Best Zhangjiajie Itineraries: How to Spend 1-5 Days in Zhangjiajie

Written by Veronica | Updated August 05,2025

Zhangjiajie is one of the top destinations for seeing the beautiful landscapes of China. It is most famous for being the real-life inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. You will see thousands of towering pinnacles piercing through the clouds, dense forests surrounding the deep canyons. To help you plan your Zhangjiajie tour, here are some of the best Zhangjiajie itineraries for 1-5 days.

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• Best Highlights of Zhangjiajie
• How Many Days Do You Need in Zhangjiajie
• 1-Day Zhangjiajie Itinerary
• Zhangjiajie 2-Day Itinerary
• Zhangjiajie 3-Day Itinerary
• Zhangjiajie 4-Day Itinerary
• Zhangjiajie 5-Day Itinerary
• Plan Your Zhangjiajie Tour with Us

Best Highlights of Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Location: Wulingyuan Scenic Area

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the most famous attraction of Zhangjiajie. You will witness the iconic sights of the city. Besides, you will also have many opportunities for hiking. It’s the ideal destination for nature and outdoor lovers. Here are some of the highlights of the park.

• The Hallelujah Mountains in Yuanjiajie were originally named the Southern Sky Columns. It took on its current title after the film Avatar came out. The series of pillars can be as tall as over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Countless peaks rising out of the ground form a surreal, otherworldly sight.
• Tianzi Mountain is a popular part of the national park with spectacular pinnacles. Because of the sheer number of them, the area is also named the “Kingdom of Peaks.” You can take a cable car ride through the mountains to appreciate the views from above.
• Huangshi Village is not an actual village despite its name. It is a large natural observation deck that is surrounded by mountains and cliffs. At the top, it has a height of over 1,200 meters (3,937 feet). It’s an excellent vantage point for overlooking the park and seeing incredible clouds and mists.
• Golden Whip Stream is the best hiking destination in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It stretches for 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) through mountains and forests. The hike is short and relatively easy. It’ll be a refreshing change of scenery and add lots of fun to your experience.
• Bailong Elevator is another top attraction to include in your Zhangjiajie itinerary. It is the tallest outdoor elevator in the world that will take you straight to the top of the mountains. It’ll save you the time and energy of a hike and provide easy access to the exciting attractions at the top for all visitors.

Tianmen Mountain

Location: Yongding District, Zhangjiajie; about 50 km (31 miles) from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Tianmen Mountain is the region’s second national forest park. There are a variety of natural wonders to see and things to do. It is an essential stop when you travel to Zhangjiajie.

• Tianmen Cave is the most famous landmark of Tianmen Mountain. It is the world’s highest natural cave through a mountain. From below, it looks like a massive gateway to heaven. To observe it up close, you can ascend the “stairway to Heaven” with 999 steps or take an escalator through the mountain.
• Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalks is a renowned Zhangjiajie tourist attraction. There are three glass skywalks in total in the scenic area. They are all built on cliffsides and allow you to experience the views from a height.
• Tianmen Mountain Cableway is the longest one-way passenger cableway in the world. It’ll take you directly from Zhangjiajie city center to Tianmen Mountain National Park. You will be up in the sky for about 40 minutes and have a preview of the breathtaking sceneries below you.

Related reading: Glass-bottomed Bridges & Skywalks in Zhangjiajie

Yellow Dragon Cave & Baofeng Lake

Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie; 10-20 km (6-12 miles) from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Yellow Dragon Cave, or Huanglong Cave, is one of the best attractions to see Karst landforms in China. After hundreds of thousands of years of water erosion, the massive cave contains amazing stalactite formations. You should definitely go on an adventure into this ancient world on your Zhangjiajie trip.

Baofeng Lake attracts many visitors and outdoor lovers for its beautiful waterscapes. The calm water winds its way through the mountains on both sides. You can take a boat ride to relax and take in the views. There’re also a waterfall that you can visit and various hiking trails.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Location: Cili County, Zhangjiajie; about 40 km (25 miles) from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and 75 km (47 miles) from Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is the best place to visit for a Zhangjiajie adventure tour. There are three sightseeing elevators that will take you to the top of the canyon effortlessly. You can appreciate the vast views of the deep canyon, go on a scenic hike, or challenge yourself to a thrilling outdoor activity like bungee jumping or zip lining. The most popular highlights include:

• Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is the longest and highest glass bridge in the world spanning across the canyon. Through its glass bottom, you can see the deep canyon below you. For those who enjoy an adrenaline rush, you can experience one of the tallest commercial bungee jumps in the world from a height of 260 meters (853 feet).
• The Sky Strip Trail is a scenic walkway that will take you past the stunning cliffs and waterfalls of the area. Near the end of the journey, you can choose to zip line down to the bottom for the thrill and cut your walking time short.

Fenghuang Ancient Town

Location: Fenghuang County, Xiangxi

Although it is not located in Zhangjiajie city, Fenghuang Ancient Town is a popular stop in Zhangjiajie itineraries. It is often listed among the best water towns in China. The quiet Tuo River flows past the traditional architecture along the banks. Local Miao and Tujia people still lead their traditional and simple life amongst the beautiful mountains. It’s a great place to experience local life and conclude your trip to Zhangjiajie.

From Zhangjiajie, you can either take a high-speed train to Fenghuang Ancient Town for about 1 hour or take a bus for 4-5 hours.

Related reading: Things not to do in Zhangjiajie

How Many Days Do You Need in Zhangjiajie

The best travel length for a fulfilling Zhangjiajie tour is generally 3-7 days. With 3 or 4 days, you can cover the highlights of the city. Go on a Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour, experience the skywalk of Tianmen Mountain, and walk above the glass bridge of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The best time to visit Zhangjiajie is during spring and autumn, so try to plan your trip then.

But if you’d like to have an in-depth travel experience, you should extend your Zhangjiajie itinerary to 5-7 days. You’ll be able to participate in your activities, explore the surrounding areas of the national park, and witness ethnic cultures in Furong Ancient Town.

Related reading: How to Plan a Trip to Furong Ancient Town from Zhangjiajie

1-Day Zhangjiajie Itinerary

If you’re making a stopover on your flight or taking a side trip from Changsha, you may only have one day in Zhangjiajie. In that case, you won’t have time for many activities but can get a peek at the best highlight of the city.

Option 1: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has the most concentrated number of attractions, the Hallelujah Mountains, Bailong Elevator, and the Golden Whip Stream. It’s a time-efficient choice perfect for such a limited timeframe. You can experience many of the top things to do in Zhangjiajie.

Option 2: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is also a great option. The glass bridge is certainly an essential experience. This itinerary may be more appealing to travelers who are into extreme sports and would like to take advantage of their time to experience bungee jumping.

Option 3: Tianmen Mountain + Skywalk

You can take the world’s longest cable car journey to Tianmen Mountain, walk amongst the peaks and clouds on the glass-bottom skywalk, and witness the amazing Tianmen Cave. Your day will be full of surprises and fulfilling.

Recommended Zhangjiajie 1-Day Itinerary: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Day Tour with Skywalk

Zhangjiajie 2-Day Itinerary

Although still relatively short, 2 days in Zhangjiajie will allow you to cover many of the best attractions. These itinerary plans are great for China tours with Zhangjiajie, for example from Beijing or Xi’an. You can experience the beauty of the region without spending too much time.

Option 1: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park + Tianmen Mountain

Day 1 – Tianmen Mountain: cable car, Ghost Valley Plank Road, sky walk, Tianmen Mountain Temple, Tianmen Cave

Day 2 – Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Huangshi Village, Golden Whip Stream

Recommended Zhangjiajie 2-Day Itinerary: 2 Days Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour

Option 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park + Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon + Tianmen Mountain

Day 1 – Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains

Day 2 – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Tianmen Mountain: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, cable car, Tianmen Cave

Option 3: In-Depth Exploration of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Day 1: Huangshi Village, Golden Whip Stream, Baofeng Lake

Day 2: Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Ten Mile Gallery

Zhangjiajie 3-Day Itinerary

With 3 days, you can include more activities and nearby attractions in your Zhangjiajie itinerary like hiking, visiting Yellow Dragon Cave, and taking a boat ride on Baofeng Lake. It’s a great amount of time for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts on China nature tours.

Option 1: Excellent Sightseeing Opportunities

Day 1: Yellow Dragon Cave

Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Hallelujah Mountains, Bailong Elevator

Day 3: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain

Option 2: Fun Outdoor Activities

Day 1: Xibu Street

Day 2: Tianzi Mountain, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Bailong Elevator, Golden Whip Stream

Day 3: Baofeng Lake, Tianmen Mountain, Glass Skywalk, Tianmen Cave

Recommended Zhangjiajie 3-Day Itineraries:

• 3 Days Private Zhangjiajie Adventure Tour with Glass Bridge
• 3 Days Zhangjiajie Private Tour: China Avatar Discovery
• 3 Days Zhangjiajie Nature Wonders Tour

Zhangjiajie 4-Day Itinerary

A 4-day Zhangjiajie trip is ideal for travelers who want to take their time for the best travel experience. It’s the perfect amount of time for families and couples. You’ll pretty much be able to cover all the natural scenic spots in Zhangjiajie.

Day 1: Yellow Dragon Cave

Day 2: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Huangshi Village, Golden Whip Stream

Day 3: Tianzi Mountain, Hallelujah Mountains, Bailong Elevator, Baofeng Lake

Day 4: Tianmen Mountain, Glass Skywalk, Tianmen Cave

Recommended Zhangjiajie 4-Day Itineraries:

• 4 Days Classic Zhangjiajie Tour Package
• 4 Days Zhangjiajie Exploration Tour

Zhangjiajie 5-Day Itinerary

A 5-day Zhangjiajie itinerary will give you time to experience the local culture and lifestyle. Make sure you extend your tour to Fenghuang Ancient Town to witness the authentic ethnic life there. You can also spend more time in downtown Zhangjiajie and try traditional foods of the region.

Day 1: Xibu Street

Day 2: Hallelujah Mountains, Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain

Day 3: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Huangshi Village, Golden Whip Stream

Day 4: Tianmen Mountain, Glass Skywalk, Tianmen Cave, Junsheng Sandstone Painting Gallery

Day 5: Fenghuang Ancient Town

Recommended Zhangjiajie 5-Day Itineraries:

• 5 Days Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town Group Tour
• 5 Days Zhangjiajie Private Tour with Fenghuang Ancient Town
• 5 Days Private Zhangjiajie Highlight Tour

Plan Your Zhangjiajie Tour with Us

Plan your Zhangjiajie Tour with us now. We can help you customize your ideal itinerary, arrange private transportation around the city, and navigate the large scenic areas with scattered attractions. We can also take you on a China tour with other famous destinations to make your journey even more memorable: