Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains & Glass Bridge Journey
Explore otherworldly sandstone pillars inspired by Avatar's floating mountains in this magical Chinese landscape
About This Route
Zhangjiajie, in Hunan Province, is home to the stunning Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. This 7-day journey will take you through incredible sandstone pillars, across glass bridges, and up Tianmen Mountain with its famous sky gate.
What You'll Experience:
- Explore Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the inspiration for Avatar's floating mountains
- Walk across the thrilling Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
- Visit Tianmen Mountain with its incredible Sky Gate and cliff-side walkways
- Ride the world's longest cable car to Tianmen Mountain
- Explore the Golden Whip Stream and Yuanjiajie scenic areas
- Experience the unique Tujia ethnic minority culture
7-Day Itinerary
Arrival & Zhangjiajie City
Morning: Arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Zhangjiajie city or Wulingyuan. Afternoon orientation.
Afternoon: Relax and explore Zhangjiajie city, try some local snacks.
Evening: Welcome dinner featuring Hunan cuisine (known for being spicy!).
Wulingyuan - Golden Whip Stream & Yuanjiajie
Morning: Enter Wulingyuan Scenic Area, hike along Golden Whip Stream, a beautiful valley with towering sandstone pillars.
Afternoon: Take the Bailong Elevator (the world's tallest outdoor elevator) up to Yuanjiajie, see the "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain".
Evening: Return to your hotel, rest after a day of hiking.
Wulingyuan - Tianzi Mountain & Yangjiajie
Morning: Visit Tianzi Mountain for incredible panoramic views of the sandstone pillars.
Afternoon: Explore Yangjiajie scenic area with its stunning viewpoints.
Evening: Return to your hotel, enjoy dinner in Wulingyuan.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge
Full Day: Day trip to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, walk across the famous Glass Bridge, and explore the canyon below.
Tianmen Mountain
Morning: Ride the world's longest cable car up to Tianmen Mountain, walk along the cliff-side glass walkways.
Afternoon: Visit Tianmen Cave (the Sky Gate), climb the 999 steps if you're feeling adventurous!
Evening: Return to Zhangjiajie city, enjoy a farewell dinner.
Tujia Folk Customs Park & Local Culture
Morning: Visit Tujia Folk Customs Park to learn about Tujia ethnic minority culture.
Afternoon: Explore local markets and buy souvenirs, relax.
Evening: Dinner with local Tujia cuisine.
Departure
Morning: Final breakfast, last-minute shopping, or a final view of the mountains.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your departure, with wonderful memories of Zhangjiajie's otherworldly landscape!
Gallery
What Travelers Say
James Wilson
San Francisco, CA | June 2026
Avatar mountains are absolutely stunning! I felt like I was in the movie. Zhangjiajie is a must-visit for anyone who loves nature and incredible views.
Sophie Chen
Toronto, Canada | May 2026
Tianmen Mountain is incredible! The glass bridge is scary but so worth it. The views are breathtaking. The cable car ride is also an amazing experience!
Jessica Wong
New York, NY | April 2026
Wulingyuan is so beautiful! I loved hiking along the Golden Whip Stream and seeing all the sandstone pillars. The food is also delicious - even if it is spicy!
Practical Information
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Zhangjiajie are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). The weather is mild and comfortable. Summer can be hot and rainy, while winter can be cold with occasional snow (which can be very beautiful!).
Getting Around
Zhangjiajie has a good bus system to get between the city and Wulingyuan. Taxis and Didi are readily available. In Wulingyuan, you'll use park buses to get around the scenic area. Wear comfortable hiking shoes!
Local Cuisine
Don't miss Tujia bacon, sour fish, spicy tofu, and Zhangjiajie rice noodles. Hunan cuisine is known for being spicy, so ask for "not spicy" (bu la) if you can't handle it!
Cultural Tips
Learn basic Mandarin phrases. Be respectful of Tujia culture and traditions. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes for hiking. Stay hydrated, especially in summer. Bring a rain jacket, as it can rain unexpectedly in the mountains.