Zhangjiajie in the rain is like a fairyland

Before coming to Zhangjiajie, I kept seeing complaints about "crowds of people," but after personally testing it, with a good plan you can completely avoid the crowds! This local insider route + accommodation list lets you explore without detours and save money, perfect for students and family trips～

🌟Must-visit core attractions (ranked by priority)

1. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park
- Must take the "Tongtian Avenue" sightseeing bus (99 bends, super thrilling!), recommended to arrive before 8 AM and head straight to the cable car station to avoid queues
- Key spots: Tianmen Cave (climb the 999-step ladder for a ceremonial feel), Glass Skywalk (choose the west line for fewer people, wear free shoe covers for photos)
- Tips: Buying the "cable car + eco bus + ticket" combo is more cost-effective, student ID saves 50 RMB

2. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Recommended route: Golden Whip Stream → Yuanjiajie → Tianzi Mountain (take the Bailong Elevator up the mountain, the view of the "Divine Soldiers Gathering" peak forest is amazing!)
- Hidden gem: Watch the sunset at Yangjiajie in the evening, the "Natural Great Wall" ridge is dyed golden red by the sunset, fewer people and great photos
- Transportation: Eco buses inside the park are free to transfer, recommended to stay at the entrance of Wulingyuan, which saves half the cost compared to staying on the mountain

3. Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
- Not for those afraid of heights! But standing on the bridge watching the mist float below really feels like walking on clouds～
- Tips: Don’t buy the "glass bridge + zipline" combo ticket, the zipline line takes at least 2 hours, just the glass bridge is enough

🏨Accommodation recommendations (for 3 types of needs)

- Best value: Homestays near Wulingyuan Scenic Area (around 100 RMB per person, most include breakfast, owners can help book discounted tickets)
- Family-friendly: Zhangjiajie Country Garden Phoenix Hotel (has a kids’ playground, 15-minute drive to the forest park, includes breakfast for two)
- Want to stay on the mountain: Dingxiangrong Village Inn (near Tianzi Mountain cable car station, can see the sea of clouds early morning, but simple conditions, don’t expect too much)

🚫Pitfall warnings (learned the hard way)

1. Don’t trust roadside "cheap tour guides"! Most will take you to shopping spots, official park audio guides rent for only 30 RMB
2. Don’t eat inside the park! In Wulingyuan town, "Xiang Tu Restaurant" serves authentic dishes like stir-fried yellow beef and Tujia three-pot stew for about 50 RMB per person
3. Don’t panic on rainy days! Wear non-slip shoes + bring a raincoat (sold in the park for 20 RMB each), the sea of clouds after rain is even more spectacular and better for photos

📅3-day itinerary reference:
Day 1: Tianmen Mountain (cable car → glass skywalk → Tianmen Cave) → evening stroll on Xibu Street for snacks
Day 2: Zhangjiajie Forest Park (Golden Whip Stream → Bailong Elevator → Yuanjiajie) → stay in Wulingyuan
Day 3: Tianzi Mountain (Helong Park → Fairy Scattering Flowers) → Grand Canyon Glass Bridge → return trip

The mountains of Zhangjiajie really "speak"—standing on the peak watching clouds drift past the stone peaks, you understand what "a fairyland on earth" means. It’s currently the off-season with fewer people. Click the link below to book tickets + accommodation packages directly, saving over 200 RMB compared to buying separately!