Zhangjiajie
Pillars of the Sky
3-4 days
Landscape Wonder, Hiking, Ancient Town, Natural Beauty
This journey centers on the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and UNESCO Global Geopark recognized for its 3,000+ quartzite sandstone pillars found nowhere else on earth. Following the vertical wonders, travel seamlessly via high-speed rail to the ancient Tujia heritage sites of Western Hunan.
Vertical Urbanism: Navigate a 3D city where the "ground floor" can be on the 10th or 22nd floor of a building.
Karst Majesty: Home to the world’s largest natural bridge group and deep "tiankeng" (heavenly pits) in Wulong.
Cyberpunk Skyline: Neon-lit skyscrapers and glowing bridges that reflect off the Yangtze and Jialing rivers at night.
The Spice Benchmark: Famous for "Old Hotpot" and street noodles (Xiao Mian) that prioritize numbing heat and rich beef tallow.
Tianmen Mountain’s Vertical Grandeur
Board the world’s longest cable car for a 7.5km ascent to the summit, soaring over the "99 Bends" mountain road to reach the threshold of the Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark.
Traverse the cliff-hanging glass skywalks at 1,400 meters before descending through the colossal Heaven’s Gate, a natural water-eroded karst archway.
Utilize a private chauffeur for a scenic 40-minute transfer to the Wulingyuan luxury corridor, situated at the base of the UNESCO protected peak forest.
Wulingyuan: The UNESCO Core & Avatar Peaks
Ascend the Bailong Elevator—the world’s tallest outdoor glass lift—to reach the Yuanjiajie plateau, the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage inscription.
Witness the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, a gravity-defying sandstone pillar that served as the primary inspiration for the floating mountains of cinematic fame.
Explore the Tianzi Mountain spires, where ancient geological erosion has created a "stone forest" of thin, needle-like peaks that exemplify the park’s unique UNESCO status.
The Grand Canyon & The Waterfall Town
Cross the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, an engineering marvel suspended between two cliffs, offering a transparent view of the pristine UNESCO geopark ecosystem below.
Board a 25-minute high-speed bullet train to Furong Zhen, where your private chauffeur will meet you at the station for a seamless transfer into the ancient riverside town.
Experience the evening illumination of Furong Waterfall, where the town’s traditional stilt houses glow above a 60-meter drop into the Youshui River.
Tujia Cultural Heritage & Ancient Echoes
Walk the historic flagstone path tucked directly behind the waterfall’s curtain to reach the Tusi King’s Palace, a testament to the region’s indigenous Tujia architecture.
Discover the thousand-year history of the Tujia ethnic minority, whose heritage is preserved in the nearby Yongshun Tusi Site (a fellow UNESCO World Heritage cultural location).
Conclude your journey with a chauffeur-driven tour of the local craft markets for handmade brocade and silver, before a final high-speed rail connection to your next destination.
