Zhangjiajie Tour: Avatar & Tianmen Mountain Highlights

See all four of Zhangjiajie's signature peaks without arranging transport or tickets yourself.

A 5-day private tour of Zhangjiajie with an English-speaking guide and driver, visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (including the Avatar-inspired South Sky Pillar and Yuanjiajie), Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Yellow Dragon Cave, and Golden Whip Brook. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle, bottled water, and travel insurance. Entrance tickets are reserved in advance and paid to your guide on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and hotel transfer

• Meet guide and driver at arrivals
• Transfer to hotel

Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park tour

• Ride Bailong Elevator to Yuanjiajie
• Hike and explore Pandora World
• Take shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain
• Walk to Helong Park viewpoint
• Descend by Tianzi Cablecar

Day 3: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Yellow Dragon Cave

• Transfer to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
• Walk on Glass Bridge
• Explore Grand Canyon main attractions
• Transfer to Yellow Dragon Cave
• Visit Yellow Dragon Cave
• Return to hotel

Day 4: Huangshi Village and Golden Whip Brook

• Take cablecar to Yellow Stone Village
• Visit Pick-up Star Platform and Five Fingers Peak
• Visit Golden Whip Brook
• Explore valleys and watch for wild monkeys

Day 5: Tianmen Mountain and departure

• Transfer to Tianmen Mountain cable car station
• Take cable car up Tianmen Mountain
• Explore Tianmen Mountain attractions
• Transfer to airport/train/bus station

The experience

What separates this tour from shorter versions is the pace: five days lets you climb Yuanjiajie by the world's fastest outdoor elevator (88 seconds up 326 meters of glass), hike the Enchanting Platform to see the 150-meter South Sky Pillar that inspired Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain, then ride the Tianzi Cablecar down past stone formations without rushing to the next stop. Day two covers the National Forest Park's two highest viewpoints. Day three moves to the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a 430-meter span 300 meters above ground, and Yellow Dragon Cave with its underground rivers and hanging waterfalls. The fourth day stays in the park for Huangshi Village and Golden Whip Brook, a 7.5-kilometer stream where you walk valleys and might spot wild monkeys. The final morning takes you up Tianmen Mountain by cable car to see the 999 steps to Heaven and glass cliff walkways before your departure.

Your guide and driver meet you at the airport, train station or bus station and handle all transfers between sites and your hotel. Entrance tickets to all four main attractions (the National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, the glass bridge and the cave) are reserved before you arrive and paid to your guide when you meet. Bottled water comes with you each day. The tour wraps by 4 p.m. on the final day, leaving time to catch an evening flight or train if your schedule requires it.

What’s included

• Travel insurance.
• private vehicle transport between all sites and your hotel.
• professional English-speaking guide and driver for all five days.
• hotel and airport/train/bus station pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water each day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Zhangjiajie Top Trip

Is this one for you?The five-day span means you spend two full days in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park instead of rushing through it in a morning, so you can take the cable car up Yuanjiajie, hike the Enchanting Platform, and ride down Tianzi without cutting any of it short. If you have only three days, a shorter tour covers the highlights faster. If you have a week, a longer itinerary adds more remote sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What is the South Sky Pillar and why does it matter to Avatar fans?

The South Sky Pillar is a 150-meter stone formation in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park that inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountain in the film Avatar. You see it from the Enchanting Platform after taking the Bailong Elevator up Yuanjiajie on day two of the tour.

Do I need to book my hotel before I book this tour?

You'll want to book a hotel in Wulingyuan, close to the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, since your guide picks you up from your hotel each morning. The operator can suggest options like the Pullman, Hilton Garden Inn, or smaller boutique properties in the area.

How much walking is involved each day?

Day two includes a hike on Yuanjiajie and walks at Helong Park and Xihai Peak Forest; day three has walking on the Glass Bridge and through Yellow Dragon Cave; day four covers Huangshi Village and the Golden Whip Brook valley. Days one and five are mostly transport and cable car rides. Comfortable shoes are essential.

What happens if I arrive late or need a different pickup time?

Flexible pickup times and locations are available based on your schedule. Just note your arrival details when you book. Your guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals hall and take you to your hotel whenever you land.

Are entrance tickets included in the tour price?

Entrance tickets to all attractions (the National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, the Glass Bridge and Yellow Dragon Cave, plus all cablecars and elevators) are not included in the tour price. The operator reserves them in advance. You pay the guide after you meet (approximately 1,233 RMB or 172 USD per person).