Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountain & Tianzi Peak: Private 1-Day Tour

See the mountains that inspired Avatar, on your own schedule with a private guide

A private full-day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Southern China, departing from your hotel at 9am with an English-speaking guide and driver. You'll ride the cable car up Tianzi Mountain to walk among towering sandstone peaks, then explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area: the landscape that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. The tour includes all park tickets, shuttle buses, and the option to descend by the famous Bailong Elevator (a glass lift built into a cliff) or by cable car, with return to your hotel around 5pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Pick up at hotel at 9am
• Visit Wulingyuan Scenic Area attractions
• Take cable car up Tianzi Mountain
• Walk along Tianzi Mountain steps
• Ride shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
• Walk tourist trails at Yuanjiajie
• Take shuttle bus and cable car down
• Optionally take Bailong Elevator down
• Return to hotel or train station

The experience

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around thousands of narrow sandstone columns rising from the forest floor. The park's two most visited sections (Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie Scenic Area) are what filmmakers drew from when designing Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain. A private guide and driver pick you up at 9am from your hotel in Zhangjiajie city center (or the train station if you prefer) and handle all navigation and logistics for the day.

You start at Tianzi Mountain, taking a cable car to the ridge where walking trails open views of the peaks from different angles as you move along the steps. The afternoon shift takes you by shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where about an hour of walking on the tourist trails brings you through the most famous vistas. For the descent, you choose between a round-trip cable car or a one-way ride down by the Bailong Elevator: a glass lift carved into the cliff face that takes only 2 minutes but can draw long queues at peak times. If you want the elevator, tell your guide beforehand so he can arrange priority access. The tour ends around 5pm with drop-off at your hotel or the train station.

All park entry tickets, the cable cars, shuttle buses, and the elevator option are included. Your guide speaks English and carries bottled water for the day. The walking is moderate but steady: good fitness helps, though the trails are well-maintained and the cable cars handle the steepest climbs. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive between sites.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide and driver with mountain experience.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Zhangjiajie city center or train station.
• all Zhangjiajie National Forest Park entry tickets.
• cable car rides on Tianzi Mountain.
• public shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie.
• Bailong Elevator or return cable car (your choice, no extra cost).
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for transfers between sites.

Options for this experience

2 options

Day trip from Wulingyuan, lasting one dayGuide in English · 09:00Departing from Wulingyuan hotels: Pickup and drop-off to and from hotels in the Wulingyuan Area. Private all-inclusive day tour lasting 8 hours. All tickets are included: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, cable car, and Bailong Elevator. Private air-conditioned vehicle. 1-Day Private Tour departing from Wulingyuan hotels, visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Avatar Mountain, and Yuanjiajie. Pickup is included.

1-Day Tour (departing from ZJJ City)Guide in English · 09:00Departing from ZJJ City Center: Pickup and drop-off to and from central hotels in Zhangjiajie City. Private all-inclusive day tour lasting 8 hours. All tickets are included: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, cable car, and Bailong Elevator. Private air-conditioned vehicle. 1-Day Private Tour departing from central hotels in Zhangjiajie City, visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Avatar Mountain, and Yuanjiajie. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trippest Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the departure from Wulingyuan if you're already staying near the park entrance, or the Zhangjiajie city departure if you're based in the downtown area: both follow the same itinerary and include hotel pickup. The private guide and driver mean you move at your own pace through each site and can spend extra time on the views that matter most to you, without waiting for a group.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and why is it famous?

Yuanjiajie is the section of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park whose towering sandstone peaks inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. It's the most visited area of the park because of that connection, and the walking trails take about an hour to cover the main viewpoints.

Do I have to take the Bailong Elevator, or can I use the cable car instead?

You choose at checkout: Option 1 uses the cable car both up and down the mountain. Option 2 takes the cable car up and the Bailong Elevator down: a glass lift built on the cliff face that descends in 2 minutes. Both options cost the same. If you pick the elevator, tell your guide in advance so he can arrange priority access and help you avoid the long queues that form at peak times.

What time does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour ends around 5pm. Your private driver drops you back at your hotel in Zhangjiajie city center, or at the train station if you're departing that evening.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour runs from 9am to around 5pm, so you'll want to bring snacks or plan to eat at one of the small vendors or cafes near the scenic areas.

How much walking and climbing is involved?

There's a good amount of walking on mountain trails: about an hour at Yuanjiajie and additional walking at Tianzi Mountain along the ridge steps. The cable cars handle most of the elevation gain. Moderate fitness is recommended, though the trails are well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels. Travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy should consult with the operator before booking.