How to Get from Changsha to Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town
Planning a trip to Hunan? The classic travel route of Changsha – Zhangjiajie – Fenghuang Ancient Town forms a convenient triangle, making it easy to explore all three destinations in one go. Of course, you can also choose to focus on either Zhangjiajie or Fenghuang (凤凰, Fènghuáng) for a deeper experience. As the provincial capital, Changsha serves as the main transportation hub, offering multiple ways to get to both places—by train, bus, flight, or car. With the opening of the Zhangjiajie–Jishou–Huaihua high-speed railway (Zhang-Ji-Huai Railway) , high-speed trains now directly connect all three destinations, making travel even more convenient.
Changsha to Zhangjiajie
By Train
Zhangjiajie is now accessible by both high-speed rail and regular trains.
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High-speed train : From Changsha to Zhangjiajie , the ride takes only about 3 hours , with ticket prices starting from CNY 110.
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Regular train (K-series) : A slower, more budget-friendly option at around 5 hours , with hard seat tickets priced around CNY 50.
Zhangjiajie Railway Station is close to the city center. Upon exiting, you’ll find the Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station on the left, where buses depart directly to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
By Bus
Frequent long-distance buses depart from both Changsha West Bus Station and Changzhutan Bus Station to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station , roughly one every hour.
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Duration: Around 5 hours
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Ticket: Approx. CNY 120
By Plane
Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport is the only airport in the area. It operates direct flights from cities like Taiyuan , Beijing (Daxing Airport) , Shanghai , Chengdu , Guangzhou , Huizhou , and Shantou.
Note: There are currentlyno direct flights from Changsha to Zhangjiajie.
The airport is very small—just 2 minutes to walk out of the terminal. It’s about 35 km (40 minutes) by car to the national park.
There are no shuttle buses from the airport to the park. Usually, travelers take a city bus to the central bus station and then transfer to a direct bus.
Avoid taking a regular taxi—most don’t use meters and overcharging is common. Ride-hailing apps like DiDi are a more reliable option.
By Car
The Changsha–Zhangjiajie Expressway connects the two cities.
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Distance: Approx. 360 km
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Driving time: About 5 hours
Changsha to Fenghuang Ancient Town (Fenghuang Gucheng)
By Train
There are both high-speed and regular trains:
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High-speed train : From Changsha South Railway Station directly to Fenghuang , takes about 2 hours.
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Regular train (K-series) : Goes to Huaihua or Jishou , but takes much longer. If you choose this option, make sure to arrive during the day , as transportation from those cities to Fenghuang is limited at night.
Tip: If you take the train to Huaihua , try to arrive during daylight hours , since no buses run from Huaihua to Fenghuang at night.
By Bus
There are two types of buses: tourist buses and regular intercity buses.
- Tourist buses : Depart from Changsha Railway Station at 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM , costing around CNY 90 and taking 7 hours.
Not recommended—these often involve forced shopping stops.
- Regular buses : Depart from Changsha West Bus Station at 8:40, 10:40, 15:30, and 17:30 , costing about CNY 140 , with a travel time of 6 hours.
By Plane
Fenghuang does not have its own airport. The nearest is Tongren Fenghuang Airport in Guizhou Province, about 1 hour away. It has direct flights from major cities like Beijing , Shanghai , Chengdu , and Guangzhou.
There are no flights from Changsha to Fenghuang.
Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town
There are two main ways to get from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang: high-speed train and bus. Both take about the same time.
By High-Speed Train
Take a high-speed train from Zhangjiajie West Railway Station to Fenghuang Gucheng Station.
- Travel time: Around 1 hour
By Bus
From Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station , there are 6 direct buses daily to Fenghuang:
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Departure times: 8:30, 9:30, 12:30, 14:30, 15:30, 17:20
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Ticket: Around CNY 80
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Duration: About 4 hours
From Wulingyuan Town (outside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park), there are 2 buses daily to Fenghuang:
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Departure times: 8:30, 14:30
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Ticket: CNY 80–100 , about 4 hours
All buses arrive at the Fenghuang North Bus Station. From there, take Bus No.1 (CNY 1, no conductor) and get off at Nanhua Gate (南华门, Nánhuámén) —the main entrance to the ancient town.
Bus is convenient, but not ideal for travelers prone to motion sickness. It's slightly more expensive than the train.
Join a Local Day Tour
If navigating public transportation feels like too much hassle, consider joining a local day tour package. For example, many agencies offer 2-day group tours from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang , including round-trip transportation and hotel pick-up. This is a great option for families or those looking for a more relaxing experience.
Return Trip Options
Whether you're heading back from Zhangjiajie or Fenghuang , the return options mirror your arrival route.
High-speed trains are highly recommended for their speed and comfort.