Explore Western Hunan | 5-Day, 4-Night Essential Tour of Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town

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.

Afterwards, continue by scenic shuttle bus to the Bailong Elevator , known as the "World's First Elevator". This elevator once broke the Guinness World Record for the tallest outdoor elevator. It is also the fastest and heaviest outdoor sightseeing elevator. It can smoothly take you from the foot of the mountain to the top in just 66 seconds, allowing you to experience the shock and excitement of rising straight from the valley to the clouds in an instant.

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 site of the real-life Hallelujah Mountain (formerly known as the Southern Sky Pillar). Here, you can explore along the trails, visiting major attractions such as the Enchanting Terrace and the Back Garden . You can immerse yourself in the fantastical peaks of Zhangjiajie while hiking, and gain a deeper understanding of the region's geological features.

Afterwards, take a sightseeing bus to visit the Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve , known as the "King of Peak Forests." Here, you will hike to Helong Park to see the bronze statues of Marshal Helong and his warhorse, and admire the magnificent scenery of towering peaks from a nearby viewing platform. Then, head to Dianjiangtai ( Commanding Platform ) to overlook the spectacular scenery of the West Sea Peak Forest, experiencing the awe-inspiring sight of towering peaks resembling a line of soldiers. After the tour, return to the hotel for rest.

Afterwards, we will visit Baofeng Lake, a lake with a mirror-like surface. Nestled among mountains, Baofeng Lake boasts crystal-clear, emerald-green waters that reflect the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding peaks, resembling 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.

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, travel by car (approximately 3.5 hours) or high-speed rail (1 hour) to Fenghuang Ancient Town. (Transfer Note: If the group size is small, we may arrange for a guide to accompany everyone on the high-speed rail journey between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town.)

Fenghuang Ancient Town is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in China, famous for its simple and rustic ancient town features, diverse folk culture and beautiful scenery. The ancient town is nestled against the mountains and by the Tuojiang River, which flows through the town. The bluestone streets, stilted buildings along the Tuojiang River, numerous ancient buildings and strong Miao ethnic customs constitute the unique charm of western Hunan.

Once you arrive at the ancient city, you can take a cruise along the Tuojiang River and immerse yourself in the scenery along the riverbanks. As night falls, the ancient city's night view is truly spectacular. You can stroll through the city, admiring the dazzling lights under the night sky, sample local delicacies, or experience the unique bars.

Finally, 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. In addition, 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 the tour, this wonderful and fun small group tour of Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town will come to an end. Our driver will take you back to Zhangjiajie Airport or Railway Station to 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.