Readme before you journey
Many Thais have probably heard of or seen the movie Avatar. Some may wonder where this Hollywood movie drew inspiration for its animation. The location is not far from Thailand. It is Zhangjiajie National Park, also known as Avatar Hallelujah Mountains in Thailand.
One of the most iconic scenes in James Cameron's Avatar is the floating mountains of Pandora, which were inspired by Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, China. Even though it wasn't featured in any movie, Zhangjiajie remains a top tourist destination in China due to its stunning natural beauty and captivating atmosphere, attracting both domestic and international visitors.
Example of the movie Avatar.
I had the opportunity to travel to Zhangjiajie National Park on my own, and I would like to share my experience to be helpful.
Due to frequent rainfall during my trip, I was unable to capture certain moments. Therefore, I have included some images sourced from the internet.
This trip, I got a promotional ticket from AirAsia, my favorite red-tailed airline. I flew directly to Changsha City, Hunan Province.
Flew over our Thai waters.
****
Upon arrival at Changsha Airport, it takes approximately 1 hour to reach the West Station Changsha. After exiting the gate, proceed to the far right-hand side, where you will find a ticket counter for the West Station Changsha. The ticket price is 28.5 yuan.
This is what the ticket looks like.
The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.
There are signs indicating the bus stops for different destinations, such as numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. We need to board the bus at the far right, which is number 1. The bus will depart according to the schedule or when it is full. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.
Upon arrival at West Station Changsha, proceed inside the building to purchase tickets for the onward journey to Zhangjiajie. Buses depart hourly and cost 120 yuan.
Wulingyuan has three bus departures per day, priced at 103 yuan.
The Proximity to Zhangjiajie National Park: A Compelling Reason to Visit Wulingyuan
The primary reason for visiting Wulingyuan lies in its unparalleled proximity to Zhangjiajie National Park. This renowned park, famed for its breathtaking sandstone pillars and lush landscapes, offers an unparalleled natural spectacle that draws visitors from across the globe. By choosing Wulingyuan as your base, you gain the advantage of convenient access to this remarkable park, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its wonders.
If you miss the bus to Wulingyuan, you can get off at Zhangjiajie Station and take a local bus to Wulingyuan instead.
Check the car price and time here. Mine is waiting at number 5.
The bus station is large and clean. The restrooms are not intimidating. Hurry and enter the station now, or you will have a long wait of 4-5 hours.
The interior of the car. It is important to note that some Chinese people smoke, and sometimes the air conditioning is turned off.
The exterior condition of the car is good. I am the only passenger, both Thai and foreign. I am a mute and cannot speak Chinese.
The car continued to drive, and it rained frequently. As a result, I was unable to take many photos. Today was very tiring, but I finally arrived at the bus station in Wulingyuan City. Phew…
The weather in September was already cool, but it was still comfortable for sightseeing. After the car dropped me off at the bus station, as shown in the picture above, I followed the map to the hotel I had booked. It said it was a 15-minute walk to the hotel and a 5-minute walk to Zhangjiajie National Park. As for the hotel, you must book it in advance. Don't try to find one on the spot unless you can speak Chinese, because most of the accommodations in this tourist town are always full. After walking according to the map for a while, I found the hotel. When I woke up in the morning and opened the window to look at the view, it was truly refreshing.
After showering and brushing my teeth, I prepared to head out. The Chinese people wake up early, so even though I was close to the entrance, I had to hurry before the Chinese tour groups arrived. At 8:00 AM, I rushed to buy tickets.
Zhangjiajie National Park has two entrances: Wulingyuan Gate and Zhangjiajie Gate. Wulingyuan Gate is located in the southeast, while Zhangjiajie Gate is located in the west.
A five-minute walk from the hotel brought me to the ticket booth. I opted to visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
A 3-day pass to Zhangjiajie National Park costs 245 yuan plus a 3 yuan insurance fee, totaling 248 yuan. This includes the park's internal shuttle bus service but excludes the cable car and glass elevator.
The cable car ticket costs 72 yuan per person per trip.
The glass elevator costs 72 yuan per person per ride.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, also known as Wulingyuan National Park, is a 5A-rated tourist attraction in China (Chinese tourist attractions are classified into 5 levels, with 5A being the most scenic). It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is also China's first national park. Zhangjiajie is renowned for its unique and breathtaking scenery. Within the park, various tourist attractions are scattered throughout, and the methods of transportation to these locations are diverse and convenient, ranging from buses to cable cars to glass elevators.
Most hotels offer free maps. I recommend doing your research beforehand, as I only have 2-3 days here and cannot visit every location.
Download the map at this link.
A concise map.
The ticket looks like this. Please do not lose it. Once you have the ticket, you can walk into any lane to scan your fingerprint. This ticket is valid for 3 days, so we need to prevent others from using it. (Image borrowed from the internet)
The entrance is before the roundabout.
I took the cable car up and the glass elevator down. I walked out to the open space and waited for the shuttle bus. I arrived at the ticket office to take the cable car to TianZi Mountain.
The view from the cable car ride up
This area also has some photo opportunities.
We then boarded the park bus, which would take us to our next destination. (The park bus fare is included in the entrance fee, so there is no additional charge.)
The bus will stop at this point, where there is a McDonald's restaurant as a landmark. The viewpoint is located along the cliff face.
There are scenic spots for walking. The first spot I walked to was Fairy dispersing flowers.
Despite the incessant drizzle, a steady stream of tourists patiently waited their turn to capture the perfect photograph.
The red building is Tianzi Pavilion, a popular spot for Chinese tourists to take photos. However, considering the price of admission, I would rather save my money for a delicious meal.
The leaves are starting to change color here. It's mid-September.
The next stop is Helong Park.
General He Long, a former prominent figure in the Communist Party, whose birthplace is in Zhangjiajie.
The bus ride to the next stop, the Yuanjiajie Tourist Center, takes approximately 40 minutes.
Continuing along the path, you will encounter another highlight: the Tianxia Diyi Qiao Stone Bridge, also known as the "Number One Bridge Under Heaven".
Following the red cloth tied up will lead you to a scenic viewpoint.
Upon arrival, everyone lined up (presumably) to take a commemorative photo together.
The viewpoint is located at intervals along the cliff face.
During this trip, I met a fellow Thai person and we ended up traveling together.
This view is stunning. Don't miss it!
It is said that there are more than 3,000 sandstone mountain peaks here.
Next, you will encounter a giant bird, similar to the ones featured in the movie Avatar.
Then return to the Tourist Center (Yuanjiajie).
Yuanjiajie Scenic Area / 袁家界风景区 / จุดชมวิวหยวนเจียเจี้ย
The Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is a renowned tourist destination, featuring breathtaking views and iconic valleys. A short bus ride takes visitors to this remarkable area, where they can marvel at natural wonders such as the South Pillar of Heaven, also known as the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains.
South Pillar of Heaven / Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: A Popular Spot for Breathtaking Photos
The South Pillar of Heaven, also known as Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, is a popular destination for visitors seeking breathtaking panoramic views. To capture the iconic shot, stand on the iron bridge constructed by the park authorities.
After that, I took a bus to the intersection as planned to go to Yangjiajie Scenic Spot. At the entrance, there were two paths. The right path led to Tianbo Mansion, while the left path led to another scenic spot that was farther away. As I didn't have much time, I followed the signs and continued on my way.
Walk through the narrow passageway.
It took almost an hour, but the atmosphere is really nice. I'm almost there now, the destination is over there.
The atmosphere is clear now. It's drizzling, so it's possible to take pictures.
"Obstacles like these cannot stop us. We must continue moving forward."
Finally arrived at Tianbo Mansion.
This spot deserves a 5-star rating. It's truly stunning. If you can visit early in the morning, you'll be treated to a breathtaking sunrise.
Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.
Along the way, we encountered a young monkey enjoying the scenery.
Who could be so cruel to cut off the monkey's hand? This is incredibly brutal.
After walking all day, I'd like to stretch my legs a bit.
After that, I walked to the bus stop at the intersection to return to the Tourist Center (Yuanjiajie) again. I took the purple bus to Bailong Lifts / 百龙天梯 / Bailong Elevator (Hundred Dragons Elevator). I took the bus to the Bailong Glass Elevator drop-off point. When you get off the bus, look for the ticket booth for the glass elevator.
Observe the glass elevator ticket booth again.
The ticket for the Bailong Elevator costs 72 yuan. It looks like this:
Bailong Elevator / 百龙天梯 / ลิฟท์ไป่หลง (Hundred Dragons Elevator)
With a height of 330 meters and a travel time of 1 minute, the Bailong Elevator is considered the tallest and fastest outdoor glass elevator.
Ten Miles Gallery / 十里画廊 / ภาพวาดสิบลี้
The Ten Miles Gallery is a one-way walking path that is not too long and can be easily walked at a leisurely pace. However, I chose to take the round-trip bus to save money.
The strange shapes along the way seem to be a subtle hint to prepare us for the wonders that lie ahead.
The first day of the trip is over. I took the bus back to the Wulinyang entrance to return to my accommodation. I'm really exhausted.
On the second day, I used the ticket from the previous day to visit the Suoxiyu Scenic Area, the starting point of the Golden Whip Stream.
This is another place where I feel relaxed.
This place is popular for taking photos, so I'd like to take some too.
The flowing water area is truly relaxing and stress-relieving.
Unfortunately, no one was available to take nice photos of me, so I'm sharing some scenic views instead.
It's incredibly crowded.
Our short trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has come to an end.
Please like and share this post. If you'd like to follow Part 2, please click on this link.
Tianmenshan / 天门山 / Heaven's Gate: Tianmen Mountain for Non-Chinese Speakers Part 2
Thank you for reading. Please like, share, and comment below.
Follow us for more.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GolfytheJourney/
Instagram: @golfythejourney
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnqCI_fF3OPdFUSLR...
Readme: https://th.readme.me/id/Golfythejourney
Golfy The Journey
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 8:29 PM
