Guilin and Zhangjiajie, two of China’s most well-known scenic spots, are located about 600 kilometers apart. If you are planning a Zhangjiajie tour after exploring Guilin’s karst peaks,, choosing the right travel route can help you make the most of your time and enjoy a comfortable journey.
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- Overview of Transportation Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
- Option 1: Direct High-Speed Train (Most Convenient)
- Option 2: Via Changsha (Best Alternative)
- Option 3: Via Liuzhou (Overnight Normal Train + Bullet Train)
- Option 4: Via Xi’an (Flight + Flight)
- Address of Train Stations and Airports
Overview of Transportation Between Zhangjiajie and Guilin
- High-Speed Trains: Direct services connect Guilin (桂林站/北站 Guilin Railway Station/Guilin North Station) with Zhangjiajie West, taking about 7–8 hours withtwo departures daily (D3968). However, there are more frequent bullet trains link Guilin and Changsha (2.5–5 h)/Liuzhou (1.5h -2h) , with onward rail to Zhangjiajie (2–3.5 h), making afternoon arrivals easy.
- Flights: Even though there’sno direct route, taking flight to travel from Guilin to Zhangjiajie is still a good choice. Transferring Xi’an can whisk you between the two cities in under 8 hours, ideal for groups or custom itineraries.
There are plenty of transport options ready for you, direct high-speed trains, normal trains or air connections. Now it’s time to plan you tour from Guilin to Zhangjiajie, remember to tailor your journey by budget, timing and desired experience.
Related reading: Zhangjiajie Transportation: How to Get to and Travel around
Option 1: Direct High-Speed Train (Most Convenient)
If simplicity and comfort are most considered in your trip, the direct high-speed train would be your best choice—no transfers, just be ready to sit back and enjoy the scenery outside the window during the couple of hours.
- Route: Guilin Railway Station (桂林站) or Guilin North Station (桂林北站) → Zhangjiajie West Station (张家界西站)
- Duration: About 7 h 7 m–7 h 24 m
- Departures: 2 trains daily
- Ticket Price: Second Class: CNY 350–370/First Class: CNY 550–580
- Booking: Official China Railway website or app
Route |
Train No. |
Departure |
Arrival |
Duration |
Guilin Railway Station → Zhangjiajie West |
D3968 |
14:38 |
22:15 |
7h37m |
Guilin North Station → Zhangjiajie West |
D3968 |
14:55 |
22:02 |
7h07m |
From Zhangjiajie West Station to Attractions
- Wulingyuan/ National Forest Park:
Coach → 1.5 h → Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
- Zhangjiajie Downtown / Tianmen Mountain:
Bus 4, 5 or 10 → 20~25 m → Tianmen Cableway.
Option 2: Via Changsha (Best Alternative)
For travelers seeking flexible schedules without sacrificing speed, transfer at Changsha can well balance all your needs. With frequent daily connections, this route is ideal for those who want to avoid late-night arrivals.
- Route: Guilin Railway Station (桂林站)/Guilin North (桂林北站) → Changsha South Station (长沙南站) → Zhangjiajie West Station (张家界西站)
- Duration:5–9 hours, depending on train connections
- Departures: Over 20 of daily departures from Guilin to Changsha
Over 10 high-speed trains daily from Changsha to Zhangjiajie
- Ticket Price:
Guilin → Changsha: Second Class: CNY 180–190 / First Class: CNY 280–300
Changsha → Zhangjiajie: Second Class: CNY 260–290 / First Class: CNY 420–460
- Booking:
Official China Railway website or app
- Recommended Transfer Plan:
Step 1: Take a morning high-speed train from Guilin to Changsha South (about 2.5–3.5 h).
Step 2: If necessary, use Changsha Metro Line 2 (25 minutes, CNY 5) to transfer between railway stations
Step 3: Board an afternoon train from Changsha South to Zhangjiajie West (about 2–3.5 h).
Route |
Train Type |
Duration |
Example Time |
Fare (2nd Class) |
Guilin → Changsha South |
HSR |
2.5–3.5h |
08:30 → 11:15 |
~CNY 185 |
Changsha South → Zhangjiajie West |
HSR |
2–3.5h |
13:00 → 15:45 (flexible) |
~CNY 275 |
Option 3: Via Liuzhou (Overnight Normal Train + Bullet Train)
If you are looking for affordable trip from Guilin to Zhangjiangjie that can save hotel costs, this single-transfer option via Liuzhou offers a budget-friendly experience.
- Route:Zhangjiajie Railway Station (张家界站) → Liuzhou Railway Station (柳州站) → Guilin Railway Station (桂林站)/Guilin North (桂林北站)
- Duration: About 17–33hours total
- Departures: 1–2 trains daily
- Ticket Price:
Zhangjiajie → Liuzhou (normal overnight train): Hard Seat ~CNY 119, Hard Sleeper ~CNY 210, Soft Sleeper ~CNY 324
Liuzhou → Guilin (high-speed train): Second Class ~CNY 50, First Class ~CNY 85–140
- Booking: China Railway official website or app
Route |
Train No. |
Departure |
Arrival |
Duration |
Transfer Time |
Guilin North → Liuzhou |
K457 |
13:22 (Jun 23) |
15:03 (Jun 23) |
1h 41m |
22h 21m |
Liuzhou → Zhangjiajie West |
D3968 |
13:24 (Jun 24) |
22:02 (Jun 24) |
8h 38m |
— |
Guilin North → Liuzhou |
K1523 |
04:30 (Jun 23) |
06:12 (Jun 23) |
1h 42m |
7h 12m |
Liuzhou → Zhangjiajie West |
D3968 |
13:24 (Jun 23) |
22:02 (Jun 23) |
8h 38m |
— |
Tips: If you take K457 to travel from Guilin to Liuzhou, during the 22 hours transfer time, have a walk in Liuzhou city. Go and try Liuzhou Luosifen (Liuzhou snail rice noodles). With a unique smell added by the sour bamboo shoots in the soup, this local dish is incredibly popular among Chinese people from all different places. With its perfect blend of sourness and spiciness, it can wipe away any travel fatigue.
Option 4: Via Xi’an (Flight + Flight)
Flight is another preferred option. Though it’s not a direct flight journey, it gives visitors a chance to stop and explore one of China’s most historic cities—Xi’an—the ancient capital famed for its Terracotta Army.
- Route: Guilin → Xi’an → Zhangjiajie
- Layover Time: Flexible — you can connect on the same day or stay overnight to explore Xi’an
- Total Travel Time: 6–10 hours (excluding optional overnight in Xi’an)
- Estimated Cost: CNY 800–2,500 in total (depending on airline, dates, and class)
Option |
Flight No. |
Departure Time & Airport |
Arrival Time & Airport |
Total Duration |
1 |
JD5144 + FU6764 |
09:55 KWL → 11:40 XIY |
17:55 XIY → 19:25 DYG |
9h 30m |
2 |
JD5144 + MU2431 |
09:55 KWL → 11:40 XIY |
20:25 XIY → 21:55 DYG |
12h 00m |
3 |
JD5144 + 3U3257 |
09:55 KWL → 11:40 XIY |
14:35 XIY → 16:05 DYG |
6h 10m |
4 |
HU7540 + GS7661 |
22:05 KWL → 00:30 XIY (+1) |
20:35 XIY → 22:00 DYG |
23h 55m |
5 |
GS7684 + FU6764 |
11:45 KWL → 13:40 XIY |
17:55 XIY → 19:25 DYG |
7h 40m |
6 |
MU2308 + MU2431 |
11:15 KWL → 13:20 XIY |
20:25 XIY → 21:55 DYG |
10h 40m |
Address of Train Stations and Airports
Train Stations
Station Name |
Address |
Pinyin + Chinese Name |
Guilin Railway Station |
Zhongshan South Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin |
Guilin Zhan (桂林站) |
Guilin North Station |
Zhongshan North Road, Diecai District, Guilin |
Guilin Bei Zhan (桂林北站) |
Zhangjiajie West Station |
Xixiping Subdistrict, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie |
Zhangjiajie Xi Zhan (张家界西站) |
Changsha South Station |
Lituo Subdistrict, Yuhua District, Changsha |
Changsha Nan Zhan (长沙南站) |
Liuzhou Railway Station |
75 Liushi Road, Chengzhong District, Liuzhou |
Liuzhou Zhan (柳州站) |
Airports
Airport Name |
Address |
Pinyin + Chinese Name |
Code |
Guilin Liangjiang Intl. Airport |
Liangjiang Town, Lingui District, Guilin |
Guilin Liangjiang Guoji Jichang (桂林两江国际机场) |
KWL |
Xi’an Xianyang Intl. Airport |
Weicheng District, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China (25 km NW of Xi’an city center) |
Xian Xianyang Guoji Jichang (西安咸阳国际机场) |
XIY |
Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport |
Hehua Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie |
Zhangjiajie Hehua Jichang (张家界荷花机场) |
DYG |
