Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Ticket & Eco-Bus Access

The sandstone peaks that inspired Avatar are already filling with morning mist

You get four days of entry to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with unlimited eco-bus rides between the main peaks and scenic areas. Your ticket is confirmed before you arrive, so you skip the gate queues and the risk of the park hitting capacity. The pass covers entry, transport, and insurance, leaving you free to explore Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Peak, and the other sandstone formations at your own pace across multiple visits.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Purchase park tickets online
• Present passport at park entrance
• Explore Yuanjiajie scenic area
• Visit Tianzi Peak
• Walk along Golden Whip Stream
• See Yellow Stone Village
• Enjoy sandstone peaks and forests

The experience

The park gates open at dawn, and by the time you arrive with your pre-booked ticket, the shuttle buses are already moving through the entrance. You won't be standing in the queue that forms at the ticket window. The one that can stretch an hour or more during high season, especially when you're holding cash and hoping the ATM hasn't run out. Your passport and your online confirmation are all you need to walk straight through. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket gives you access for four days, so you're not locked into a single morning or afternoon. You can come back.

Once inside, the eco-buses take you deeper into the park where the 3,000-plus sandstone peaks rise like a landscape that shouldn't exist. Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Peak, Golden Whip Stream, Yellow Stone Village. Each one is a separate stop, and the buses run throughout the day so you can move between them without arranging your own transport. The peaks shift in and out of fog. Sometimes you see the full shape of a mountain. Sometimes it's just the top half emerging from white. This is what the Avatar filmmakers saw when they designed the Hallelujah Mountains, and standing there, you understand why they didn't need to invent much. The mist, the vertical rock faces, the way the light hits the stone in the late afternoon. It's already cinematic.

The ticket is valid for multiple entries across those four days, which means you're not trying to cram everything into one exhausting loop. You can hike a section in the morning, grab lunch outside the park, and come back in the late afternoon when the light changes and the crowds thin out. The eco-bus fare is included, so every shuttle ride is already paid for. No negotiating with drivers, no separate tickets at each stop. You move through the park on your own pace, not on someone else's schedule.

Booking ahead removes the single biggest risk: the park hits its daily visitor limit, especially in spring and autumn, and once it's full, the gates close. Showing up without a ticket during peak season can mean being turned away. Buying online guarantees your entry, locks in the price, and means you're not standing at the gate hoping something opens up. It takes five minutes online and saves you the stress of finding an ATM, waiting in line, and discovering the day is already sold out.

What’s included

Your ticket includes entry to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, unlimited rides on the eco-bus system connecting the main attractions, and insurance coverage. The pass is valid for four days with multiple entries, so you can visit different areas across separate days without buying a new ticket each time.

Options for this experience

5 options

4-Day Park Ticket10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:004-day park ticket: includes a 4-day ticket and an eco-friendly car within the park. Recommended play time: 1-2 days. Duration: 4 days. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park tickets are valid for 4 days, and most people choose to visit for 1-2 days. Recommended itineraries: Day 1: East Gate, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain; Day 2: South Gate, Jinbianxi and Huangshizhai. Making an admission reservation: the scenic area has 5 gates, and customer service will contact you to book the gate you want to enter.

Ticket + One-day Transportation10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00Suitable for a one-day trip: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket, Tianzishan Cableway one way, and Bailong Elevator ticket one way (suitable for a day trip). Duration: 8 hours. The included ticket is valid for four days, so after the first day of the tour you can still enter the scenic area on the following days. Recommended one-day itinerary: enter through the East Gate, then Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and Shili Gallery (the most popular choice). Making an admission reservation: the scenic area has 5 gates, and customer service will contact you to book the gate you want to enter.

Ticket + Two-day Transportation10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00Suitable for a two-day trip: unlimited rides on all four: Bailong Elevator, Tianzishan Cableway, Yangjiajie Cableway, and Huangshizhai Cableway. Duration: 2 days. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park tickets are valid for 4 days, and most people choose to visit for 1-2 days. Recommended itineraries: Day 1: East Gate, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain; Day 2: South Gate, Jinbianxi and Huangshizhai. Making an admission reservation: the scenic area has 5 gates, and customer service will contact you to book the gate you want to enter.

See 2 more options

Private tour, one day in length07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Private VIP tour with English guide: includes 4-Day Ticket, Tianzi Mountain Cableway, Bailong Elevator, English-speaking guide, and City hotel pickup. Duration: 8 hours. The tour guide will contact you one day in advance to confirm the specific departure time and pick-up location. Highlights of the day tour: Enter through the East Gate and visit Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, and Shili Art Gallery. VIP channel to shorten the queue: VIP access to the park and eco-friendly vehicles that reduce queues (VIP service is not available during Chinese holidays).

One-day tour for group of 12 people08:00Premium VIP group tour for 12 people: includes 4-Day Ticket, Tianzi Mountain Cableway, Bailong Elevator, English-speaking guide, and City hotel pickup. Duration: 8 hours. The tour guide will contact you one day in advance to confirm the specific departure time and pick-up location. Highlights of the day tour: Enter through the East Gate and visit Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Bailong Elevator, and Shili Art Gallery. VIP channel to shorten the queue: VIP access to the park and eco-friendly vehicles that reduce queues (VIP service is not available during Chinese holidays).

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 13 years)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 11

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by China Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving during peak season or don't want to risk the park selling out before you get to the gate: the online ticket removes that uncertainty and gets you through entry in minutes instead of waiting in a cash-only queue.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (1 to 13 years).

Can I use the ticket on non-consecutive days?

Yes. The ticket is valid for four days, but you choose which days you visit within your travel window.

What happens if the park reaches its daily visitor limit?

The gates close to new entries. Booking online in advance guarantees your spot and avoids this risk, especially during peak seasons.

Is the eco-bus included in the ticket price?

Yes. The eco-bus fare is included in your ticket, along with insurance. You don't pay separately for shuttle rides between attractions.

Do I need to print my ticket or show it on my phone?

Present your passport and your online booking confirmation at the gate. The staff will verify your reservation and issue your entry pass.

How many main attractions are inside the park?

The main areas are Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Peak, Golden Whip Stream, and Yellow Stone Village. The eco-buses connect these stops throughout the day.

Is there a time limit for how long I can stay each day?

No. You can stay as long as you want during operating hours. The four-day validity gives you flexibility to return on different days.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes. Infants and small children can use strollers. Service animals are also allowed in the park.

What if I want to visit fewer than four days?

The ticket is sold as a four-day pass. You don't have to use all four days, but they're available if you want to return.