Must-visit Attractions in Zhangjiajie, Thirteen Dreamlike Places|Travel Guide
Must-visit Attractions in Zhangjiajie, Thirteen Dreamlike Places Gently, lovers embrace each other, Strolling and looking at the surrounding scenery, Slowly, we will all grow old. Like the sand rolled up when the tide recedes, Softly, deeply, The moon is calling to the heart of the sea, Erasing all traces of cold and heat, love and hate. But forever engraved in the heart, Is the scenery of Zhangjiajie. If you ask me,...
Must-Visit Attractions in Zhangjiajie: 13 Dreamlike Places
Gently, lovers embrace,
Strolling and admiring the scenery around,
Slowly, we will all grow old.
Like the sand stirred up when the tide recedes,
Softly, deeply,
The moon calls to the heart of the sea,
Erasing all traces of cold and heat,
Love and hate.
But forever engraved in the heart,
Is the scenery of Zhangjiajie.
If you ask me which attractions are must-sees when traveling to Zhangjiajie, I will tell you they are:
1. Imperial Brush Peak (Tianzi Mountain)
Imperial Brush Peak is a typical representative of Zhangjiajie's quartz peak forest landform, located in Tianzi Mountain. Several thin, slender, and upright peaks are very distinctive, shaped like several inverted writing brushes. Legend has it that they are the imperial brushes used by Xiang Dakun, the leader of the Tujia uprising, and planted upside down here. This attraction has been used many times as promotional image material by media, a focal point on film and television screens for many years, and the subject of Zhangjiajie's first issued stamp in 1999. A poem goes, "Viewing the West Sea in the mist, Imperial Brush Peak points to the sky. A viewing platform of strange peaks and rocks, the Three Mountains and Five Sacred Peaks are outdone." It can be said that Imperial Brush Peak is the representative of Zhangjiajie's scenery, and it rightly becomes the first of the top ten wonders.
Yuanjiajie
3. No. 1 Bridge under Heaven (Yuanjiajie)
No. 1 Bridge under Heaven is the highest natural stone bridge in the world, with a bridge deck about two meters wide, over 20 meters long, and an absolute height of 350 meters. Two large mountains are connected by a corridor, forming a natural bridge arch. In cloudy and rainy weather, the bridge often swallows clouds and spits mist, with rolling clouds and unfathomable depths, spectacular and majestic. On the bridge, ancient pines stand tall, and old vines hang by the sides. Walking on the bridge, you see mist rising, hear the whistling of pine waves, and the stone bridge seems to tremble and sway, thrilling. This is a unique scenery of Zhangjiajie, a miracle of nature, and the name No. 1 Bridge under Heaven is not exaggerated at all.
Golden Whip Stream
4. Divine Eagle Guarding the Whip (Golden Whip Stream)
Divine Eagle Guarding the Whip is located in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, by Golden Whip Stream. Two stone peaks are connected; the left peak resembles an eagle with spread wings, and the right peak resembles a divine whip. The top of the left peak is pointed and slanted, like an eagle's head, and the lower part of the mountain resembles the eagle's broad and huge wings. The eagle's left wing tightly surrounds Golden Whip Rock, as if guarding it, hence the name Divine Eagle Guarding the Whip. Golden Whip Rock has a relative height of over 380 meters and is said to be the tallest among Zhangjiajie's 3,000 stone peaks.
Tianzi Mountain
5. Fairy Scattering Flowers (Tianzi Mountain)
Fairy Offering Flowers is hailed as the incarnation of a fairy, the beloved concubine of King Xiang, with a vivid and lifelike image, like a charming beauty. Holding a full bouquet of flowers in her hands, she scatters flower seeds among the peaks of the West Sea. She has been waiting here for King Xiang's return. A poem goes, "The jade maiden from the Yaochi descends to the mortal world, turning into a stone peak exceptionally enchanting. Holding golden orchids and scattering them at will, ten thousand golden lotuses at the mountainside."
Ten-Mile Gallery
6. Herb-Collecting Old Man (Ten-Mile Gallery)
The Herb-Collecting Old Man is located in Ten-Mile Gallery. No one who sees him says he doesn't look like one. The Herb-Collecting Old Man is also called Old Man Rock. Not far ahead of "Longevity Star Greeting Guests," he carries a full basket of herbs on his back, hunched at the waist, with a wrinkled face and deep eyes full of anxiety and worry. It is said that he was He Banxian, the herbal doctor by King Xiang's side. Since the uprising army fought with government troops, he climbed mountains and crossed ridges every day to collect herbs and treated the wounded day and night. That day, he had just collected a basket of herbs and passed by Shentang Bay when he heard that the uprising had failed and King Xiang had jumped off a cliff to his death. He was instantly stunned, and his feet would not obey. Thus, carrying the herb basket, he stared blankly at Shentang Bay. Over time, he turned into a stone statue. A poem praises: "Heavenly work cannot sculpt Old Man Rock, travel-worn and full of emotion. Why carry herbs on his back, hurried steps make one ponder."
Yellow Dragon Cave
7. Sea-Calming Divine Needle (Yellow Dragon Cave)
The iconic attraction of Zhangjiajie Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area, with a total height of 19.2 meters and a circumference of 40 centimeters, is the tallest stalagmite in Yellow Dragon Cave. It is thick at both ends and thin in the middle, with the thinnest part only 10 centimeters in diameter. If, according to experts' measurement, the average annual growth rate of stalagmites in Yellow Dragon Cave is only 0.1 millimeters, then by this calculation, the "Sea-Calming Divine Needle" has been growing for 200,000 years and is still growing. If it grows another 6 meters in 60,000 years, it will reach the dome and "stand between heaven and earth"! To better protect this iconic attraction, the management of Yellow Dragon Cave Scenic Area specially bought 100 million yuan in huge insurance for the "Sea-Calming Divine Needle," creating a precedent in China and the world for buying insurance for natural heritage.
Baofeng Lake
8. Baofeng Flying Waterfall (Baofeng Lake)
Baofeng Flying Waterfall: About 40 meters up the mountainside to the left front of Baofeng Bridge, water flies down like a silver ribbon hanging on the cliff. The waterfall first plunges straight down, then spreads along the slope into the pool at the iron-chain bridge. Two pools overlap, shimmering with light, reflecting green bamboo, red trees, and human figures, like a painting palette. After touring Baofeng Lake, calligrapher Shen Peng inscribed "Flying Stream Boundary Peak" and had it carved on the cliff above the flying waterfall stone.
Husband and Wife Rock
9. Husband and Wife Rock (Huangshizhai)
What? Someone says Husband and Wife Rock is two stones. Then is the stone next to it the third party? I'm dizzy, I admire your imagination. Husband and Wife Rock is located on the hill opposite Huangshizhai, behind Zhangjiajie Villa, opposite Tianjiatai, with two naturally formed peaks. These mountains are truly strange: one resembles a man, one resembles a woman, head to head, body to body, with eyes, noses, hair, lips, and even eyebrows and teeth clearly visible. They stand on the high mountain, on divine ground, loving each other, never separating. Legend has it that this is the flower fairy Shan Hehua and the beekeeper Tian Hualang, who went through countless hardships and several near-death experiences to be united. If you meet your true love, you can go here, make a wish to ensure marital harmony and family happiness.
Meeting After a Thousand Miles
10. Meeting After a Thousand Miles (Golden Whip Stream)
During the tour of Golden Whip Stream, you can see a group of strange peaks. Two taller stone peaks are closely connected, with the lower halves merged into one, and the upper halves one tall and one short. The taller one leans slightly forward, and the shorter one leans slightly back, forming a wonderful picture of loving embrace, just like a couple reunited after a long separation, hence the name Meeting Peak, also called Meeting After a Thousand Miles. Legend has it that the little dragon girl from the East Sea Dragon Palace often came here to enjoy the scenery. By chance, she met a young man from Mount Emei who had come from afar. They fell in love at first sight and soon developed romantic feelings. When the Dragon King learned of this, he was very angry and determined to separate them. He repeatedly confined the little dragon girl to the Dragon Palace, but she found ways to escape and often met her lover. In a fit of anger, the Dragon King turned them into stone, forming the stone peak "Meeting After a Thousand Miles."
Maoyan River Rafting
11. Maoyan River Rafting
Maoyan River Rafting is located in Maoyan River Scenic Area, downstream of the Maoyan River calm-lake tour, 32 kilometers west of Zhangjiajie city. The rafting journey is 28 kilometers, with a drop of 66 meters and 55 thrilling but safe rapids. Maoyan River has clear mountains and waters, picturesque scenery, deep gorges, many rapids and waves. Along the river are steep cliffs, flying waterfalls and flowing springs, strange and dangerous mountain shapes, deep rocks and dense forests, ancient and magical; the river is swift as an arrow, fierce waves like galloping, splitting rocks and piercing gorges, peaks turning and water rotating. It can truly be said: "Not the Three Gorges, but better than the Three Gorges."
Maoyan River Rafting has now become China's largest and safest tourist rafting project, and the most exciting project among Zhangjiajie's "mountain, water, cave" tourism boutique projects. Dancing with the waves, an unforgettable rafting experience. Driving a rubber boat down the Maoyan River, thousand-blade stone walls rush at you, playing with the jade-like river flow, enjoying infinite pastoral scenery, layered green mountains, glowing gorges, many rapids and swift waves, passing dangerous shoals, water fights, singing mountain songs, tasting wild flavors, drinking clear springs, dancing with the waves, thrilling but safe. After experiencing mountains and rivers, and a turn for the better, that comfort is simply indescribable.
12: Jiangya Hot Spring
Zhangjiajie Jiangya Hot Spring Resort is invested and built by the Lishui River Basin Water Conservancy and Hydropower Comprehensive Development Company of the Ministry of Water Resources, Hunan Province, and managed by Hong Kong Yu Hot Spring International Resort Hotel Management (Group) Co., Ltd. It is located in Jiangya Town, Cili County, adjacent to Wulingyuan, the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie World Natural Heritage. It is a new highlight of the beautiful eastern Zhangjiajie tourism route, marking the gradual transformation of Zhangjiajie tourism products from single sightseeing to sightseeing and leisure vacation.
Jiangya Hot Spring Resort is the first hot spring resort in Zhangjiajie and currently the only antique-style semi-open-air Jiangya hot spring in Xiangxi. It has more than 20 high-standard outdoor Jiangya hot spring pools and indoor Jiangya hot spring pools with various characteristics and functions. With a natural garden-style layout, cobblestone and bluestone paths, rockeries and waterfalls, small bridges and flowing water, the Jiangya hot spring pools are like pearls inlaid within, a tranquil mountain fairyland with strong rustic style. It integrates hot springs, dining, guest rooms, conferences, fitness, entertainment, sauna, beauty, and other business projects, especially suitable for leisure, vacation, entertainment, convalescence, meetings, training, and business activities.
The spring water of Jiangya Hot Spring is clear and translucent, with an outlet temperature of about 54°C year-round. According to expert testing, Jiangya hot spring water is rich in various mineral trace elements beneficial to human health. It has special curative effects on neuropathic bone pain, rheumatism, and other diseases, and has health care effects such as relaxing muscles and activating collaterals, strengthening the body, nourishing the skin and beautifying, calming the nerves, and delaying aging.
With its rich hot spring bathing culture and warm, thoughtful, cozy, and delicate "imperial" service, Jiangya Hot Spring fully displays its magical charm, attracting many noble people who pursue health and love beauty, forming a new world of leisurely, comfortable, safe, and healthy leisure, vacation, and tourism.
13: Tujia Customs Park
Tujia Customs Park is located in Zhangjiajie, a famous tourist destination in China. The scenic area covers a total area of over 80 mu, with a total investment of 75 million yuan. The main projects include Tusi City and Bizika Holy Fire Hall (evening party venue). Tusi City was originally Yongding Tusi City, an ancient Tujia mountain village. In 1999, it was invested in and renovated by private entrepreneur Mr. Yang Gangnian. Inside Tusi City, there are intoxicating Tujia gate-blocking wine, mysterious Tujia ancestor worship activities, Tujia historical relics display, Tujia folk customs demonstrations, "Nine Heavens" and "Thousand-Person Maogusi," two Guinness World Records, Tujia garden art, and more. Since its opening, Tujia Customs Park has received widespread attention from all sectors of society, having received more than 20 party and state leaders for inspections, and CCTV and many domestic and foreign news media have also made special reports, all receiving high praise. In 2004, it was listed as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and is a boutique tourism route in Zhangjiajie.
Tujia Customs Park has a three-star hotel with luxurious facilities and complete functions, with over 100 rooms of high, medium, and low grades, 250 beds, and three multi-functional conference rooms. It also has sauna and massage, beauty and hairdressing, internet cafe, swimming pool, etc. The Tujia mountain village stilt-style guest rooms are elegant and quiet, with unique charm. Staying in the hotel, you can not only enjoy the warm service of a star-rated hotel but also admire the beautiful scenery of Tujia Customs Park Scenic Area, truly killing two birds with one stone.