Zhangjiajie National Forest Park enchants visitors with its surreal quartz-sandstone pillars, misty forests, and hidden valleys. Discover how this Chinese UNESCO treasure offers adventure and culture in a truly unique setting.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie became China’s first national forest park in 1982, spanning over 11,900 acres of protected land.
The park contains more than 3,000 quartz sandstone peaks, some towering over 200 meters high.
Unusual pillar formations formed through millions of years of physical erosion, not typical chemical karst processes.
Zhangjiajie’s pillar formations inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar.
The park houses the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, stretching 430 meters and 300 meters above ground.
The Bailong Elevator in the park is the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, ascending 326 meters along a cliff face.
Vegetation is diverse, harboring 517 species of woody plants, rare Chinese dove trees, and Chinese yews.
The forest shelters endangered animals like the Chinese giant salamander, clouded leopard, and golden pheasant.
Unique eco-zones in the park range from 183 to over 1,000 meters altitude, creating diverse habitats.
The park is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
Tianzi Mountain offers panoramic views and local legends, including a tale of a farmer leading a revolt against tyranny.
Visitors enjoy many adventure activities: hiking, rock climbing, ziplining, and stunning photography opportunities.
Cloud formations mingling with the peaks create an ethereal “sea of clouds” vista popular with photographers.
The park’s caves, waterfalls, and ravines add rich layers of natural wonders for explorers to discover.
Striking ancient village culture and traditions enrich the visitor experience near the edges of the forest park.
