Zhangjiajie (张家界 Zhāngjiājiè) is a city in northwestern Hunan Province, China. It is the gateway to two of China's best-known natural attractions: the sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan and the cliffs of Tianmen Mountain.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Zhangjiajie lies in the Wuling Mountains on the upper reaches of the Li River (Lishui), and is one of mainland China's most important tourist cities. The prefecture-level city administers Yongding District, Wulingyuan District, Cili County and Sangzhi County. Most visitors arrive in Yongding District, the main urban area, before heading north to Wulingyuan District, the town beside the Wulingyuan scenic area. The area has a recorded history dating back to 221 BC.
Most travellers reach the scenic areas from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station at Guanliping, next to the downtown railway station; it can be reached from the West Station by bus 6 or taxi. From here, Tourism Line A runs to the National Forest Park gate (¥11, about 40 minutes, roughly every 10 minutes) and Tourism Line B runs to the Wulingyuan (Suoxiyu) gate (¥12, about 40 minutes).
1 Puguang Chan Temple (普光禅寺), 70 Jiefang Road, Yongding District (永定区解放路70号) (bus 6, 7 or 8), ☏ +86 744 829 2697. 08:00–18:00. A Chan Buddhist temple dating from the 15th century, and a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. ¥40. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Zhangjiajie Museum (张家界市博物馆), Intersection of Dayong Road and Ziwu Road, Yongding District (永定区大庸路与子午路交叉口) (bus 1A, 1B, 2, 11, 15, 101 or 102), ☏ +86 744 820 9899. Tu–Su 09:00–16:30; no tickets after 15:30, no entry after 16:00. Free. (updated Oct 2022) 3 Tujia Folk Customs Park (土家风情园) (about 10 minutes' drive from the airport and railway station). 08:30–17:00.
The four-day Wulingyuan ticket lets you explore at a relaxed pace. A typical route: Day 1: Enter at the National Forest Park gate (crowded around 08:00–09:00 in peak season). Take the cable car up to Huangshizhai for a roughly 100-minute loop around the summit, then walk down and follow the gentle 4-km Golden Whip Stream (Jinbianxi) trail along the valley floor.
Food inside the scenic areas is limited and heavily overpriced, so bring snacks and water with you. The local signature dish is sanxiaguo (三下锅, "three-into-the-pot"), a spicy meat stew. 1 Qindama. 08:30–01:30. Popular local restaurant with several branches. Afterward you can walk along the river and enjoy the city at night. ¥60. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Yinmandou. Small, reasonably priced restaurant. Classics are sauerkraut beef and spicy roasted yellow beef, and the sanxiaguo is good too. You can bring your own drinks. ¥58. (updated Oct 2022) 3 Hushifu. 10:00–21:00. Very popular for its signature sanxiaguo; a small pot feeds two. Not for those who prefer mild flavours. ¥56.
Berry tea (莓茶 méichá) is a specialty of Yongding District. 1 Maoyan Meicha. Berry tea shop; buy in store or order online for delivery. (updated Mar 2023)
Watch out for taxi drivers who refuse to use the meter, especially at the airport (see By plane). If you run into overcharging or other problems: Zhangjiajie City Public Security Bureau, ☏ +86 744 822 2151. (updated Oct 2022) Zhangjiajie Park Police Station, ☏ +86 744 571 2381. (updated Oct 2022) Tourism complaints hotline, ☏ +86 744 838 0139, toll-free: 12315 (consumer complaints)Country code missing. (updated Oct 2022)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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