5 days Zhangjiajie Tour with Glass Bridge & Tianmen Mountain

Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport or the train station, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Wulingyuan.

The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Xibu Street in Wulingyuan is a lively Tujia-themed pedestrian street with local snacks, souvenirs, and a good night view. Worth a stroll after dinner.

Overnight in Wulingyuan.

Head to the park via the South Gate and take the cable car up to Huangshizhai (Huangshi Village), the largest natural viewing platform in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park at over 1,000m. Walk the summit circuit past Star Picking Terrace and Five Finger Peak, five sandstone spires rising like a giant hand from the valley. The views across the peak forest from here are among the best in the park.

Descend by cable car and spend the afternoon walking Golden Whip Stream, a 7.5km valley trail starting from Oxygen Bar Square near the South Gate. The path follows a crystal-clear creek between towering sandstone pillars and dense forest. Key landmarks along the route include the Golden Whip Rock, a 380m columnar peak named one of Zhangjiajie's ten most famous formations, and Zicao Pool, a tranquil widening of the stream flanked by purple herb-lined banks. Wild monkeys are a frequent sighting. You can walk the full trail or just a section at your own pace. Allow 1 to 3 hours depending on how far you go.
Stay overnight at Wulingyuan.

Today you will spend a full day exploring Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, two of the most iconic scenic areas in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

In the morning, take the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor elevator at 326m, up to Yuanjiajie, home to the sandstone pillars that inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. Key viewpoints include the Qiankun Pillar (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain), Lost Soul Terrace (Mihuntai), and the First Bridge Under Heaven, a natural stone arch 357m above the canyon floor.

Take the scenic shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain, known as the "Monarch of the Peak Forest" and the highest viewpoint in Wulingyuan Scenic Area. From the top, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, thousands of sandstone pillars stretching in every direction, often wrapped in a rolling sea of clouds. Walk the outer path of Helong Park for views of the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks and Fairy Offering Flowers, then climb to the top floor of Tianzi Pavilion for a 360-degree panorama of the mountain. Descend by the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car.

Optional add-ons (Suggest only choose one, at own expense):
1. For hikers, add a visit to Yangjiajie — hike the trails to One Step to Heaven (Yibudengtian) and the Air Corridor (Kongzhong Zoulang), allow 2 to 3 hours and be prepared for steep, narrow paths;
2. Visit Fields in the Sky (Kongzhong Tianyuan) by battery car for elevated views of the peak forest from Yuebingtai and Shenbin Juhui viewpoints;
3. Walk or take the sightseeing train through Ten Mile Gallery after descending from Tianzi Mountain;
4. Visit a local Tujia minority household to experience their lifestyle and enjoy a home-cooked local meal.

Overnight in Wulingyuan.

After breakfast, transfer to visit Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, about 40 minutes drive. Walk across the Glass Bridge, 430m long and suspended 300m above the canyon floor — one of the most thrilling glass bridges in the world. The bridge has both glass and stone panels, so those who prefer not to walk on glass can still cross and enjoy the views.

After crossing, descend into the canyon and follow the 3km trail from Rainbow Square through Momo Cave, past waterfalls and clear mountain streams to Shenquan Lake. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the full visit. Optional activities like bungee jumping, rock climbing, zipline, slides, and MR experience are available at your own expense.

In the afternoon, drive to cruise on Baofeng Lake, surrounded by karst cliffs, while local minority groups perform traditional songs.

Alternative: You can also choose to visit Yellow Dragon Cave instead of Baofeng Lake, one of China's most spectacular karst cave systems at 7.6km long, featuring underground rivers, stalactites, and a boat ride through its water cave section. Allow 2 to 3 hours. The cave involves significant steps and is not suitable for travelers with limited mobility.

In the later afternoon, transfer to Zhangjiajie City. In the evening, you might head to 72 Wonder Tower (Qilou Old Street, optional, extra fee) for Tujia architecture, local snacks, and city night views .

Overnight in Zhangjiajie City.

After breakfast, head to Tianmen Mountain, the highest peak in Zhangjiajie at 1,518m and often called the soul of the region. Known for its four wonders — the cableway, the 99 Bends Road, Tianmen Cave, and the Bonsai Garden in the Sky — it offers a completely different experience from the National Forest Park.

Take the cable car to the middle station, then board the eco-bus winding up 66 hairpin turns with the valley dropping away below. At Tianmen Cave Square, climb the 999 Steps to Tianmen Cave, one of the largest natural cave openings in the world at 131.5m high and 57m wide, or take the optional lift (CNY 32 per person). From the cave, ride the through-mountain escalator up to the summit.

At the summit, the West Route leads through the Wishing Forest, across the West Line Glass Skywalk perched at 1,430m, and along the Ghost Valley Plank Road, a 1,600m trail carved into sheer cliffs that feels particularly otherworldly on misty days. The route ends at Tianmen Mountain Temple, a Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple at the mountain's highest point. Take the forest cable car up to Yunmeng Fairy Peak for a stunning panoramic view over the surrounding peaks before descending by escalator back to Tianmen Cave.

Optional for hiking lovers: after Tianmen Temple, continue along the East Route through South Overlooking Tianmen Cave, Immortal Source, Yuhu Peak, and Happy Grove. Allow 6 to 8 hours total. Additional guide fee applies.

After your visit, your driver will transfer you to the airport or train station. End of tour.