Day 1

Arriving at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, getting to the Wulingyuan area depends on your arrival time.

If you arrive in the afternoon, catch Bus 4 to Central Bus Station.
2rmb
40 mins

Here you’ll find buses going to the different scenic spots. To Wulingyuan:
10rmb
~1 hour

Alternatively, get a taxi. If you arrive at night this is your only option. Meters aren’t used.
~150-200rmb
35 mins

RECOMMENDED ACCOMODATION
Comma Travel Concept Hotel

The downtown area has great hotpot restaurants along the river, so I suggest finding a nice spot to eat and buying water and snacks in preparation for the following day.

If you arrive before midday, leave your things at the hostel and get a taxi straight to Huanglong Caves (Yellow Dragon). Closes at 5pm.
80rmb
20 min taxi

Day 2

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park & Yangjiajie
Aiming for 7/8am, grab a taxi to Zimugang Ticket Office (Wulingyuan entrance gets crowded, so use one if it’s not busy.)

245rmb entry valid for 3 days
(Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area)

Take the free shuttle bus to 10 Mile Gallery, and start your hike. You will pass 3 Sisters Peak to Tianzi Mountain.
2-3 hours

If you’re not interested in hiking, there is a cable way option.
72rmb one way

Continue in the direction of Yuanjiajie and eventually Suoxi Valley. Pick and choose when to hop on and off shuttle buses depending on exhaustion and timing.

You will reach Bailong Elevator (the world’s tallest outdoor elevator). If you have limited time to make the last shuttle bus back to Wulingyuan Ticket Office, I suggest taking the elevator down despite the cost.
72rmb

From Wulingyuan you can walk back to your accommodation.

Day 3

With another early start, head to Zimugang Ticket Office.

Take a shuttle bus to Wulong Village Crossroad Station. Though it’s a long journey, it will save you time and energy for the rest of the day.

Proceed to Yangjiajie and around to Yellow Stone.

On this route you’ll see the famous
– First Bridge on Earth
– Hallelujah Mountain

Parts of this route will involve a lot of stairs, but I highly recommend taking them as you’ll avoid the crowds.

By afternoon, you’ll reach Golden Whip Stream. Monkeys will greet you along the pathway. I HIGHLY recommend doing this part of the hike.

It is an easy, flat walk following a beautiful serene stream that is well worth your time.
2 hours

Finally you’ll reach Forest Park Ticket Office where you can get a shuttle bus (before ~6pm) back to Wulingyuan.


*For hiking routes, refer to map below.*

Day 4

Tianmen Mountain
With another early wakeup, leave with all your belongings and head to the Bus Station for Tianmen Mountain.
12rmb bus
~1 hour
OR
100-150rmb taxi
~40 mins

There is luggage storage here.
10rmb/day

This route follows Option A:
Purchase your ticket and get on the ‘longest cableway in the world’ (7km).
258rmb entry ticket
~20 min cableway journey
Head straight to the glass skywalk.
5rmb
Then, follow the signs for the 5-segment escalators to descend off the mountain.
33rmb

Via this route, you’ll reach the giant cave and the 999 step stairway!

Once you finish up, find the bus stop at the end of the stairway and embark on the 99-Bends bus ride back to the start.

From here, the airport is very near. You can catch Bus 4
2rmb
30rmb
OR get a taxi for the 10 minute journey.