Zhangjiajie – Step Into Pandora

Zhangjiajie is most famous for the mountains that resemble those in James Cameron’s Avatar movies. He apparently got his inspiration for Pandora from the pillar-like mountains found in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You’ll understand why after visiting, as these mountains are out of this world. Aside from the national park, Zhangjiajie is also home to one of the world’s longest and tallest glass bridges, the world’s tallest outside elevator, the world’s longest cable car ride, and the stunning Tianmen Mountain.

As you can tell, there are a lot of record-breaking attractions in Zhangjiajie, as well as awe-inspiring scenery for anyone looking for an outdoors adventure in China. Zhangjiajie is definitely worth visiting on a trip to China and was one of my favourite trips during my time in the country.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to the famous Pandora-like pillar mountains, and is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It’s a huge park with a lot to see. There are different entrances and the tickets are multi-day, meaning you can explore different parts of the park over a few days. Pick up a map along with your ticket to help guide you around. There are also buses and golf buggies to ferry you around to different parts of the park.

I entered the park from the southern Zimugang Ticket Station. After buying the ticket a bus will take you into the park. The drop off point is within walking distance to the world’s tallest outside elevator, the Bailong Elevator. You can take this up to skip the climb to the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, or you can follow the route I took by heading left and following the river westward.

This is an easy start to the day with a flat walking trail through the forest. Incredible peaks tower over the river from both sides. Along the way you’ll likely see lots of monkeys too!

Soon you’ll come to a crossroads. You can continue following the river, heading further west into the park, or you can climb the stairs to the north. Going up these will bring you to the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains. It’s a pretty long and steep climb, but the reward at the top is worth it (remember you can also take the elevator if you’d rather not by a sweaty mess by the top).

At the top you’ll come to a walkway overlooking the famous mountains, with various viewpoints to stop for photos or just to admire the view. The mountains are incredible and definitely a highlight of the park. They appear like massive stalagmites rising from the valley floor. It’s easy to see how James Cameron (or anyone for that matter) would be inspired to think of alien worlds upon seeing them.

There are other things to see at this point too, including a bridge you can look down through, a temple whose path is lined with red prayer ribbons, and of course more monkeys.

At the end of the path overlooking the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, you’ll come to a car park. There are other walking paths you can take, but I recommend taking one of the park buses from here to a spot called Sanchakou (三岔口) on the map. From this spot you can take a golf buggy-like vehicle to Sky Garden (空中田园). This spot gives you great views over mountaintop fields, as well as a fantastic view of the Bailong Elevator and surrounding mountains.

You’ll see more of the amazing pillar mountains, and this spot is also quieter than at the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains even though they are nearly identical.

There are some vendors selling food at this spot. I recommend trying the little roast potatoes with honey!

Take the buggy back to Sanchakou (三岔口) and then hop back on the bus that will take you to Tianzi Mountain. This stop provides a good opportunity to take a rest. There’s a relatively flat area called Helong Park. You’ll find a statue of Marshall Helong, the Tianzi Pavilion, more amazing views, and of course a McDonalds.

At this point it’s probably mid to late afternoon. If you’re feeling short for time and tired, you can take the Tianzi Mountain cable cart down. If you’ve still got plenty of time and energy then I recommend heading past the Tianzi Pavilion and walking down the mountain. You’ll be rewarded with incredible scenery, coming along the path called “Three miles of enchanting nature.” If you’re tired at this point, there’s also a little tram that runs back and forth along here.

At the end of this path you’ll come to another carpark. Make sure you hop on the correct bus for your park exit, then enjoy one last ride through the incredible scenery of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park!

Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is located at the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The impressive bridge is 430 metres in length and is suspended 300 metres above the ground. The floor of the bridge is transparent allowing you to see all the way down to the bottom of that 300 metre gorge.

Upon arriving at the bridge, you can purchase a ticket and explore the information centre there that features a model of the bridge and surrounding area.

When you exit the centre you’ll see the bridge spanning the valley, and you’ll be required to wear shoe covers to cross it.

You’re then free to spend as much time as you like walking over the bridge. You can look right down and see the valley floor below you, so not one for people scared of heights! There’s even an option to bungee jump from the bridge if you’re feeling particularly brave.

Looking north from the bridge you’ll see massive elevators, slides, and even a zip line. These are your options for getting from the bridge to the valley floor. I came down via an elevator, stairs, and a slide.

At the bottom you’ll come to a wooden path that will lead you along the beautiful valley floor, walking by the side of the river and taking you through stunning caves, including one formerly inhabited by bandits.

At the end of the path through the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, you’ll board a boat that will take you to one of the park exits. From here you can catch a bus or taxi to your next destination.

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain is one of the craziest and most impressive mountains I’ve visited in my travels. The name of this mountain translates to “Heaven’s Gate Mountain”, and you’ll understand why when you visit.

The easiest way to reach the top of the mountain is by taking the Tianmen Mountain Cableway. This is claimed to be the longest cable ride in the world, covering a length of almost 7.5km and ascending nearly 1,300 metres. The ride takes around 30 minutes. There is an option to take a bus which goes up a crazy road with 99 bends, but when I went this didn’t start till 12pm (I was there at 7:30am to make the most of the day and see as much on the mountain as possible). Taking the bus also means missing out on the incredible views from the cable car. When I went there was low cloud cover, but we suddenly popped above the clouds and were given an amazing view!

After being dropped off at the top by the cable car you can take two main walking routes around the mountain. It’s almost like a massive table you can walk around. I headed to the west side first where the views over the surrounding mountain range were unreal.

Both the west and east side walkways offer the chance to walk across the glass “skywalks.” These, much like the rest of the paths, cling to the side of the mountain. They are considerably higher than the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and certainly scarier, particularly when the wind begins to blow!

If that isn’t scary enough then you’ll also have the chance to cross a wooden suspension bridge that sways in the wind.

Towards the end of the west walking route you’ll come to the Tianmen Mountain Temple. This Buddhist temple is worth taking the time to explore. I think there are monks living there. Crazy but amazing to live up there!

After the temple you’ll be on the east walking route. This too has a pathway clinging to the side of the mountain and also offers incredible views.

There are various viewpoints and pavilions along the route, and it’s also worth stopping at the Yunmeng Fair Peak. Unfortunately, it was around this time that the clouds began to roll in during my time on the mountain.

Fortunately, after walking around the top of the mountain and seeing the amazing mountains surrounding it, there is still more to see. You’ll ride down 7 massive escalators inside the mountain to the main feature of Tianmen Mountain, the Tianmen Cave.

This massive cave or archway measures 131.5 metres high and 57 metres wide. It appears like a gateway to the heavens, hence the name.

After passing through the cave you’ll come to the 999 heavenly staircase. It’s at this point you’ll be glad you started from the top of the mountain instead of choosing to walk up it. These 999 steps are very steep, and as is often the case, they were shrouded in mist as the rain began to fall, making them very slippery.

When I reached the large square at the bottom the thunder began to echo all around the cave.

From this square at the bottom of the 999 heavenly staircase it’s just a short walk to the cable car station that will bring you down the mountain back to Zhangjiajie. I think I timed it right because there was a powercut that stopped the cable car as I arrived back at my hotel.