If you’re looking for something to add to your China itinerary, Zhangjiajie National Park is the place for you. This national park will definitely leave you wanting to explore more of the natural beauty China has to offer. Many people think of China as a futuristic place, with skyscrapers and amazing city skylines. It’s easy to forget to look beyond the technology and discover the country’s incredible nature. I’d highly recommend adding this two to three day trip to your China itinerary.
The Beauty of The Park
The nature in the park was beautiful! Often referred to as the “Avatar Mountains,” the peaks rise into the clouds, with birdsong and the sound of water all around. Even with the park’s infrastructure, the peaceful feeling of being in nature wasn’t disturbed.
One of my favorite parts of the park was the abundance of monkeys walking or swinging around. You can see all stages of life while walking through the park. I was lucky enough to see a mother feeding her baby, which was an amazing moment to witness in person. For the most part, the monkeys leave you alone, but the park recommends keeping an eye on your bags, not carrying open food, and not feeding them.
There are so many different places to see the mountains, and the scenery can feel completely different as you move from the north side to the south side. There are also lots of bodies of water running through the park that you can walk along. It’s a perfect way to feel immersed in nature without having to do an exhausting hike to reach beautiful views.
How Much Time Should I Spend?
Given the size of the national park, I’d highly recommend spending at least two days there, or three if you want a more relaxed visit. Unfortunately, I only spent one day and felt rushed trying to see as much as possible, especially with the peak-season crowds. Two to three days would be ideal if you want to see more of the park while walking at an enjoyable pace. It also gives you time to sit, enjoy the views, and have a meal. There are multiple entrances to the park, which makes it easier to split up the areas you want to visit.
Exploring the Park
I didn’t use a tour company. My friends and I simply went in without a game plan and followed the paths. There are companies that will pick you up and take you through the park, but most of the groups we saw looked quite large, which made that option less appealing to us. I also liked having the freedom to take a different route or explore somewhere off the usual path if it caught my interest.
It would be easy to split the park into two or three days by looking at the map and plotting out the places you want to see. Many hotel front desks will also go over the map with you and point out popular spots and routes based on how much time you have. I’d recommend asking them for help if you’re having trouble planning.
Accessibility and Facilities
One of the things that surprised me most about the park was its accessibility. The paths were paved and unobstructed, making it easier for wheelchair users to get around. There were also plenty of buses running between different parts of the park, which helped make getting around smooth and convenient.
There’s also a beautiful elevator that many people rush to the front of the line for, hoping to get a cool video of the mountains as they ride up. Access to these facilities is included in the regular ticket price, which I thought was an amazing benefit. Restaurants, convenience shops, bathrooms, and places to sit are located throughout the park, so there are plenty of opportunities to rest when needed.
What to Bring
Given the accessibility, you really only need a good pair of walking shoes and maybe some compression socks. There weren’t many people with walking sticks and the people that did bring them ended up mostly putting them in their bags. We arrived shortly after the park opened and left just as the sun was setting, spending a solid 10-plus hours there. We walked about 25,000 steps that day, including the walk after the park when we went to get dinner. I’d also recommend stopping by a massage shop for a foot or leg massage afterward. I think that’s what saved me from having an aching body the next day!
Where I Stayed
Hunan is a good place to stay for visiting the park, since there’s an entrance and exit right in the city. There are also lots of restaurant and food options to choose from. A river flows through the city, making it a beautiful place for a morning or evening walk. The city is mostly quiet during the day but comes to life at night. There’s even a water show along the bridge throughout the evening.
Adding this stop to our month-long trip gave us the break from big cities that we needed. It was refreshing to spend time in nature and enjoy a slower pace for a couple of days, especially after the bustling energy of China’s major cities. While our day in the national park left us tired, I think it would have been a very relaxing visit with more time. If you have the opportunity, I’d highly recommend checking out the amazing views Zhangjiajie National Park has to offer.
