3-Day Zhangjiajie: A Journey to a Fairy-Tale Land
Three Days to Visit the Floating Mountain and Tianmen Cave—covering both the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain, the two major attractions, in one go.
Suitable for: First-time visitors to Zhangjiajie who want to see the “Avatar-like” floating mountains and Tianmen Cave.
Day 1: Tianmen Mountain
Tianmen Cave + Glass Walkway + 99 Bends.
Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
Choose Line A (cable car up + road down); the 7,455-meter high-altitude cable car takes you directly to the summit. During peak season, book 3 days in advance on “Zhangjiajie Yiji You.”
During peak season, book the A-line tour at least 3 days in advance
Shoe covers cost 5 yuan; rent them at the entrance to the glass walkway
Tianmen Mountain Summit
West Route: Glass Walkway → Guigu Walkway → Suspension Bridge → Tianmen Mountain Temple. When the sea of clouds surges, it feels like you’re in a fairyland.
Those with a fear of heights should proceed with caution on the glass walkway
Tianmen Cave
The mountain escalator costs 32 yuan to the base of Tianmen Cave. The 999-step "Heavenly Ladder" leads directly to the cave’s base—if you don’t want to climb, you can purchase a separate escalator ticket. Descend via the mountain road with 99 hairpin turns.
Day 2: The Heart of Forest Park
Bailong Elevator + Yuanjiajie Floating Mountain + Tianzi Mountain.
East Gate Entrance + Bailong Sky Elevator
Enter through the East Gate (Landmark Gate). The Bailong Elevator shoots you 326 meters into the clouds in 30 seconds—the world’s highest outdoor elevator!
Yuanjiajie
Qiankun Column (the inspiration for the floating mountain in *Avatar*) → Mihuntai → The First Bridge Under Heaven. This is the most breathtaking viewpoint in Zhangjiajie.
Tianzishan
He Long Park → Imperial Brush Peak → Fairy Scattering Flowers. Take the Tianzi Mountain cable car down.
Day 3: Jinbian Stream + Departure
Jinbian Stream Hike, a great place to get fresh air.
Jinbian Stream Hike
Enter through the South Gate; the entire hike takes about 2–3 hours. The stream is crystal clear, and there are herds of wild macaques. Don’t put snacks in your outer pockets—the monkeys will snatch them!
Monkeys will snatch plastic bags and snacks!
Wear non-slip shoes
Lunch: Sanxia Guo
Dried pork ribs, pork intestines, and beef tripe dry pot: 45 yuan per pot. Served with a bowl of rice—it’s incredibly fragrant.