3-Day Zhangjiajie Adventure Itinerary
Tour Type: An exclusive private journey, fully customizable to suit your pace and interests.
Guide & Services: A knowledgeable English‑speaking guide and a professional driver, transporting you in a luxury air‑conditioned bus.
Highlights
- Arrival at Zhangjiajie: ascend Tianmen Mountain via the world’s longest cable car and walk its 1,430 m glass skywalk, then in the evening marvel at the neon-lit 72 Wonderful Buildings—a fusion of Tujia culture, tech and light.
- Ride the Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie Mountain, hike to the Pillar of Southern Sky (Avatar inspiration), and explore Tianzi Mountain with its Imperial Writing Brush Peaks and Xihai Stone Forest.
- A scenic 7 km stroll along the majestic Golden Whip Stream beneath towering sandstone pillars.
- Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Huangshizhai (Yellow Stone Village).
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Tianmen Mountain
Meet your guide at Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport or Train Station and transfer (≈15 min) to Lantingyaju Zhangjiajie Hotel.
After check-in and a short rest, head to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park.
Ride the world’s longest cable car up to the summit.
Walk the “Heaven’s Gate” glass skywalk (at 1,430 m elevation).
Evening: 72 Wonderful Buildings
At around 6 p.m., visit the “72 Wonderful Buildings” (Tujia Architecture & Art Museum).
Marvel at the neon-lit facades, 7D holographic projections and folk-culture exhibitions celebrating Tujia heritage.
Day 2: Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, and Tianzi Mountain
Morning: After breakfast, travel to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to begin your adventure. Ride the Bailong Elevator (made of transparent glass) to the summit of Yuanjiajie Mountain.
Hike: Enjoy a 2.5-hour hike to the Pillar of Southern Sky, the inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in the movie Avatar.
Sightseeing: Continue your exploration with a visit to the Platform of Forgetfulness for stunning views of nearby peaks, and walk across the First Bridge Under Heaven.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense).
Afternoon: Take a shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain, known for its Imperial Writing Brush Peaks and Xihai Stone Forest.
Evening: Ride the Tianzi Mountain cable car before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Day 3: Golden Whip Stream & Departure
After breakfast, head into the park for a stroll along Golden Whip Stream.
Enjoy a gentle 7 km one-way walk beneath soaring sandstone pillars.
Take a cable car up to Huangshizhai (Yellow Stone Village), one of the most famous scenic spots in Zhangjiajie.
Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the unique pillar formations and surrounding landscapes.
Return to town for lunch (own expense) and a bit of free time or souvenir shopping.
Transfer to Zhangjiajie Airport or Train Station for your departure, concluding your Zhangjiajie adventure.
What You Should Bring:
Must-have: Passport or ID card, cash, mid-sized backpack, hiking shoes, clothes, and underwear.
Recommended: Raincoat, wipes, lip balm, hand cream, thermal mug, energy snacks, stomach medicine, Vitamin C, dry sack, etc.
Zhangjiajie Travel Tips:
Cuisine: Zhangjiajie is famous for spicy Hunan cuisine. If you prefer non-spicy dishes, inform your guide in advance.
Respect Local Culture: The people of Zhangjiajie primarily belong to the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups. Respect local customs and traditions during your visit.
Footwear: Wear non-slip shoes due to the steep and hilly terrain. Bring blister plasters if necessary.
Safety: Be cautious when taking photos near the peaks and when walking on steep roads. Always watch your step.
Additional Notices:
The itinerary may change slightly based on weather, traffic, or participant preferences, but the content will remain the same.
Meals: Group meals will feature local Chinese cuisine and a mix of Chinese & Western style breakfast. Please notify the organizer of any dietary restrictions or preferences when registering.
Enjoy your time exploring the stunning natural wonders and rich culture of Zhangjiajie!
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
All transportation between destinations (coach, eco‑car, cable cars, escalators)
Entrance fees and guided transfers
Daily three‑course meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Evening shows and light‑show admissions
Professional English‑speaking guide throughout
Exclusions：
International airfares
Entry Visa fees
Personal expenses
Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
I have travelled from USA, and was part of 30 members group. We hired Paul as our tour guide who made our trip to Zhangjiajie funfilled and memorable. He was passionate, humble and witty. Our group had great time visitng the spectacular sandstone mountain views and landscapes. Since our stay was short, he hand picked the best places our group can visit. He got us very nice Hotels and also good local restaurants. He attended to every need of the group with most of the group being retirees, and he showed utmost respect and hospitality that entire group fell in love with Paul from the start. We used to call him "Harry Potter". He was the best guide/person we had in our 13 day tour covering five different places. Paul, keep up the good work. God Bless you!
Had such a great time with Paul as my guide. I came as a solo traveller to Zhangjiajie and Paul was super attentive. You can tell he is extremely passionate with what he does and wants to ensure his guests have the best experience ever. The day before our tour he kindly picked me up at the hotel because I was going to see the Fox Lady show and he had some guests who were going as well. On the day of the tour he greeted me with coffee and water. We went to the Dragon Cave and Glass Bridge and the weather was not the best since there was alot of fog and weren’t able to see much of the view. Yet, he helped me get the virtual tour and I was super grateful. At the end he kindly bought me some local snacks so I could have dinner and rest at the hotel and bought me a delicious tea.
I highly recommend Paul as a guide. He pays special attention to every detail to ensure his guests have the best experience.
As a experienced traveler, i had a lot of guides throughout the tours, but Paul, he is some next level. I am not talking about him as a guide, i am talking about him as a human being. I have never seen someone so passionate about the tour, unselfish, always there to help so the client’s wishes can always be fulfilled. He is very experienced and well organized.
He picked us up from hotel in a very comfort and luxurious car and even provided snacks, water and some fresh fruits for us.
At the Tianmen mountain he took us even more beyond than the tour is saying, providing us unforgettable experience.
Near the end of tour we saw a place where Fox Show is performed and as we needed to leave Zhangjiajie tommorow morning, he managed to organize us a visit to the show same night, without charging us for anything extra. He stayed with us until 23:00 h and even took us to see 72 wonders building and the original plan was to finish the tour about 5 o’clock.
These are the gestures that a person can never forget!
I am very grateful and thankful to him and opportunity to have him as a guide.
All recommedations, you will be amazed!
Exploring Zhangjiajie with Mr. Paul was nothing short of spectacular. His deep knowledge of the region turned the Tianmen Mountain cable car ride and glass plank road into an unforgettable adventure—he even pointed out hidden viewpoints that most tourists miss. Transfers were seamless, hotels were perfectly located, and Paul’s friendly, attentive service made me feel supported every step of the way. Highly recommend for anyone seeking both thrills and insider insights!
