Tour Overview
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Avatar Mountain, Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cable Car, Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway
Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights
Cities
Zhangjiajie
Tour Type
Private Tour
Difficulty
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 Arrive at Zhangjiajie, Head to Wulingyuan | Airport or Train Station Transfers, Hotel Check-in
A warm welcome to Zhangjiajie, the real-world location of Avatar’s iconic Hallelujah Mountains! Our local guide will greet you at the airport and arrange a one-hour ride to your hotel in Wulingyuan Scenic Area after your arrival. After checking in, you can rest at ease or explore the surrounding scenery on your own.
Drop by Xibu Old Street to view distinctive Tujia architectures and woven brocade crafts. This lively pedestrian street sells local snacks, folk trinkets and handmade creations. At night, the street gets full of vitality. Sample classic Hunan food like frog cake and browse various Tujia handcrafts and ethnic outfits.
Transportation Tips
Hehua Airport provides direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou and other major cities for easy access. High-speed trains also serve the area efficiently: 1 hour from Fenghuang, 2–4 hours from Changsha, and 7 hours from Guilin.
Day 2
Day 2 Zhangjiajie Tour | From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve; Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi Mountain
Route Overview
Zhangjiajie City → Wulingyuan Town by car → Bailong Elevator → Yuanjiajie → Tianzi Mountain → Cable car descent
Trip Data
Altitude gain: +326 m | Altitude range: 1074–1262.5 m
Difficulty: ☆☆ Easy. Supported by elevators, cable cars and shuttle buses, suitable for seniors and kids
Walking distance: about 6–9 km
Total time (with breaks): 7–9 hours
Start your morning tour at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China’s first national park famous for towering sandstone peaks and thick forests. Catch a shuttle bus to Bailong Elevator, certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest and fastest outdoor elevator, nicknamed “World’s No.1 Ladder.” It takes just 66 seconds to climb 326 meters from valley floor to mountain tops with stunning overhead views.
Tip: Stand at the far right of the elevator for the best scenery; you can wait for the next lift if the spot is taken.
Hike through magical Yuanjiajie, the real prototype of Avatar’s Pandora. Visit the 150m South Sky Pillar (Floating Mountain). Walk the 3.5km cliff trail decorated with red prayer ribbons and visit classic viewpoints: Lost Soul Platform and the First Bridge Under Heaven.
Tip: Look for fossils along the path. Cross the hollow iron bridge quickly if you fear heights.
Then take a shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain, the “King of Peaks.” Named after a legendary Tujia leader, it was a shooting site for Journey to the West. Overlook misty West Sea Peaks at Dianjiangtai and view Imperial Writing Brush Peaks. Finish the trip at He Long Park and the 30m Tianzi Pavilion for full peak forest vistas.
Tip: The winding road between Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain may cause carsickness; prepare motion sickness patches in advance.
After sightseeing, transfer back to Zhangjiajie City for overnight stay.
Notice
During peak seasons, your guide may reverse the route to avoid crowds and offer a quieter trip.
VIP Upgrade for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Book our exclusive VIP package to skip all queues. Services include fast-track park entry, priority or private shuttle buses, exclusive use of Bailong Elevator and priority cable car access at Tianzi Mountain. Contact us if you want a crowd-free premium tour.
Day 3
Day 3 Zhangjiajie Tour | Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cable Car, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway
Important Notice
As the cableway section connecting the middle station and mountain summit is temporarily closed for maintenance, we have prepared a smooth backup itinerary to guarantee your sightseeing experience.
Adjusted Itinerary Route
Cableway Lower Terminal → Cableway Middle Station → Shuttle Bus along 99-Bend Road → Tianmen Cave → Glass Skywalk → Tianmen Cave Lower Square → Express Cable Car back to the scenic spot exit
Half-length cable car ride time: 10–12 minutes
Core altitude & cave data: Around 1,300 meters above sea level; Tianmen Cave entrance stands 131.5 meters tall and 50 meters wide
Physical difficulty: ☆ Light effort. Cable cars and mountain escalators cover most elevations. If you choose to climb the 999 stone steps under Tianmen Cave, the difficulty will rise to ☆☆☆ Moderate.
Reserve half a day to visit Tianmen Mountain, widely known as “the Soul of Zhangjiajie” and the most sacred mountain in western Hunan. Merely 8 kilometers from downtown, this attraction suits visitors of every generation. You can appreciate stunning high-mountain scenery without exhausting uphill treks.
Start your journey at the cableway lower station. Hop on the 4,613-meter cable car for a 10–12 minute ride to the middle station, where you can overlook mountain bonsai landscapes in full view. After arriving, switch to an eco-shuttle bus that winds up the precipitous cliff along the world-famous 99-Bend Road.
Then take mountain escalators upward to Tianmen Cave — the world’s highest natural mountain arch. Also called Heaven’s Gate, this giant cave is frequently wrapped in thin mist or glowing under soft golden sunlight, creating dreamlike scenery ideal for photos.
Route Tip: You may challenge yourself by climbing the iconic 999 stone steps leading to the cave entrance if you wish.
Later, conquer the thrilling 60-meter glass skywalk hanging 1,430 meters above the valley floor, then wander the 1.6-kilometer cliffside plank road. You can also pay a visit to the quiet Qing-dynasty Tianmen Temple, or hike up to Yunmenxianding Peak (1,518 m) to enjoy a full panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
Once sightseeing finishes, take the elevator down to Tianmen Cave Lower Square and catch the express cable car to return to the scenic exit.
VIP Fast-Track Service for Time Saving
Cut long waiting lines at the cable car boarding point with our exclusive VIP passage. Your waiting time will be shortened to just over 10 minutes. Contact us in advance to book this service.
Your 3-Day Classic Zhangjiajie Tour covering Avatar Mountains and Tianmen Mountain will draw to a perfect close after the mountain trip. Our tour guide will transfer you to the airport or high-speed railway station to catch your return flight or train.
Brief itinerary
If you’re a big fan of Avatar or someone chasing magical fairy-tale landscapes, Zhangjiajie is the perfect destination for you! Sign up for our 3-Day Classic Zhangjiajie Trip. Our tailor-made itinerary covers the area’s two most iconic spots: the Avatar Mountains and Tianmen Mountain.
During your trip, you’ll trek through the otherworldly Hallelujah Mountains of Wulingyuan, plus explore Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. This stunning park boasts four globally renowned marvels: the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car, the world’s longest high-altitude passenger cableway; Tianmen Cave, the planet’s tallest natural mountain cavern; the legendary winding 99-Curve Mountain Road; and the stunning untouched secondary woodland atop the peak, known as a natural hanging bonsai garden.
Get in touch with us right away to kick off your magical Zhangjiajie getaway!
route features
Explore Wulingyuan, a world-famous park protected for its natural beauty and unique rocks. It is home to a rare forest of giant sandstone pillars and deep canyons.
Step into the magical Avatar World in Zhangjiajie. Explore a land of unusually shaped stone pillars, hidden valleys, and mysterious limestone caves.
Ascend the world's tallest outdoor elevator to Yuanjiajie to see the real-life "Hallelujah Mountains."
Enjoy Tianzi Mountain and its four legendary wonders: the ethereal Sea of Clouds, serene Moonlight, golden Sunshine, and pristine Winter Snow.
Marvel at Tianmen Cave, a colossal natural archway, and behold the dramatic, winding zigzag roads of Tianmen Mountain.
Take the world’s longest cable car ride to the mountain's peak. Walk through a beautiful, untouched forest.