Guide to Hunan Province Attractions

Hunan Province Attractions

Miaoren Valley

Miaoren Valley lies in deep mountain of Sanjiang town in Fenghuang. it's a small Miao village you have to reach by hiking in the cave and boating on the lake, and it's open its cultual tourism business to tourist in 2010. This village is highlighted with mud and stone house and its Miao Dru...

laoyuanzi-Old Compound, Zhangjiajie

The location of Laoyuanzi is by the lusiwan Bridge,2km from the downtown center, it's a very old compound from Qing Dynasty.the combination of Tujia and Han Architecture, it's used to be the richest family's residence in Zhangjiajie. and During the civil war and anti-japanese war, the place...

Xianren Stream

Xianren Stream is the place only the locals go for outdoor activity or picnic, barbecue, it's ony 4km for the city center. there is not noisy tourists and crowds, very peace place to enjoy the beautiful nature. and free of charge.

Wulei Mountain

Wulei Mountain locates in Cili County of Zhangjiajie, it's a unknown area,not many people know it, because the Avatar steals the most thunder of it. and it's about 1000m high,with 46 hall of Daoism erecting on the top. Its history can be date back to Tand Dynasty.

4700 Feet High Glass Skywalk in Zhangjiajie

China’s newest tourist spot is a glass-bottomed walkway around the cliff face of the Tianmen Mountain, 4,000 ft above sea level, at Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province. China’s newest tourist attraction … a glass-bottomed walkway around a cliff face.

Brave tourists looking to test their nerves ha...

Brave tourists looking to test their nerves have flocked to China to walk across this dazzling glass bridge suspended from a cliff face.The oriental Sky Walk is situated 4,700ft above sea level on the side of the Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China.In order to keep the glass path clean, tourists are asked to put on shoe covers before walking.The 200ft long bridge joins the west cliff at the Yunmeng Fairy Summit, the summit of Tianmen Mountain and Zhangjiajie.The pathway, built earlier in the summer echoes the glass-bottomed walkway at the Grand Canyon in the U.S.The 70ft bridge is 4,000ft above the natural wonder and allows tourists to look through 2.5in of crystal-clear glass to the Canyon floor below.The Tianmen mountain, literally translated as Heavenly Gate Mountain is so called because of a huge natural cave that occurs halfway up to the summit.

Stunning: The glass skywalk offers breathtaking views across the Hunan Province for those brave enough to attempt to cross the bridge.Situated in the Hunan Province, its highest peak is around 5,000ft above sea level and it is home to a wealth of rare species of plants.A four-mile-long cable car was constructed in the park, which is said to be the longest of the same type in the world.The futuristic glass skywalk is a marked upgrade from another sky high mountain walkway located in the same province.

For comparison:
The Shifou Mountain located 82 miles away in Hunan Province offers sightseers a 3ft-wide road made of wooden planks thousands of feet high.When finished the ‘road’ – which is the width of a dinner table – will stretch for 1.8miles making it China’s longest sightseeing path.

Yuanjiajie--A Real Pandora World

You must know the movie AVATAR, the Pandora World in the movie is so amazing that every one wants to see it in the real world. Luckly, the real Pandora is just in Yuanjiajie which is one of the well-known scenic spots in Zhangjaijie National Forest Park. as a Hollywood photographer spent time shooting there in 2008. ‘Avatar’ Makes Its Mark on China’s Zhangjiajie, Floating Hallelujah Mountains featured in Hollywood blockbuster Avatar”,the prototypes in Zhangjiajie，grand and tactile forest landscape, it seems vertiginously suspended with sky above and chasms below.

Yuanjiajie is a naturally formed platform mountain, surrounded by higher summits which are divided by deep valleys. Added to this scene is an array of amazing lesser peaks and grotesque rocks. Each one stands in the valley and possesses its own peculiar shape. The foremost attractions in this area include: Back Garden, breathtaking Mihun Stage, and the First Bridge under the Sun.

Yuanjiajie lies between Yellow Stone Village and Tianzi Mountain(Emperor Mountain). From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park there are approaches to the place.There is a path (3000 steps, 1.5 hours walk) starts in the middle of Golden Whip Stream where there is a scenic spot called couple meeting from afar, when reaching the top, we can see traffic road and buses that transport tourists to Yangjiajie and Tianzi mountain, people usually spend 2 hours to do sightseeing nearby at Mihun tai and No.1 Bridge in the world before taking buses.

Main spots
● The first bridge under the sun: This natural stone bridge, streching across thin air between two mountain peaks, is 3 meters wide, 40 meters long, and 5 meters thick. it rises 357 meters above the valley floor. local people are accustomed to the adage,"walking on this bridge will bring you good health and longevity." if you make a way along the bridge, your body trembles ,your legs shake. so ,clearly, this natural structure not only tests your pulse and blood preesue, but it also challenges your psychological state.

● HallelujahMountain: In the middle of the journey, there is a single, very imposing peak stands erect, seemingly reaching to the sky, and it is the prototype of hallelujah mountain. distinct from its comrades, this one is small at its base and increases in size at the top. standing before it, we can get the sensation of tottering and crumbling. if you ride Leonopteryx(a huge bird in the movie AVTAR) and fly between peaks, you are in the real Pandora world.

● Back garden: A poet touring the wonderful Suzhou Gardens once wrote:“Other say I am in a city, but I insist that I am in the mountains.” Now, those gardens are world renowned, but after all, they are produced artificially, restricted by the craftsmen’s skill and limited by the available materials, the dimensions of the land, and the certain style of construction. But the “garden” which lies before us seems unrestrained: remarkable peaks appear to be strewn at random, some lofty and some diminutive; some have the appearance of towers, or pavilions, or chairs, while others resemble bonsais or statuaries. Indeed, some of these peaks have nothing that can be compared with, taking on every conceivable shape!

Junsheng Sandstone Institution

Ancestors of Tujia nationality have lived on this quartz sandstone land for thousands of years and no one has ever expected that there is a son of Tujia people, who changes the sleeping sand into a new type of world recognized art — sandstone painting. Li Junsheng, born in 1963, grew up in a very poor family and likes drawing since his childhood. One day, he found people like to spread color cobblestones on the wall when repairing houses and it’s very pretty, which inspired his idea of painting with sandstone. Li Junsheng’s sandstone paintings break through the using of traditional painting materials and use nature materials by making use of the hue of natural plant creatively, are of great artistic values.

Maoyan River

Maoyan River is a 50-kilometer river lying in the upstream area of Li River in Yongding District of Zhangjiajie City. It is also called Rock River because of rocky cliffs on both sides of the river.

Maoyan River is famous for the green mountains along the river, clear water, queer rocks, ...

Maoyan River is a 50-kilometer river lying in the upstream area of Li River in Yongding District of Zhangjiajie City. It is also called Rock River because of rocky cliffs on both sides of the river.

Maoyan River is famous for the green mountains along the river, clear water, queer rocks, many shoals and rapids. Drifting in the river one can experience the breathtaking feeling of drifting as well as enjoy the sight of the particularly beautiful scene along the river. There are over 30 scenic spots along the river. Among which the Rock River Gorge is the best of all. Cliffs rise steeply up to 500 meters. Many water falls are seen on both sides of the river. Shuidongzi Water Fall is the most magnificent one. Water pours out from a cave 70 meters above the river and formed a huge several decameters wide before it falls scattered into the river. It is no wonder that visitors enjoy lingering about such terrific mountains and rivers.

The colourfull Nightlife in Zhangjiajie

Although people of the Han Nationality are the principal part in Zhangjiajie, the populations of ethnic minority groups like the Tujia and Miao are sizeable. The night life is not as modern as that in the big cities, but it definitely has its own flavor.

Tourism is a major industry in Zha...

Tourism is a major industry in Zhangjiajie and people visit the city particularly to see the folk singing and dancing performances at night in Wulingyuan Scenic Area or at the Charming Xiangxi (refers to Zhangjiajie)Theatre. In Zhangjiajie there are two lists of plays of the folk singing and dancing performance: one is ‘Charming Xiangxi' and the other 'Dream Zhangjiajie'. At the show of 'Charming Xiangxi', the actors all come from the local Tujia and Miao families, and their fair-sounding singing and multicolored folk finery are the highlights of the party. Performances of Xiangxi Magic and Xiangxi Ganshi (chucking corpse) add to the mysterious and thrilling luster of the show. The performance lasts for three hours, and it provides a window into the soul of the culture of Zhangjiajie.

At night, the streets of Zhangjiajie are full of vendors selling barbecue and local snacks. One such snack, Glutinous Rice Balls in Rice Wine Soup, is made of small glutinous rice balls, Chinese dates and sweet rice wine. This snack is not only very nutritious, but tasty as well. The cost is typically CNY1. Bean curd, grilled dried Tofu, Grilled Beef Skewers, and Grilled Mutton Skewers are very special local snacks found in the night market and are very inexpensive. Tujia Spicy Radish and pickled vegetables must be included in your tasting menu.

Drinks
The Tujia minority group has a long history of wine making. Their methods are fairly dainty and they use many different ingredients to make a wide variety of wines including: Rice Wine, Corn Wine, Kaoliang Spirits, Gegen Wine, and Snake Wine. Once you've tasted their wines, you will never forget the unique taste.

Epino Bakery

nice bakery if u are not used to local food

Hunan Province Articles

Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave)

Huanglong Cave covers an area of 20 hectares. It contains four layers with the total vertical height of more than one hundred meters....

Huanglong Cave covers an area of 20 hectares. It contains four layers with the total vertical height of more than one hundred meters. There are one cave, two rivers, three waterfalls, four pools, thirteen halls, forty-six verandas, and numerous Stalagmites, stone columns, stone curtains, stone flowers and stone waterfalls in it. The most amazing stalactites are the Magic Sea-suppressing Needle and the Dragon King’s Throne. The height of the Magic Sea-suppressing Needle is 19.2m and reaches up to the roof of the cave, and its diameter is 10cm. The whole body of the Needle is transparent. In 1998, it was insured for RMB 100 million.

Baofeng Lake

The core scenic area of Baofeng Lake covers the whole lake surface which is 2.5 kilometers in length, with a width of 200m to 1000m, and an average depth of 72m. It is the only scenic area with the water as its scenes in the area of Wulingyuan World Natural Heritage. Baofeng Lake is located among the mountains, receiving natural waters all over the mountains. The water is pure and clean, free of pollution, thus it is awarded as “Holy Lake”. Around the lake stand dozens of cliff and steep sandstone mountains. If one boats to the center of the lake, one can feast one’s eyes with the reflection of tress and peaks over the mirror-like lake surface that forms a splendid and wonderful landscape painting with charm and artistic conception. There are over twenty scenic spots including One-line-sky, Plank Road over the Clouds, Yingwozhai, and South Sea and so on. It is especially famous for Baofeng Waterfall which falls from a height of over one hundred meters and hangs down the mountain as a white curtain, as sound as the thunders. It was taken as the natural performance set of Zhangjiajie International Festival of Forest Protection and appeared for several times on CCTV and Hunan TV, which made it one of the ideal places for visitors home and abroad. At present, it is the show place of “Soul of Wulin-TIMA God Song”.

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is located at the Northwest of the Zhangjiajie Forest Park. It was named after a clan with “Yuan” as their family name....

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is located at the Northwest of the Zhangjiajie Forest Park. It was named after a clan with “Yuan” as their family name. Avatar movie used photos and videos from Yuanjiajie mountian.It covers a total area of 1200 hectares, and thus is commonly named as “forty-eight Li (one Li equals to half kilometer)” Yuanjiajie. The sceneries in this area are known for its steepness and wonderful views. The air path set over the 3500 m’s steep cliff connects many wonderful sights together, including the Back Garden, breathtaking Mihun Stage, Magic Turtle Asking Heaven, Five Women Go on an Expedition and the First Bridge under the Sun, and thus forms one of the most wonderful and unique picture scroll in Zhangjiajie.

Top Hunan Province Tours

$310 Per Day

3- Day Popular Tour In Zhangjiajie

Day 1    Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Full day trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park,take Bailong Elevator up Yuanjiajie,Bailong Elevator is the said to be the worlds tallest full-exposure outdoor lift,double-deck sightseeing elevator.Yuanjiajie is the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in AVATAR , Where you will also find the aptly named First Bridge under Heaven, Lover Peaks and so on.

Continuing to Tianzi Mountain, it takes you 40 minuts from Yuanjiajie to Tianzi Mountain by public bus, after arriving in Tianzi Mountain, you will have a bird’s-eye view of all the mountains and valleys of the Wuling Mountains. Visit Western Sea, Helong Park, Viewing Terrace etc.Take Tianzi cablecar down and check in hotel for a rest.
Accommodation: Wulingyuan Downtown

Day 2    Baofeng Lake & Glass Bridge

After breaking in the hotel, we head to Baofeng Lake where is the masterpiece of nature and human beings’wisdom. Baofeng Lake is pure just like a big crystal among Bao feng mountain Range.When you cruise, you can hear authentic song from Tujia minority people,you can fully understand the harmony and peace between human beings and nature.

Transfer to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, have a walking on the Glass Bridge, Glass Bridge is the highlight of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is the highest and longest transparent glass bridge with a length 430 meters and a width 6 meters. It is 300 meters above the ground level and it can bear 800 persons standing on it at the same time. (need to book the tickets in advance)
Accommodation: Wulingyuan Downtown

Day 3    Tianmen Mountain

Full day to explore Tianmen Mountain,take the longest cablecar in the world up Tianmen Mountain,have a walk on the mountain plank road built along the face of cliffs. You will feel like walking in a fairy land when the mist is still heavy.The must-visit scenic spots are: Tianmen Cave, Glass Road, Tianme Temple.

See you off in the airport and looking forward to seeing you again in Zhangjiajie.

$300 Per Day

Zhangjiajie and Guilin 6 Days Tour

Itinerary:

Day 1. Zhangjiajie Arrival

Arriving in Zhangjiajie Airport. Picking up and transfer to your hotel in Zhangjiajie. Free activities or having a rest at your hotel.

D 2. Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Golden WhipBrook, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain)

Itinerary:

Day 1. Zhangjiajie Arrival

Arriving in Zhangjiajie Airport. Picking up and transfer to your hotel in Zhangjiajie. Free activities or having a rest at your hotel.

D 2. Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Golden WhipBrook, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain)

This day you are heading to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The first main attraction in the park that you will visit is Golden Whip Brook. It covers a distance of 7.5 km from north to south, winding across mountains and valleys. The brook is limpid through the year, with many scenic spots along the way. Then you will take Bailong elevator (1,070 ft. glass elevator) go up to Yuanjiajie Senic Area. You will visit Greatest Natural Bridge, Enchanting Terrace and Heaven Pillar. Heaven Pillar is AVATAR Mountain. The movie AVATAR was shot here. Enjoy Hallelujah Mountain. In the afternoon, you are going to Tianzi Mountain by tourist car. You will see Xihai,Helong Park, Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, Fairy Dispersing Flowers, etc.

Suggested accommodation area: Wulinyuan District of Zhangjiajie.

D 3: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge (The world's longest and highest glass bridge) -- Tianmen Mountain (the longest cable car of the world, glass skywalk)

In the morning, you will go to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon for seeing the highest and longest glass bridge in the world. It's about 50 minutes driving distance from Wulinyuan. Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge (also called Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge) is a bridge located in Zhangjiajie, China, above the Wulingyuan area. The bridge, built as an attraction for tourists, is glass-bottomed and is transparent. It is the longest and tallest glass bottomed bridge in the world. The bridge, opened to the public on 20 August 2016, measures 430 meters in length and 6 meters in breadth, and is suspended about 300 meters above the ground. The bridge spans the canyon between two mountain cliffs in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Hunan, China. After finished the glass bridge then you will go to Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Your heart will beat fast on the world’s longest cable car at Tianmen Mountain. You will do the glass skywalk. It is a suspended glass walkway almost a mile (1,430 meters) above the ground. It built at the cliff-side of Tianmen mountain. You will take an eco-friendly bus driving on the ‘99 Bends’ mountain road.

Accommodation area: Yongding District of Zhangjiajie

D 4: Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang (Phoenix Ancient Town)

Driving to Fenghuang from Zhangjiajie on highway in the morning (It takes 3.5 hours). You could take a boat ride on Tuo River and appreciate the beautiful river and the ancient town. Walking up and down both sides of Tuo River and enjoying the harmonious atmosphere in the ancient town. Get relax while watching the rows of traditional wooden houses built on stilts and looking at what the local people do. At night you will see the different beautiful view of the town. You will see the gorgeous lit up buildings and bridges.

Accommodation area: Fenghuang

D 5: Fenghuang to Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces)

Driving to Longji Rice Terraces from Fenghuang in the morning (It takes about 6 hours. It is 370 km between these two places by car). Longji Rice Terraces also names Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. It located in Longji Town, Longsheng County, Guilin City, Guangxi Province. It's the most popular attraction in Guangxi province, China.The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, between 600 to 800 metres (2,000 to 2,600 ft) above sea level. A coiling terrace line that starts from the mountain foot up to the mountain top divides the mountain into layers of water in spring, layers of green rice shoots in summer, layers of rice in fall, and layers of frost in winter. The terraced fields were mostly built about 650 years ago. Longji Rice Terraces consists of 3 main parts. They are Rice Terraces of Ping'an Village, Rice Terraces of Jingken Dazhai Village and Rice Terraces of Longji Ancient Zhuang Village. You will take a cable car up to the mountain top for getting a panoramic view of the rice terraces in Dazhai village. And you will also visit Ping'an Village as well.

Accommodation area: Longsheng County (Guilin)

D 6: Yangshuo: Yulong River

Driving to Yangshuo county from Longshen county for seeing Yulong River (It takes 4 hours). You will take a bamboo raft to do the rafting on Yulong River. It's the perfect way to enjoy the beauty area of the mountain and water.

You also have an option of taking a helicopter for seeing the best part of Yulong River area from a god view.

At the end of the tour, your driver will drop you off at Guilin Airport or train stations in Guilin (or Yangshuo) or your hotels in Yangshuo county or Guilin. (Depends on your requirement)

$558 Per Day

5-Day Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Classic Tour

Day 1: Zhangjiajie Arrival

After meeting with the tour guide, he/she will take you by private van and driver to your hotel for a good rest.

Accommodation: Best Western Grand Hotel in Zhangjiajie(Superior Class)/Sunshine Hotel & Resort Zhangjiajie(Deluxe Class)

Day 2: Zhangjiajie national forest park: Huangshi Fort, Golden Whip Brook

Day 1: Zhangjiajie Arrival

After meeting with the tour guide, he/she will take you by private van and driver to your hotel for a good rest.

Accommodation: Best Western Grand Hotel in Zhangjiajie(Superior Class)/Sunshine Hotel & Resort Zhangjiajie(Deluxe Class)

Day 2: Zhangjiajie national forest park: Huangshi Fort, Golden Whip Brook

After breakfast, you will take the cable car to Huangshi Fort which is 1092 meters above sea level. It is the biggest sightseeing platform to view the spectacular scenery in the national park. Later, explore the famous Golden Whip Brook which covers a distance of 7.5 km winding across mountains and valleys.

Accommodation: Wulingyuan Hotel(Superior Class)/Pullman Hotel & Resort(Deluxe Class)

Day 3: Wulingyuan scenic area: Tianzi mountain, Yuanjiajie and Baofeng Lake

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to Wulingyuaun Scenic Area to visit its two most classic and popular attractions. Take a cable car up to Tianzi mountain, and you will see large area of grotesque peaks thrusting up below. Walking along the steps, spectacular views unfold in front of you from different angels. In the afternoon, ride the public shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, whose mountains are said to be the inspiration for Avatar's Hallelujah Mountain, and then take the shuttle bus for the Bailong elevator down the mountain. This glass elevator was built on the side of a cliff, and it claims to be the world's highest and fastest outdoor sightseeing elevator which takes only 1.5 minutes with 326 meters as the height.

After that, go to Baofeng lake that is a basin created by the terrain in the middle of this mountainous area. It is a leisurely experience as you boat on the clear water, see the hills of various shapes, and enjoy entertainment by the local minority people as they sing their traditional songs.

Accommodation: Wulingyuan Hotel(Superior Class)/Pullman Hotel & Resort(Deluxe Class)

Day 4: Tianmen Mountain, drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town

After breakfast, take the longest cable car up to the top of Tianmen Mountain which got the name because of Tianmen hole(literally "heaven's gate) is a 131-meter-high hole formed naturally in the mountain like a doorway, well-known for being glided through by a world-class stuntman in a wing suit. To reach the hole, you can climb for about half an hour up the "stairway to heaven". Coming up to Tianmen mountain, Your heart will beat faster at on the world's longest cable car, the suspended glass walkway almost a mile(1,430 meters) above the ground, and the winding road with 99 curves.
In the afternoon, 4 hours drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town, enjoy the night view in the town with all lights and lanterns on.

Accommodation: Government Hotel(Superior Class)/Phoenix Grand Hotel(Deluxe Class)

Day 5: Fenghuan Ancient Town, Dehang Miao Village, Back to the next destination

After breakfast, wondering around in the ancient town with the cement pavements and characteristic wooden buildings (Diaojiaolou).

In the afternoon, drive back to Zhangjiajie while on the way back, explore Dehang Miao Village which refers to "beautiful valley" to get an interactive with local Miao-minority people in person.

End of service for 5-Day Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Classic Tour, and you will be transferred to the airport/train station/bus station for your next destination.

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