Published : 19/06/2025
Looking to escape the summer heat? Hunan's Zhangjiajie is the perfect choice!
This world-class landscape of peak forests is known for its astonishing sandstone wonders sculpted by the forces of nature.
Come to Zhangjiajie during the summer holidays and immerse yourself in the cool greenery and stunning landscapes!
Yuanjiajie: the magical floating mountain forest
Located within the core scenic area of Wulingyuan, Yuanjiajie is one of the brightest gems of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
The view encompasses thousands of quartzite sandstone pillars rising into the sky, appearing and disappearing among the mists and clouds, as if instantly taking everyone to Pandora from Avatar, leaving everyone in awe!
Among Yuanjiajie, the most astounding is the Qian Kun Pillar — this towering rock reaches a vertical height of 380 metres, piercing the sky, and is the inspiration for the floating mountain in Avatar.
Just a short walk away, Huangyuantai offers a great natural viewing platform in Yuanjiajie, where you can see jagged peaks like a vast army of soldiers.
At sunset, the entire forest of peaks is bathed in a layer of ethereal golden light, creating a dreamlike and mesmerizing scene.
In midsummer, the temperature in Yuanjiajie is over 5℃ cooler than the urban area, making it a refreshing natural retreat.
If you depart from the urban area of Zhangjiajie, you can reach the Wulingyuan ticket station in about 30 minutes by car, then transfer to the lower station of the Bailong Elevator and take the "world's tallest outdoor elevator" to the top of the mountain, starting your fantastic journey easily through the forest of peaks.
Tianmen Mountain: a breathtaking fairyland sanctuary
If Yuanjiajie is the legendary peak forest on the surface, then Tianmen Mountain, about 8 kilometres from the urban area of Zhangjiajie, is a fairyland sanctuary suspended in the clouds!
Board the "Tianmen Cableway" for an aerial crossing, and after traversing about 7,500 metres through a sea of clouds for around 25 minutes, you can reach the peak at an altitude of 1,518 metres.
Tianmen Cave is the most famous wonder of Tianmen Mountain and one of the most representative attractions in Zhangjiajie.
It is a colossal cave with a height of 131.5 metres and a width of 57 metres, cutting through the mountain like a gate to the heavens, thus named Tianmen Cave.
Climbing the steep 999 steps to reach Tianmen Cave, you are greeted by the massive cave that cuts through the mountain. After heavy rain, you can witness the spectacular scene of clouds billowing through the cave.
The glass plank road extending along the sheer cliff provides a clear view of the deep valley below, offering a thrilling experience that challenges everyone's courage!
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge: a transparent skyline between deep ravines
Looking for a more thrilling experience? The "Yuntiandu" bridge, spanning across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, will definitely redefine your perception of high-altitude excitement.
As the world's longest and highest glass bridge, "Yuntiandu" spans 430 meters in length and 300 meters in vertical height across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and can accommodate about 800 people.
The bridge surface is paved with fully transparent glass. As everyone strolls on the glass bridge, it's like spanning between the peaks, with a bottomless valley beneath their feet.
When you focus on your toes, you can feel the thrill and shock.
Delve into the heart of Zhangjiajie Valley, and the surprises don't end with the bridge. By descending the plank road on the east side, you can reach the Line-of-Sky waterfall.
On sunny days, you can see the waterfall hanging like silver threads into the deep gorge; on rainy days, it turns into a corridor in the clouds. Hearing the roaring sound of the waterfall beneath your feet, the cool mist instantly dispels the summer heat.
Read more: Counting down 3 glass bridges with jaw-dropping light & thrills!
Golden Whip Stream: forest corridor in the heart of Wulingyuan
The final stop, we arrive at Golden Whip Stream. Located in the eastern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Golden Whip Stream stretches for 7.5 kilometres, connecting Yuanjiajie and Huangshizhai Scenic Areas.
It is a natural summer resort, with the highest average temperature in summer not exceeding 18℃. The stream water is clear and icy, and you can splash around barefoot in designated shallow areas.
Walking along the red sandstone plank road by Golden Whip Stream, you can see quartz sandstone pillars over 300 meters high on both sides.
The most famous one is Golden Whip Rock—a 380-meter-high solitary peak with golden stripes, reflecting golden light under the sunset.
The plank road is covered by dense primitive forest, where dove trees and nanmu trees thrive, filling the air with exceptional freshness.
If lucky, you may also encounter wild macaques along the way, and you can see little monkeys drinking by the stream.
This summer, let the unparalleled scenery, cool greenery, and fresh air of Zhangjiajie wash away the hustle and bustle, leaving you with unforgettable impressions of mountains and waters.
Ready to explore this masterpiece of nature?
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