Zhangjiajie was only a national tree farm and unknown to tourists. In 1979, a Chinese painter drew a picture of the tree farm and published it with an article to introduce Zhangjiajie to the outside world on a local newspaper. As its popularity was increasing, the government of Zhangjiajie transformed the tree farm to a forest park. It is very convenient for people in Shanghai to travel to Zhangjiajie. There are flights from Pudong airport to Zhangjiajie every day. The price is around 800 rmb.
Zhangjiajie is renowned for nature, especially the mountains in the unique shapes. The glass-bottomed bridges and corridors offer you a better sightseeing terrace to admire the mountain views.
Zhangjiajie is destined to relate to art. It became popular to Chinese because of a painter, while it drew attention from all over the world because of a photographer. In December, 2008, a photographer from the Hollywood spent 4 days taking photos in Zhangjiajie. Lots of these photos were used as material to design the background scenery for the movie Avatar. Zhangjiajie became even more popular after the movie. The most famous mountain peak in the Yuanjiajie Scenic Spot was renamed to Hallelujah Mountain, which was a name of a mountain in the movie. There are hundreds of small mountain peaks in Yuanjiajie Scenic Spot and that is why the scenic spot makes tourist feel like living in the Avatar world.
Avatar Hallelujah Mountain
Located in the area of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, the world’s longest glass-bottomed bridge is a new attraction to tourists. Its length (375 meters, 1230 feet) and height (300 meters, 984 feet) are both world’s No.1. Standing on the bridge, you can admire the complete view of the canyon, but firstly, you have to make sure you are brave enough to stand. Hundreds of tourists are so scared that they cannot open their eyes on the bridge. Check out the video to see their reaction on the bridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3cvK_OcRwg.
The Tianmen Mountain is renowned for the Tianmen Cave, located on a cliff with an altitude of 1300 meters (4265 feet). The cave itself is 131 meters (429 feet) high. Due to its magnificence, the Tianmen Cave has been considered to be the gate to heaven since ancient time. Lots of people make their wishes in the cave. They believe it is easier for the god to hear them in the cave. Due to the temperature difference between the top and foot of the mountain, you need to take a one more coat with you.
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first area opened to tourists in Zhangjiajie. If you like plant or hiking, it is a good destination. You can hike along the Jinbian stream and admire the plant on the banks. The climate is mild all the year round, so the hiking is doable in most time of a year, however, the best time is between April and October.
Generally speaking, most tourists do not like the local food in Zhangjiajie, because most food and snack are strong flavored, however, some of them are worth a try. These food and snack can be easily found on the streets in Zhangjiajie.
Sour Fish and Pork – it is a delicacy of Tujia Ethnic Group. In order to make the fish and pork tender, they are wrapped by glutinous rice flour.
Cold Noodles – The cold noodles are very popular food in the city of Zhangjiajie. Pepper, fried peanut, cucumber and bean sauce are indispensible ingredients.
Bun – The local bun in Zhangjiajie is usually deeply fried with red sugar.
Zhangjiajie is not so close to Shanghai, so it is recommended to explore more near Zhangjiajie.
For history - Some people who are interested in history may want to see the former residence of Chairman Mao, near Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. You need to take train to Changsha first and take a bus to Shaoshan, where the former residence is located. You need to spend a night in Changsha.
For nature and minority culture – If you want to continue your trip to pursue the beauty of nature. Guilin meets your requirement. The karst landscape along the Li River and the Zhuang ethnic group’s life on the Longji Terraced Field may make you do not want to leave.