8-Day Beijing & Zhangjiajie Tour: Great Wall, Avatar Peaks & Furong Town
Tour Overview
See two completely different sides of China in just 8 days – the imperial landmarks of Beijing and the dramatic sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie – with a stop at waterfall-side Furong Ancient Town.
Begin in Beijing with the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Mutianyu Great Wall, combining China’s best-known imperial sights with old neighborhoods and local food.
Then swap palace walls for mountain trails in Zhangjiajie. Walk among the Avatar-like pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, ride the Bailong Elevator, cross the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, and take the cableway to Tianmen Mountain and its famous Tianmen Cave.
A visit to Furong Ancient Town adds another side of western Hunan, with Tujia stilt houses and a waterfall running beside the old town. With private guides and transfers arranged throughout, you can cover Beijing and Zhangjiajie efficiently without spending your trip worrying about the logistics between sights.
Travel Destinations: Beijing, Zhangjiajie, Furong Ancient Town
Suitable for: First-time visitors, culture and history lovers, nature enthusiasts, photographers
Tour type: Private
Tour at A Glance
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Day
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Destinations
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What to See & Do
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1 – 4
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Beijing
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Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall hiking, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Qianmen & Dashilan city walk, Beijing Roast Duck
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5
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Downtown Zhangjiajie
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Tianmen Mountain, cable car ride, Tianmen Cave, cliffside glass walkway, 999-step Heavenly Staircase, 72 Strange Buildings night view
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6
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Furong Ancient Town
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Tujia stilt house exploration, waterfall admiration, rice tofu tasting
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7 – 8
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Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan
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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie Avatar-inspired peak forests, Bailong Elevator experience, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Glass Bridge
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Highlights of this tour
Walk through the heart of imperial Beijing – enter the Forbidden City, cross Tian’anmen Square, explore the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, and see how emperors once ruled, worshipped and escaped the summer heat.
Stand on the Mutianyu Great Wall with mountains stretching into the distance – walk between centuries-old watchtowers on one of the Great Wall’s best-preserved sections, with more time to enjoy the scenery away from central Beijing.
Step into the real-world scenery behind Avatar – explore Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain among Zhangjiajie’s towering quartz-sandstone pillars, then ride the dramatic Bailong Elevator through the mountain landscape.
See Zhangjiajie from above – twice – cross the glass-bottomed bridge high above the Grand Canyon, then ride the cableway up Tianmen Mountain for cliffside paths and the enormous natural Tianmen Cave.
Spend time exploring Furong Ancient Town – wander along the cobbled lanes, admire the Tujia stilt houses built into the cliffs, and take in the cascading waterfall that runs right through the heart of the old town.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel in the city center by private vehicle. For the rest of the day, you're free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.
Recommended Evening Activity: Stroll along the lake at Houhai or experience Beijing's nightlife with a drink at one of the area's lively bars.
- Day 2: Beijing Highlights in City CenterDiscover Beijing’s Imperial Past and Local Flavors
Begin the visit at Tiananmen Square, the heart of the city. Your guide will share the stories behind this historic area and its role in China’s modern history.
Tian'anmen Gatetower at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing Follow the path north into the Forbidden City. This large palace complex once served as the imperial residence for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walk through its courtyards, halls, and gateways while learning about the lives and legends of the emperors, empresses, and court officials.
At lunchtime, enjoy one of the city’s most representative dishes - Beijing Roast Duck.
Stroll through Dashilan and Qianmen Street, a major commercial district in Beijing since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. You will still find some time-honored brands, such as Tong Ren Tang and taste local snacks, like Beijing-style yogurt.
Optional Activity: In the evening, watch a Beijing acrobatics show performed by China's top-tier acrobats. Over the course of an hour, you'll see gravity-defying balancing acts, contortion, plate spinning, chair-stacking, and aerial maneuvers, all set to Chinese music and stage lighting.
- Day 3: Beijing Great Wall TourExperience Beijing’s Local Life and Great Wall Adventure
Today’s exploration starts at the Temple of Heaven. Wander through the ancient cypress forest, and admire imperial ritual architecture once used for heaven worship ceremonies, such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
In the early morning, locals often do morning exercises, practice Tai Chi or take relaxing walks in the park, making it a great place to experience the city’s daily life.
Drive about 2 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the well-preserved sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Take the sightseeing bus into the scenic area, and then explore the wall at your own pace while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
For a more relaxed experience, you can take the cable car at your own expense to reduce walking and climbing. If you’d prefer a more exciting way to descend, the toboggan is a fun option, provided it's operating that day. Your guide can assist with purchasing tickets on site.
Mutianyu Great Wall toboggan slide Warm reminder: The toboggan ride can be a little thrilling, so older travelers, children and those with limited mobility should consider their physical conditions before choosing it. The age and height requirements for children are subject to the scenic area’s regulations on the day.
- Day 4: Beijing to Zhangjiajie by AirWander through Beijing’s Royal Garden and Explore Buddhist Heritage
In the morning, visit the Summer Palace. This expansive imperial garden used to be a summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty royal family — it's an escape from the heat of the capital.
Stroll through the peaceful gardens, admire traditional pavilions, halls, and towers, and take in the beautiful views of Kunming Lake. Walk along the Long Corridor and the lakeside paths to appreciate the garden’s design and scenery.
Optional Activity: If the boat is running on the day of your visit, you can take a ride across Kunming Lake at your own expense and enjoy a different perspective of the Summer Palace. Your guide can help you with ticket purchase.
Take a boat cruise on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace Next, head to Lama Temple, one of Beijing's most famous Tibetan Buddhist temples. Explore its temple halls to admire Buddha statues, intricate wood carvings and traditional architecture, and gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
At the end of the day, your driver will escort you to the airport for the onward flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival, meet the local driver and then transfer to the hotel by private vehicle for check-in.
- Day 5: Tianmen MountainExplore Dramatic Mountain Landscapes and Experience Vibrant Nightlife
Head to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park this morning. Depending on the operating route on the day of your visit, ascend the mountain by the cable car. Along the way, enjoy the cityscape of Zhangjiajie, the rolling mountain ranges and the winding mountain roads from above.
Once at the summit, follow the scenic trail to explore the mountaintop landscapes and experience the cliffside glass walkway if it is open. Continue to Tianmen Cave to get a close look at this huge natural cave that cuts through the mountain. If the route is accessible and your physical condition allows, you can also challenge yourself by climbing the 999-step Heavenly Staircase.
Note: The Tianmen Mountain Cableway and tour routes may be adjusted due to weather conditions, maintenance and the operation of the scenic area. It is recommended to wear comfortable and non-slip shoes.
A natural rock arch - Tianmen Cave in Tianmen Mountain Afterward, proceed to 72 Strange Buildings, a large wooden architectural complex inspired by stilt houses. When the lights come on at night, the buildings are beautifully illuminated. Stroll through the streets, appreciate the dreamy night views, watch ethnic cultural performances, and sample local snacks for a taste of Zhangjiajie’s vibrant nightlife.
Optional Activity: Watch the Tianmen Fox Fairy, a real-scene musical drama staged in the Tianmen Mountain canyon, telling the love story between a woodman and a fox fairy.
- Day 6: Zhangjiajie to Furong Town, Travel to Zhangjiajie WulingyuanExperience Tujia Culture and Marvel at Waterfall and Charming Night Views
Drive about 2 hours to Furong Ancient Town, a charming Tujia settlement known as the "ancient town hanging above a waterfall" which has gone viral on social media platforms like Instagram.
Take a leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets to explore the traditional alleys and admire the riverside Tujia stilt houses. Be sure to try the local specialty, rice tofu. Then, follow the path to the waterfall area and enjoy the view of the waterfall cascading down from different angles up close.
Head to Tuwang Palace viewing platform, where you can soak in the panoramic view of the layered stilt houses and the You River.
Also, take a short boat ride on the You River, viewing the Tujia stilt houses from the water - a completely different perspective on the waterfall town.
Return to Zhangjiajie and check into a hotel in Wulingyuan District.
Riverside Stilted Wooden Houses of Furong Ancient Town - Day 7: Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkExplore Surreal Peak Forests and Ride Bailong Elevator
Spend the full day exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with your guide.
The sightseeing bus will lead you to Tianzi Mountain first, then ride the Tianzi Mountain Cableway up. During the ride, enjoy bird's-eye views of quartz sandstone peak forests rising from the valleys. At the summit, stroll along the scenic trails to admire the towering peaks and deep valleys from different viewpoints.
The amazing sandstone pillars at Tianzi Mountain Continue to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where you will walk along the path to see iconic rock formations such as the Qiankun Pillar. The unique rocks inspired the floating mountains in the movie "Avatar", making it world-famous.
Next stop is the First Bridge Under Heaven - a naturally formed stone bridge connecting two mountain peaks.
Finally, take the Bailong Elevator down the mountain. Built against the cliffside, this outdoor sightseeing elevator stands approximately 326 meters tall and transports tourists from the summit to the base of Yuanjiajie Mountain in only 66 seconds.
Return to your hotel for the evening.
Note: The actual visiting sequence may be adjusted based on visitor traffic and weather conditions on the day. For example, you may take the Bailong Elevator uphill to Yuanjiajie first and visit Tianzi Mountain afterward. Your guide will arrange the most suitable route depending on the situation.
- Day 8: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & DepartureWalk Across the Glass Bridge above the Canyon
Drive to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, about 40 minutes' away. Today's highlight is the famous Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. Walk across the transparent glass bridge suspended about 300 meters above the canyon floor and look down at the gorge and stream through the glass beneath your feet, experiencing the thrill of “walking in the air”.
After crossing the bridge, you can choose to experience additional activities such as the zip line at your own expense, depending on availability and your personal interest.
If you prefer natural scenery, continue along the canyon trail and feast your eyes on the peaceful surroundings of forests, streams and waterfalls. It is relatively cool in summer at the valley bottom, suitable for a leisurely stroll to appreciate different scenery from the dramatic peak landscapes of Zhangjiajie.
Emerald green water and dense forests in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Your guide and driver will take you to the airport for your departure flight based on your schedule, bringing this eight-day Beijing and Zhangjiajie tour to a close.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 8-Day Beijing & Zhangjiajie Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can select luxury 5-star hotels for unparalleled comfort, cozy 4-star accommodations, or value-for-money 3-star options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked for their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
In some hotels, there are English-speaking staff who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any
