A solo trip to Zhangjiajie

✈️ Zhangjiajie · Zhangjiajie

"Nature doesn't lie. This is where my heart chooses to rest."

In July 2025, I visited Zhangjiajie for some alone time.
This trip wasn't just about sightseeing, but about recovery.

📍 Travel Route

Arrive at Changsha Airport → Train transfer to Zhangjiajie

5 nights at accommodations in the western region → 4 nights in the Wulingyuan (Tianzi) area

Finally, I relaxed at a lodging near Baofeng Lake.

⛰️ Tianmen Mountain: A breathtaking view of overwhelming solitude

Tianmen Mountain was truly... an overwhelming space that left me speechless.
The long cable car ride, the sheer cliffs, and the steps on the glass walkway.
Every moment seemed to tell me, "You are alive now."

Fear, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of ecstasy coursed through my body.

And when I reached the summit, suddenly,
the feeling of being "alone" felt not like loneliness, but like liberation.

🌲 Zhangjiajie Forest Park: A Quiet Depth, Embrace of Nature

The forest park felt completely different from Tianmen Mountain.
It was quieter, and felt more deeply within.
The lush forest, the sound of water, the birdsong, the occasional sound of people speaking silently.
Here, just walking calmed my inner turmoil.

The moment I paused and leaned against a tree,
I realized, "This is the kind of quiet I've been longing for."

🏨 The accommodations were a surprising delight

I booked the Four Seasons because of its name, thinking it was a chain hotel,
but it turned out to be a local hotel. I was taken aback, but my thoughts changed the moment I arrived.
✅ Breakfast, afternoon tea, an outdoor cafe, a swimming pool, etc.
✅ The room was in excellent condition, and most importantly, the staff spoke English well, which made it comfortable.

With such unexpected satisfaction, I actually felt like I'd given up the Marriott.

🏊 Peace of the Pool

The pool at my first hotel was well-shaded, making it comfortable even in the hot weather,
and the pool at my next hotel was quiet and private.
Swimming in nature was a soothing experience.

☕ No Emotional Cafes, but There Was Emotion

Zhangjiajie was more about the scenery than the coffee.

If I walked slower than the designated route,
the breathtaking scenery suddenly unfolded before me, like the backdrop for a sentimental photo.

✨ Overall Review

Zhangjiajie didn't have flashy shopping or emotional cafes,
but it had nature, air, and an untouched sincerity.

I paused, walked, and reflected deeply here.
I felt small in Tianmen Mountain, and at peace in the forest park.
I was alone, but not lonely, and
the moments off-plan were even more beautiful.

> "I didn't know I had such a wonderful sense." Zhangjiajie is a place that reminds me of that.

💰 Budget Summary (10-night stay)

Item Price (in Korean Won) Notes

✈️ Flight (roundtrip) Approximately ₩230,000, Hainan Airlines, including layover
🚆 Train travel: Approximately ₩70,000, Changsha ↔ Zhangjiajie round trip
🏨 Accommodation (10 nights) Approximately ₩330,000, mostly budget-friendly accommodations, averaging ₩33,000 per night
🍴 Meals & snacks: Approximately ₩200,000, breakfast included. Stay at your accommodations, eat out lightly
🚕 Transportation (Didi, etc.) Approximately ₩60,000, controversial pricing in some areas
🎟️ Attraction entrance fees: Approximately ₩200,000, Tianmen Mountain + Forest Park, etc.
Others (snacks, souvenirs) Approximately ₩30,000, minimizing unnecessary expenses

For independent travel in China, I recommend booking flights, trains, admission tickets, and accommodations on Trip.com. Manage all your itinerary with a single app, making it easy to book even in environments where language barriers exist.

I'm Korean, and even though I haven't received any benefits from Trip.com, I'm deeply moved by it, which is why I'm writing this review.