Southwest China
Three thousand quartzite columns rising out of the subtropical forest of Wulingyuan. It is the landscape from every Chinese scroll painting, made physical — and it photographs even better in mist. Two full days inside the park is the minimum that does it justice.
The case for going
The quartzite columns of Hallelujah Mountain, best before 9am.
The imperial viewpoint over the sea of clouds, with the cable car descent.
A flat forest walk under the pillars — the quiet counterpoint to the summits.
The glass cliff elevator, 326 metres in under two minutes.
The mountain arch above the city, reached by one of the world's longest cable cars.
The stilt-house river town four hours west — the natural extension of the route.
Practical
Subtropical mountain. Humid summers, misty spring and autumn, quiet cold winters.
Zhangjiajie Hehua (DYX) has direct flights from Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Guangzhou. High-speed rail reached Zhangjiajie West in 2019.
Airport. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYX)
Rail. Zhangjiajie West station is 30 minutes from Wulingyuan by car; direct HSR from Changsha, and through-services to Xi'an and Chongqing.
In pictures
Questions travellers ask
Three days in the park: Yuanjiajie and the Avatar pillars, Tianzi Mountain, and Tianmen with the cave and the sky gate — plus a Fenghuang overnight if you are continuing west.
Inside Wulingyuan for the park's quiet first hour, or the city side for Tianmen. The two are 45 minutes apart; Wulingyuan is the base for the pillars.
Fly into Hehua (DYG) from most hubs, or the train from Changsha — under 3 hours on the fast service. The park gates are 40 minutes from the airport.
Yes — the stone pillar forest is unique on earth, and the five-day Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang pairing is one of the great short trips in China.
Routes through here
Southwest China
5days
Two full days inside the sandstone range that borrowed its silhouette to cinema, the cliff arch above the city, and a night in the stilt-house river town four hours west. Five days, no wasted transit.
From US$1,100per person
Where to stay
Crowne Plaza · Luxury
The reliable gateway hotel inside the Wulingyuan scenic area: five minutes from the park gate, which means the quartzite towers are the first thing you see and the last thing before dinner.
From US$130 per night
Valid to 2026-12-31
Pullman · Luxury
A calm, well-run resort hotel on the edge of Wulingyuan with the most consistent service in the area. Rooms face the peaks or the courtyard; either way the early starts for the park are easy.
From US$120 per night
Valid to 2026-12-31
