hours, or only 40 minutes by mini-train, but a separate ticket is required at 33 yuan/person. Then go to the Suoxiyu ticket station and stay at the "Suhang Hotel." In Suoxiyu at night, you can go to "Charming Xiangxi" or "Zhangjiajie Grand World" to watch Tujia folk performances. In Wulingyuan there will be plenty of entertainment to capture your heart.
On the third day, we can visit the world-famous cave landscape "Huanglong Cave" or the earthly jade pool "Baofeng" or the Gate to the Earth's Core "Longwang Cave," and in the afternoon head straight to the ancient city of Fenghuang or be transferred to the station.
Route Three, the intensive route: (This route is suitable for friends arriving in Zhangjiajie at night) Zhangjiajie--Yuanjiajie--Yangjiajie--Tianzi Mountain (two days and one night tour). The specific itinerary is as follows:
On the first day, after being picked up at the station, take a bus to the designated place to Zhangjiajie Forest Park, and tour along the world's most beautiful canyon, the Jinhua Stream premium tour route. Along the way there are famous scenic spots "Mother and Child Peak" "Zhu Bajie Carries His Wife" "Golden Whip Rock" "Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother" "Longevity Spring" "Wenxing Rock" "Zicao Tan" "Qianli Xianghui (Meeting After a Thousand Miles)" and others. After reaching Qianli Xianghui, climb up Luancuanpo to Houhuayuan, then take a bus to check in"Tujia mountain village" If you are unwilling to climb the mountain, you can walk along Golden Whip Stream to Water Winding Around Four Gates, take the world's No. 1 elevator (Bailong Elevator) to the Back Garden (those taking the elevator need a separate ticket at 56 yuan/person), and then tour the core of the World Natural Heritage--Yuanjiajie "Tianxia Diyi Qiao (Number One Bridge Under Heaven)" "Five Women Going to Battle" "Double Dragon Spring" "Lianxin Bridge" "Divine Turtle Asking Heaven" "Lianxin Bridge" "Mihun Tai" Then check in at the "Tujia Mountain Village."
Second day itinerary: After breakfast, visit the premium scenic spots of Yangjiajie: Wulong Village, Yibu Dengtian, and the Sky Corridor. After lunch, go to Helong Park to visit "He Long Bronze Statue" "Tiannü Sanhua (Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers)" "Yubi Feng" "Tianzi Pavilion" Take the cable car down the mountain (separate ticket required, 52 yuan/person). If time permits, you can visit Ten-Mile Gallery; walking round trip takes 2 hours, or only 40 minutes by mini-train, but a separate ticket is required at 33 yuan/person. Then take the eco-bus out of the Suoxiyu ticket station and ride back to the city. Transfer to the station.
Route Four, the luxury route: Zhangjiajie--Tianzi Mountain--Yuanjiajie--Yangjiajie--Huanglong Cave or Baofeng Lake (3 days and 2 nights). The specific itinerary is as follows:
On the first day, after being picked up at the station, take a bus to the designated place to Zhangjiajie Forest Park, and tour along the world's most beautiful canyon, the Jinhua Stream premium tour route. Along the way there are famous scenic spots "Mother and Child Peak" "Zhu Bajie Carries His Wife" "Golden Whip Rock" "Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother" "Longevity Spring" "Wenxing Rock" "Zicao Tan" "Qianli Xianghui (Meeting After a Thousand Miles)" etc. Continue along Golden Whip Stream to Water Winding Around Four Gates, then take the eco-bus to visit "Ten-Mile Gallery." Visiting Ten-Mile Gallery on foot round trip takes 2 hours; by mini-train it takes only 40 minutes, but a separate ticket is required at 33 yuan/person. Then take the cable car up to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and visit"He Long Bronze Statue" "Tiannü Sanhua (Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers)" "Yubi Feng" "Tianzi Pavilion". Finally check in at the three-star hotel "Dafengyun Hotel"
Day Two itinerary: After breakfast, take the bus to visit the famous spots of the Tianzi Mountain scenic area"Shentang Bend" After visiting Shentang Bend, take the bus to visit Daguantai's "Immortal Bridge," "Tianzi Seat," "Divine Chicken Pecking Food," and "One Step Hard to Walk." Have lunch at Wulong Village, then visit "Wulong Village," "Tianbo Mansion," "One Step to Heaven," and "Sky Corridor." Then return to "Dafengyun Hotel" to check in.
Day Three itinerary: After breakfast, tour the core of the heritage--Yuanjiajie "Tianxia Diyi Qiao (Number One Bridge Under Heaven)" "Five Women Going to Battle" "Double Dragon Spring" "Lianxin Bridge" "Divine Turtle Asking Heaven" "Lianxin Bridge" "Mihun Tai" Take the Bailong Elevator to Water Winding Around Four Gates, then take the eco-bus out of the Suoxiyu ticket station, and ride to visit Huanglong Cave or Baofeng Lake. After the tour, ride back to the city. Transfer to the station.