Independent travel

Zhangjiajie on your own, the Avatar mountains guide

Q: How many days do I need?

At least 3 days. Two for the national park and one for Tianmen or the glass bridge. With 4 you can relax and have a buffer for a foggy day.

Q: How do I get to Zhangjiajie?

From Chongqing, by bullet train in about 2 hours from Chongqing East, for 199 yuan. From Xi'an, by plane, 1 h 30. To go on to Shanghai, a flight of about 2 hours or a direct train of about 7.

Q: Can I go with kids?

Yes, if they are good walkers, because there are lots of steps. Under 14s go free at Tianmen and the glass bridge. A baby carrier works better than a stroller.

Q: What about winter?

It can snow and it looks beautiful, but ice can close lifts, cable cars or the glass bridge on some days. Keep a spare day. The park pass costs the same all year.

How to see Zhangjiajie on your own. Wulingyuan east gate, the 4-day pass, Bailong lift, Tianmen by Line C, the glass bridge and the fog.

Where to stay and which gate to use

Stay in Wulingyuan and use the east gate, a few minutes' walk away. Most visitors enter there. Each visit is booked for a time and a gate, and the ticket is in your name, so always carry your passport. Avoid staying in Zhangjiajie city, which is far from the park.

Park pass and lifts

The pass is valid for 4 days in a row and includes the eco-bus between areas, so you do not buy a ticket each day. Lifts and cable cars are paid separately, per ride. Prices are for adults.

4-day pass with eco-bus. 228 yuan
Bailong lift. 65 yuan per ride
Tianzi cable car. 72 yuan per ride
A tip. Ride up and walk down, or the other way round

A 3 or 4-day plan

Three days is the minimum. With four you have a spare day in case fog hides the pillars.

Day 1. Bailong lift, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain
Day 2. Golden Whip Stream, from the Forest Park gate
Day 3. Tianmen Mountain or the Grand Canyon glass bridge
Day 4. A spare day for fog, or to revisit your favourite spot

Tianmen from October 2026

The long cable car from the city is no longer an option. The upper section closed in November 2025 and the lower one stops carrying passengers on 13 October 2026. From then on only Line C runs. You take a taxi to the mountain gate and ride a gondola up to the cave, plus escalators. Tickets cost 288 yuan and under 14s go free.

Grand Canyon and the glass bridge

It is about 40 minutes from Wulingyuan by bus or taxi and takes half a day. The ticket with the bridge costs 178 yuan, and under 14s go free. You enter with your passport. If heights scare you or time is tight, put the national park first.

Fog and the best time to go

Fog is part of the magic, with pillars that come and go. The best times are April to May and September to October. September is one of the driest months, with about 9 rainy days. July and August reach about 34 °C and bring crowds. Avoid 1 to 7 October and 1 to 5 May, when queues run for hours.

The route in this guide

12 daysZhangjiajie's Avatar peaksThe floating peaks of Zhangjiajie, the biggest wowBeijing · Xi'an · Zhangjiajie · ShanghaiFrom 960 € per person · Comfortable

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need?

At least 3 days. Two for the national park and one for Tianmen or the glass bridge. With 4 you can relax and have a buffer for a foggy day.

How do I get to Zhangjiajie?

From Chongqing, by bullet train in about 2 hours from Chongqing East, for 199 yuan. From Xi'an, by plane, 1 h 30. To go on to Shanghai, a flight of about 2 hours or a direct train of about 7.

Can I go with kids?

Yes, if they are good walkers, because there are lots of steps. Under 14s go free at Tianmen and the glass bridge. A baby carrier works better than a stroller.

What about winter?

It can snow and it looks beautiful, but ice can close lifts, cable cars or the glass bridge on some days. Keep a spare day. The park pass costs the same all year.

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