5-Day Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town Small Group Tour

Upon your arrival in Zhangjiajie, the local driver will meet you at the airport exit and accompany you to your hotel. After checking in at the hotel, you will have some free time to explore the area at your leisure.

Today, you will have a full day to visit the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. First, you will take the scenic area shuttle bus to the Bailong Elevator, the tallest and fastest - operating outdoor elevator in the world. With a vertical height difference of 326 meters, this elevator will smoothly transport you from the foot of the mountain to the top in just 1.5 minutes. Throughout the whole trip, you can have a panoramic view of the 48 stone peaks of various shapes on the opposite side from the fully transparent car.

Bailong Elevator

After that, you will hike to Yuanjiajie, which is hailed as the real - life shooting location of Avatar. The Qiankun Column (also known as the South Sky Pillar), with a vertical height of about 150 meters, is the prototype of the Hallelujah Mountains in the movie. Here, you can wander along the trail to visit major scenic spots such as the Lost Soul Platform and the Backyard Garden in sequence. You can also immersive yourself in the fantastic peaks of Zhangjiajie while walking.

Breathtaking Peak Forest Scenery

Later, take the shuttle bus to the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, known as the "King of Peak Forests". You will hike to He Long Park, where you can look into the distance to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the stone forest. Then you will go to the Dianjiangtai Platform to overlook the spectacular West Sea Peak Forest. If you visit right after the rain, you may have the chance to see the peaks looming in the sea of clouds. Finally, you will visit the Ten - Mile Gallery. Take the scenic mini - train to wind your way along the canyon, and easily take in all the strange peaks, unique rocks and canyon scenery along the route. After the tour, return to the hotel to rest.

Tour the Ten-Mile Gallery by Scenic Mini-Train

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Visit the Wulingyuan Scenic Area to admire the various quartz sandstone pillars and feel the marvelous craftsmanship of nature; wander around Tianzi Mountain to enjoy the panoramic view of the numerous peaks.

Educational Focus:

How does Zhangjiajie’s unique landform affect its ecosystem?

Takeaway:

Zhangjiajie’s sandstone peak forest landform has created unique topographical and microclimatic conditions. The valleys, platforms between the peak forests and the surfaces of the stone pillars provide diverse growing spaces for vegetation, and the vegetation can prevent rock weathering and soil erosion. The peak forest landform also offers abundant habitats and food sources for animals. Valleys, caves and the surfaces of stone pillars serve as hidden habitats for animals.

Thought Challenge:

What are the essential differences in the formation principles and landscape characteristics between Zhangjiajie’s quartz sandstone peak forest, Danxia landform and karst landform?

After breakfast, you will head to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, where you can experience the Yuntiandu Glass Bridge. As the world’s longest and highest fully transparent glass bridge, it measures 430 meters in length and 260 meters in height. Spanning across the canyon, walking on the bridge allows you to enjoy a panoramic view of the grand Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. You can also look down at the deep canyon below through the transparent glass base, which offers an extremely thrilling experience.

Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

Later, you will visit Baofeng Lake, which is known as the "Classic of World Lakes". Surrounded by mountains, the clear lake water reflects the blue sky, white clouds and the surrounding mountain peaks, resembling an exquisite ink wash painting. You can take a cruise boat to sail along the lake, admiring the lake’s emerald-green water that is as smooth as a mirror and reflects the strange peaks around. During the trip, you may encounter Tujia people singing folk songs to each other.

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Explore Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and walk on the glass bridge, overlooking the canyon from a height of 300 meters to feel the shock of natural wonders. Take a boat tour on Baofeng Lake, watch the precipitous quartz sandstone peaks reflected on the lake surface, and enjoy a leisurely and peaceful time.

Educational Focus:

Why can the water of Baofeng Lake remain clear and transparent for a long time? What is the connection between its water quality protection and the surrounding environment?

Takeaway:

The water source of Baofeng Lake mainly comes from precipitation and groundwater in the surrounding mountainous areas. After natural filtration through the mountains, this water source is rich in minerals and contains few impurities, laying a foundation for the clarity of the lake water. The lake water has a close circular relationship with the surrounding streams and groundwater. This circulation helps maintain the fluidity and self-purification capacity of the lake water, reducing the accumulation of pollutants.

Thought Challenge:

How did the production and living styles of the ancient Tujia people in the Zhangjiajie area be influenced by the local geographical environment such as peak forests and canyons?

In the morning, head to Tianmenshan National Forest Park. You will take a cable car directly to the mountain top, and during the cable car ride, you can overlook the 99-bend winding mountain road and the panoramic view of Zhangjiajie urban area.

Enjoy Tianmen Mountain Scenery by Cable Car

99 Hairpin Bends of the Mountain Road

Upon reaching the mountain top, visit Tianmen Temple. The temple houses the true relics of Sakyamuni Buddha and is a local Buddhist center. Here, you can also enjoy the pleasant scenery of the surrounding green and overlapping mountains. After that, you will experience a hike on the Glass Walkway, which is built on a cliff over 1,400 meters high. The transparent glass makes you feel as if you are walking in the air. Then, explore the 1,600-meter-long Guigu Cliff Walkway. The entire walkway is built close to the steep cliff, and you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of strange rocks along the way, making the whole journey both thrilling and challenging.

Subsequently, take the escalator to Tianmen Cave — the core attraction of Tianmenshan Scenic Area and the world’s highest natural mountain-piercing cave. In front of the cave, there are 999 steps, known as the "Stairway to Heaven". After the visit, take the elevator to the cable car station and then ride the cable car down the mountain.

Tianmen Cave

Later, travel to Fenghuang Ancient Town by car or high-speed train. As one of China’s most beautiful ancient towns, it is built against mountains and beside water, with the Tuo River flowing through it. The town has bluestone slab streets and stilt houses (Diaojiaolou) along the river, making it an ideal choice for tourism.

When night falls, take a boat trip along the Tuo River to immerse yourself in the scenery along the banks of the ancient town. The night view of the ancient town is also renowned as a must-see. You can stroll around the town to admire the sparkling night scene with bright lights, look for and taste the local snacks in the town, or experience the characteristic bars of the ancient town.

Night Tour of Fenghuang Ancient Town

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Climb Tianmenshan National Forest Park to gaze up at the world’s highest natural mountain-piercing cave; walk along the cliff walkways to overlook the peak forests and sea of clouds; in Fenghuang Ancient Town, take a boat tour to appreciate the ancient buildings and feel the charm of the ancient town.

Educational Focus:

How do the ancient buildings (ancient towers) of Fenghuang Ancient Town adapt to the terrain and climatic characteristics along the Tuo River in terms of structural design?

Takeaway:

Most of the buildings in Fenghuang Ancient Town are made of Chinese fir. The lower part is supported by thick wooden pillars, which adapts to the steep terrain along the Tuo River. The upper part of the houses follows the undulation of the mountain terrain, with upturned eaves. This design not only facilitates drainage and moisture prevention but also reduces the impact of typhoons and heavy rains on the buildings. The wooden structure is breathable and well-ventilated, which is suitable for the humid and hot climate.

Thought Challenge:

With the in-depth development of tourism, how can Fenghuang Ancient Town maintain its cultural uniqueness amid the wave of commercialization?

This morning, you can explore Fenghuang Ancient Town at your leisure. You may wander through its streets and lanes, sit in a small shop by the river to enjoy a drink while admiring this ancient town, or take your time visiting the famous buildings within the town, such as Shen Congwen's Former Residence, the Ancient Town Gate Towers, the Stilt Houses (Diaojiaolou), and Hongqiao Bridge.

Admire the Ancient Town's Scenery

After the tour, we will head back to Zhangjiajie. The driver will take you to the airport or railway station, and this trip service will come to an end here.