Zhangjiajie: Avatar Mountain, Glass Bridge & Tianmen 2-Day Tour

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/21

Duration2d

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Walk among Zhangjiajie’s peaks, glass bridges and cloud forests

You’ll ride the world’s fastest outdoor elevator up Zhangjiajie’s forested peaks, cross China’s record-breaking glass bridge, and wind up mountain roads to Heaven’s Gate—all with hotel pickup and a local guide who brings each stop to life. Expect moments that surprise you—and maybe leave you quietly awed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Zhangjiajie Forest Park

Pick up from hotel
Travel to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Take Bailong Elevator to summit
Visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
See Hallelujah Mountain and nearby sights
Take eco-bus to Yangjiajie
Shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain
Descend Tianzi Mountain by cable car
Return to hotel

Day 2 — Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Pick up from hotel
Drive to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Walk on Glass Bridge
Visit Tianmen Mountain
See Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate)
Experience Glass Skywalk
Take round-trip ropeway
Ride shuttle bus on 99-bend road
Use 12-level transmountain escalator
Return to hotel

The Experience

I didn’t expect to start my Zhangjiajie tour staring straight up at this wall of misty green spires, but there we were—just past sunrise, air still cool and a little damp. Our guide, Mrs. Wei, grinned when she saw my face. “Wait until you see it from above,” she said. We crammed into the Bailong Elevator (it’s fast—my ears popped), and in less than two minutes we were looking down at forests that felt like something out of a dream or maybe a movie set. Actually, Hallelujah Mountain really is from ‘Avatar’—Mrs. Wei pointed out which one as I tried (and failed) to get a photo without someone’s umbrella in it.

The day moved in fits and starts—sometimes we’d be swept along by crowds on the eco-bus, then suddenly it was just us and the wind in Yuanjiajie or Yangjiajie. There’s this pine scent everywhere; I kept catching it even through my mask. Lunch was sort of an afterthought (snacks from my bag and some fast food near Tianzi Mountain), but honestly I barely noticed because I was too busy staring at clouds rolling between those stone pillars. At one point our group just stood there quietly for a bit—no one spoke, which almost never happens.

Next morning was all nerves: the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge looks way longer in person than in photos. My hands were sweating but I made myself walk across (Li from our group filmed me clutching the rail). The view down is wild—you can see tiny people far below, like ants moving through green shadows. After that rush we headed to Tianmen Mountain; the road up has these crazy bends (99 of them, apparently—I lost count). Heaven’s Gate is massive and somehow peaceful despite all the phones clicking around us. The skywalk clings right to the cliff; you have to wear these blue shoe covers that make you shuffle a bit—it’s kind of funny watching everyone try not to slip.

I still think about that first glimpse from Bailong Elevator—the way everything looked both ancient and unreal at once. If you’re even half-curious about this place, just go. Don’t rush your train or flight after though; things run on their own time here.

What’s included

Your trip includes daily hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned van with a professional English-speaking guide leading every step.
Unlimited bottled water is provided throughout both days so you don’t have to worry about packing extra drinks.
All main entrance fees are covered—you’ll just need snacks or lunch money for simple meals inside Zhangjiajie park areas before returning each evening with your group.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Travel China Guide