Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Zhangjiajie Arrival (No meal )

   Upon your arrival at Zhangjiajie airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Area

2. Day 2: Zhangjiajie
   Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yellow Stone Village, Golden Whip Stream, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge ( B, L )

   Today, you’ll start your adventure with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It’s the first national forest park in China and was included in World Natural Heritage List in 1992 for the queer forest of quartz sandstone peaks. You will see the pillars rise hundreds of meters into the sky, stroll along tranquil valleys and feel rejuvenated by the fresh air.

   

   Then, head to Yellow Stone Village. With an altitude of more than 1200 meters, it’s the largest and best observation deck to overlook the quartz sandstone peak forest. You can hear the story of Zhang Liang being saved by Huang Shi from your guide while you are walking, and you may come across the cute monkeys on the way.

   After that, move on to Golden Whip Stream, one of the most beautiful sites in Zhangjiajie. The stream winds its way through the hills and valleys and got its name because of passing by the Golden Whip Rock. Just listen to the murmurs of the stream, stroll along the valley and stop to watch the fish swimming in the crystal clear water.

   After the relaxing hiking, take the sightseeing bus to exit the forest park and drive around 40 minutes to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Move on to challenge yourself at the longest and highest Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in the world with a length of 430 meters. You can have a panoramic view of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon while walking on the transparent glass floor. You may be scared to step on the bridge at first, but once you take the first step, you will enjoy the magnificent view of flying waterfalls, lush forests, running streams.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Area

   

3. Day 3: Zhangjiajie
   Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Hallelujah Mountain, Bailong Elevator (B, L )

   Today’s first stop is Tianzi Mountain. There is a saying that you will not want to see any other mountains after visiting Tianzi Mountain. One of the spectacular sights is the sea of clouds after rain if you are lucky. You will witness rugged rocks and a forest of stone peaks which looks like a group of warriors listening to orders.

   

   After that, continue to explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in the super famous movie Avatar. You also can experience Bailong Elevator, the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world. You will be amazed by the speed of the elevator, only 1 minute and 58 seconds up to Yuanjiajie. When you step out of the elevator, a magical landscape painting will unfold in front of you. The massive quartz-sandstone pillars are just towering over you or next to you.

   Finish all the activities, transfer to Zhangjiajie downtown area for overnight.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Area

   

4. Day 4: Zhangjiajie - Fenghuang Ancient Town by Private Van
   Yellow Dragon Cave ( B, L )

   In the morning, follow your guide to explore the fantastic Yellow Dragon Cave. The cave is praised as “all-round champion” by domestic and foreign geological authorities because it boasts the most complete and beautiful cave landscape with the largest scale. You will appreciate the pointing stalagmites, take a boat to explore the deep underground river (the river is rich with second-class state-protected giant salamanders and translucent glass fish), and see the great stone fall and interesting stone monkeys of various shapes.

   After that, drive around 5 hours to Fenghuang Ancient Town and check in in local hotel.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Fenghuang Ancient Town

   

5. Day 5: Fenghuang Ancient Town - Mt.Fanjingshan by Private Van
   Fenghuang Ancient Town ( B, L )

   Today you will have an in-depth visit of Fenghuang Ancient Town.

   Fenghuang Ancient Town was built in 1704 during Kangxi Era of the Qing Dynasty. After 300 years, the town now is a famous national cultural and historical city and enjoys equal fame with Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan and Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi. It was once praised by New Zealand writer Rewi Alley as the most beautiful town in China.

   You will take a boat ride on Tuojiang River, the mother river of the ancient town. You can watch the typical Diaojiao buildings on the bank. Diaojiao building is the traditional dwelling of minorities such as Miao, Zhuang, Buyi, Dong, Shui and Tujia. The houses are hanging in the air and supported by wooden pillars. Then make a stop to admire Wanming Pagoda. Its name is very meaningful. Wan means “ten thousand” and ming means “name” in Chinese, which represents that the pagoda was funded by many kind person. Next we will cruise down to Hongqiao Wind and Rain Bridge. The attics on the bridge were ruined in the Cultural Revolution and later restored according to the original design. It is over 600 years old now. We can ascend to the second floor to have a panoramic view of the ancient town. Then we will visit Tuojiang Jumping Rock. This ancient bridge could be dated back to the Tang Dynasty. It is 100 meters long and there are 15 stone piers on which are thick wooden board and tied with iron chains from the bottom of the river. We will walk on it and take beautiful pictures.

   After the relaxing cruise, you will say good bye to Fenghuang and head to Jiangkou country ( the nearest town to Mount Fanjingshan ) for overnight. The driving lasts around 2 hours, you can have some rest on the van.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Jiangkou Country

   

6. Day 6: Mount Fanjingshan
   Mount Fanjingshan ( B, L )

   Today you will spend the full day hiking on Mount Fanjingshan, so, make sure you would have good breakfast before boarding our van for start.

   Mount Fanjingshan is the main peak of Wuling Mountains in Tongren City, Guizhou Province, lying on the juncture of three counties of this city. Boasting the awe-inspiring mountain views, time-honored history of Buddhism worship as well as the rich resource of plants and animals, Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve has been listed as UNESCO in 1986. Since then, much more fame and increasing visitors follows.

   

   Fanjingshan Mountain collects its main seeing points on the peaks: Mushroom Stone, Old Golden Summit, Cheng’en Temple, Red Cloud Golden Summit, Wanbao Rock. Getting the entrance tickets in hands, you will firstly take the shuttle bus inside the scenic area to the cable car station. Queue for a while to take the cable car which is the first highlight today. During the cable car ride, you will have a bird view of Fanjingshan Mountain. It’s definitely thrilling from both body and soul: you are shuttling in mist, it’s too easy to imagine that you are approaching to immortals’ dwelling who only lives in the old Chinese legends. Only minutes later, you will disclose the myths sheltering in the dense forest, fog and clouds of the holy mountain.

   Getting off the cable car, there is about 40 mins’ hiking to the Mushroom Stone, an incredible masterpiece of the almighty nature. Fitting its name, the stone is in a shape of mushroom-the gigantic quadrate head is propped upon the slender column-like body, triggering concern from visitors if the large head are going to fall in the next second. No! listening to the explanation from tour guide, you will open your mouth wide and astonish that the Mushroom Stone has been standing there firmly for a billion years no matter how heavily natural disasters happened to it. The epic destiny of the Mushroom Stone entitles it the fame of landmark of Fanjingshan Mountain.

   Going through the Mushroom Stone, you will head forward to the Old Golden Summit, the highest point in today’s trip. Please get mental and physical preparation well as the next hiking would be a challenge. The dramatic trail against the axe-cleaving mountain narrows down to the summit when you look up, causing your rapid heartbeat and firm grasp again to the iron chain on the sheer cliff…It’s a real adventure! Finally, stepping on the Old Golden Summit, the breath-taking scenery will loosen your tense muscles up that the roaring sea of clouds, bathed in the pale gold light of sun, is rolling in and approaching to you.

   Cheng’en Temple is located at the Pudu Squarem between the Old Golden Summit and Red Cloud Golden Summit (New Golden Summit). Built in Ming Dynasty, the temple helps Fanjingshan Mountain gaining the title of one of “Five Great Buddhist Temples” with its long history and endless stream of pilgrims.

   It’s same sheer for the way to Red Cloud Golden Summit, please grasp the iron chain firmly and watch out the steps. If you ever watched videos or magazines of Fanjingshan Mountain, you must have seen the shots of Red Cloud Golden Summit. The giant stone column roots deeply in ground but splits into two parts on the top. Two temples stand on the flat of each side with one worshiping Sakyamuni while another worshiping Maitreya. That’s the masterpiece of the nature. However, human adds more miracle onto the incredible place: a stone bridge connects the two flats, enabling you visit the two temples together. Overlook from aerial photos provides the best angle to catch the full view of the mix of human and natural wonder.

   After “wow” times and crazy clicks on your camera, you will end the sightseeing today and descend to the mountain foot with the same way by cable car and shuttle bus. Return to hotel with the wonderful memory of the exciting Fanjingshan experience.

   After the amazing hiking, drive around 1.5 hours to Tongren city for overnight.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Tongren

   

7. Day 7: Tongren Departure ( B )

   Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Chengdu airport / train station to see you off.

   Accommodation: N/A