Zhangjiajie scenic spot

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, established in 1982, is the first authorized national forest park in China. The area covers 480 thousand square meters (185 square miles). The park, together with Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Natural Resource Reserve and Yaozizhai, makes up the Wulingyuan scenic area, also known as Zhangjiajie scenic spot. It is located 32 kilometers (19 miles) from urban Zhangjiajie and 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Wulingyuan scenic area.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has been described as majestic, eccentric, tranquil, delicate and wild. The park features magnificent peaks, lucid brooks, abundant fauna and flora and a pleasant sub-tropical climate. There are six main scenic spots and over 90 smaller ones in the park to date.

Splendid mountains and luxuriant trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and cool in summer. The average temperature is 13C (55F), the highest 17C (62F), while the lowest is 10C (50F) on average in winter. The charm of the park varies with the alternation of seasons, attracting visitors all year round. It is also believed that hypertension patients may lower blood pressure by staying in the park for a long period of time. This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88 percent lower and the air 10 percent mistier than outside.

About 98 percent of the area is covered with vegetation. There are 720 species from 102 families, including five of the most important floras, namely, the rose family, pulse family, grass family, composite family and orchid family. Some of the park’s trees are rare and regarded as national treasure. For example, the Dove tree, known as living fossil, can be traced back as early as the Fourth Ice Age. The variety of plants in the park makes up 82 percent of all flora families in the Hunan province.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park also boasts a variety of animals. The exuberant forest offers ideal habitats to live in and procreate. There are more than 149 kinds of chordate animals inhabitants in the park. Among them, 28 kinds are under national protection, including the Golden Pheasant, Rhesus Monkey, Giant Salamander and Musk Deer. Visitors are able to hear birds singing and watch monkeys playing in the tree.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is endowed with many scenic spots, such as the Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai, Yuanjiajie and the Golden Whip Stream.

Yaozizhai is located west of the park. It is named after a story whereby Huang Shi saved Zhang Liang from misfortune when the latter isolated himself from society in the forest.

Occupying an area of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, Yellow Stone Stronghold is the largest observation spot of the forest park. One cannot claim to have visited Zhangjiajie without visiting Yellow Stone Stronghold. The main scenic spots include Tranquil Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak, the Southern Gate to Heaven, and Five-Finger Peak.

Scenery along the Golden Whip Stream are most enchanting in the park. Named after the Golden Whip Rock that it flows by, this stream, 5.7 kilometers long (3.5 miles), joins the Lute stream in the west and Suoxi Stream in the east. A 300-meter (984 feet) walk from the gate of the park will lead you to the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream. Flanked by ridges and peaks, the crystal clear water makes it possible to watch the fish in the water. Wild flowers are also in abundance.

Girls from Tujia will perform traditional folk songs on request as visitors walk along the stream, taking in the main scenic spots: the Welcoming Guests Rock, Golden Whip Rock, Reunion Rock and the Purple Grass Pond.

The northern part of the park is the most popular tourist route. Yuanjiajie is a natural platform that faces giant rocks rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. Unique in their shape and covered with pine trees, these rocks resemble a vivid Chinese painting.

Main scenic spots include the Back Garden, the breathtaking Mihun Stage and the First Bridge under the Sun.

Entrance Fee: 245 yuan+ 3 yuan insurance (Core Wulingyuan Scenic Area includes Yellow Stone Stronghold, Golden Whip Stream and Yaozi Village in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Yangjiajie, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Ten-mile Gallery in Suoxiyu Valley Scenic Spot and battery car. The ticket is valid for three days.) 298 yuan for a weekly ticket King Dragon Cave 65 yuan Baofeng Lake 76 yuan Yellow Dragon Cave 82 yuan Tianzi Mountain Cable Car 52 yuan (single trip); 104 yuan (round trip) Yellow Stone Village Cable Car 48 yuan (single trip); 96 yuan (round trip) Bailong Sightseeing Elevator 56 yuan (single trip); 112 yuan (round trip) Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train 30 yuan (single trip); 40 yuan (round trip) West Hunan Folk Custom Performance 240 yuan Tianmen (Heavenly Door) Mountain Scenic Area 258 yuan (including all scenic spots, round-trip cable car and shuttle bus)