Zhangjiajie 72 Strange Buildings: Ultimate Guide to the 72 Qilou

The 72 Strange Buildings in Zhangjiajie (also known as the 72 Qilou or 72 Wonder Tower) is an architectural masterpiece which blends ethnic culture and immersive performance art into one eye-popping scenic area.

This massive stilted village complex shows the vibrant traditions of the Tujia people, while also setting a world record for the tallest wooden stilt building at a height of 109.9m. If you’re planning a China tour to Zhangjiajie, it definitely deserves a spot. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the top things to do and attractions to useful travel information about transportation and photography spots.

Quick Facts about 72 Qilou

• Chinese Name: 张家界72奇楼
• Location:1 Wulingshan Avenue, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province (湖南省张家界市永定区武陵山大道1号)
• Ticket Price: Daytime Ticket: CNY 48/USD 7, valid from 10:00 to 16:30; Night Ticket: CNY 88/USD 12, valid from 16:30 to the closing time
• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:30 (usually extended to 00:30 during Chinese public holidays)
• Best Time to Visit: All year round
• Light-up Time: Summer: about 19:30; Winter: about 18:30
• Recommended Visit Time: 3-5 hours
• Total Floor Area: 116,035.2 square meters
• Building Height: 109.9 meters (World’s tallest stilted building)
• Highlights: Tian Gong Qilou (the world’s tallest stilted building), Light Show, Tujia architecture, Tujia Folk Village, Cultural Performances

• Does It Really Have 72 Buildings?
• Top Things to Do
• Top Attractions and Sites
• Practical Travel Information
• History & Tujia Ethnic Origins
• Travel Tips
• Nearby Attractions
• Travel with China Xian Tour

Does It Really Have 72 Buildings?

Despite the name, Zhangjiajie’s “72 Strange Buildings” doesn’t literally mean that there’s 72 separate structures. In Tujia culture, the number 72 is more symbolic, often used in legends to represent abundance and mystery.

In truth, the 72 Qilou is a modern cultural tourism complex that brings those stories to life. It includes:

• Tian Gong Qilou – the world’s tallest stilted building.
• Yanhuo Old Street – a lively food and shopping street styled after Tujia towns.
• 72 Qizhai Folk Village – traditional homes with folk activities and performances.

Top Things to Do at the 72 Strange Buildings Scenic Area

Explore the Traditional Tujia Residences

One of the best experiences you can have in this attraction would be wandering through a lifelike recreation of a traditional Tujia mountain village, where iconic stilted wooden houses (Diaojiaolou) perch along stone-paved lanes. These elevated dwellings, which are designed to adapt to hilly terrain and a humid climate, reflect the ingenuity of the buildings’ design. Inside, ancestral halls, loom rooms, grain storage, and firewood kitchens vividly portray the rhythms of the Tuijia people’s daily life. Every beam and carving tells a story of craftsmanship, family, and rich cultural heritage which has lasted for centuries.

Enjoy Cultural Performances & Folk Activities

The 72 Strange Buildings Scenic Area allows everyone to have a packed evening filled with live shows, folk parades, interactive performances, and immersive storytelling, and these are perfect for families and culture lovers alike. From 15:30 – 22:20, there are several performances in each hour. And some performances will be repeatedly held till the closing hour in different venues, so you can plan your visit flexibly.

Program	Time	Location
Magical Xiangxi 《神秘湘西》	17:00 – 17:30; 21:05 – 21:35	Shangezui Scenic Area
Tujia Wedding Ritual 《秀楼选亲》	17:35 – 17:45	Yingbin Square
City Opening Ceremony 《开城仪式》	18:00 – 18:07	Rumeng Square
Bamboo Pole Dance 《竹竿舞》	18:10 – 18:20; 18:40  – 18:50;	Yingbin Square
Folk Romance 《十里洋场》	18:30 – 19:00	Minguo Street
Knife Mountain Ritual 《刀山仪式》	19:10 – 19:25	Intangible Cultural Heritage Street
Tujia Light Show 《奇楼掌灯》	19:30 – 19:42	Bonfire Square
Grand Parade 《大巡游》	20:00 – 20:15	The entire scenic area
My Whole Life 《一生所爱》	20:30 – 20:55	Bonfire Square
Bonfire Gala 《篝火晚会》	21:45 – 22:20	Bonfire Square

Watch the 72 Qilou Light Show at Night

When night falls, the 72 Qilou will come alive under a breathtaking fusion of colorful light. With the effect made by the cutting-edge 7D holographic imaging and over 36,000 RGBW lights, the stilted wooden houses are transformed into a luminous canvas of Tujia myths and cultural legends.

Taste Local Food

Exploring the 72 Strange Towers isn’t just about enjoying the beauty of architecture, tasting the local flavor is also important. The winding Snake Streets inside the cultural complex are lined with food stalls and small eateries, serving up authentic cuisines from Hunan, Xi’an, Xinjiang, and beyond. You’ll find three main themed streets on the site: the Muslim Quarter, the Chinese-style Bar Street, and the Xiangxi Market Street. Each has its own vibe, serving various local snacks, traditional crafts, and regional specialties.

Local food is always a highlight of any visit. Don’t miss:

• Sour Fish Soup: A signature dish in the region. The fresh fish will be simmered in a spicy and tangy broth until it gets a rich and bold flavor.
• Miao-style Pickled Fish: This dish combines tender-cooked fish and homemade pickled vegetables in a unique cooking method, and it delivers a punchy, savory taste.
• Fried Rice with Cured Pork: To make this dish, the smoky slices of preserved meat will be stir-fried with vegetables and rice. This is a comforting and satisfying option to pair with other dishes.
• Sticky Rice Cakes (Ciba): These soft, glutinous rice cakes are sweetened with sugar and coated in sesame, a perfect local dessert.
• Blood Rice Duck: A local favorite. Making it needs to first mix the glutinous rice with duck blood and stew them with tender duck meat. It’s soft, flavorful, and it is deeply rooted in the region’s food traditions.

Top Attractions and Sites at the 72 Qilou Scenic Area

Tiangong Qilou (Main Building)

Tiangong Qilou main building of 72 strange towers and it is the crown jewel of the scenic are as it holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest stilted building in the world, rising to an impressive height of 109.9 meters. Modeled after the traditional Tujia-style diaojiaolou (stilted houses), it blends ancient ethnic design with modern engineering. The central feature is a massive open archway—38 meters high and 28 meters wide—that visually aligns with the distant Tianmen Cave, forming a symbolic “twin gate” spectacle often referred to as the “Dragon’s Eyes.”

Yanhuo Old Street

This lively old street immerses visitors in the sights, sounds, and flavors of traditional Tujia life. Along the cobblestone path, you’ll find dozens of street food stalls offering local specialties, and also workshops featuring intangible cultural heritage crafts like handwoven brocade and traditional wood carving.

Yingbin Square

As the main entry point to the scenic area, Welcome Square sets the stage for what’s to come. Every evening at 7:00 PM, the square hosts a grand opening ceremony that includes ethnic music and dance, flaming torch performances, and a traditional wine greeting ritual. It celebrates the Tujia people’s warm hospitality and vibrant culture, which is a festive and energetic start to your visit.

Zouma Corner Tower

Zouma Corner Tower is a multi-level stilted structure perched on a cliff edge, built in the traditional Tujia architectural style. Designed to resemble ancient watchtowers, which once had a function of protection and vigilance in village life. Now, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and is a popular spot for photos and short walks.

Traditional Teahouse of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Step into the Intangible Heritage Tea House to experience the Tujia people’s centuries-old tea culture. The interior preserves the layout of a traditional wooden tea house, where you can watch live demonstrations of tea-making techniques passed down through generations. Enjoy a slow sip of locally grown teas as performers showcase Tujia storytelling, music, and even shadow puppetry in this cozy cultural space.

Strange Rock Museum

The Strange Rock Museum is a unique exhibition space that showcases bizarre and beautiful rock formations collected from areas across China. Each stone on display is fully shaped by nature over millennia and it’s selected for the artistic or symbolic value. These rocks offer a glimpse into the region’s geological wonders and the local belief in the spiritual meaning of natural forms.

Practical Travel Information about Zhangjiajie 72 Qilou Buildings

Best Time to Visit 72 Strange Buildings

The 72 Qilou are open year-round, but the most magical time to visit on a daily basis is in the evening, especially around 7:00 PM, when the area truly comes alive with dazzling light shows and immersive night performances. If you’re looking to experience the charm of tujia architecture under vibrant visuals, this is the golden hour.

For the best weather, plan your trip during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). These seasons offer mild temperatures between 10°C and 28°C, low humidity, and clearer skies—ideal for both daytime exploration and nighttime entertainment.

How to Get to 72 Qilou

The table below outlines how to travel from major transport hubs and attractions in Zhangjiajie to the 72 Strange Buildings.

Departure Spots	Distance	Transportation options
From Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport	About 7 km	By taxi: about 15 minutes, CNY 15/USD 2 By bus: bus line 4, about 1.5 hours, CNY 2/USD 1
From Zhangjiajie West Railway Station	About 3.5 km	By taxi: about 7 minutes, CNY 7/USD 1 By bus: bus line 16 or 17, about 25 – 30 minutes, CNY 2/USD 1
From Zhangjiajie Railway Station	About 8 km	By taxi: about 15 minutes, CNY 15/USD 2 By bus: bus line 17, about 40 minutes, CNY 2/USD 1
Tianmen Mountain	About 7 km	By taxi: about 15 minutes, CNY 15/USD 2 By bus: bus line 17, about 35 minutes, CNY 2/USD 1
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park	About 25 km	By taxi or chartered car: about 30 – 40 minutes, CNY 60 – 80/USD 8 – 11
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon	About 65 km	By taxi or chartered car: about 70 minutes, CNY 120 – 150/USD 17 – 21

For more information about how to travel to and around Zhangjiajie, please see: Top Zhangjiajie Travel Tips

How to Visit – Recommended Tour Itinerary

Half-Day Visit (Evening Focus):

Arrive by 4:30 PM, explore the stilt architecture and grab early snacks, catch the 7 PM Opening Ceremony, which is followed by the light show and folk performances between 7:30–8:40 PM. And end your trip with an exploration of cultural food stalls before departure.

Full-Day Visit (Scenic + Culture):

Start at 10 AM with a cultural village walk, attend daytime craft demos, enjoy lunch, explore Yanhuo Old Street, return late afternoon for performances and light shows, and capture the illuminated complex at night. Many guided Zhangjiajie tours include this schedule.

If you want to know more about how to arrange a satisfying Zhangjiajie tour, please check: How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour

Best Photography Spots and Photography Tips

Whether you’re a casual snapper or a photography enthusiast, the 72 Strange Buildings Scenic Area offers stunning photo opportunities at every turn.

Recommended Photography Spots:

• The square in front of the main building: capture the classic full view of the main building and the moment the lights come on
• The side bridge near the Intangible Cultural Heritage Teahouse: get a quieter and more atmospheric shot that showcases the vintage soul of the village
• The second floor to the left of Dream Plaza: a sweeping panorama, frames the lantern corridor and stilted buildings in full glory, especially charming at night
• The exit of the underground passage across the road: take a panoramic photo of the buildings

Photography Tips:

1. Most photographers prefer the 18:00–19:30 window (blue hour), when the deep blue sky and the dazzling lights of the architecture form a breathtaking contrast.
2. Daytime is the best time to catch the details of the buildings.
3. Please do not use the flash.
4. Inside the scenic area, you’ll find professional photo studios that offer travel-themed shoots with local costumes and dramatic backdrops, which cost about CNY 200 – 600/USD 28 – 83.

Where to Stay

Most travelers prefer to stay in the downtown area, as it is only about 5 km from the scenic area. Besides, there are more choices of hotels. From budget hostels to mid-range local inns and high-end chains like Vienna Hotel and Sunshine Hotel, you’re sure to find what suits you best. It is also convenient for visiting other Zhangjiajie attractions.

If you want to get back to your hotel quickly after the night tour, you can also choose hotels inside the scenic area. Choose from upscale hotels, budget-friendly chains, or authentic homestays—many offering direct views of the building.

• Recommended hotels inside the scenic area: Deswyndham Hotel, Hampton by Hilton, ShebaWangyue Boutique Resort

Travel Tips for Visiting the 72 Strange Buildings

• Visit after 7 PM to see performances and light displays
• Buy evening tickets (CNY 88 after 4:30 PM) if you’re time-limited; otherwise, opt for a combined day–night ticket (CNY 20 + CNY 88)
• Wear comfortable shoes—it’s a large site with hilly terrain and cobblestone paths
• Plan transport ahead during peak periods; consider taking city buses 7/16/17 to Qilou Plaza
• Do not take premium unlicensed taxis at the main entrance. Walk about 5 minutes west along Wulingshan Avenue​ and then call a taxi.

History & Tujia Ethnic Origins

The concept of 72 Qilou is born from the cultural memory of the Tujia ethnic minority, which has been long-established in the Zhangjiajie and Wuling Mountains region. There’s a well-known local saying goes: “Nine bows, eighteen stockades, seventy-two strange towers” (九弓十八寨七十二奇楼). And the “seventy-two strange towers” mentioned in legend is actually referring to the stilted houses once used for group gatherings and defense outside attack in the Wuling Mountains. So their stilted architecture served as functional defense and communal spaces for centuries.

One legend even claims that starting from 67 AD, each dynasty added a floor to a sky-high tower—until 72 layers were buried underground, lost to time. This myth later inspired the Chinese drama The 72 Layers of Mystery.

The modern complex we see today, initiated around 2017–2019, was carefully designed to resurrect that legacy while becoming a modern lifestyle and cultural hub—inspired by centuries-old craft and folklore but anchored in immersive art and tourism culture.

Walking through it, visitors encounter myth-infused architecture—from suspended homes to ceremonial towers—paying tribute to tribal legends yet enriched by modern interpretation.

Nearby Attractions

Combine your visit with Zhangjiajie’s iconic natural landscapes:

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is renowned for the towering sandstone pillars that have once inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. It is recommended to hike along scenic trails, ride the Bailong Elevator (the world’s tallest outdoor lift), or explore hidden ravines and dense forests.
• Tianmen Mountain – Famous for its dramatic cable car ride—the longest in the world—as well as a cliff-hanging glass skywalk, and the legendary “99‑bend road” that zigzags up to the natural rock arch known as Heaven’s Gate.
• Other nearby gems include Baofeng Lake, where you can enjoy a peaceful boat ride through misty canyons; Yellow Dragon Cave, one of China’s most impressive karst caverns filled with colorful lighting and underground rivers; and the thrilling Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottom bridge spanning a steep gorge.

Travel Zhangjiajie with China Xian Tour

Traveling with China Xian Tour allows you to discover Zhangjiajie with a full ease and confidence. From personalized trip planning to on-the-ground support, China Xian Tour takes care of all the details to make this trip suit your pace and interests—transportation, accommodation, tickets, and more. With us, you won’t just see Zhangjiajie, you’ll truly enjoy its natural, cultural and historic beauty. Also, you can contact us to tailor-make a Zhangjiajie tour including the 72 Strange Buildings or any other cultural or natural highlights.