China. Flying mountains of Avatar. Zhangjiajie National Park (Avatar Mountains), China From Xi'an to Zhangjiajie Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (湖南张家界国家森林公园) is a unique place where you won’t believe that this is all happening in reality. And if you've seen the movie Avatar, you'll recognize the moon Pandora with its towering rock pillars. The park is located in southwest China, on the territory of the Wulingyuan Nature Reserve, in Hunan Province and belongs to the Wulingshan mountain system. Zhangjiajie became the first park in China to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The formation of such an unusual landscape is due to prolonged weathering and leaching of rocks. The pillar rocks are composed of quartzite and sandstone. The most beautiful rock has a height of 1080 m; the Chinese called it “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” and placed several avatar figures here, where tourists love to take pictures.

In total, there are more than 3 thousand similar rocks in the Zhangjiajie Forest Park, a third of which rise more than 200 m. high point area - Mount Doupeng, its height is 1890 m.

Must see: the most beautiful areas of Zhangjiajie Park

"Bridge Over the Sky"

“Bridge over the sky”, also known as Natural Bridge No. 1, is a unique creation of nature, which is located at an altitude of 357 m. The bridge connects the tops of 2 rocks. The width is 4 m, the length is 50 m, and the thickness is 5 m.

Tianzishan - Mountain of the Son of Heaven

The terrain of this area is at an altitude of 1182 m. From here you can see the peaks piercing the clouds. The spectacle is truly incredible!

"Elevator of 100 Dragons"

The 100 Dragons Elevator (Bailong Glass Elevator) is an outdoor lift that is also the tallest in the world. By elevator you can get to the top of a steep slope 330 m high. The ascent in a transparent cabin will give you unforgettable experience. The elevator can accommodate up to 50 people, so not everyone gets to see the beauty. It’s better to come here early in the morning, otherwise you might end up in a 4-hour queue later.

Laowuchang

The most “wild” area of ​​Zhangjiajie National Park, where tourists walk along muddy paths. The Spirit Soldiers Gathering and Paddies in the Sky rice fields are located here. Photographers especially love this place.

Brook "Golden Whip"

One of the most popular routes in the park, which stretches for 7 km. The path lies along a lovely stream surrounded by beautiful rocks. The downside is that there are too many people, always.

Yellow Rocks Region

This area is located slightly north of the Golden Whip. Here is the famous Five-Fingers Peak. Tourists prefer to stop at the observation deck, because it offers an incredible view - and there is no need to pay for a lift.

It should also be noted that in Wulingyuan Nature Reserve, on whose territory Zhangjiajie Park is located, there are several natural attractions for which tickets must be purchased separately:

• cave of the dragon king Longwandong - 81 ¥ ($12.5);
• Yellow Dragon Cave Huanglong - 100 ¥ ($16);
• artificial lake Baofeng - 98 ¥ ($15).

Fauna and flora

About 3 thousand species of rare plants grow on the territory. Among the rarest representatives here you can find mahogany and pigeon trees, as well as gingko. The reserve is also home to more than 500 representatives of the animal world - various monkeys, civets, salamanders, etc.

Information for visitors

Address: Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, 427400

Schedule: 07:00-18:00

Best months to visit: April, September, October

How much is needed for inspection: 3-5 days

Ticket prices:

• for 4 days for 245 ¥ ($38);
• for 7 days for ¥298 ($46).

Where to stay

The nearest railway station and airport are in Zhangjiajie. From here to the park it is already 50 km, so there is no point in stopping in the city. Not far from the park there is small town called (Wulingyuan). There are cafes, hotels and all the infrastructure a tourist needs.

There are also accommodation options within the national park itself. As a rule, these are hotels with a minimum of amenities.

How to get there

By plane Zhangjiajie can be reached from any major city in China:

• from Beijing - $110-130;
• from Guangzhou - $70-80;
• from Shanghai - 115 $;
• from Xi'an - 70-80 $.

It is better to get from the airport to the national park by taxi, the approximate cost is $15.

If you prefer trains, then you can consider the following options:

• from Beijing ($60-100*);
• from Guangzhou ($50-80*);
• from Shanghai ($60-80*);
• from Changsha ($30-40*);

*more low price indicated for a reserved seat, higher - for a compartment.

From the railway stations there are buses to the city of Wulingyuan, from where you can take a taxi or walk to the park.

All calculations are carried out in RMB, prices are given for better understanding.

To visit Zhangjiajie Park in China, do not forget:

• water;
• snack (everything on site is quite expensive);
• raincoat;
• comfortable shoes;
• camera;
• park map;
• cash.

10 - 18 September 2021
(stay in China 7 nights, 11 - 18 September )

They are three meters tall, have blue skin, and have cat-like faces. Their planet is Pandora,
located several light years from Earth. Most of it is covered with jungle,
mountains hang in the air, plants glow in the dark...
To experience Pandora, you need to go to James Cameron's Avatar, which was inspired by the Wulingyuan Mountains.
To see the “flying” mountains in reality, to break out of everyday life and feel like the heroes of “Avatar”, you need to fly to China.

The program includes: panoramic routes - serpentines, various cable cars (including the longest in the world). The rocks are surrounded by routes made of stones and even glass, connected by giant bridges. The world's tallest open-air elevator was built, taking it to the top. Landscapes of unreal beauty, as if straight from the paintings of Chinese painters, became accessible thanks to the miracle of human genius and hard work.

China. Land of Four Wonders
China. Sichuan. Cheerful panda
China. A day in Urumqi
China. Two capitals. Excursions in Beijing and Xi'an
Taiwan . Tiger living on its own

Day 1. September 10

Departure from Russia. 21.10 - 11.10 - Moscow (Sheremetyevo) - Guangzhou

Day 2. September 11

23.00 - departure from Guangzhou. 00.40 - Arrival in Zhangjiajie late at night. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Night in Zhangjiadze (night from 11 to 12 September).

National Park Zhangjiajie in the southeastern province of Hunan, 32 km from the city of Zhangjiajie, is China's first state-level national forest park, opened in 1982. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most
famous and visited nature reserve in China. In total, 52 Chinese sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The 4,940 hectares of the park are home to 243 mountains and 3,000 peaks and cliffs of amazing shape, as if floating in the air as a result of the weathering of sandstones and limestones. The tops of the rocks are covered with thick caps of coniferous trees with average height- 800 meters, there are also three-kilometer giants. 88% is occupied by dense mountain forests. The most popular observation deck, Huangshi, rises 1300 m above sea level, with exactly 3800 steps leading to it. 19.4 meters is the height of the largest stalagmite in Huanglong Cave. This picturesque area is home to more than 40 caves and two natural stone bridges of enormous size. About 150 animals live, including 28 listed in the country's Red Book, for example, the golden pheasant and the rhesus macaque.

When fog comes to the mountains and the clouds melt under your feet, the atmosphere in the park becomes especially magical and surreal. Many, having seen James Cameron's Avatar, appreciated the unreality of the landscapes of the planet Pandora, whose landscape was based on Mount Jiankunzhu and the Huangshan mountain range. Released in 2009, the film "Avatar" broke all box office records and became the highest-grossing film of all time on the planet. Mount Jiankunzhu (1080 meters above sea level) was renamed Mount Hallelujah of Avatar, and since In 2010, Chinese craftsmen began creating unique giant “gadgets” in the park so that everyone could see the “Avatar Flying Mountains”.

At the end of 2018, the park operates: 5 cable cars, including the longest in the world - 7.5 km (the journey takes about 30 minutes), the fastest panoramic elevator in the world, three unique glass bridges.

Zhangjiajie Park is unusual at any time of the year. In winter, snowfall turns the park into a magical fairy tale of the Snow Queen. In spring, nature blooms and flowers smell fragrant. In autumn, the trees sparkle with all the luxury of colors. And thick fogs and the coolness of the mountains create a special atmosphere in summer.

Day 3. September 12

Excursion to Mount Tanmen, translated from Chinese as “Heaven’s Gate” Mountain.

The feeling of flying will accompany you all day. A spectacular climb on the longest mountain cable car in the world (7.5 km, travel time 28 minutes). Walking along the suspended glass road “Heavenly Path”, the total length of which is 1600 meters at an altitude of 1400 meters. On Mount Tanmen there is a glass Bridge of the Brave, which the most adventurous travelers can cross. There is also a glass bridge “Writhing Dragon” on Mount Tanmen with special effects: as soon as a person steps on the glass, cracks immediately spread across it.
Visit to the Buddhist center on the mountain using an outdoor cable car (800 meters). Panoramic drive along a mountain serpentine road (99 turns).
Ascent to Tanmen Cave (height 132 meters, width 57 meters).
Travelers who don't want to climb the 999 steps to the cave can stay in the tea house at the foot and taste the famous Yin Zhen imperial yellow tea, which is produced only in this region.Dinner. Excursion to the Tujia National Park, where you will get acquainted with the folk customs and traditions of one of the small nations of China. You will see the tallest, multi-story wooden building in China, which was created on the basis of the ancient fortress of the Xiangsitsi people. Your attention will be presented to theatrical mini performances in national costumes, based on episodes of the true life of Tujia. You will hear folk songs of Syangsitsa. Crafts and dances of the Tujia people are listed as intangible cultural heritage UNESCO.

Optional visit to the evening Tianmen Fox Fairy Show. Overnight at a hotel in Zhangjiadze.

In Tianmen Fox Fairy Show More than 500 people take part, modern lighting technologies are used, and the scenery is built into the natural mountain landscape. This is one of the most expensive theatrical projects in the world, the creation of which cost 177 million dollars! The show runs from 20.00 - 22.30. average price ticket 60 USD.

Mount Tanmen famous for its giant “window” in the rock called “Heaven’s Gate”. This is the highest mountain cave in the world, which was formed in 263 as a result of an earthquake. The height of the cave is 131.5 meters, width - 57 m, depth 60 m. A staircase of 999 steps and a mountain serpentine of 99 turns lead to the “Heavenly Gate”: in Buddhism, the number “9” means the highest spiritual power and heavenly number. There has been a Buddhist temple on the mountain since the Tang Dynasty.
An interesting fact is that in the 20th century, the 1500-meter waterfall suddenly collapsed from the top of Tanmen 4 times, and after a quarter of an hour the 1500-meter waterfall disappeared: in 1949 (formation of the People's Republic of China), in 1976 (death of Mao Zedong), in 1989 (suppression of student protests). in Beijing) and in 1998 (flood). At the top of the mountain, right along the edge, there is a glass path, which very often turns out to be above the clouds...Descent from the mountain along the serpentine “heavenly highway” 11 km long is another adventure. The longest and highest cable car in the world (7455 meters) with spans of up to 500 meters leads to the mountain! Sometimes the road rises at an angle of 70, crashing straight into the clouds.

It was built over an abyss at an altitude of 180 meters above the ground. The structure is 299 meters long, made of 24mm thick glass and can support 800 people. The bridge was originally made of wood, but in 2015 it received a new glass life. It is considered one of the longest glass bridges in the world and is very popular among park guests.

The Twisting Dragon Bridge has the length of a glass walkway- 100 meters, and a width of just over one and a half meters. The bridge leads straight along the gentle slope of a cliff, 1430 meters high; under your feet there is only 6.5 cm of transparent glass and an abyss. A low glass side separates you from the abyss. Daredevils who decide to cross the bridge are asked to wear special shoe covers on their feet so as not to scratch the glass.

Tourists can see a truly dizzying view of the valley on the other side of the mountain range. The bridge hangs 1,500 meters above the ground and is the third such bridge on Tianmen Mountain. More recently, it was an ordinary wooden path. Only the bravest and bravest tourists walk along the cliff to the mountainside rugged with caves. Walking along such a glass road in the sky gives a colossal adrenaline rush, as well as the opportunity to observe the incredible beauty of the landscapes of the Avatar Mountains.

Day 4. September 13

We continue to travel through Zhangjiajie National Park.Excursion to the "Yellow Fortress" Huangshizhai: You will see the Big Rock, Pavilion of Six Wonders, Star Harvest, Corridor of Echoes, Golden Turtle, Five Finger Peak, Sky Bridge - best places with traditional Chinese poetic names. The journey includes a cable car to Huangshizhai and takes about 3 hours. Dinner. Walk through one of the longest canyons in the world, “Golden Whip” (about 3 hours). Arrival in Wulingyuan city. Hotel accommodation for two nights.

Golden Whip Canyon, framed by sheer cliffs, has a stream at the bottom of the gorge that sparkles golden on a sunny day, hence the poetic name. On a historical stone in the canyon it is written that the famous Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang (who united the kingdoms into the Great State and connected the individual parts into the Great Wall of China), was so fascinated by the mountains and the gorge that he dreamed of moving the mountains to the sea and admiring them from the water side . While walking along the 6-kilometer canyon, you will pass over a suspension bridge, see the 380-meter Golden Whip Peak, Crimson Grass Pond, and have the opportunity to drink from the “Spring of Long Life.” The Chinese consider the Golden Whip Canyon the most beautiful in the world.

Day 5. September 14

Excursion to the Avatara Mountains. “Wide-format” ascent on the Bailong glass elevator (translated as “100 dragons”) to the top of a 326-meter-high mountain in 2 minutes. One-third of the elevator passes inside the mountain, the remaining two-thirds overlook open mountain landscapes. This is the tallest open elevator in the world. an engineering miracle Sveta. Exit to panoramic platform Yuanjiajie Senic Spot, which offers unforgettable views of the Avatar Mountains. View of main mountain Jiankunzhu (translated as “southern pillar of heaven”), in honor of the film, which became a masterpiece of world cinema, has now been renamed “Hallelujah Avatar”. The highest peak is called "Rabbit Looking at the Moon." The stone peak of Heitsunnao is famous for its centuries-old pine trees.
A visit to the world's largest natural bridge between rocks, which is called “No. 1 in the world” - “Number one in the world”. Dinner. Inspection picturesque mountain Tianzu with the peak of Kunlun - “Abode of the Gods”. Return by cable car with a length of 2084 meters and a height of 692 meters.
In the evening, optional visit to the show “The Charm of Western Hunan”. The show introduces the mysterious ethnic culture of Hunan Province - the Tujia, Miao and Bai peoples. Night in Wulingyuan.

Bailong Elevator(“Hundred Dragons Elevator”) is the tallest outdoor elevator in the world. It is built directly into the cliff and takes tourists to an observation deck at the top of the mountain at a height of 330 meters.
The elevator itself consists of three two-story cabins, each of which can accommodate 50 passengers. The elevator is also equipped with seismic sensors, when triggered, the elevators must quickly evacuate all people down. The "Hundred Dragons Elevator" was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest lifting capacity, the fastest passenger elevator, the highest modern elevator, and the highest open exhibition elevator.

Performance "The Charm of Western Hunan" reveals the traditional culture of these places with the music of ethnic groups combined with sound, light and electrical technologies of the modern stage. The program features typical local folk customs such as "wedding crying", "funeral ceremonies", witchcraft, mountain climbing, as well as modern songs and acrobatics, interpreting the lifestyle and original culture of Western Hunan's ethnic minorities.

Day 6. September 15

Excursion to the stalactite cave “Huanglong” (“Yellow or Golden Dragon”), which is one of the most beautiful caves in the world and is protected by UNESCO. The tour lasts 3 hours and includes a boat ride through the labyrinths of the underground river. Dinner. Excursion to mountain lake Baofeng, surrounded by picturesque mountains.
Boat trip to Suoxiyu panoramic site with waterfall viewing. The lake is reached by climbing 333 steps.A visit to a uniquely beautiful place - the Zhangjiadze Grand Canyon, where you can walk across a glass bridge between two mountains at an altitude of 380 meters. This is one of the longest and tallest in the world pedestrian bridges with a glass bottom, 430 meters long and 6 meters wide. Overnight at the hotel.

Yellow Dragon Cave in the Avatar Mountains- one of the most beautiful “magical karst caves” in the world. Water plays an important role in the formation of a cave. This four-level cave has one lake, two rivers, three waterfalls, 98 pedestrian galleries and 13 large halls, one of which reaches a height of 140 meters. Travelers are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of natural stalactites and stalagmites, striking the imagination with intricate shapes. You will see the Palace of the Dragon and the Dragon King, the Ballroom with draped stone curtains, the Immortal Waterfall, the Gate of Longevity, the Gate of Happiness and much more.

Lake Baofeng is located at the top of Mount Baofeng (Jewel Peak). It has a length of 2.5 km, a width of up to 500 meters, and a depth of 72 meters. During a cruise on the lake, guests see floating houses, Baofen Falls, mountain peak"Hawk's Nest", an ancient temple and a Narrow Gorge. Sometimes the melodious singing of a young couple of the local Tujia people can be heard. Transparent air, fragrant nature and complete unity with nature.


Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon famous for the huge glass bridge over the abyss, the construction of which cost $3.4 million. Designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan in 2016, the bridge has already set 10 world records in the field of architecture and design; it is made entirely of glass and has no steel structure at its base. A bridge made of 99 three-layer transparent glass panels connected two rocks. The design can support 800 people at a time and has additional tests for resistance to changes in ambient temperature and wind swings.

Additional attraction: The bridge has the world's highest, dedicated bungee jumping area, located under the central span of the bridge at an altitude of almost 270 meters above the ground. And at the beginning of the bridge, where its width reaches 12 meters, theatrical performances are held and there are stands for 3,000 seats.

Day 7. September 16

Travel to the southwest (4 hours) and along the way visit the Red Stone Geopark. Inspection of a section of the Southern Great Wall of China in the vicinity of Fenghuan. Overnight at the hotel.

National Park "Red" Stone forest" (Red Rocks National Geopark) was first opened to the public in 2005. In sunny weather, rocks that look like forest trees glow red

in ashen color.

South Chinese Wall was built at the beginning of the 17th century during the Ming Dynasty with the participation of 5,000 soldiers to guard the southern borders of the country. The ensemble once included more than 800 terraces, bunkers and outposts. The total length is 190 km, the height of the wall is about 3 meters, the width at the base is about two, it runs along the mountains and is washed by rivers. Most of South Great Wall was built on steep cliffs.

Fenghuan Ancient Town is located in the southwest of Hunan Province, at the foot of the mountain on the banks of the Totjiang River.
Translated, it means “Chinese Phoenix” - a miracle bird that embodies the feminine principle (yin) in Chinese mythology and a symbol of the south of the country; whereas the Dragon is the masculine principle. The earliest mentions of Fenghuang are found in Yin divination inscriptions around the 15th century BC. One of the most beautiful ancient cities in China is located at the foot of the mountains next to the water, and was built in accordance with artistic and philosophical traditions ancient China. Authentic Fenghuan has retained its layout and original appearance to this day. appearance from the Ming Empire of the 14th century and the Qing Empire of the 17th century, sending curious travelers in a time machine back into the depths of eras. The city is surrounded by fortress walls, gates with towers, behind which there are 20 streets and more than 200 civil residences and ancestral temples, ancient wells and rainbow bridges. Fenghuang is a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO list.
Fenghuan is located on lands where representatives of three small original peoples of China live: Miao, Bai and Tujia. Each distinctive people has its own language, customs, clothing and lifestyle.

Day 8. September 17

Free morning in the authentic city of Fenghuan. Hiking through the authentic city of Fenghuang, including a boat cruise on the river. A 5-kilometer pavement passes through the city, turned into a pedestrian street. Walk along the crafts street, famous for wax paintings and batik. Departure to Zhangzajie. Accommodation and overnight at a hotel in Zhangjiadie (September 21 - 22).

For those who take the program "Land of Four Wonders" , second night in Feihuang

Day 9. September 18

Breakfast and transfer to the airport in Zhangjiajie.
Flight and arrival in Russia.

The fabulous world of Avatar is waiting for you!

Combines well with tours:
China. Land of Four Wonders
China. Sichuan. Cheerful panda
China. A day in Urumqi
China. Two capitals. Excursions in Beijing and Xi'an
Taiwan . Tiger living on its own

tour cost"China. Avatar's Flying Mountains"

per person in double occupancy:

350 USD / 370 USD surcharge for Single Room 3* / 4*

The tour is considered prepaid upon payment of 500 USD towards the cost of the tour.

Until February 1, there is a 120 USD discount on accommodation in 4* hotels, subject to prepayment - 500 USD

Description of hotels under the “China. Avatar's Flying Mountains"

Air tickets according to the program:

from 32,000 rub. Moscow - Guangzhou - Zhangjiadtse (Dayong)- Guangzhou- Moscow

Air tickets are booked and issued individually for each tourist. The cost of air tickets depends on:
- availability of tariffs on the day of booking;
- airline rate on the day the ticket was issued.

Included in the price:

• Russian-speaking escort along the entire route;
• Meeting at the airport and transfers (from/to the airport) - in case of arrival of the entire group on one flight;
• Accommodation on a double occupancy basis in selected hotels;
• Excursion services according to the program;
• Transport-bus and driver services;
• Entrance tickets to all observation platforms according to the program;
• Meals according to the program: breakfasts, lunches (except the eighth day);
• State taxes.

The price does not include:

• Visa services;
• International and domestic air travel;
• Food and drinks not specified in the program;
• Tips for guides, escorts, drivers, etc.;
• Personal expenses;
• Shows listed in the program as optional.

Attention! To participate in the tour, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip.

To obtain a visa you need:

1. International passport
2. Photocopy of the Russian Federation passport (1 page and page with registration)
3. 1 color photo 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, on a light background
4. Questionnaire

Visa processing time - from 5 working days

Note: Guangzhou International Airport - Baiyun (White Clouds) is 30 km away. From the city and connected to it by metro (20 min.)
1. You can spend a day in the city

Zhangjiajie, ( zhangjiajie national forest park), is a huge park area in the southwest of China (Hunan Province). The breathtaking geo-park with an area of ​​479 square kilometers has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Unique corner nature of China, pearl mountain system Wulingshan is called Zhangjiajie Avatar Park (China) in tourist guides and brochures. Some episodes of the famous film were filmed here.

Main attraction national reserve- rock masses (weathered sand and quartz pillars) soaring towards the sun and floating in the clouds.

China's Zhangjiajie National Park is open to the public all year round. Experts recommend exploring the protected area from September to November.

Interesting! Mountain autumn gives tourists comfortable temperatures, the absence of low clouds and annoying rainy drizzle.

In winter, some of the routes in the park are closed, snowfalls and fogs clearly spoil the panoramic views, and it’s cold to walk through the “beauties.” The only good reason to visit in winter is the reduction in entrance fees.

Spring and early summer flood the region with rain. Thick clouds and fogs envelop the valley, creating the effect of rocky spurs “floating in the sky.”

To “quickly” get acquainted with the beauties recognized by UNESCO, to visit all the places of worship and significant observation points of the geo-reserve and adjacent territories, a traveler will need at least a week.

Zhangjiajie National Park how to get there?

To experience the beauty of a natural location, you need to be in Zhangjiajie (this is the most convenient way to get to the natural area).

By plane

• from Beijing: $130;
• from Shanghai: $115;
• from Guangzhou: 80 dollars.

From the air harbor to the center of the settlement there is a shuttle bus, the taxi is running.

Train

For sedate and leisurely tourists best choice will Railway. There are a lot of railway routes to your destination. The trip from Beijing lasts 26 hours, the price of a reserved seat train ticket is $60.

Zhangjiajie Station is located in a strategically positioned location: the center, nearby (within walking distance):

• airport;
• starting point for the cable car to Tianmen Rock;
• bus station.

By bus

When getting to Zhangjiajie, you can also take a bus. It's long and uncomfortable. Travel guides This type of communication is recommended when traveling from nearby cities (Changsha, Fenghuang).

Where is the park?

The starting zones of the national reserve are small villages with hostels, hotels, and restaurants at the entrance to the park. There, travelers “take a breath,” have a snack, and solve the problems of accommodation and overnight stay. There are three official entrances to the territory:

• the “start” closest to the city is located thirty kilometers away (the village of Zhangjiajie);
• intrans in the Wulingyuan area;
• the most remote entrance to the observation area at Mount Tianzi.

Accommodation options

Zhangjiajie offers travelers an excellent choice of hotels, but once you stay in the city, you will have to spend time every day on the road to the walking and observation areas. Cost of daily accommodation in a luxury room in a central city hotel: 869 yuan (including breakfast).

By choosing a guesthouse in the starting village or a hostel inside the park, you can save a lot of money and personal time. The living conditions and the service provided are spartan (real interruptions in water, electricity, Wi-Fi).

Working schedule and issue price

Park areas are hospitably open:

• in summer from 6:30 (7:00) to 19:00;
• in winter from 7:30 to 17:00;

Entry price

There are two variations:

• for four days: 245 yuan;
• for a week: 298.

The following are listed separately:

• Bailong: 72 yuan;
• cable car to Tianzi: 67;
• Funicular to Huangshizhai: 70;
• cable car to Yangjiajie: 76;
• pleasure narrow-gauge railway: 38.

The price of the basic ticket includes use of buses within the park.

Local travel tips

The main tourist slogan of the forest park is: “He who gets up early, the (tourist) God provides!” Early rises and visits to base locations will protect “early travelers” from tiring waiting and jostling in queues. The languor before loading into the coveted Bailong elevator (in the “high” season) can last up to four hours!

Long hiking treks require appropriate footwear and sports equipment. Expert guides recommend: to the top by funicular / down on foot.

Interesting! Absolutely all guidebooks and reference books about the protected area warn tourists about the aggressiveness of the monkeys there.

Do not tease monkeys / ensure the safety of valuables.

The following items will be appropriate for walking equipment: map, guide, Chinese phrasebook, cash, drinking water, packed rations. Prices for food in the park are mercilessly raised.

Object top of the national park

Zhangjiajie National Park (China) is conventionally divided into four platform zones. In addition to funiculars and ski lifts, several bus routes operate in the “UNESCO heritage”: cars purple ply in the valleys, funny beige cars transport travelers along the tops of mountain ranges.

Each viewing area is individual, exotically beautiful and stunningly picturesque.

Chinese Pandora: Yuanjiajie

The northwestern part of the park, the Yuanjiajie space, is the most visited area of ​​the geo-reserve. It is these landscapes that are compared to the peaks of the film "Avatar".

The 3500 Steps panoramic route, in addition to long stepped ascents and breathtaking descents, includes a lot of well-equipped observation platforms and points for photography.

You can get to the top of Yuanjiajie by the famous “transparent lift” Bailong.

This area is famous for the “Heavenly Bridge” and the majestic rock mass, which has recently been called “Hallelujah”.

Creator and designer of the “transparent passage”: engineer Dotan. The budget for “Cloud Transition” is 3.5 million US dollars. Transit length: 430 meters. The transparent viaduct can support 800 people at a time.

The most beautiful place in the park is the unforgettable Avatar Hallelujah. The rock was originally called Jiankunzhu, which means Southern Heavenly Pillar.

Yangjiajie

Yangjiajie zone is the youngest tourist area natural reserve. This is northeast Zhangjiajie. The observation platform connects the Xiangzhi waterway, the Longquan and Baihou valleys.

The real pearl of Yangjiajie is the breathtaking waterfall “Dragon Waterfall”.

Tianzi

The mountain range is in contact with the Suosi tract, the central park area of ​​Zhangjiajie and the Sanzhi region. Tianji is the pearl of Wulingyuan. The peak of the rock formation hovers at 1262.5 meters (Kunlun), and the lowest point is 534 meters above sea level (Shilan).

Tianji Park Reserve is a pristine natural area with protected forests and reservoirs of crystal clear water.

Interesting! The population of the province loves the saying: “He who has not climbed Tianji has not known beauty.”

In the west of the platform, the so-called “Western Sea” stretches freely. It is a valley dotted with rock formations covered with green jungle. This part of the park is also called the "forest ocean" or "picket fence".

The vale of the “Heavenly Abode” is a gorge with steep cliffs around.

Bottom part mystical place shrouded in clouds. The descent down is difficult and time-consuming; a narrow staircase-path leads there.

The absolute highlight of the tourist route in the Tianzi zone is the Emperor's Retreat Pagoda.

Whip Canyon

The canyon of the Golden Knut stream is the easiest walking area. No stairs, no abysses, no cable cars: the tourist route runs along a flat valley, along a quiet, shady water stream.

A real communion with nature: the hubbub of birds, the murmur of water, fantastic mountains and emerald greenery.

Huangshizhai

Huangshizhai means "village" yellow stone"or "yellow village". The Huangshizhai rocks are spread over seventeen park hectares. " Stone village" - a horizontal "patch" at an altitude of 1100 meters.

Crossing a three-kilometer-long mountain trail takes two hours and requires good physical preparation. Along the way, tourists are pleased with equipped observation decks with romantic Chinese names:

You can get to the top by cable car, which is served by a bus from Laomuwan.

There is a restaurant in the “Yellow Stone Village” (at the top of the mountain) where you can have a good meal.

Surrounding areas worth visiting

In addition to Zhangjiajie Park, Hunan Province offers tourists a lot of beauty, attractions and exotic natural areas.

Tianmen Peak

Tianmen skyscraper and the same name natural Park spread out on the far outskirts of Zhangjiajie. Within walking distance is the starting point of the world's longest funicular, which takes thirsty people to the top of the mountain. Extreme tourists get to the reserve on foot, along the famous serpentine path “99 bends”.

The real highlight of the mountain reserve is the Buddhist pantheon from the Ming Dynasty. The Heaven's Gate Temple is hidden in a rock cave.

The temple occupies ten thousand square meters. To get to the arch, you need to overcome a difficult climb of 999 steps.

An alternative answer to the famous glass bridge and the center of attraction for extreme sports enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies around the world is the “cloud trail” along the edge of the cliff.

Price park excursion(including cable car or bus transportation along the winding route) 258 yuan. For a fashion show along a transparent section of the route you will have to pay an additional 5-10 yuan.

Fenghuang Museum Settlement

Fenghuang is located on the water (a city on stilts) and attracts tourists with the atmosphere of the Celestial Empire. Fragile buildings, openwork bridges, winding, shady nooks and fishing nets drying in the sun.

At night, everything is illuminated by the lights of paper lanterns, which gives the city style and solidity.

From Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang the journey is 240 km (five hours of jolting on the bus). There is a fee for visiting the city-museum: 148 yuan.

Baofeng

The Baofeng water body is a man-made object formed during the construction of a dam. Located high in the gorge, the purest water reservoir is surrounded by emerald forested slopes.

From the village of Wulingyuan to the world heritage site you can take a taxi (10-15 yuan) or walk (a leisurely forty minutes walk).

An entrance ticket will cost an adult traveler 96 yuan (includes a swim on the lake with songs and national costumes of rowers). Locals call the lake surface “a paradise of a bustling world.”

Huanglong

Near the village of Wulingyuan there is the “Golden Dragon Hole”. A river flows through the entire cave with meanders framed by illuminated stalactites.

It's easy to get there by bus or taxi for 20 yuan. Price: 100 yuan (with boat, underground walk).

What else is the national natural park famous for?

Zhangjiajie attracts tourists with its unearthly beauty, surreal reliefs and landscapes.

The real “diamonds” of the national reserve are:

• flying quartzite rocks over 800 meters high;
• forested peaks reaching 3000 meters above sea level;
• caves, ponds, flora and fauna;
• well-functioning tourist infrastructure (elevators, funiculars, walking and automobile routes).

China generously gifts travelers with wealth and amazing natural beauty.

Conclusion

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (zhāngjiājiè) is the pride and natural attraction of the country. Feelings from a trip, walks, excursions, contact with virgin nature They will be remembered for a long time and will be called on the road more than once.

The photos I want to show are from Zhangjiajie City in Hunan Province, namely the so-called Avatar Mountains. I heard about the highest elevator in the world, which takes you up the mountain and offers a very beautiful view from there. So I went without any preparation - what, where, and how? As always, I don’t know where I’m going, and I like it, then the impressions of the trip seem stronger, more impressive and more emotional to me. So this time I went to look at the elevator and the beautiful view from the mountain, and ended up in a fantastic place - the Avatar Mountains. On the day I climbed the mountains, the weather was beautiful and sunny.

Entrance to the park costs 158 yuan and allows you to visit the park for two days.

First on foot, then the cable car and again on foot, walking and walking, the queue for the cable car is five kilometers long, and here I am in the cabin, together with the Chinese, going up, we swim between the rocks, the view is simply amazing.

The cabins are designed for 6 people, if the “people” are small, then it is possible for eight of them.

The place is not in great demand among European tourists; during the entire time I met at most two or three Europeans, and not Russians.

That’s why I think the Chinese looked at me with interest and surprise, probably the same way I look at the mountains.

With every turn, more and more breathtaking panoramas opened up.

The mountainous region is famous for its quartzite rocks, up to 800 meters high. The most high peaks Wulingyuan reaches an altitude of more than 3 km above sea level.

Throughout the journey, my attention was attracted not only by the beautiful views of the mountains, but also by the girls dressed in bright national costumes.

You could take a photo with them for 10 yuan.

It was convenient to walk, there were smooth and neat paths along the rock with exits to observation platforms.

The mountains are a picturesque sight: huge stone pillars above tropical forest.

I met them at one of the observation platforms.

The baby was scared, but the mother was very pleased when I photographed them.

My wife called this photo “Dad, don’t leave.” -)

Mountain flower.

Tall, horizontally flat rocks. There are observation platforms located above a cliff with a glass bottom.

Almost the entire route is along these steps, and you can also rest on them.

For those who are tired, they could relax while enjoying the views from " minibus".-) But it's not cheap.

Taxi park -).

At transshipment points, selling souvenirs and beautiful pictures from picturesque views Pandora.

There you can have something to eat or drink tea, coffee and continue on your way, there is little time, but there are so many interesting things ahead.

Leaving the reserve in the evening, a flock of wild monkeys swooped in and one of them took away my banana, which I wanted to eat, and this happened to everyone who had something edible in their hands. And then one of the monkeys starts screaming, its entire flock runs away, and in the distance I saw a man running, he ran up, shot at them with a slingshot into the jungle and ran on. The monkeys instantly appeared and continued their go-stop mayhem.

Well, how can you not give the banana to such people, although they don’t ask or ask, but take it away.

Fruits are more expensive for tourists than for the Chinese, I asked a passerby on the fingers to buy me apples and bananas, it turned out to be four times cheaper.

Market, the seller fell asleep.

Like in a fairy tale, Masha and the Bear.

All along the way, pumps were sold on trays, I couldn’t understand what they were for, then I realized...

In the evening, returning to the hotel, I couldn’t help but have dinner at a cafe that served very unusual dishes, and I made an original order - frogs.

Looking ahead, I’ll say that the next day I ordered 20 frogs, only a different species, which they killed in front of me, throwing them on the ground, not a very pleasant sight, but they tasted no worse than chicken, and I ate them all.

The next day the weather was a little let down and it started to rain. It was windy and cloudy, but that didn't stop me from taking a bus to the world's tallest elevator. The elevator is transparent made of glass, the floor is ordinary, not transparent, when you go up, you can see all the beauty, if you want to see something, if possible, you should go in first and stand near the glass wall, the latter will only see the backs of their heads and listen to enthusiastic gasps. Part of the climb follows a shaft inside the rock, then suddenly opens up beautiful view. Elevator ride to the top, height 326m, ascent time 1m.58s. It was not possible to take a photo of the elevator from the outside, since it was raining heavily, and all attempts were unsuccessful, I just had to wipe the water off my camera and lens.

We were even lucky with the fog, it felt like the Hanging Mountains of Pandora.

Fog vapors slowly float, sometimes covering, sometimes briefly revealing the peaks of the peaks.

On this day, the rain did not interfere; its drops fell far down and disappeared from my sight, only emphasizing the height and splendor of the mountains.

The mountains are covered with moss - they are actually trees.

The dragon flies off the cliff onto the rock, the Chinese did their best, everything reminds of the film.

When I got to famous mountain Hallelujah, I was already soaked through (my camera was saved by the umbrella I took from the hotel), and I didn’t expect that I might not be so lucky. The mountain was completely covered in fog, and nothing was visible at all.

After about 10 minutes, my joy knew no bounds, the fog began to dissipate and Hallelujah appeared before me in all its glory, probably so that I could take a picture of it, and quickly hid in the fog as it appeared.

The fences along the path were covered with locks so that I got the impression that there are not 1.5 billion Chinese, but 6 billion - the inhabitants of planet Earth.

The locks are in the shape of a heart; lovers especially come here to fasten their lock.

Passing from one rock to another, this huge stone arch is a natural bridge.

On the right side of the rock, they attached a banner with the inscription.

After looking at the mountains that were in the filming of Avatar, I went to the funicular to go down and move to another part of the reserve by bus. I was lucky, I stood in a three-kilometer queue, which was still shorter than when I went up.

The cabins fell into the fog, as if into an abyss.

To be continued in - Planet Pandora from Avatar is real!

In China, in the north of Hunan province, Zhangjiajie National Park is located, which was one of the first in the country. It included the protected natural areas of Tianzishan, Zhangjiajie, Sanzhi, Xuoxiu, Yangjiajie, as well as Lake Baofeng.

IN national park Zhangjiajie (Hunan Province) can be visited throughout the year. Spring gives this unique nature reserve the aromas of tropical flowers and magnificent greenery, summer - stunning vegetation and mountain coolness, autumn fascinates with a riot of colors, winter wraps you in a fluffy snow cover, turning the park into a fairy tale.

Zhangjiajie: history

Thanks to several photographs in popular publications and paintings by artists that were painted in Wulingyuan, the world learned that there was a natural pearl located in the mountains of China. The Chinese government has officially recognized the forested part of the Wulingyuan region as Zhangjiajie National Park. It was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992.

Ten years later, the Ministry significantly expanded this territory, and in 2004 the huge natural geopark entered the worldwide network of national parks.

Description

Zhangjiajie is a national forest park, the territory of which is divided into several large zones, each of which has its own characteristics and picturesque landscape. The park consists of huge sandstone pillars located above the tropical forest, a labyrinth of karst caves, majestic waterfalls, amazing travertines, a picturesque lake, and powerful rivers.

Mount Tianmenshan

Locals more often call it Tianmen. Its height is one and a half thousand meters. This mountain is famous for the “Heavenly Gate” cave located very high. Its height is one hundred thirty-two meters, length - sixty meters, width - fifty-seven. The cave was created as a result of erosion. During the collapse, a huge block of rock broke off from the mountain. Sometimes this cave is called fabulous due to the belief that it is connected with the sky.

"Yellow Dragon"

Zhangjiajie National Park, a photo of which you can see in this article, is famous for its caves. The four-tiered building is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. karst cave"Yellow Dragon" Its height is more than 140 meters, and its depth is about fifteen kilometers.

Inside there are thirteen halls, more than a hundred galleries, four waterfalls, two underground rivers and three lakes, thousands of stalagmites, stalactites, and stalagmates. The rarest stalagmite reaches twenty meters in height and only ten centimeters in diameter.

Yangjiajie

In the northeast, Zhangjiajie National Park neighbors this protected area. It includes the Xiangzhi Stream, the Longquan and Baihou valleys. These places are famous for the sheer steep cliffs and the Dragon Spring waterfall. It throws streams of water from a high cliff, which is very picturesquely entwined with ivy and amazingly beautiful flowers.

Elevator Bailung

Every year everything large quantity tourists are interested in Zhangjiajie National Park. We will tell you how to get here a little later, but for now we will continue to get acquainted with its sights.

For tourists, the park has all the conditions for a comfortable exploration of the unique reserve. Majority tourist routes are connected by funiculars and cable cars, which greatly facilitate the ascent to the peaks.

The glass elevator “Hundred Dragons” (Bailong Elevator) was created to transport tourists to the three-hundred-meter mountain. It is located in the very center of the park and connects the upper and lower levels of the reserve. Before his appearance, tourists were forced to climb the stairs. The road was quite tiring and long. Today, most travelers prefer to quickly take a glass elevator. If you are lucky, you will be able to sit in the front row of passengers, allowing you to admire the stunning views that open up from the observation glass of the lift.

It should be noted that this elevator is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest, highest, with an open view and also the most powerful - it can lift fifty people at the same time.

Glass Bridge

This unique structure was opened in the park in August 2016. Zhangjiajie National Park, whose photos are mesmerizing, has become the owner of the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. The author of the unusual project was the architect Chaim Dotan. The cost of development and then implementation of the project amounted to almost three and a half million dollars.

The structure is located at an altitude of three hundred meters above a deep abyss. The length of the bridge is four hundred and thirty meters and its width is six meters. Glass Bridge in Zhangjiajie National Park connects two cliffs and consists of highly durable steel structures and ninety-nine slabs of three-layer glass. This structure can support eight hundred people at a time.

Interestingly, on the day of its grand opening the number of people wishing to see the building with their own eyes was a record figure - eight thousand people. Everyone who was lucky enough to visit Zhangjiajie National Park that day left rave reviews. Nothing can compare to a walk over a bottomless abyss, which can be viewed through glass slabs.

Due to the huge influx of visitors, just two weeks later the park administration temporarily closed the bridge for reconstruction. However, management assured that this was not associated with any damage. After carrying out preventive work to strengthen the structure, the bridge was reopened to the public.

Golden Whip Creek

This area is considered the easiest to explore, as it is located at the foot of the mountains in a valley and does not have steep climbs. Along the stream, a walking trail stretches for almost eight kilometers. From this area you can climb to Yuanjiajie or walk to the Yellow Stone Village.

Tourists note that a walk here is very pleasant - one feels the much-desired unity with nature. Crowds of tourists are found only in some areas, so you can enjoy the sound of water in the stream, the cheerful chirping of birds, and picturesque views of the mountains to your heart’s content.

In this area, at one of the stops, very insidious monkeys live. Tourists try to treat them with all sorts of sweets. Do not do that. These cute, at first glance, animals are very cunning and dexterous - they can completely unnoticed leave you without wallets, phones and other valuables. In addition, they often show aggression towards humans.

Vegetation

China's Zhangjiajie National Park amazes tourists with its diversity of flora and its beauty. Scientists believe that the tropical, humid climate and varied topography contributed to the appearance of dense forests in Wulingyuan. Vegetation here is developing much faster than in neighboring provinces of the country.

More than seven hundred and seventy species of plants grow in the park. Among them there are very rare samples. These include gingko biloba, chestnut (Chinese), pigeon tree, and on the plains travelers can see compact tangerine groves.

But visitors to the park are especially impressed by the large white stipules of the pigeon tree swaying in the wind, which resemble a huge flock of white doves.

Animals in the park

Zhangjiajie National Park is home to more than five hundred species of different animals. Twenty-eight of them are rare and therefore are under constant protection. These include:

• giant salamander;
• big panda;
• golden snub-nosed monkey;
• leopard

• In the 20th century, a waterfall unexpectedly collapsed into the gorge from the top of Mount Tianmen. This happened four times. The flow of water broke down for fifteen minutes, and then just as suddenly stopped.
• The staircase, numbering 999 wide steps, leads to the Heaven's Gate Cave.
• Along the top of the massif, at an altitude of 1500 m, there is a pedestrian path. Above particularly picturesque and steep cliffs, it was made of high-strength glass.

China, Zhangjiajie National Park: how to get there?

If you want to see incredibly beautiful landscapes, then you need to visit this unique place. To see Zhangjiajie National Park, you must first get to the city of the same name, and then get to the small villages located at the entrances to the park. There are several ways to get to the city: by plane, train, bus. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

By plane

If you are planning to visit Zhangjiajie National Park and spend as little time on the road as possible, then this option is more suitable for you than others. You can fly by plane from other major cities countries. The airport is located five kilometers from the city center. There are flights here every day aircraft from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Tianjin and other cities in the country.

From the airport to the city you can take a bus or taxi, which will take you to the park entrance for 100 yuan ($15).

By train

Zhangjiajie National Park is of great interest to all tourists coming to the country, so many trains go here. We would like to warn you that this option is suitable for those who have a supply of free time and patience. A little information: the road from Beijing to your destination takes about twenty-six hours, and a ticket will cost sixty dollars (reserved seat) and one hundred (compartment). Train Station Zhangjiajie is conveniently located, close to the city center and the airport.

By bus

There are several bus stations in the city. They receive flights from different cities in China. The departure schedule, cost of travel, travel time must be checked at bus stations.

When you arrive in the city in a way convenient for you, all that remains is to find Zhangjiajie National Park (China). How to get to the territory of the reserve? You need to go to one of the entrances, where small villages are located. You can stay there for the night.

The closest entrance to the city is 32 km away, and is called Zhangjiajie Village. Forty kilometers from the city there is an entrance in the Wulingyuan area. The third is the furthest from the city. It is located near Tianzi Mountain and is not very popular among tourists.

Where to live?

The city of Zhangjiajie offers a good selection of hotels, but if you stay here, you will have to spend money and time on the road every day. And this is about two hours a day. It is more advisable to stay in a village at the entrance to the park - you will save time on the road.

Almost all of these villages have several comfortable hotels. If you wish, you can stay in a hotel on the territory of the park, unless, of course, you are not afraid of the spartan living conditions: there are frequent interruptions in electricity, water, and Internet outages. After the park is closed, resident tourists are not allowed to leave its territory, which, you see, is not very convenient.

Opening hours and cost of visiting

Zhangjiajie National Park can be visited throughout the year. Opening hours depend on the season:

• in summer - from 7.00 to 19.00;
• in winter - from 7.30 to 17.00.

In summer it is not at all hot here, and in winter there are no severe frosts.

Entrance tickets can be purchased in two types:

• for seven days - 298 yuan;
• 4 days - 245 yuan.

• It is better to come to the park early, then you will have the opportunity to enjoy natural beauties in relative silence.
• If you want to use the Bailong elevator, it is also better to do this in the morning and go down before 16:00. Otherwise, you can spend about four hours in line.
• You will have to walk a lot in the park, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes to prevent chafing. The same can be said about clothes: they should be comfortable.
• To save energy for exploring the park longer, combine hiking using cable cars and a ski lift.
• When going to the park, be sure to take a map (you can buy it at the entrance), sunscreen, cash, water and food. You can buy food in the park, but the prices are excessively high. The most affordable items in these shops are fruits, corn, and fried potatoes (about 10 yuan).
• Chinese and international students studying in China can purchase tickets at half price. But this applies to young people under 24 years of age. At the time of buying discount tickets You must present your passport.
• Keep purchased tickets separate from those of friends or family. The fact is that each of them has a number stamped on it, to which fingerprints are attached. If you take the ticket of your husband or friend, the system will refuse to let you through the turnstile.