【Hunan】Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Located in Wulingyuan District, northwestern Hunan, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is China's first national forest park (established in 1982) and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. It is renowned for its quartz sandstone peak forest landscape, featuring over 3,000 towering stone pillars, such as the brush-like "Imperial Pen Peak," the herbalist-shaped "Immortal Gathering," and the "Hallelujah Mountain" (Yuanjiajie) featured in Avatar. The 15-kilometer Golden Whip Stream meanders through crimson cliffs and lush forests, where macaques play freely, and the air is rich in negative oxygen ions, earning it the title "Natural Oxygen Bar." At dawn, mist envelops the peaks, creating an ethereal scene; after rain, sea of clouds surge between valleys, painting a dynamic light-and-shadow spectacle. The park shelters rare species like dovetail trees and giant salamanders, serving as a living museum of geological evolution and ecological succession.
Tip: Address: No. 279 Jinbian Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie; Ticket: High season ¥228 (4-day pass with shuttle bus).
Foreign Visitor Tips
Transport: Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport offers flights to Seoul/Bangkok; 40-min drive to park. Multilingual audio guides (EN/KO/JP) available for rent (¥50/day).
Culture: Visit in autumn (Sep-Nov) for misty peaks and red foliage; join Tujia folk singing at Huangshi Village (daily 14:00).
Dining: "Avatar Theme Restaurant" serves mild Hunan cuisine and Western dishes; try steamed chicken with rock fungus (¥88).