Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park · Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The pillars were cut by erosion over millions of years from quartz sandstone, and the park forms the core of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, listed in 1992. Yuanjiajie holds the 1,074-metre pillar officially named Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, while Tianzi Mountain offers Imperial Pen Peak and sea-of-clouds views, and Golden Whip Stream follows the valley floor. The Bailong Elevator, a 326-metre glass lift built into the cliff, links the valley to the top of Yuanjiajie. Admission is about 228 yuan for a four-day pass, with the elevator and cable cars charged separately at roughly 72-118 yuan. Park hours are 7:00-18:00 in summer and 7:30-17:30 in winter. High-speed trains reach Zhangjiajie West Station, about 40 minutes from the entrance by bus or taxi.
Ticket Price
Park entrance: around 228 yuan for 4-day pass; Cable cars/lifts extra: Bailong Elevator ~72 yuan one way, Tianzi Mountain Cable Car ~72 yuan, Yellow Stone Village Cable Car ~118 yuan round trip. Check the official site before booking.
Opening Hours
Park: 7:00–18:00 (summer), 7:30–17:30 (winter); Cable car hours vary by season; Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: 7:30–17:00. Check the official site before visiting.
Transportation
Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) or take high-speed train to Zhangjiajie West Station; Bus or taxi from Zhangjiajie city to park entrance (~40 min); Shuttle buses inside the park are included with admission
Best Season
April–June (lush green, misty) and September–October (clear skies, autumn colors); July–August is peak season with crowds and afternoon thunderstorms; winter has snow-capped peaks and very few visitors but some trails may close
Pro Tip: Use the shuttle buses and allow a full day
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Use the shuttle buses and allow a full day The park is huge and the scenic shuttle network is essential. Pick two or three areas, start early, and check which cableways or elevators are operating.
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Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
The quartz sandstone pillars are real; they inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. The park is a UNESCO Global Geopark, and the pillars are natural, not film sets.
No. The famous glass bridge is in the separate Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon scenic area, about 430 m long and 300 m above the canyon floor. It needs its own ticket and is not the same as Tianmen Mountain's skywalk.
Two to three days: one to two for the national park and one for Tianmen Mountain. The park ticket is valid for four days, so you can spread the visit out.