Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Tianmen Mountain Travel Guide is Here

Here's a travel guide for Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Forest Park:

Pre-Trip Preparation

• Documents: Bring ID cards and any other discount-eligible certificates (e.g., student ID, senior citizen card).

• Clothing: The mountainous weather in Zhangjiajie is changeable. Pack lightweight raincoats, comfortable sports shoes, and season-appropriate clothing.

• Essentials: Prepare sun protection items, cameras, power banks, etc.

Ticket Information

• Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park: One-day ticket validity. Adult ticket ¥278, concession ticket ¥147, special offer ticket ¥116, free for children under 14.

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Four-day ticket validity. Adult ticket ¥227, concession ticket ¥116, special offer ticket ¥33, free for children under 14.

Attractions Guide

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park

• Route A: Take the 30-minute Tianmen Mountain Cableway from downtown straight to the summit. The mountaintop features east and west hiking routes—choose based on energy and time. After exploring, descend via mountain escalators, visit Tianmen Cave Square for the iconic cave and 999-step Heavenly Ladder, then walk along Fuyuan Trail to the upper station of Tianmen Cave Express Cableway for a 5-minute descent to the mountain gate, followed by free shuttle back to downtown.

• Route B: From the mountain gate, take the 5-minute Tianmen Cave Express Cableway to mid-mountain. Walk ~10 minutes along Fuyuan Trail to Tianmen Cave Square for the cave and Heavenly Ladder. Ascend via mountain escalators to the summit. After exploring east/west routes, descend via the 30-minute Tianmen Mountain Cableway back to downtown.

• Route C: From the mountain gate, take the Tianmen Cave Express Cableway (5 minutes) to mid-mountain. Walk ~10 minutes to Tianmen Cave Square for the cave and ladder. Ascend via escalators to summit. After exploring, return via escalators to the square, walk back to the express cableway, descend to the gate, and take the free shuttle to downtown.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Day 1: Enter via East Gate (Wulingyuan Entrance), take free shuttle to Bailong Elevator for direct summit access. Visit Yuanjiajie's Floating Mountains, Soul-Taking Terrace, and Lover's Bridge. Proceed by shuttle to Yangjiajie for Natural Great Wall and Sky Corridor. Continue to Tianzi Mountain for Helong Park viewpoints and Imperial Brush Peaks, then descend via Tianzi Mountain Cableway back to East Gate.

• Day 2: Enter via South Gate, hike to Huangshi Village Cableway for ascent. After exploring, return via cableway. Visit Great Oxygen Bar Square and stroll Golden Whip Stream. End with the sightseeing train at Ten-Mile Gallery, then take the park shuttle back to South Gate.

Accommodation Recommendations

• Near Tianmen Mountain: Downtown hotels offer convenience and night views.

• Near Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Zhonghu Township features boutique B&Bs like Zhangjiajie Puyi Ju and Homecoming Child·Jianwai Xijing, perfect for forest air and mountain vistas.

Dining Recommendations

• Local Dishes: Must-try "Three Pot Stew" combines stir-fried intestines, walnuts, and Hunan bacon. Also try sour-beef, cured pig head, blood tofu, and Hezha (tofu residue dish).

• Snacks: Signature taro balls at Pig's Head Cold Noodles, Cili Rice Noodles, and Jin City Liu Longzi Noodle Shop are local favorites.