Let’s start with the conclusion : Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (commonly referred to as Zhangjiajie) is absolutely stunning and well worth a visit. But since the park is huge, smart planning is a must if you want to make the most of it—especially if you're hiking!
1. Park Entrances: Five Ways In
Zhangjiajie has five main entrances : East, South, West, North, and Central. Here’s how they differ:
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East Gate (Wulingyuan Entrance) :
The most popular entrance. Expect long lines, but food and accommodation are convenient nearby. -
South Gate :
Leads directly to the upper section of Golden Whip Stream (Jinbianxi, 金鞭溪). You can choose to climb Huangshizhai (黄石寨) or hike along the stream. -
North Gate (Tianzishan, 天子山) :
The only entrance where you can reach the mountaintop without taking a cable car —just an eco-bus. Downsides? It’s far from most hotels.
2. Tickets: What to Know
- Tickets are valid for 4 consecutive days.
You must enter through your chosen gate on Day 1, but can switch gates freely after that. Admission is by ID scan.
Two Main Ticket Options:
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Option 1: Regular Ticket – ¥224/person (includes eco-bus rides)
Great for strong hikers. You can find deals on secondhand platforms like Xianyu for around ¥200. -
Option 2: Combo Ticket – ¥485/person
Includes eco-bus + access to the three cable cars and one elevator (called “Three Cables, One Lift”), usable up to four times.
There’s also an unlimited-use version, but it’s pricier and usually not necessary. Xianyu also has deals for this one.
3. Two-Day Pure Hiking Route
Day 1: Epic Mountain Hiking Day
Route Summary :
East Gate In → Eco-bus to Shuiraosimen (水绕四门, 20 min) →
Hike 3 km along Golden Whip Stream (1 hr) →
Reach Qianlixianghui (千里相会), start uphill bush trail (1 hr) →
Explore Yuanjiajie (袁家界) (2 hr) →
Eco-bus to Yangjiajie (杨家界) for Natural Great Wall (天然长城, 30 min) →
Eco-bus to Tianzishan (天子山) (30 min), explore for 2 hr →
Hike downhill to Ten-Mile Gallery (Shili Hualang, 十里画廊) (1.5 hr) →
Walk 2 km through Ten-Mile Gallery (45 min) →
Eco-bus back to East Gate and exit.
⚠️ Tips for Day 1:
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Do NOT get off at Ten-Mile Gallery on the way in —stay on the bus until Shuiraosimen.
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Yangjiajie’s highlights are limited (except for the Natural Great Wall), and not as impressive as Yuanjiajie—feel free to skip.
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Mountain and valley eco-bus systems are separate. To reach the mountain: hike, take a cable car, or enter via the North Gate.
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Start as early as possible. I entered at 9:30 AM and didn’t leave until 8:30 PM—walked 11 full hours! I even skipped part of Ten-Mile Gallery because it got dark near Nantianmen (南天门).
Day 2: Leisurely Valley Walk + Exit
You can go East Gate to South Gate , or vice versa.
Here’s what I did:
East Gate In → Eco-bus to Ten-Mile Gallery (15 min) →
Explore the gallery on foot (2 hr) →
Bus to Golden Whip Stream (15 min) →
Hike the full 7.5 km (4 hr) →
Arrive at Oxygen Square (大氧吧广场) →
Either continue up to Huangshizhai or exit via South Gate (a few hundred meters away).
⚠️ Tips for Day 2:
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Ten-Mile Gallery and Golden Whip Stream are valley-level trails.
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Ten-Mile Gallery: very narrow, no shade—hot and exposed. Skip the small train (¥38/one-way, not worth it).
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Golden Whip Stream: shaded, scenic, home to playful monkeys. Highly recommended!
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Mountain views are better than valley views. Consider flipping the two days for a “save the best for last” experience.
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If you want to exit from the same gate you entered, be prepared to hike back.
Otherwise, take a minibus between gates (¥10/person).
Final Thoughts
Apart from eco-buses, this is a full-on hiking experience.
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Day 1: 30,000+ steps
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Day 2: 20,000+ steps
It’s physically demanding, but the views of Zhangjiajie’s surreal peaks, canyons, and lush forests make every step worth it.