Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — Tickets & Complete Guide
China's first national forest park and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The 3,000+ standalone stone pillars inspired Avatar's "Hallelujah Mountains." Klook 4-day pass from ¥248.
At a Glance
| 4-day pass (peak) | ¥248 / Klook ¥248 |
|---|---|
| 4-day pass (off-season Dec–Feb) | ¥138 / Klook ¥130 |
| + Bailong Elevator | +¥72 |
| + Tianzi Mountain Cable Car | +¥76 |
| All-in combo | ¥498 / Klook ¥408 |
| Opening hours | 06:30–18:30 |
| Location | Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie |
| Time needed | 2–3 days |
1. What Zhangjiajie Forest Park is
Established in 1982 as China's first national forest park. In 1992 it was inscribed (alongside Suoxiyu and Tianzi Mountain) as part of the UNESCO Wulingyuan World Heritage Site. The signature feature: 3,000+ standalone quartz-sandstone pillars, 200–380 m tall, topped with primeval forest — like floating mountains adrift in cloud.
In 2009 James Cameron used the park as visual reference for Avatar; the Hallelujah Mountains are modelled on Yuanjiajie's "Qiankun Pillar" (Pillar of Heaven and Earth). After the film's release the park installed a stone marker at the spot — "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain (Qiankun Pillar)" — and it's a must-do photo stop.
2. Top 8 must-see sights
- Yuanjiajie · Qiankun Pillar (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain) — the Avatar film inspiration.
- Tianzi Mountain — 1,262 m, sweeping views across the park.
- Golden Whip Stream — 5.7 km streamside trail, ~2-hour walk.
- Bailong Elevator — world's tallest outdoor double-decker sightseeing lift (326 m), summit in 1 min 58 sec.
- Huangshi Village — 1,082 m, the largest viewpoint.
- Yangjiajie — 1,200 m pillar cluster + One-Line-Sky gorge.
- Ten-Mile Gallery — 5 km gallery of pillars on the southwest side.
- First Bridge Under Heaven — natural rock bridge, 50 m span.
3. Suggested 3-day route
Day 1: Forest Park core area
- 09:00 entry → walk Golden Whip Stream (5.7 km);
- 12:00 lunch;
- 14:00 Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie;
- 15:00–17:00 Yuanjiajie (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain);
- 17:30 back to hotel.
Day 2: Tianzi Mountain + Yangjiajie
- 08:00 Tianzi Mountain cable car up;
- 09:00–12:00 Tianzi Mountain;
- 12:30 lunch;
- 14:00 Yangjiajie (One-Line-Sky);
- 17:00 return.
Day 3: Huangshi Village + Ten-Mile Gallery
- 09:00 Huangshi cable car up;
- 10:00–12:00 viewpoint loop;
- 13:00 lunch;
- 14:00 Ten-Mile Gallery (mini-train);
- 17:00 exit.
4. Ticket comparison
| Combo | Includes | Face value | Klook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base 4-day pass | Park admission | ¥248 | ¥248 |
| + Bailong Elevator | + 326 m lift | ¥320 | ¥308 |
| All-in combo | + 4 cable cars | ¥498 | ¥408 |
| Child 1.0–1.4 m | 4-day pass | ¥124 | ¥124 |
5. Forest Park vs Tianmen Mountain
| Item | Forest Park | Tianmen Mountain |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Wulingyuan (30 min from town) | In town (10 min) |
| Klook price | ¥248 (4 days) | ¥218 (1 day) |
| Time | 2–3 days | 1 day |
| Hook | "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" | Cable car + glass skywalk |
| Pick | Must-visit (UNESCO) | Add-on |
I recommend a 4–5 day Zhangjiajie itinerary: Forest Park 3 days + Tianmen Mountain 1 day + Grand Canyon Glass Bridge half day.
6. Best season
- March–May, September–November: most comfortable weather.
- Summer (July–August): cloud sea is at its best + heat escape (22–25°C).
- Winter (December–February): unique snow scenery, ticket prices -45%.
- Avoid: June–September thunderstorms can close the mountain.
7. How to save money
- Visit off-season (December–February): save ¥110;
- Skip the all-in combo: 1 elevator + 1 cable car is plenty;
- Children under 1.0 m free;
- 1.0–1.4 m half price;
- 60+ half price;
- Stay inside the park: avoids the daily commute.
8. Practical tips
- Bring: ID / passport, comfortable hiking shoes (5+ km/day), rain jacket, light layer;
- Not allowed: outside food, pets, selfie sticks, drones;
- Stay: Wulingyuan town has 5+ hotels, more convenient than the city centre;
- Toilets: 50+ across the park;
- 4-day validity: re-entry possible across multiple days (bring ID).
9. Why book through us
- Scan-and-exchange for the real-name pass;
- 4-day pass spreads across multiple days;
- Voucher valid 6 months;
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours ahead.