Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park locates in the northwest of Wulingyuan, neighboring Suoxiyu and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. It covers an area of 4300 ha. with 97% forest coverage. The average rainfall of the national park is 1200mm to 1600mm and the average temperature is 16℃ year round. The forest park has 98 woody plant families which include 517 species, over twice of the total in Europe. Half of the gymnosperm species can be found in the forest park.



Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was a state-run forest farm several years ago. In early 1980s, the forest was found an attractive site and, upon the approval by the State Council, it was established as the first national forest park in China in 1982. It is famous for its unique natural landform of sandstone forest and the spectacle of virgin forest.



Huangshi Village and Jinbi Stream are the two most attractive spots in the forest park.



Huangshi Village

Located at an elevation of 1300 meters, Huangshi Village is the biggest sightseeing platform in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. There is a local saying that he who does not reach Huangshi Village does not pay a true visit to Zhangjiajie. There are a couple of distinctive spots along the sightseeing route, such as Tian Shu Bao Xia , Nan Tian Yi Zhu , Front Garden, Jin Gui Tan Hai , etc. The sunrise is another marvelous spectacle in Huangshi Village. Visitors can climb up from the front gate or take the cableway to the peak.





Jinbi Stream

The Yellow River and the Yangtze River are prominent on a world map, but even on a small-scale map of Zhangjiajie, Golden Whip Stream appears as just a fine thread. In the opinion of many tourists, this is the most beautiful and memorable waterway. When visiting Golden Whip Stream, vice governor of Colorado, USA, Nancy Dick, remarked these words: "People commonly say that the Great Canyon is very fantastic, but I think Golden Whip Stream is even more fantastic. It is the most beautiful place in the world, and I'll remember this place forever."



With a length of 7.5 kilometers, Golden Whip Stream is famous for its pristine water, its verdant mountains, its steep cliffs and its serene valley. As a veritable "paradise" for plants, its pathways are adorned by an abundance of flowers, trees, and grasses. And it is also a kingdom of animals.

Golden Whip Stream is named after Jin Bian Crag, its landmark spot, and runs from Laomo Bay to Shui Rao Si Men. The major spots along the stream include Yingbin Crag , Jinbian Crag, Zicao Pool, Qian Li Xiang Hui , Shui Rao Si Men.



Jinbi Stream



Qian Li Xiang Hui


Shui Rao Si Men

Zhangjiajie Baofeng Lake

Baofeng Lake is located at 2 kilometers in the south of Suoxi Town. There is a deep and serene valley and the pellucid lake reflects a picture of verdant mountains. Here, the lake and mountains serve as a foil to each other. The most distinctive spots include Gao Xia Ping Hu , Ying Wo Gu Zhai , Jue Bi Fei Pu and Yixiantian Valley . In 2003, it is ranked as AAAA tourist spot in China.

Zhangjiajie Dayong Town

Dayong Town is located in Jiefang Road of Zhangjiajie City, visiting the Dayong Town, you can see both simple and unsophisticated suspended buildings of Tujia Nationality, supernatural and beautiful village of Miao Nationality, wind-rain bridge with romantic and poly posture of Dong Nationality, mystical and august Pan King’s Palace of Yao Nationality, and also quiet, deep and flowery lanes and one screen wall facing the gate of Bai Nationality.

Dayong Town is composed of Zhangjiajie Museum area and Zhangjiajie multinational immaterial culture showing hall. The hall mainly consists of village of Tujia Nationality, village of Miao Nationality, village of Dong Nationality, village of Yao Nationality, hall of Bai Nationality. In order to really reproduce the unique living situations of all national minorities, Dayong Town has collected a great deal of precious living articles, and invited some top folk actors to take part in Dayong Town, to perform folk art theaters in Zhangjiajie. The tourists can come to their scene, to learn from the folk-custom activities such as making rice paste, weaving silk tapestry, blanch and dye with wax printing, listening to crying marry, reading woman’s handwritings and etc., and feel the brilliant and multicoloured immaterial cultural heritages of the minorities.

Zhangjiajie Jiutian Cave

Jiutian Cave—the first cave in Asia: its name is obtained for its nine skylights connected with the ground. The cave is divided into upper, middle and lower layers with a total area of 2.5 million square meters, in which there are layers of stalagmites, stelae and stalactites in beautiful shapes and peculiar structures everywhere. It is an uncommon underground gem. In 1987, it was identified as “the first cave in Asia” after three on-site investigations of over twenty experts in solution caves from seventeen countries. In 1995, it was designed as an “Exploration Base of International Limestone Cave Association” and received as its member.

Zhangjiajie hiking and canyoning

Honghe Valley

Taihua Gorge

A journey through Zhangjiajie surely offers you unique and unforgettable experiences. Adventure activities, including hiking, caving, cycling, driving, rafting, picnicking, fishing, tasting, plus bracing mountain walks and rock climbing – will make your stay exhilarating.

Qixing Mountain, Honghe Valley, Taihua and Wudi Gorges are good places for hiking and canyoning and very popular among backpackers.

Zhangjiajie Colorful festivals

Zhangjiajie International Forest Conservation Festival

The International Forest Conservation Festival is held in Zhangjiajie every year centering on the theme of “the earth calls for green and human being long for forest”, usually taking two or three days, which has greatly boosted the fame of this tourist attraction. During the festival, you can experience many exciting activities, including tasting delicious local food , viewing qigong shows and local art performances. On March 21, 2007, the opening of Zhangjiajie International Forest Conservation Festival attracted quite a number of tourists at home and abroad, advocating the idea of “green, ecology and harmony”, which was well-received by the public.

Zhangjiajie Drifting

With the high mountains, deep valleys, spectacular waterfalls and clear streams, Maoyan River is quite suitable for drifting. Sometimes, it flows wildly through a narrow gorge; Sometimes, it advances calmly like a gentle lady. Along the river, green mountains rise sharply from the valley , with more than 30 fascinating waterfalls. You will find yourself have enough freedom to be yourself when canoeing in the river.

Another notable river for drifting is called Mengdong River regarded as "Number-One drifting in the World", nearly 40 minutes drive of downtown Zhangjiajie .Mengdong River is situated 80km southeast of Zhangjiajie city, nestled among steep and verdant mountains. It flows through a primitive canyon with towering limestone cliffs, which is an ideal place for retreats. Rafting usually takes you 3 hours, ending at Furong town that is well preserved with old streets and wooden buildings, used to be named "Wangcun" until a famous movie entitled "Hibiscus Town" was filmed there. It is really worth visiting.


Maoyan River