Zhangjiajie, in the Chinese province of Hunan, encompasses the world famous Wulingyuan Scenic Area. This huge, natural mountainous landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its unique landscape includes thousands of quartzite sandstone columns. Some of these craggy pinnacles sculptured by expanding ice in winter and a proliferation of vegetation rise as high as 800 metres. They provided the inspiration for the ethereal mountains in the film Avatar. These sandstone columns are in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park which is part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie China
Amongst the quartzite sandstone columns for which this park is famous are caves featuring stalactites and stalagmites, forests, rivers, waterfalls and two natural land bridges. Contrasting with the grey hues of this rocky landscape are the rich greens of a thick coating of trees and plants – home to endangered plant and animal species. Culturally, this area is also significant. Historically it has been inhabited by different ethnic groups including the Tujia, Miao, and Bai peoples. Visitors to the area can learn about their traditional costumes, foods, festivals, and folk arts. The best place to view this unique landscape is from Tianzi Mountain in the Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve a subdivision of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve in Zhangjiajie China
This comparatively small reserve is known as the Monarch of the Peak Forest because it is home to the highest peak in the park also known as the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks. It takes just over six minutes to get to the top of the mountain on the Tianzi Mountain Cableway. A free shuttle bus conveys visitors between the cableway and the other four wonders in the reserve namely The Sea Clouds, The Radiance of the Moonlight, The Rays of Sunshine and The Snow in Winter. Another attraction in this reserve is the Tianzi Pavilion. This replica of an ancient Chinese pavilion has six floors and four eaves. A climb up to the top floor is rewarded by a panoramic view of Tianzi Mountain. It is possible to hike back down the mountain pausing at viewing platforms to take in the view. Or, maybe, take the Bailong Elevator.
The Bailong Elevator in Zhangjiajie China
The Bailong Elevator is part of an impressive infrastructure that allow tourists to move freely around the area without interfering with its natural beauty. This glass elevator is the tallest of its kind in the world. It is also known as the Hundred Dragons Elevator and whisks it passengers from the fall to the top of the sheer cliff face to which it is attached. It can carry up to fifty passengers on a journey that takes less than two minutes through a stunning landscape to the view points across the sandstone pillars now known as the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. Back on the valley floor another attraction in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area is the Baofeng Lake.
Baofeng Lake in Zhangjiajie China
The Baofeng Lake, also known as Baofeng Hu is an artificial fresh water lake which is fed by rainfall and springs. It was created when local inhabitants blocked the gorge and built a dam to create a reservoir to store water. But as the water level rose so this pretty lake was established and it became a tourist attraction. It’s emerald green waters have earnt it a third title, Paradise in the Human World (the Chinese love descriptive titles for tourist attractions). Visitors can take a boat trip on the lake to enjoy the mountainous landscape surrounding the lake. Some traditional entertainment enhances these excursions as tourists are invited to interact with locals on traditional boats moored on the lake by singing a response to their folk songs. Points of interest around the lake include Baofeng Waterfall, Stone Gate Welcoming Guests, Peacock Displaying Colourful Tail, Golden Toad Biting the Moon, and Fairy Lady Reflected in the Lake which are pointed out by the guide on the boat. For something more adventurous the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon beckons.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in Zhangjiajie China
Spanning the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. After donning protective shoe covers visitors can take their time strolling across this suspension bridge admiring the stunning karst scenery below. The more adventurous can pause here to take a bungy jump from one of the two stations incorporated in the bridge. This popular attraction is best visited early in the morning to allow time to enjoy the other attractions in the gorge including the Cliff Walk.
The Cliff Walk has been built into the side of the canyon wall and ends at an elevator that goes down to the bottom of the gorge via a large cave. It also leads to the start of a zip wire that incorporates a stone marble mountain slide down the canyon. Other attractions include a smaller low level glass bridge, hiking paths, and an artificial lake where boat trips are available. In short, the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a huge adult playground. But the Zhangjiajie adventure does not finish here as there is still the Tianmen Mountain National Park to explore.
Tianmen Mountain National Park in Zhangjiajie China
To reach the peak of the Tianmen Mountain visitors can ride on the world’s longest cable way. Looking down during this journey of it is possible to see the 99 bends. This is reference to the 99 almost hairpin curves on the road that leads to the Tianmen Cave. A tourist bus runs up and down this road to the mid station of the cable car and is an alternative means of getting to the Tianmen Cave. A series of twelve escalators inside the mountain covey tourists between the valley and the peak of Tianmen Mountain. There is a break as the cave so tourists can walk into the cave and look down on the panorama beyond and below. This water-eroded cave is also known as Heaven’s Door and the Stairway to Heaven – 999 steep, narrow, stone steps lead up to it. So, it can also be reached on foot. But there is also plenty to see and do at the top of Tianmen Mountain, including several skywalks.
The Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk is one of the four wonders of Zhangjiajie. Clinging to the side of the mountain this narrow, glass-bottomed walkway really does make you feel as though you are walking in the sky. It is an exhilarating experience but not for the faint-hearted. For those who enjoy the experience there are two more glass bottomed sky walks on this mountain and an elevated pathway between the two peaks. Visitors following the path out of the Tianmen Mountain National Park will not doubt be curious as the sight of a huge fox’s head. This is part of the outdoor set of the Tianmen Fox Fairy Show.
The Tianmen Fox Fairy Show in Zhangjiajie China
In the evening the fantastical set of the Fox Fairy Show lights up to tell the story of the Fox Fairy who falls in love with a wood cutter. A fusion of a mountainous landscape and technology that moves buildings is an entertaining way of relating an old Chinese love story. Music, dance, acrobatics, illuminations, sound effects and dialogue bring the legend to life – with sub-titles translating Mandarin into English. The stunning backdrop to this magical show has also inspired the creation of a new type of art, Junsheng Sandstone Painting.
Zhangjiajie Junsheng Sandstone Painting Gallery
Li Junsheng, the creator of sandstone painting also established an art gallery as part of the Junsheng Art Academy to exhibit paintings created using this technique. This style of painting uses natural materials including sand, stone and plants. These nature materials are crushed and used with paint to create a gritty, three-dimensional effect – the perfect technique to illustrate the exquisite landscapes of the magic mountains that surround Zhangjiajie.
Getting to Zhangjiajie
The best way to explore the mountains of Zhangjiajie and other highlights of Hunan province in China is on a Wendy Wu tour of China. This tour operator operates several tours that visit Changsha including two new tours. The “Gems of China” tour is a comprehensive 16-day journey through China’s most iconic sites. ‘Natural Treasures of China’ tour is a journey that showcases China’s most stunning natural wonders and cultural highlights. More details at www.wendywutours.co.uk.
Mian image: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge across Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in Zhangjiajie, China. All images: Valery Collins.