The Essence of Western Hunan | A Surreal 6-Day, 5-Night Trip to Zhangjiajie, Avatar, Furong Town, and Fenghuang Ancient Town

Suggested activities during free time: When visiting Xibu Old Street, you can browse local specialty souvenir shops or handicraft shops, stroll along the old street to admire the distinctive Tujia ethnic minority residential architecture, and explore the local food scene to sample local Hunan delicacies such as frog pancakes and Tujia fried rice.

Suggested way to get there:

1. By Air: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) has numerous international direct flights, such as to Malaysia (4h55m) and South Korea (3h35m), as well as many domestic direct flights, such as to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, making transportation extremely convenient.

2. Train: Zhangjiajie has a well-developed train transportation system. You can take the high-speed train from cities such as Changsha (2-4 hours), Fenghuang Ancient Town (1 hour), Beijing (11 hours), Shanghai (9 hours), Guilin (7 hours), and Guangzhou (13 hours and 15 minutes) to Zhangjiajie.

Extend your knowledge:

Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Wulingyuan Scenic Area is known as one of China's top ten tourist destinations. It is not only a World Natural Heritage site but also one of China's first World Geoparks. It consists of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and Suoxiyu Nature Reserve. Our itinerary mainly focuses on visiting the most popular and representative Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.

Upon reaching the summit platform, you can take in the magnificent surrounding mountain scenery. Afterwards, hike into Yuanjiajie , a real-life Pandora , the filming location for the movie *Avatar* and the real-life site of Hallelujah Mountain (formerly known as the Southern Sky Pillar). Here, you can explore the trails, visiting major attractions such as the Back Garden , the Enchanting Terrace , and the First Bridge Under Heaven (a natural stone bridge, a landmark of Yuanjiajie). You can immerse yourself in the fantastical peaks of Zhangjiajie while hiking, and gain a deeper understanding of its geological features.

Afterwards, take a sightseeing bus to visit the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve , known as the "King of Peak Forests." Here, you will first visit the Dianjiangtai (Commanding Platform) to overlook the magnificent scenery of the West Sea Peak Forest. Then, head to the representative of the King of Peak Forests— Yubi Peak —to admire the rows of straight peaks resembling writing brushes. Finally, hike to Helong Park to visit the bronze statues of Marshal Helong and his warhorse, and along the way, visit the nearby Tianzi Pavilion , where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire national forest park. After the tour, return to the hotel to rest.

Afterwards, we will visit Baofeng Lake, a lake with a mirror-like surface . Nestled amidst mountains, its clear, emerald-green waters reflect the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding peaks, creating a scene reminiscent of a delicate ink painting. You can take a traditional-style boat to cruise through the lake and mountains, immersing yourself in the beauty of the surrounding scenery and enjoying a leisurely and tranquil time. After the visit, we will return to Zhangjiajie city, approximately 35 kilometers away, a drive of about 1 hour.

Upon reaching the summit, you will embark on two thrilling hiking adventures along the plank roads. First, you'll experience a 1.6-meter-wide, 60-meter-long, fully transparent glass walkway . Walking on it feels like strolling above the clouds, with majestic mountain scenery on either side and a bottomless valley below – a truly breathtaking experience. Afterwards, you'll explore the 1600-meter-long Ghost Valley Plank Road , which clings to the cliff face like a giant dragon. As you walk along it, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains – a journey that is both thrilling and spectacular.

Afterwards, visit Tianmen Temple , one of only five Buddhist temples in the world that preserve Buddha relics. You can also go to Yunmeng Xianding , the highest point in the Tianmen Mountain scenic area, where you can overlook the entire surrounding area.

Afterwards, take the escalator to Tianmen Cave , the most unmissable attraction in Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area and the world's highest natural through-mountain cave. After visiting the cave, you can choose to hike up the steep 999 steps or take the elevator directly to the cable car station, and then take the cable car down the mountain.

Afterwards, take a bus (approximately 2.5 hours) to Furong Town, located southwest of Zhangjiajie. Furong Town is an ancient town with a history of over a thousand years, perched above a waterfall. A magnificent waterfall flows through the town, creating a picturesque scene with the town's rustic stilted buildings and the surrounding lush greenery.

Upon arrival in Furong Town, you can stroll through the ancient town, admire the distinctive Tujia architectural style, and experience the leisurely local lifestyle. As night falls, the ancient town is illuminated, and the waterfalls are also lit up, creating a beautiful night view that's well worth capturing in photos. Around 7:30 PM, you can visit Baishou Hall and Yinan Square to watch performances, immersing yourself in the history, culture, and customs of the local Tujia people. Finally, spend the night in Furong Ancient Town.

Afterwards, travel approximately 116 kilometers by car to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Fenghuang Ancient Town is one of China's most beautiful ancient towns, renowned for its rustic charm, diverse folk culture, and stunning scenery. Nestled against the mountains and beside the river, with the Tuojiang River flowing through it, the town's cobblestone streets, stilted houses along the Tuojiang River, numerous ancient buildings, and rich Miao ethnic customs create a unique Xiangxi (western Hunan) flavor. Upon arrival, you can take a boat trip along the Tuojiang River, immersing yourself in the scenery along the banks. As night falls, the town's night view is truly spectacular. You can stroll through the town, admiring the dazzling lights under the night sky, sample local delicacies, or experience the town's unique bars.

In addition, the iconic Rainbow Bridge of Fenghuang Ancient Town is not to be missed. Built over the Tuojiang River, it is the best spot to photograph the reflection of the stilted houses lining both banks of the river in the water. Furthermore, there are various teahouses and local handicraft shops on both sides of the Rainbow Bridge. You can browse around and see the exquisite and unique local products, or watch the local Miao silversmiths and batik masters making their products on site.

After your visit, this amazing surreal journey to Zhangjiajie, Hunan will come to an end. Our driver will then take you to the airport or train station for your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Huangjia International Travel Agency. We look forward to serving you again on your future trips in China and embarking on new and exciting journeys together.