Floating Mountains: Zhangjiajie

Arrival and Check-in

The small Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport is about 40 minutes from the city. Check in and a gentle acclimatization: the next two days will be packed, so it’s worth conserving your energy today.

Lichzhou River Embankment

An evening stroll along the river that runs through the city — the illumination of bridges and the embankment at night creates a peaceful atmosphere before active days in the mountains.

First Glimpse of the National Park

Even from the city, on a clear day, you can see the first silhouettes of the quartz sandstone pillars characteristic of the region— it sets the scene for tomorrow among thousands of similar formations.

Bailong Lift to the Top

The world’s highest outdoor elevator (326 meters) whisks you from the base directly to the park's viewing platforms in just a few minutes, instead of a multi-hour hike. During peak season, queues can stretch for an hour – if timed entry is available, book it in advance.

“Avatar” Mountain (South Pillar of Heaven)

This quartzite pillar is widely believed to have inspired James Cameron’s floating mountains of Pandora—the surrounding landscape of thousands of similar pillars, immersed in morning mist, truly looks otherworldly.

The “First in the World” Bridge

A natural stone arch at a height of about 350 meters, connecting two peaks – one of the viewpoints with the most intense sensation of altitude throughout the park. Not for those afraid of heights—the bridge offers a view straight down into the chasm between the pillars.

The World’s Longest Cable Car

A single ticket costs 278 ¥ and includes the cable car (7,455 meters one way, with an elevation difference of 1,279 meters) and a shuttle bus around the area. The ascent takes about 30 minutes and is impressive in itself – clouds below, the “99 Turns” winding road beneath your feet.

Glass Walkway Over the Cliff

A transparent section of the path at a height of several hundred meters — paid separately, costing 5 ¥ per of the three sections. It’s impressive, but not for everyone: some visitors experience a real fear of heights right on the transparent floor; there's an ordinary opaque walkway nearby as an alternative.

Heavenly Gates

A natural arch in the rock approximately 130 meters high, accessible by a staircase of 999 steps — according to legend, this number symbolizes the highest point of heaven in Chinese numerology. One of China’s most recognizable natural landmarks.

Moving to Phoenix Town

About a 2.5–3 hour bus ride from Zhangjiajie — an ancient town on the Tuo River, built with diaojiaolou houses on wooden stilts directly above the water, preserved almost unchanged since the Ming Dynasty.

A Stroll Along the River

Stone bridges, ferry crossings, narrow streets lined with craft shops – the pace here is completely different from the mountains of previous days. A great place to just wander without a set plan.

Evening Lighting on the Tuo River

As the sun sets, the stilt houses and bridges are illuminated, reflecting in the water — one of the most atmospheric evenings of the entire trip, especially from a boat that you can rent directly on the embankment.

The Return Journey

From Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie Airport it’s about 3 hours by car, so factor that time into your flight schedule with a buffer.

Route Summary

5 days among landscapes that inspired “Avatar” — from quartzite pillars and the glass walkway over an abyss to a quiet ancient town on a river at the end. Practical lessons learned from this trip are in the postscript below.