Zhangjiajie + Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions

🗺️3-Day Tour of Zhangjiajie | Classic Combination of Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain・Suitable for All Groups

1. Introduction
Explore Zhangjiajie in 3 days! Take your parents on a cable car ride to see the sea of clouds over the peak forest, challenge your heartbeat with friends on the glass plank road, and chase macaques with kids in the forest park. The itinerary balances activity and rest, enjoy spicy "Three Pot Stew" and kudzu root noodles to your heart’s content, the whole family will have a great time~

2. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview
D1: Arrive in Zhangjiajie → Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Golden Whip Stream · Yuanjiajie) → Stay in the scenic area
D2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Tianzi Mountain · Ten-Mile Gallery) → Stay in the city
D3: Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park → Return trip

3. Daily Detailed Plan
🏞️Day 1: Explore the Peak Forest · Seek the Quiet Valley
📍Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (5A)
Highlights: "China’s first national forest park," with three thousand unique peaks rising abruptly. The Golden Whip Stream has clear water where you can see macaques and Chinese giant salamanders. Elderly can take the Bailong Elevator (72 RMB/person) directly to Yuanjiajie, saving effort and offering a stunning view.
🕙7:30-18:00 (Recommended to enter by 8:00 to avoid crowds) 💰225 RMB (includes ticket + eco-bus, valid for 4 days, free for seniors over 60 and children under 1.2 meters)
📸Photo spot: Yuanjiajie Qian Kun Pillar (the floating mountain prototype from "Avatar," viewing platform for panoramic peak forest shots)
🍖Lunch: "Mountain People’s Home" inside the park (about 50 RMB per person, recommended mildly spicy Three Pot Stew + steamed pumpkin, kid-friendly)
💡Tips: The Golden Whip Stream trail is 5.7 km long; with elderly, walk half the way (2 km to Zicao Pool and return); do not feed macaques to avoid scratches.

🗻Day 2: Tianzi Mountain Views · Stroll the Gallery
📍Tianzi Mountain (part of the forest park)
Highlights: "An enlarged bonsai, a miniature fairyland," watch the sunrise over the peak forest at Helong Park (optional). Elderly can take the cable car (72 RMB/person) down for ease.
🕙7:30-18:00 (included in the ticket)
📸Photo spot: Tianzi Pavilion viewing platform (overlooking "Imperial Brush Peak," looks like a fairyland when shrouded in mist)
📍Ten-Mile Gallery
Highlights: The canyon’s unique peaks resemble a painting. You can take a small train (38 RMB/person) or walk; both elderly and children find it easy. Along the way, the "Three Sisters Peaks" and "Herbalist" rock formations are very vivid.
🕙7:30-18:00 (small train 8:00-17:30)
🍜Dinner: "Master Hu’s Three Pot Stew" in the city (about 60 RMB per person, signature Three Pot Stew + kudzu root noodles, popular with locals)
💡Tips: Tianzi Mountain has many stairs; prioritize cable car for elderly. For Ten-Mile Gallery, buy a one-way train ticket (take the train there, walk back to enjoy details).

⛰️Day 3: Tianmen Cave Opens · Walk in the Clouds
📍Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (5A)
Highlights: Climb 999 steps to Tianmen Cave, take the world’s longest cable car (7,455 meters) for a bird’s-eye view of the city. The glass plank road (5 RMB/person for shoe covers) is thrilling; elderly can use the adjacent non-glass path.
🕙8:00-18:00 (recommended to go early at 8:00 to avoid cable car queues) 💰278 RMB (includes ticket + main cable car, half price for elderly/children)
📸Photo spot: Platform directly in front of Tianmen Cave (shoot the 999 steps + full view of Tianmen Cave, stand sideways to avoid backlight)
🍖Lunch: "Tianmen Food Court" inside the park (about 45 RMB per person, smoked meat with bracken + egg fried rice, moderate flavor)
💡Tips: Those afraid of heights can bypass the glass plank road; Tianmen Cave stairs are steep, elderly can take the elevator (32 RMB/person) directly to the cave entrance.

4. ✨Zhangjiajie Survival Guide
1️⃣Transportation: Taxi from city to forest park costs 30 RMB; Tianmen Mountain is within walking distance. Eco-buses inside the park are free and stop on request. For elderly and children, it’s recommended to stay one night inside the park to reduce back-and-forth travel.
2️⃣Clothing: In spring, wear a light jacket + sweater (temperature difference of 10℃+ between morning and night). In summer, short sleeves + sun protection clothing (strong UV in mountains). In autumn, windbreaker + long pants. Wear non-slip sports shoes (many stairs).
3️⃣Prohibitions: No smoking inside the forest park (important for fire prevention); no leaning on railings on Tianmen Mountain plank road; avoid buying overpriced souvenirs at the park entrance, city supermarkets are more affordable.
4️⃣Accommodation: Stay inside the forest park on Day 1 (e.g., Bajie Youth Hostel, 300-400 RMB/night, near eco-bus station), stay near the train station in the city on Day 2 (e.g., Vienna Hotel, 400-500 RMB/night, with family rooms).

5. 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs
①Zhangjiajie Kudzu Root Noodles (40 RMB/bag, easy to prepare, suitable for elderly and children)
②Vacuum-packed Xiangxi smoked meat (60 RMB/jin, farmhouse flavor, great for cooking)
③Tianmen Mountain cultural keychain (25 RMB each, printed with Tianmen Cave pattern, good for gifts)
④Dried kiwi fruit (30 RMB/bag, sweet and sour, no additives)

6. Closing Interaction
The beauty of Zhangjiajie is the grandeur of peaks piercing the clouds, the liveliness of streams winding around rocks, and the heartbeat on the glass plank road. If you come, would you most want to take your parents on the cable car to see the sea of clouds, or challenge the glass plank road with friends?