4-Day Zhangjiajie Hiking Tour: Off-Beaten Route & Avatar Mountains
Tour Overview
Tired of following the massive tourist crowds and missing out on the true wild beauty of Zhangjiajie? This 4-day Zhangjiajie hiking tour is specially designed for nature lovers and hikers who want off-the-beaten-path trails.
Unlike a traditional visit to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, you will challenge yourself on thrilling mountain routes most tourists never see. Also, step inside the cinematic landscapes that inspired the movie Avatar and experience the thrilling Bailong Elevator and the world’s longest alpine cable car in Tianmen Mountain.
Travel destination: Zhangjiajie
Suitable for: Outdoor & Hiking Lovers, Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers
Tour type: Private
Tour at a Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See & Do
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1
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Zhangjiajie Arrival
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Private airport pickup, leisure time
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2
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National Forest Park
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Hiking Wulong Village, climbing One Step to the Heaven
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3
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Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
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Golden Whip Stream walk, Bailong Elevator ride, Avatar Mountain visit, Sky Field Garden
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4
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Tianmen Mountain
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World’s longest alpine cable car, Ghost Plank Path, glass skyway, Heaven’s Gate Cave, 999-step challenge
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Highlights of This Tour
Set foot in unusual places of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to completely immerse yourself in the natural oxygen bar and feel the refreshing air.
Walk upstairs along the Bali slope and climb up a 32-step iron ladder to reach the peak of “One Step to Heaven“.
Capture the different sizes and shapes of the sandstone pillars of the Hallelujah Mountains with your eyes and camera.
Hike to the bottom of the National Forest – Golden Whip Stream, a beautiful valley with clear water all year round.
Experience a series of thrilling challenges such as the Ghost Path and 999-Steps in Tianmen Mountain.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Zhangjiajie Arrival
Welcome to our 4-day Zhangjiajie hiking tour! Your private guide will pick you up on time and transfer you to the hotel in the Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan area in about 45-60 minutes. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.
- Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkHike through rugged mountain trails in Yangjiajie Scenic Area
Start your adventure from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This carefully selected, crowd-avoiding tour is particularly for those who love hiking and trekking in the forest.
Wulong Village ä¹é¾åÆØ (2.5 hours)
Wulong Village is a cool "bandit hideout" tucked deep inside the Yangjiajie Scenic Area. On a hike up the mountain, you will encounter three "gates of hell ", including "one step is difficult"Ā where one must cling to the rock wall and turn slowly,Ā "who daresĀ not bow", a place you can't get through unless you bow down, and "offĀ the door"Ā where one has to turn sideways to slowly ascend.
The rugged mountain roads areĀ natural barriers. It is challenging butĀ rewarding - you will have a full view of the beautiful natural scenery of WulongĀ Village.
Steep staircase after "who dares not bow" One Step to the HeavenĀ (3 hours)
One Step to the Heaven, the highest peak of Yangjiajie, is a mountain peak, akaäøę„ē»å¤© (yÄ« bĆ¹ dÄng tiÄn) in Chinese, that is 1,130 meters above sea level. You need to walk upstairs along the Bali slope and climb up a 32-step iron ladder to reach the peak of "One Step to Heaven". At the top is a flat stone, 5 meters long and 4 meters wide, and the gorgeous view is definitely worth a long walk.
One Step to the Heaven - Day 3: Yuanjiajie Scenic AreaAdmire the Hallelujah Mountains in the real world
After breakfast, continue your hike in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to explore the Jinbianxi (Golden Whip Stream), which is named for its flow through the Golden Whip Rock. Running through the cliffs and peaks, the stream is a beautiful valley with clear water all year round, so it is called a "Landscape Gallery".
You will have a leisurely hike of about 2 hours, during which you can relax in the beautiful mountains and fresh air.
Golden Whip Stream Yuanjiajie - Avatar Mountain (Classic & Popular / 2 hours):
Explore beautiful scenery during your ride on the Bailong Elevator made of see-through glass before ascending to Yuanjiajie Mountain. Visit Yuanjiajie's summit with a 2-hour soft walk to the South Heavenly Pillar, the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountains in the movie Avatar. From there, proceed to the Oblivion Platform for the nearby peak views before walking across the First Bridge Under Heaven.
Bailong Elevator - the highest outdoor elevator in the world Sky Field GardenĀ (2 hours )
Itās more than 1,000 meters above sea level, and below it is a deep valley with 3 hectares of sloping terraces. Here, the green peaks, towering trees, and floating clouds constitute a vigorous landscape painting.
Sky Field Garden - Day 4: Zhangjiajie DepartureRide the world's longest cable car and challenge climbing the thrilling 999 steps
If the hike in the first 2 days made you too tired, you can start a little bit late today. In the morning, drive from the Wulingyuan area to downtown.
Tianmen MountainĀ (4 hours)
You will ride the longest alpine cable car in the world from the modern city atmosphere directly into the pristine greenery. After reaching the summit, follow your guide to visit Ghost Plank Path, glass skyway and Tianmen Mountain Temple.
Then take the escalator down to Heaven's Gate Cave, the world's highest natural mountain cave. You can challenge yourself to climb 999 steps. In China, '999' means long-lasting and supreme.
Note: It is not recommended for people over 70 years old to climb, as most slopes exceed 37 degrees.
Glass Path of Tianmen Mountain At the end of the tour, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight home or other destinations.
Travel Tip: You are advised to book a flight home after 6:00 p.m.
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 4-Day Zhangjiajie Hiking Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can selectĀ luxury 5-star hotelsĀ for unparalleled comfort,Ā cozy 4-starĀ accommodations, orĀ value-for-money 3-starĀ options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked forĀ their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped withĀ standard amenitiesĀ like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
InĀ some hotels, there are English-speaking staffĀ who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
