Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Zhangjiajie Guojia Senlin Gongyuan)

The national park is divided into five areas, each with its own set of attractions. Yuanjiajie is the most popular (and crowded), while areas such as Laowuchang and Yangjiajie remain largely quiet and undeveloped. While the park is popular with hikers, a series of buses, cable cars, elevators, and a tram make many of the sights accessible to visitors of all ability levels. The park is huge with little signage in English, so many travelers choose to visit as part of a guided day trip or multi-day tour. A typical day trip will include a cable car ride to the top of Tianzi Mountain, a visit to the famous Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and a descent on a glass elevator.

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a popular destination for adventure travelers and photographers.

• Park entrance tickets are valid for three or four consecutive days, depending on the season.

• Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary widely in the park.

• Squat toilets are located at just about every major site in the park, but be sure to carry your own toilet paper.

Tourist buses depart regularly from the Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to the Wulingyuan Scenic Area inside the park; the ride takes about 40 minutes. Many visitors opt to explore the park as part of a guided tour, which includes the convenience of round-trip transfers.

The best months to visit the park are September and October, when temperatures are comfortable and conditions often clear. Expect frequent showers and overcast conditions from April to June, and avoid visiting on Chinese national holidays.

The quietest time in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is during the cold winter months, from December to February. While access to some areas may be restricted due to icy conditions, travelers willing to brave the cold may also be rewarded with spectacular snowy mountain scenery free of the summer crowds.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is most known for its unusual rock formations, forests, misty clouds, and mountains in the distance—the moody backdrop for many pieces of Chinese artwork. It’s also famous as a filming location for the film Avatar, and for its glass bridge over its deep, impressive canyon.

Yes, Avatar was filmed in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The floating Hallelujah Mountains in the movie are based on the natural rock formations in Zhangjiajie. The real mountains don’t float, however, but the clouds and mist that are usually present can give them the illusion that they’re levitating in space.

Spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) are best for pleasant weather and fewer people at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. During summer, the park is packed—and hot. The first week of May and October are national holidays, causing long lines and traffic jams, which makes it a time to avoid, too.

Yes, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is generally safe to visit. When hiking, make sure you know where you’re going, or join a tour, to make sure you don’t get lost. Be assured the park is well patrolled, however, and as in any crowded area, be mindful of your personal belongings.

There are plenty of ways to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Day tours usually take you on the glass bridge, up the glass elevator, and to Avatar Mountain. Multi-day tours often include exploring Tianmen Mountain and surrounding caves, longer hiking excursions, or adding multiple sites for a well-rounded sightseeing tour.

Yes, Zhangjiajie is worth visiting—even for the gorgeous misty mountain and forest scenery alone—plus there’s the impressive glass bridge and Bailong Elevator. The park is accessible in several ways, from viewing the landscape from a cable car, or by going on one of several hikes in the area.