Misty wonderland of Zhangjiajie
Six of us are from Singapore. We have long heard that the mountains in Zhangjiajie are unique. Instead of ordinary hills, they are towering quartz sandstone pillars rising straight from the ground. Surrounded by skyscrapers in the city every day, we wanted to escape the hustle and bustle. Eager to see the amazing peaks that inspired Avatar, we gathered our friends and planned this short getaway to Zhangjiajie.
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
1. Cost Guide
Initially, the six of us planned to arrange everything on our own. After checking quotes from multiple local travel agencies online, our estimated budget was around 7600 SGD. We then contacted our guide Liam. He customized a private group itinerary, pre-booked all tickets, transport and accommodation, and arranged a private vehicle for the whole trip. The total cost came to 6850 SGD, saving us 750 SGD. All charges are clearly stated with no hidden fees.
This is Riyue's WhatsApp +86 19522591430
Email: hunanVIP_intltravel_Riyue@hotmail.com
2. Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Golden Whip Stream - Yuanjiajie
In the morning, we entered the park and hiked along Golden Whip Stream, enjoying gurgling water and lush trees. In the afternoon, we took the Bailong Elevator up the mountain and visited the main viewing platforms in Yuanjiajie to see the floating mountains. The pace was easy and we took plenty of photos.
·Golden Whip Stream gets its name from a rock shaped like a golden whip beside the trail. It has the cleanest water in the forest park.
·Paths in the forest can be damp. Wear non-slip sneakers and bring insect repellent.
Day 2: Tianzi Mountain - Ten-Mile Gallery
Early in the morning we headed to Tianzi Mountain, overlooking endless stone peaks with drifting clouds. In the afternoon, we rode the sightseeing train through Ten-Mile Gallery and admired the oddly-shaped rock pillars on both sides.
·Tianzi Mountain was named after the Tujia leader Xiang Dakun, who led an uprising here and called himself the Son of Heaven.
·The mountain is cooler with big temperature differences. Bring a light jacket. Views may be limited on foggy days.
Day 3: Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - Tianmen Cave
We spent the whole day exploring Tianmen Mountain. We walked on the glass cliff walkway, visited the giant Tianmen Cave and took the mountain escalator down to admire the huge natural cave. We wrapped up our trip in the afternoon.
·Tianmen Cave is a natural hole through the mountain formed after rock collapse. Many extreme flying events were held here.
·Shoe covers are required for the glass walkway. Crowds are heavy on holidays; follow your guide to avoid peak hours.
4. The advantages of traveling with tour guide Riyue
Riyue knows every trail in Zhangjiajie and the best spots for photos, and he knows how to avoid crowds. He is familiar with Tujia culture and local legends and tells stories vividly. For our group of six, he flexibly adjusted our schedule. He handled tickets, parking and restaurant bookings for us, saving lots of trouble and responding quickly to any issues.
5.Personal Travel Tips
1. Mountain weather changes quickly. Bring lightweight raincoats. Umbrellas are unsafe while hiking.
2. Travelling in a group of six, pack some snacks and water. Goods on mountain tops are more expensive.
3. Avoid slippers or sandals for hiking. There are many stone steps and you may twist your ankle.
4. Zhangjiajie offers the best photo opportunities on early mornings after rain, when you may catch spectacular sea of clouds.
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Riyue's email address: hunanVIP_intltravel_Riyue@hotmail.com
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