Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: 4-Day Ticket & Elevator Access

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration2d–4d

Mobile ticketAccepted

Four days to explore the pillars at your own pace, with the cable car and elevator already paid for.

You book your entry time and gate in advance, arrive with your passport, and get facial registration that works for four days of re-entry. The Bailong Elevator and Tianzishan Cable Car are already included, so you pick your route (cable car first or elevator first) and move through the pillars without stopping to buy tickets. Plan to arrive early if you choose the elevator route, since morning queues are real.

2d–4d

Step-by-step itinerary

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park visit

Bring passport for booking verification
Complete facial registration on-site
Enter park through selected gate
Use ticket for cableway and elevator rides
Explore park via eco-bus and sightseeing spots

The Experience

The quartz-sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie rise so abruptly from the forest floor that the first time you see them, you almost don't believe they're real. Pre-booking your Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket locks in your entry time and gate, which matters because the park opens at 7am and fills fast. Your ticket is valid for four days once you enter, so you're not forced to rush through everything in a single morning. The Bailong Elevator and Tianzishan Cable Car are both included, which saves you from buying them separately at the gate and means you can plan your route without worrying about those costs.

You have two main routes from the East Gate, and the choice changes how your day feels. Line A takes the cable car up first, so you start at the summit and work your way down through Yuanjiajie before taking the elevator back to the entrance — this avoids the long queues that build at the elevator in the morning. Line B does the opposite: elevator up, cable car down, and it's marked as popular, though the description warns that the elevator ascent can mean significant wait times. The South Gate is another option if you prefer a different entrance. Whichever you choose, bring your passport — the staff will do facial registration on your first visit, and that registration stays valid for all four days, so you can enter through any gate freely after that initial check-in.

The eco-bus is included with your ticket, which handles the shuttle sections between the cable car, the elevator, and the walking areas. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, with last entry at 5pm, so you have a full window to start your visit. One thing to know: the cable car and elevator are only valid on the date you've selected, so if you want to come back on day two or three, you'll need to arrange those rides separately or book another ticket. Kids under 120 centimeters get in free, but they pay half price for the elevator and cable car on-site. The park is moderately strenuous — there's walking involved — but the cable car and elevator handle the big elevation gains, so you're not climbing thousands of steps.

What’s included

Admission to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, eco-bus shuttle service inside the park, one-way Bailong Elevator, and one-way Tianzishan Cable Car (both valid on your selected visit date). Facial registration on your first entry, which allows free re-entry through any gate for the remaining three days of your ticket validity.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel China Guide

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to explore the pillars over multiple days without arranging transport or paying for the cable car and elevator separately. Plan for moderate walking once you're at the summit — the cable car and elevator handle the elevation, but you'll be on foot through the Yuanjiajie area and trails.