Zhangjiajie on the map of China in Russian. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. China. Cost of visiting Zhangjiajie Park

Remember a place called Pandora with its fabulous mountains from the movie Avatar by James Cameron? It turns out that it actually exists, and all the sketches for the film were made here, in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (湖南张家界国家森林公园). Of course, there are no floating rocks or unusual waterfalls, alien creatures or unusual animals from You won’t see a movie here either, but these stunning landscapes will stay in your mind for a long time. memory, and photographs will amaze friends and acquaintances.,

National Park Zhangjiajie is located in the Wulingyuan Mountains in southeast China, in Hunan Province. This place is striking in its beauty, but in addition to its luxurious landscapes, Zhangjiajie Park is also a zoo, botanical and geological reserve. The area in which the park is located is famous for its quartzite rocks, the height of which reaches 800 meters, and the most high peaks The Wulingyuan massif reaches a height of more than 3 kilometers. Mountain peaks covered with dense crowns of trees, many of which are centuries old.

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The national park was opened in 1982. And 10 years later it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park area is 13,000 square meters. km. This territory is home to over 500 different species of animals, as well as quite rare species of plants. Among them there are such as gingko, pigeon tree, mahogany, and animal world represented by monkeys, birds, salamanders and even rare representatives of the cat family - civet cats. Sometimes visitors national park Zhangjiajie is compared to walking through it to viewing an exhibition of traditional Chinese paintings, only all the beauty here can be seen in person.

And at an altitude of more than 1 kilometer above sea level lies the Yellow Lion Village, where representatives of three small nationalities live - Tujia, Bai and Miao, making up 70% local population. Despite the fact that Han culture had a huge influence on their traditions, they managed to preserve National language, as well as traditional costumes, holidays and even a special architectural style.

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So, after a long 26-hour drive from Guilin to Zhangjiajie, I finally got to the park.

Entrance to the park is paid, you can buy a two-day ticket for 245 yuan and a week pass for 298. Tickets also include internal transportation by bus (yes, the park is large, you can’t get enough of it on foot). As it turned out later, they were not included in the price : elevator rides, escalators and a train that runs around the park. There is a separate fee for them, prices are about 50 yuan one way.

If you are under 24 years old and have a student card with you, there is a significant discount on entry.

Tickets are checked only at the entrances to the park; no one checks tickets in the park itself, so you can easily “live” there for a month with a two-day ticket. But due to relatively high prices In the park itself, you will most likely have to go out to withdraw money or buy provisions.

Accommodation in Zhangjiajie

There are two accommodation options:

• In the town near the park there are many hotels and guesthouses to suit every budget.
• In the park itself.

But there is a small nuance. Living in the city and going to the park in the morning, you will have to wait in huge queues every time, especially during summer holidays and Chinese New Year celebrations.
Living in the park itself, you can walk around it from the moment the buses start running in the morning, but the quality of housing there leaves much to be desired.

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I chose accommodation in the park, it was important for me to be there from morning to evening. I stayed in a guesthouse of the Yoth International hostels network (phone 0744-5713568), you can book places through Hostelworld. In order not to get confused, there are 2 of these guesthouses in Zhangjiajie - one in itself park, and the second close to the train station.

This is very convenient, because you can come, check into a guest house near the railway station, from there check if there are free rooms in their branch in the park, and the coolest thing is that you can leave large backpacks or ask them to be delivered to the hostel in the park and then not you will have to carry all your luggage with you. Of course, I found out about all this only a few days later, after dragging all my luggage to the park.

Price:

• 40 RMB per dorm (multiple beds in a room)
• 120 yuan for a double room (double room)

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To find a hostel, I recommend going to these guys http://backpacker-ru.livejournal.com/36853.html, they even have a map on their website that they filled with useful information.
The bus drivers don’t understand English; out of four respondents, only 1 understood where I wanted to go, despite the fact that my map was in Chinese, and the hostel was marked with a circle, so it’s better to ask questions to the guides you came across.

Nuance: Walking road the distance to the hostel is very long, about two hours, and you need to climb a huge number of steps (600 m up). So it's better to pay 50 yuan and take the elevator.

While I was running around the park with a backpack on my shoulders, people came up to me local residents and offered to stay with them for the night, so in addition to this hostel, apparently there are other affordable housing options.

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• The park is crowded during the day...it's better to come early or close to closing
• Buses run until 7 pm, the roads in the park are not lit at night, walking is not recommended
• If you come for 2-3 days, use the buses and visit the main observation points
• If you come for 3+ days, get off the main route and it is quieter and much more beautiful
• If you're saving money, you'll have to walk a lot

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There were 7 days in Zhangjiajie, a ticket for this period costs 301 yuan. We left for the National Park through the central entrance in the morning (8-9 a.m.) and returned in the evening (4-5 p.m.). There are many routes inside the park that you get to (from central square inside the park) on free buses. You get to a certain place, then - as you wish: on foot or, having been in one place, change to another bus and move on. Inside the park you can also move around on cable cars (2 closed, 1 small - open), on an elevator located in the rock (you can take pictures from it through glass), on foot.

The park is located in the mountains, the weather is often rainy and foggy, so you need appropriate shoes (possibly replaceable ones with you), and raincoats. You can’t seriously eat in the park, so either have snacks (fried potatoes, chestnuts, fish, etc.) or take them with you. Water (drinking) is everywhere, however, it is cheaper to take it with you from the city (village). There are 5 entrances to this “complex” (since the national park is only one of 5 territories). On one of these territories there is a lake, on the other there is a cave (these are separate entrances for a fee). It is better to live in a tourist village that is close to the main entrance. From the city of Zhangjiajie to the entrance to the park you need to take a bus (11 yuan) or a taxi, the travel time is about 40 minutes. Huge opportunities for filming with a camera and/or camera, even if it’s foggy. Worth visiting: cave (Soxiuei Park), Lake Baofen, national. park - repeatedly, on its territory it is necessary to ride all the cable cars, the Bailong elevator, take a short trip on the funicular train (round trip), walk along the Golden Whip Stream along different paths (you can take a rickshaw, about 300 yuan), walk along path with a glass floor: unforgettable, because... there is an abyss underfoot, and rocks all around, and from the city itself to cable car(7 km) climb Tianmen Mountain, where the Heavenly Gate is located, there are 999 steps leading to it, which must be walked (up/down), down to the entrance, then go down by bus along a serpentine road.

The impressions are stunning! It is also necessary to visit the Huanglong Cave (an underground lake on which you can ride a boat, many stalactites, stalagmites, the largest is 19.4 m, everything is illuminated, it looks good in photographs). So, to travel around the park you need to have: a camera and/or camera, shoes (including replacement ones), waterproof clothing, food and drink with you in a backpack (optional), it’s better to live on a tour. village near the entrance to the national park, prepare for the fact that almost no one SPEAKS ENGLISH, signs inside the park are in Chinese and English languages, there are also maps with routes inside the park, but it is advisable to have the skill to understand them, the slightest desire and ability to walk (a lot!), and also a HUGE DESIRE TO SEE ALL THIS! You need to prepare to either study everything in advance (Internet forums, reviews of those who have visited), or take a guide-translator with knowledge of English (at least!), and also, if you can find it, texts in Russian (English) languages ​​with a number of written in Chinese characters denoting a particular place or name, so that you can show what exactly you need.

And one more note: if you don’t like national Chinese food too much, it will be a little difficult, then you can eat in small cafes, where you can show what you specifically want to eat (chicken, rabbit, fish, vegetables), they will quickly prepare it for you , not bad, or eat Chinese fast food, we only found one burger place. But this all applies to living in a village, and not in a city, where there is McDonald’s and, I think, many other restaurants and cafes. Good luck! Go - you won't regret it!

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The sensations you experience while in the mountains of Zhangjiajie National Park or Wulingyuan are indescribable in words and photos. These protected places in the Hunan province of southeastern China need to be seen with your own eyes. Mysterious mountain trails, abysses along the edge of which you walk in search of fantastic landscapes, clouds disappearing from under your feet and rocks surrounded by subtropical forest, the intoxicating air of the Suosi Valley, the magic of Lake Baofen...

You can fly to Zhangjiajie from almost anywhere large city China, you can come by train. It is more convenient to settle in the village of Wulingyuan or in the village at the entrance to Zhangjiajie National Park. Entrance to the park for 3 days costs 245 yuan. The territory of the reserve is huge, it is worth downloading a map in advance and exploring the area, you can buy a map at the entrance to the park, it is worth taking a compass with you, secluded tempting paths can lead to unexpected places. They ply around the park tourist buses, a cable car was built, and even a Baylong elevator with a transparent cabin, which takes you through the rocks to the very top. If you are hungry, you can snack on fried potatoes, fish, chestnuts, and flatbreads prepared in the old-fashioned way in the fresh air by local residents, and then head out again for more impressions.

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Zhangjiajie (Hunan, China) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.

• Last minute tours To China

Zhangjiajie - famous natural Park and part-time business card It is no coincidence that China attracts travelers from all over the world from year to year. After all, there is an inimitably rich flora and fauna, breathtaking landscapes, a glorious history, seasoned with many secrets, legends and mysticism, as well as a mild climate. In short, there is almost everything that lovers of natural beauty and recreation in the “Avatar” style need.

The city of Zhangjiajie is located in the north-west of Hunan province, next to it is the world famous and oldest Zhangjiajie National Park in China. The reserve is famous throughout the world for its inimitable landscapes. There are other must-see attractions near the park. Among them: Tianzi Mountain, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Bailong Elevator and others.

How to get there

By plane

Zhangjiajie Airport is just 3 km from the city. There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, but it is possible to get there with transfers. The average travel time is approximately 22 hours. Due to the small size of the city, flights from local airlines such as China Southern are preferred. The cost of a one-way ticket is 350 USD. China Eastern planes fly from the northern capital at the same price. If you started your trip to China in another city, then tickets throughout the country will be much cheaper. The exception is travel during Chinese holidays (Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.) So a flight from Beijing to Zhangjiajie will cost 220 USD.

Search for flights to Guangzhou (the closest airport to Hunan)

By train

You can save a little money on your trip to the world of Avatar by purchasing a train ticket. Comfort and time will have to be sacrificed, but there will be time to view the landscapes of the Celestial Empire from the windows vehicle. In 20 hours you will travel from Shanghai to your destination for 190 CNY. A ticket from Guangzhou will cost 170 CNY. In general, train travel will cost you less from almost anywhere in China.

By bus

Zhangjiajie can also be reached by bus and car. There are routes from Shanghai, Wuhan, Changsha and other cities. You will have to sacrifice comfort, but the trip will be economical. So bus ticket from Shanghai - 22 CNY. The journey will take 15 hours.

Transport

Zhangjiajie - Small town with great potential. Therefore, you should not expect an extensive metro. There are enough buses to get around within the city. Ticket price 2-3 CNY. An alternative public transport could become a taxi. The boarding fee is 8 CNY, at the end of the trip the driver must issue a receipt at the meter. Drivers often become stubborn and refuse to use a taximeter. Instead, they prefer to bargain, inflating the price of the trip by 5-10 times.

Before starting a taxi ride, it is better to immediately make sure that the driver is using a meter. Otherwise, you will have to pay a large amount of money.

How to get to the park

Although the national park and the city have the same name, they are not close. The most convenient way is to take a bus, which can be found near Zhangjiajie Railway Station. The bus to Wulingyuan Village runs regularly, and foreigners usually look for it. Therefore, you will have to work hard to make a mistake with transport. A 50-minute ride costs 20 CNY. The territory of the national park is huge and stretches for 450 km, and there are only three entrances to the park. Wulingyuan is located a 15-minute walk from the second entrance to the park. To get to the other entrances, that is, the first and third, the only transport can be a taxi or a rented vehicle.

Hotels

The influx of tourists in Zhangjiajie is quite common, so both in the city and nearby villages you can find decent options. Wulingyuan Den is the closest place to the park, so it would be most logical to find a hotel there. For lovers luxury holiday Zhangjiajie has five-star hotels with authentic design. Prices in such places vary between 750-900 CNY. Mid-level hotels (3-4 stars) cost about 160-200 CNY per night. In establishments of this level cozy atmosphere with good-natured hosts. Many of them even offer a simple breakfast. Backpackers prefer more modest options. All kinds of hostels are open to travelers without animals. A bed in a room with several beds will cost 30-50 CNY. People of different genders and ages are often accommodated in such places, but there are also rooms for women and men.

History paragraph

Many historical events and legends are associated with these places. According to one legend, in ancient times, during a brutal bloody war, one of the commanders of the Yang clan set up a military camp at the foot of Tianzi Mountain. The war was in no hurry to end, and the descendants of the Yang clan spread across these lands, which is why this area later became known as Yangjiajie, which translated from Chinese means “land of Yang.” To this day, there are many burials of members of the Yang clan here.

Entertainment and attractions

Zhangjiajie, established in 1982 (and soon designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is China's oldest national park. Its territory is approximately 13,000 square meters. km. The natural beauties of Zhangjiajie are delightful and varied: it high mountains with peaks lost in the fog, which suddenly give way to dense green forests. About 500 species of animals live here, including civets, salamanders and a huge number of different birds, and many of the rarest plants, such as ginkgo, mahogany and others.

The cost of a ticket for an adult for 4 days is 245 CNY, and for 7 days - 298 CNY in high season. There are also special discounts for children, students and pensioners. IN winter time the price is 50% lower.

There are buses running in the park free buses. Therefore, it is best to get a map and plan a route around the park. It has marks for all transport stops, hiking trails and, of course, all the attractions, which include Tianzi Mountain, the Bailong Elevator and others. You can walk around Zhangjiajie endlessly, enjoying the breathtaking views of these places, and observing the life of the unusually rich animal world here. You should definitely visit local attractions: Yellow Dragon Cave, Buddhist temple Heavenly Gate, Tianmen Mountain. Zhangjiajie National Park is adjacent to another national park - Yangjiajie, which also has many beautiful and amazing places. For example, it is worth visiting the Longquan Valley and the Baihuo Valley, as well as the mountainous Xiangzhi region.

Zhangjiajie

Yellow Dragon Cave

Yellow Dragon Cave - huge karst cave, reaching a height of 140 meters. It is considered one of the largest karst caves in the whole world and enjoys a reputation as “magical” (and all thanks to its rich interior “decoration”, even among geologists who are not very prone to romanticism and lyricism). There is underground rivers, swimming pools and even waterfalls. In general, the cave contains the richest underground palace of the Dragon. Entry price: 100 CNY per person.

Mount Tianmen

Tianmen Mountain, whose height is 1518 meters, is rightfully considered one of the main attractions of the national park. This mountain is shrouded in many legends and secrets as much as its peak is shrouded in fog and clouds. Here is the picturesque “Heavenly Gates” cave, looking at which you really get the impression that if you pass under their arches you can find yourself in heaven. There are legends that on the eve of important historical events a waterfall falls from the top of the mountain, and that somewhere in the depths of the mountain there are untold riches hidden. The longest cable car in the world (its length is 7455 m) leads to the top of Tianmen Mountain. As you ascend, breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains and forests open up, and sometimes the road crashes straight into the clouds.

Tianmen Mountain, whose height is 1518 meters, is rightfully considered one of the main attractions of the national park.

Weather

The park also has a warm and fairly humid climate, but despite this, there is no stifling heat or extreme cold here, which makes these places attractive throughout the year and for people with completely different “climatic” preferences. average temperature in summer +27 °C, and on the coldest winter days it is about +4.5 °C.

Basic moments

Appreciate the beauty of this part mountain system Wulingyuan and European tourists. They are advised to plan their travel for autumn and spring, with the exception of early May and October, when China celebrates National holidays and the park is filled with crowds of vacationers. In the summer, during the peak season, it is also very crowded here: while finding deserted corners while walking in the park is still possible, squeezing into a crowded bus or being left without a place to spend the night due to reservation problems is a below-average pleasure. In winter, the rocky peaks look unusually impressive, but walking along snow-covered mountain paths is simply dangerous.

Zhangjiajie National Park became particularly popular due to James Cameron's film Avatar, where it served as the setting for the planet Pandora. It was from the unusual rocks of the park that, thanks to special effects, fantastic mountains floating in the air were created. To attract tourists and as a sign of gratitude to Cameron for advertising, the Chinese officially renamed the 1080 m high Southern Sky Pillar Mount Avatar Hallelujah in 2010.

History of the name Zhangjiajie

Chinese scientists offer several options for the etymology of the name of the park, but most serious historians are inclined to believe that the name of Zhang Liang is hidden in it. This disgraced aristocrat played a prominent role in the formation of the Han dynasty, but was forced to hide in the vicinity of the future reserve along with his family back in the 2nd century BC. Here he died and was buried - this information is reliable, it is confirmed by numerous written sources. Then legends begin for gullible tourists: guests of the region are still shown several of Zhang Liang’s graves in different corners Hunan. The “main” one is located near the village of Zhangjiajie near the park’s borders.

National Park in numbers

Initially, in 1982, the park occupied a modest area of ​​only 4810 hectares. After 10 years, the Wulingyuan Mountains, and with them Zhangjiajie, were included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. After receiving international recognition, its size increased to 130 sq km. It contains 243 mountains. The average height of the rocks is 800 m, but there are also almost three-kilometer-high giants. The most popular observation deck, Huangshi, rises 1300 m above sea level, with exactly 3800 steps leading to it. 19.4 m is the height of the largest stalagmite in Huanglong Cave.

Zhangjiajie Cliffs - a unique natural monument

At first glance, the rocks resemble easily crumbling limestone, but their nature is completely different. The mountains, reminiscent of giant figured candles, appeared as a result of the weathering of quartz sandstones and the blasting of plant roots, of which there are countless numbers due to the high humidity in Zhangjiajie. They use the slightest opportunity to seize new territories: the slightest ledge is enough for it to be immediately occupied by green shoots. The tops of the rocks are covered with thick caps of coniferous trees. When fog comes to the mountains, and in Zhangjiajie this happens with enviable regularity, a complete illusion of giant stone fragments floating in the air is created.

Main tourist routes

Zhangjiajie National Park has many hiking trails to suit every taste, but there are some must-see sites. First of all, this is the Huangshi observation deck and the Golden Whip source, stretching 7.5 km in length - real paradise for plants. Attractions are connected by cable car, but there are no nearby bus routes, and the entire load during the three-hour walk will fall on the travelers’ feet. At the end of the Golden Whip there is a sightseeing elevator called Baylong - roads approach it.

On Mount Tianmen, to the top of which there are 999 steps, the Heavenly Gate was built. For the strong-willed, there are roads with glass floors: the nerve-tickling sensation of crossing over an abyss is difficult to convey in words.

As an alternative, those who are not ready to move a lot are offered the Yuanzhazhe zone with a spectacular Charming Terrace. A little more transitions await park guests in the central zone. Crowds of tourists enter the area during the day; mornings and evenings are relatively sparsely populated. Unaccompanied night walks are not recommended for safety reasons as the park is not lit.

The observation deck is not for the faint of heart

Flora and fauna of the reserve

Zhangjiajie is first and foremost a zoological, botanical and geological reserve and only then a natural attraction for tourists. Scientists have discovered more than 500 species of animals here, including monkeys and predatory civets, trying to stay away from humans. Travelers will remember the fan-shaped leaves of gingko, a valuable species that came to us from the Permian period. There are no animals, insects or reptiles dangerous for tourists.

Population of the natural park

Despite the complex terrain, the first human settlements appeared in Zhangjiajie 100 thousand years ago. In the historical era, neighbors treated the tribes inhabiting this area with some prejudice, calling them “rude people,” however, the Tujia, Bai and Miao did not seek to imitate the Han and retained many elements of national costumes and some ancient customs to this day. Modern representatives of these peoples successfully make money by serving tourists: they sell food and souvenirs, work as rickshaw pullers, and rent out corners of village houses.

Tourist information

Get to natural park quite difficult even for Chinese from other regions, but the result is worth it. Anyone who endures the hours-long drive to Zhangjiajie County can consider themselves almost there. Buses and trains with transfers run from all over China; travelers from Beijing and Shanghai prefer to take a plane. Upon arrival in the city, the tourist has two options: take a taxi and independently negotiate the route with the driver, not forgetting that English is not spoken here.

The second option is to rely on public transport. There is a city bus from the bus station that will take guests to one of the three entrances to the park in about an hour. The cost is 5-10 times cheaper than a taxi - 11-12 yuan. The easiest way to navigate the train stations and entrances and exits to the reserve is with a map, which is sold in tourist office at the railway station. For Russian-speaking tourists, a map with English names is suitable. Most of the signs in the park and on the approaches to it are written in Chinese and English; in other cases: in restaurants and hotels, travelers are encouraged to communicate using gestures.

Where to stay

Exploring the park in a day is an impossible task, so tourists are advised to stay in a village under the typical name for this area, Zhangjiajie, so as not to travel from the city. Most of the residents of this settlement busy in the tourism business, so here you can find good compact hotels and decent food. Accommodation is also provided in the park itself, however, it is intended for unassuming guests who do not require special comfort, although showers are hot water There is also internet in the rooms. But those who spend the night in the reserve will not have to stand in the morning in a long line of people wanting to get inside Zhangjiajie.

Experienced tourists warn that even on weekdays, when there are not too many people, you need to wait at least 2 hours for all the early risers to pass.

The cost of housing in the park is quite affordable: one place in a common room will cost 40 yuan, in a room for two – 120 yuan, but guests who know how to bargain reduce the price by a third. You can eat in quite expensive restaurants at hotels or buy food in markets near bus stations. There, guests will be offered simple fried potatoes, flatbreads, and fish.

Cost of a walk in the park

Entrance to the territory of Zhangjiajie National Park is paid, there are two types of tickets. The first is designed for a two-day stay and costs 245 yuan, sometimes conditions change, and 3 days are offered for the same amount. A weekly ticket costs a little more - 298 yuan. Visitors over 70 years of age, teenagers and young people under 24 years of age with a valid student card are admitted through preferential rates at 160 and 193 yuan, respectively. Children under 120 cm tall will enter the park completely free of charge. The ticket entitles you to bus trips within the park. This advantage is worth taking advantage of, since it is difficult to overcome steep ascents and descents on foot.

Some services are paid extra: travel on a miniature train, as if transported here from an average amusement park, ascents and descents on the Bailong elevator, built right into the rock. Their cost is up to 80 yuan per action. There are no buses along the Golden Whip, but efficient rickshaws scurry along the paths trodden by numerous visitors. Their services are not cheap: one “race” costs at least 300 yuan.

How to save money while traveling through the park

Inside Zhangjiajie, tickets are not checked particularly actively, so you can live there with a two-day pass longer than the paid period, if you do not leave the territory of the reserve. Alternative hiking trails are always provided to bypass the ski lifts. In order to climb and descend them without stress, you need good physical fitness, since the plateau on which the reserve lies rises 300 meters above the surrounding landscape. In addition, hiking will take about the same time as standing in line at the elevator. You can also save on accommodation: local residents rent out rooms cheaper than in a hostel, but you will also have to negotiate with them using gestures.

How to dress and what to take with you

At the time of buying entrance ticket You can request that your luggage be delivered to your chosen hostel if the place is booked in advance. Carrying bags around the territory is physically difficult; there are no flat areas in the reserve. Choose comfortable shoes with non-slip soles, since it often rains in Hunan. It won't hurt to take a jacket or raincoat with you. By the way, the constant cloudiness of Zhangjiajie Park does not interfere with photography; on the contrary, it creates a unique visual effect of traveling in the clouds. Drinking water They are sold in different parts of the park, but outside it it is somewhat cheaper.

In China, in the north of Hunan province, Zhangjiajie National Park is located, which was one of the first in the country. It included the protected natural areas of Tianzishan, Zhangjiajie, Sanzhi, Xuoxiu, Yangjiajie, as well as Lake Baofeng.

Zhangjiajie National Park (Hunan Province) can be visited throughout the year. Spring gives this unique nature reserve the aromas of tropical flowers and magnificent greenery, summer - stunning vegetation and mountain coolness, autumn fascinates with a riot of colors, winter wraps you in a fluffy snow cover, turning the park into a fairy tale.

Zhangjiajie: history

Thanks to several photographs in popular publications and paintings by artists that were painted in Wulingyuan, the world learned that there was a natural pearl located in the mountains of China. The Chinese government has officially recognized the forested part of the Wulingyuan region as Zhangjiajie National Park. It was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992.

Ten years later, the Ministry significantly expanded this territory, and in 2004 the huge natural geopark entered the worldwide network of national parks.

Description

Zhangjiajie is a national forest park, the territory of which is divided into several large zones, each of which has its own characteristics and picturesque landscape. The park consists of huge sandstone pillars located above the tropical forest, a labyrinth of karst caves, majestic waterfalls, amazing travertines, a picturesque lake, and powerful rivers.

Mount Tianmenshan

Locals more often call it Tianmen. Its height is one and a half thousand meters. This mountain is famous for the “Heavenly Gate” cave located very high. Its height is one hundred thirty-two meters, length - sixty meters, width - fifty-seven. The cave was created as a result of erosion. During the collapse, a huge block of rock broke off from the mountain. Sometimes this cave is called fabulous due to the belief that it is connected with the sky.

"Yellow Dragon"

Zhangjiajie National Park, a photo of which you can see in this article, is famous for its caves. The four-tiered karst cave “Yellow Dragon” is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its height is more than 140 meters, and its depth is about fifteen kilometers.

Inside there are thirteen halls, more than a hundred galleries, four waterfalls, two underground rivers and three lakes, thousands of stalagmites, stalactites, and stalagmates. The rarest stalagmite reaches twenty meters in height and only ten centimeters in diameter.

Yangjiajie

In the northeast, Zhangjiajie National Park neighbors this protected area. It includes the Xiangzhi Stream, the Longquan and Baihou valleys. These places are famous for the sheer steep cliffs and the Dragon Spring waterfall. It throws streams of water from a high cliff, which is very picturesquely entwined with ivy and amazingly beautiful flowers.

Elevator Bailung

Every year everything large quantity tourists are interested in Zhangjiajie National Park. We will tell you how to get here a little later, but for now we will continue to get acquainted with its sights.

For tourists, the park has all the conditions for a comfortable tour. unique reserve. Majority tourist routes are connected by funiculars and cable cars, which greatly facilitate the ascent to the peaks.

The glass elevator “Hundred Dragons” (Bailong Elevator) was created to transport tourists to the three-hundred-meter mountain. It is located in the very center of the park and connects the upper and Lower level reserve. Before his appearance, tourists were forced to climb the stairs. The road was quite tiring and long. Today, most travelers prefer to quickly take a glass elevator. If you are lucky, you will be able to sit in the front row of passengers, allowing you to admire the stunning views that open up from the observation glass of the lift.

It should be noted that this elevator is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest, highest, open review and also the most powerful - it can lift fifty people at the same time.

Glass Bridge

This unique structure was opened in the park in August 2016. Zhangjiajie National Park, whose photos are mesmerizing, became the owner of the longest and highest in the world glass bridge. The author of the unusual project was the architect Chaim Dotan. The cost of development and then implementation of the project amounted to almost three and a half million dollars.

The structure is located at an altitude of three hundred meters above a deep abyss. The length of the bridge is four hundred and thirty meters and its width is six meters. The glass bridge in Zhangjiajie National Park connects two cliffs and is made of extra-strong steel structures and ninety-nine slabs of triple-layer glass. This structure can support eight hundred people at a time.

Interestingly, on the day of its grand opening the number of people wishing to see the building with their own eyes was a record figure - eight thousand people. Everyone who was lucky enough to visit Zhangjiajie National Park that day left rave reviews. Nothing can compare to a walk over a bottomless abyss, which can be viewed through glass slabs.

Due to the huge influx of visitors, just two weeks later the park administration temporarily closed the bridge for reconstruction. However, management assured that this was not associated with any damage. After carrying out preventive work to strengthen the structure, the bridge was reopened to the public.

Golden Whip Creek

This area is considered the easiest to explore, as it is located at the foot of the mountains in a valley and does not have steep climbs. Along the stream walking trail stretches for almost eight kilometers. From this area you can climb to Yuanjiajie or walk to the Yellow Stone Village.

Tourists note that a walk here is very pleasant - one feels the much-desired unity with nature. Crowds of tourists are found only in some areas, so you can enjoy the sound of water in the stream, the cheerful chirping of birds, and picturesque views of the mountains to your heart’s content.

In this area, at one of the stops, very insidious monkeys live. Tourists try to treat them with all sorts of sweets. Do not do that. These cute, at first glance, animals are very cunning and dexterous - they can completely unnoticed leave you without wallets, phones and other valuables. In addition, they often show aggression towards humans.

Vegetation

China's Zhangjiajie National Park amazes tourists with its diversity of flora and its beauty. Scientists believe that the tropical, humid climate and varied topography contributed to the appearance of dense forests in Wulingyuan. Vegetation here is developing much faster than in neighboring provinces of the country.

More than seven hundred and seventy species of plants grow in the park. Among them there are very rare samples. These include gingko biloba, chestnut (Chinese), pigeon tree, and on the plains travelers can see compact tangerine groves.

But visitors to the park are especially impressed by the large white stipules of the pigeon tree swaying in the wind, which resemble a huge flock of white doves.

Animals in the park

Zhangjiajie National Park is home to more than five hundred species of different animals. Twenty-eight of them are rare and therefore are under constant protection. These include:

• gigantic salamander;
• big panda;
• golden snub-nosed monkey;
• leopard

• In the 20th century, a waterfall unexpectedly collapsed into the gorge from the top of Mount Tianmen. This happened four times. The flow of water broke down for fifteen minutes, and then just as suddenly stopped.
• The staircase, numbering 999 wide steps, leads to the Heaven's Gate Cave.
• Along the top of the massif, at an altitude of 1500 m, there is a pedestrian path. Above particularly picturesque and steep cliffs, it was made of high-strength glass.

China, Zhangjiajie National Park: how to get there?

If you want to see incredibly beautiful landscapes, then you need to visit this unique place. To see Zhangjiajie National Park, you must first get to the city of the same name, and then get to the small villages located at the entrances to the park. There are several ways to get to the city: by plane, train, bus. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

By plane

If you are planning to visit Zhangjiajie National Park and spend as little time on the road as possible, then this option is more suitable for you than others. You can fly by plane from other major cities countries. The airport is located five kilometers from the city center. Aircraft fly here daily from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Tianjin and other cities of the country.

From the airport to the city you can take a bus or taxi, which will take you to the park entrance for 100 yuan ($15).

By train

Zhangjiajie National Park is of great interest to all tourists coming to the country, so many trains go here. We would like to warn you that this option is suitable for those who have a supply of free time and patience. A little information: the road from Beijing to your destination takes about twenty-six hours, and a ticket will cost sixty dollars (reserved seat) and one hundred (compartment). Train Station Zhangjiajie is conveniently located, close to the city center and the airport.

By bus

There are several bus stations in the city. They receive flights from different cities China. The departure schedule, cost of travel, travel time must be checked at bus stations.

When you arrive in the city in a way convenient for you, all that remains is to find Zhangjiajie National Park (China). How to get to the territory of the reserve? You need to go to one of the entrances, where small villages are located. You can stay there for the night.

The closest entrance to the city is 32 km away, and is called Zhangjiajie Village. Forty kilometers from the city there is an entrance in the Wulingyuan area. The third is the furthest from the city. It is located near Tianzi Mountain and is not very popular among tourists.

Where to live?

The city of Zhangjiajie offers a good selection of hotels, but if you stay here, you will have to spend money and time on the road every day. And this is about two hours a day. It is more advisable to stay in a village at the entrance to the park - you will save time on the road.

Almost all of these villages have several comfortable hotels. If you wish, you can stay in a hotel on the territory of the park, unless, of course, you are not afraid of the spartan living conditions: there are frequent interruptions in electricity, water, and Internet outages. After the park is closed, resident tourists are not allowed to leave its territory, which, you see, is not very convenient.

Opening hours and cost of visiting

Zhangjiajie National Park can be visited throughout the year. Opening hours depend on the season:

• in summer - from 7.00 to 19.00;
• in winter - from 7.30 to 17.00.

In summer it is not at all hot here, and in winter there are no severe frosts.

Entrance tickets can be purchased in two types:

• for seven days - 298 yuan;
• 4 days - 245 yuan.

• It is better to come to the park early, then you will have the opportunity to enjoy natural beauties in relative silence.
• If you want to use the Bailong elevator, it is also better to do this in the morning and go down before 16:00. Otherwise, you can spend about four hours in line.
• You will have to walk a lot in the park, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes to prevent chafing. The same can be said about clothes: they should be comfortable.
• To save energy for exploring the park longer, combine hiking using cable cars and a ski lift.
• When going to the park, be sure to take a map (you can buy it at the entrance), sunscreen, cash, water and food. You can buy food in the park, but the prices are excessively high. The most affordable items in these shops are fruits, corn, and fried potatoes (about 10 yuan).
• Chinese and foreign students Students studying in China can purchase tickets at half price. But this applies to young people under 24 years of age. At the time of buying discount tickets You must present your passport.
• Keep purchased tickets separate from those of friends or family. The fact is that each of them has a number stamped on it, to which fingerprints are attached. If you take the ticket of your husband or friend, the system will refuse to let you through the turnstile.

Zhangjiajie National Park in China is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Celestial Empire. The well-known film Avatar originates from here, and the landscapes of Zhangjiajie Park became the prototype of the floating mountains in the film. I would like to add that this is not just a promoted place. Zhangjiajie Park is truly beautiful and worth going here for inspiration and photos.

Today in this article we will analyze in detail the routes around the park, understand how to get there and how much the total cost will be. Since I already visited Zhangjiajie Park several years ago in the winter season, today there will be a mix of “summer” and winter photos. This is due to the fact that while in Zhangjiajie in October 2017, I was caught in a typhoon and visibility was almost zero. Accordingly, we managed to take only a few photographs. Therefore, do not be surprised by snow-covered photographs and their almost complete absence. More practical information today

How to get to Zhangjiajie

There are several ways to get to Zhangjiajie Park. You can fly by plane, take a bus or train. We will consider the option of a train; I see it as the most affordable and convenient. In a while I will write a separate article on how to book trains online in China, it’s quite simple. In a nutshell, you simply install the ctrip application on your phone, which has, among other things, a Russian interface. Select the name of the city from which you are leaving (the names of cities can be written in Russian) and the city of arrival - the city of Zhangjiajie. You book, pay, receive a ticket in your hand from the railway ticket office using your passport and calmly settle into the train. Just in case, here is the name of the city of Zhangjiajie in Chinese (in pinyin brackets) - 张家界（Zhāngjiājiè）

So, we need to get to Zhangjiajie National Park in China. To do this, we first get to city ​​of the same name Zhangjiajie. Next we have two options. Stay for a few days in the city of Zhangjiajie or get a little closer to the park by taking a bus to the town of Wulingyuan. I highly recommend the second option since Wulingyuan is located very close to the entrance to Zhangjiajie Park.

In order to get to Wulinyuan you need to take a mini bus that departs from the Zhangjiajie bus station. The bus station is located a five-minute walk from the railway station. Enter the bus station building, bypassing the ticket office, and go straight to the waiting room. On your left will be exit number 1. Feel free to take this exit, go out to the parking lot and then you need to take a bus to Wulingyuan. All foreigners travel in this direction and the Chinese know very well where you need to go, so you are unlikely to get on the wrong bus. Just in case, here is the name of the bus station in the town of Wulingyuan - 武陵源(Wǔlíngyuán).

From Zhangjiajie to Wulingyuan, the bus journey takes about one and a half hours, the ticket costs 20 yuan per person.

Where to stay in Zhangjiajie

I can recommend the hostel where I spent several days. The hostel is called Wulingyuantuniu Youth Hostel, is located just five minutes from the entrance to Zhangjiajie National Park. The journey on foot from Wulinyuan Bus Station will take about 15 minutes, no more.

Entrance gate to the park from Wulingyuan

We figured out how to get to the park and where to stay for the night. Let's talk about how much the entrance fee to Zhangjiajie Park and travel inside the park cost, and then we'll move on to route options.

Prices in Zhangjiajie Park

Below you can see a photo with prices for entrance to the park (photo from October 2017). It would also be a good idea to indicate the prices for cable cars and elevators inside the park. Prices are in RMB. The ticket is valid for 4 days. You can also buy a ticket that will be valid for a year (whether it is valid for 12 months after purchase or only until the end of the current year, I don’t know).

Entrance fee to Zhangjiajie National Park in high season is 245 per adult, 160 with a discount (most likely, a discount is given to children, students and pensioners).

Admission in low season is 136 per adult and 82 with discount.

Cable cars in the park from 65 to 72 yuan

Bailong elevator 71 yuan

Below are two parts of the same map. First image - East End park, from where we enter Zhangjiajie Park. Second image, western part where most are located interesting places. I have numbered the areas and points of the park on the map to make it easier for you to navigate. Detailed description routes follows immediately after the maps of Zhangjiajie Park.

Place with good hostels to Wulinyuan

Entrance to the park. Here you can buy a ticket and board the buses

Lower cable car station

Upper cable car station

Observation deck

The beginning of the walking path along the lower part of the park. From the entrance to the park you can get to this point by bus in about 20 minutes. Walking to the beginning of the climb to Avatar (point 12) will take 30 minutes. It will take about 1 hour to reach the other entrance to the park (point 10).

Baylong Elevator

Walking ascent to the site with the Avatar (takes about an hour).

Turn onto a deserted path. It will take about one hour to walk the trail and return (the end of the trail is marked on the map as number 11).

The start of the climb up the mountain. The ascent and descent takes about 3 hours. Alternatively, you can go down by cable car.

The end of the trail. The map shows that there is no passage. In fact, the road splits into two more. One leads to the cable car (about 10 kilometers), the second to the climb up the mountain with access to the road with buses (you can climb it in 1 hour).

Observation deck with Avatar.

The lower cable station leading to the Yangjiajie area.

The beginning of the route along Yangjiajie. Passing the selected area takes about 3 hours.

Paved road with no buses. The journey in both directions will take about 3 hours at a brisk pace.

*Please note the map. There are numbers next to the bus icons. They indicate how many minutes it takes a bus to travel from one station to another.

Zhangjiajie route for 1 day

No matter how many days you have to visit the park, my advice is to always arrive when it opens. The park opens at 7 am. There are a dozen routes around the park, and all of them have the right to life. It depends how much you want to rush to see everything or whether you need a leisurely pace, whether you will use the cable cars and the elevator or prefer to climb on foot. I will offer one of the options, and you can edit it yourself to your taste.

For the first day, the route around Zhangjiajie can be constructed as follows. We arrive at seven in the morning, when the park is just opening. There will already be a lot of tourists, but still not crowds. We pass the turnstile, take the bus and get to the Baylong elevator (marked as number 7 on the map). We take the elevator and go to the observation deck with the Avatar (12). An option with morning arrival and an elevator, the only one when you can really be alone on this observation deck. It is very crowded and noisy here throughout the day. If crowds of people don’t bother you, you can take a bus from the entrance to the start of the walking route (6), walk alone half an hour before the start of the climb to Avatar (8) and go directly up to the observation deck (12). The journey from the entrance to the Avatar will take you about two hours at an average pace.

Bridge near the observation deck with Avatar

One way or another, we are at the observation deck, marked on the map at number 12. Then you can take a bus and get to the beginning of the western part of Zhangjiajie Park called Yuanjiajie. A tour of this area of ​​the park takes between 3 and 5 hours. Depends on your physical fitness and availability of free time. It's better to explore the right side first (on the map the end point of the right side of Yuanjiajie is marked as Tianbo Mansion), as there is a chance that it will not be as crowded as after lunch. Then the left part, which will take you more time. On the map of Zhangjiajie Park, the left side of this area ends in a place called Corridor the Cliffs.

One of the typical views in Yuanjiajie area

I highly recommend Yuanjiajie. Especially, on the left side of Yuanjiajie you will hardly meet people, the views are sometimes very beautiful, and at the end of the road you will find a fenced cliff where you can fully enjoy what we came here for - the views of the Zhangjiajie National Park with its hills and fogs.

After visiting Yuanjiajie, we take the bus and go to point 5, the next observation deck. The views are beautiful, but be prepared that there will be a lot of tourists. You can return to the entrance to the park either by going down the cable car or by walking down the stairs. Alternatively, you can spend 3 hours exploring a completely deserted area (15). If in general Zhangjiajie is a lot of steps, then this area is an ordinary asphalt road with practically no cars. It's hard for me to judge how beautiful views. When I was there, everything was foggy, like milk. But if you have time, why not take a walk.

This completes the route for 1 day in Zhangjiajie Park. We return to the hostel, relax and gain strength for tomorrow.

Zhangjiajie route for 2 days

If you want to build a route for 2 days in Zhangjiajie Park, on the second day you can also arrive at the opening, take a bus and get to the beginning of the hiking route along the lower trail of the park (6). In this case, you have a great chance to walk under the quaint hills almost alone, enjoying the nature of Zhangjiajie. The journey from the start of the hiking route (6) to turning right onto a completely deserted path (9) will take about 30 minutes. I highly recommend walking along the path marked on the map as number 9. The journey there and back will take about an hour. Along the way, you will be able to contemplate the nature of Zhangjiajie alone and most likely meet the local inhabitants - monkeys. IN this park Monkeys are not at all aggressive and you should not be afraid of them. Photos of our little brothers below in the article.

After passing the secondary trail and returning to the main one, you can continue along the lower part of the park, reaching another Zhangjiajie gate (10). Here you will have the opportunity to climb one of the observation platforms. A nice temple will await you at the top. The journey up and down on foot at a relaxed pace will take about three hours. Alternatively, you can go down by cable car.

Temple on top of the mountain

Panorama from the temple

If you only have two full days to explore Zhangjiajie Park, after lunch on the second day you can go to a cave located near Wulinyuan. Or spend more time in the park itself. There are many options, all the information is before your eyes.

If planning Zhangjiajie National Park seems like a difficult task to you, you don't want to waste your time on it, and you also want to combine Zhangjiajie National Park with others, no less beautiful places China, my first program on China will be organized in May 2018. All details in a separate article. In a nutshell, in 11 full days we will travel from Shanghai to Guilin and see a lot.

Photos of monkeys in Zhangjiajie Park

Since I was able to take as many photographs of the park as I would have liked, below you can see photographs of monkeys, of which there are a lot in the park. After the photos, the article will tell you what you can see in the vicinity of Zhangjiajie.

Places around Zhangjiajie Park

In addition to the park, there are several places that you can visit. But you need to think a hundred times before going to them. Any entrance to the natural attractions of China is not a cheap pleasure. Below I will tell you about three popular places, located in the vicinity of Zhangjiajie National Park.

Glass Bridge

A very advertised place, located just under an hour by bus from Wulinyuan. In my opinion, a waste of time and money. It will take you about four hours to get to the bridge, check tickets, inspect the bridge and return. Moreover, it will take about an hour to stand in queues with hordes of Chinese. When you get to the bridge, accordingly, those Chinese with whom you stood in line will be on the bridge with you. The pleasure is doubtful.

On top of that, the bridge is not completely glass. In the pictures below you can see that the bridge was simply made into rectangular transparent areas into which you can see the canyon below. The views from the bridge are the most ordinary, especially, they are not impressive after visiting the park itself. You will cross the bridge through a hundred Chinese tourists jumping in place or lying down with selfie sticks. I understand that everyone has their own tastes and preferences, but this place did not impress me at all.

If you do decide to go to the glass bridge, the entrance price is about 260 yuan. You need to book your ticket at least one day before arrival. This can be done at the hostel. By the way, in the hostel where I stayed ( Wulingyuantuniu Youth Hostel), they can help you buy a ticket with a discount of about 80 yuan. The name of the glass bridge in Chinese is 玻璃桥(Bōlí zhàndào/Bōlí qiáo). You can get there from Wulingyuan Bus Station in 40-50 minutes. You cannot bring cameras with you; you will have to leave them in a storage room next to the first checkpoint upon arrival at the bridge. Your ticket will indicate that you must arrive before 10am. If you are late, you will have to pay an extra 20 yuan on top. The bridge is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Unlike the glass bridge, I would recommend going to the cave. You can get there from Wulinyuan in about 20 minutes by taxi or bus, the entrance ticket costs 100 yuan. Plus 15 yuan you can pay for entering a separate small area while already in the cave. Yes, you will not be alone in the cave; you will also have to make your way through crowds of Chinese tourists, who will be led by guides with loudspeakers. However, the main feature of the cave is its river. To be more precise, the opportunity to ride on a small boat on water channel caves. It's really worth your time.

In Chinese, the name of the cave will be 黄龙洞(Huánglóng dòng). The opening hours of the cave are from 7 to 15.30. It is better to allow about two hours for the inspection.

boat tour through the cave

Mount Tianmen

To be honest, I don’t know whether to recommend this mountain or not. When I happened to be there, it was raining all day, a stormy wind was blowing and everything was in fog. Judging by the photos from the Internet, the place is quite interesting. If you've seen pictures of a huge hole in the mountain and stairs leading there, this is the place. The main thing to remember is that when you buy a ticket you have two options. Or first go up the cable car and then, after doing walking route, having gone downstairs, go back by bus. Or take the bus and return by cable car. This is a must. It is not possible to go there and back only by bus or by cable car. I heard many recommendations that the best option is to take the cable car and then return by bus.