3-Day Journey Through the Fairy-Tale Landscapes of Zhangjiajie
3-Day Tour of the Floating Mountain and Tianmen Cave—Cover both core attractions of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain in one trip.
Best for: For first-time visitors to Zhangjiajie who want to see the “Avatar-style” Floating Mountain and Tianmen Cave.
Day 1: Tianmen Mountain
Tianmen Cave + Glass Walkway + 99 Bends.
Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
Choose Route A (cable car up + road down); a 7,455-meter high-altitude cable car takes you directly to the summit. During peak season, book in advance 3 days prior via “Zhangjiajie Yiji You.”
Book Route A 3 days in advance during peak season
Shoe covers: 5 yuan (rent at the Glass Walkway entrance)
Tianmen Mountain Summit
West Line Glass Walkway → Guigu Walkway → Suspension Bridge → Tianmen Mountain Temple. When the sea of clouds surges, it feels like being in a fairyland.
Those with a fear of heights should proceed with caution on the glass walkway
Tianmen Cave
Take the mountain escalator (32 yuan) to the base of Tianmen Cave. A 999-step “Heavenly Ladder” leads directly to the cave’s base—if you don’t want to climb, you can purchase a separate escalator ticket. Descend via the mountain road with 999 bends.
Day 2: Core Area of the Forest Park
Bailong Elevator + Yuanjiajie Floating Mountain + Tianzi Mountain.
Enter via the East Gate + Bailong Sky Elevator
Enter through the East Gate (Landmark Gate). The Bailong Elevator shoots you 326 meters into the clouds in 30 seconds—the world’s highest outdoor elevator!
Yuanjiajie
Qiankun Pillar (the inspiration for the floating mountains in *Avatar*) → Mihuntai → The First Bridge Under Heaven. This is Zhangjiajie’s most breathtaking viewpoint.
Tianzi Mountain
He Long Park → Imperial Brush Peak → Fairy Scattering Flowers. Take the Tianzi Mountain cable car down.
Day 3: Jinbian Stream + Departure
Hike along Jinbian Stream—a natural oxygen oasis.
Jinbian Stream hike
Enter through the South Gate; the entire hike takes about 2–3 hours. The stream water is crystal clear, and there are groups of wild macaques. Don’t put snacks in your outer pockets—the monkeys will snatch them!
The monkeys will snatch plastic bags and snacks!
Wear non-slip shoes
Lunch: “Three-in-One Hot Pot”
Dried pork + pork intestines + beef tripe in a dry pot: 45 yuan per pot. Served with a bowl of rice—it’s so fragrant.