Wulingyuan Scenic Area is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. It is a national 5A-level scenic spot, consisting of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzishan Nature Reserve, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, and Yangjiajie Nature Reserve. It covers a total area of 397 square kilometers, of which the quartz sandstone peak forest landform accounts for 264 square kilometers. The scenic area has a complex geological structure and unique landform landscape, known as "3,000 peculiar peaks and 800 beautiful waters". It boasts the unique Zhangjiajie landform and is a World Natural Heritage site and a Global Geopark.
History and Culture
In ancient times, Wulingyuan was a border area. Before the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), it belonged to Qianzhong Commandery. From the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) onwards, it was under the jurisdiction of Wuling Commandery. During the Republic of China period (1912-1949), it was divided into multiple administrative supervision districts of Hunan Province. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was successively under the jurisdiction of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and Changde Prefecture.
This area has been inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the Tujia, Bai, and Miao for generations, with unique folk culture. Examples include the full-frontal buttoned clothes worn by Tujia men and women, exquisitely crafted brocades, dripping beds (a type of traditional Tujia wooden bed), and bamboo back baskets. Tujia stilted buildings stand in harmony with the peculiar mountains and beautiful waters. Wedding customs such as "crying marriage" (a Tujia tradition where the bride weeps before marriage to express gratitude and nostalgia) and "competing for the wedding bed" have been passed down to this day.
Grand traditional festivals here include "Guonian in Advance" (the Tujia people celebrate the Spring Festival one day earlier than the Han people), "April 8th" (a festival to worship ancestors and pray for good harvests), and "June 6th" (a festival to dry clothes and books). The Tujia people are good at singing and dancing; dances like the Hand-waving Dance and Copper Bell Dance have unique styles. Traditional operas such as Maogusi (a primitive ritual dance-drama reflecting Tujia ancestors' life) and Nuoyuan Opera (a ritual opera for praying) are highly representative. In addition, many scholars and writers have mentioned "Wulingyuan" in their works, endowing it with profound cultural connotations.
Major Scenic Spots
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
As China's first national forest park, it covers an area of 130 square kilometers. It can be divided into six small scenic areas: Huangshizhai, Pipaxi, Jinbianxi, Yaozizhai, Shedaogou, and Yuanjiajie. Huangshizhai is the most famous one, with more than 20 scenic spots including Tian Shu Bao Xia (a rock formation resembling a treasure box of heavenly books) and Nan Tian Yi Zhu (a rock pillar standing like a pillar reaching the sky). Other attractions include Jinbian Rock (Golden Whip Rock), Shenying Hubian (Eagle Protecting the Whip), and Fuqi Rock (Couple Rock).
Tianzishan Scenic Area
Located in the northern part of Wulingyuan, it covers a total area of 67 square kilometers, with a maximum altitude of 1,262.5 meters. It gets its name from Xiang Dakun, a Tujia leader in ancient times who claimed the title of "Heavenly Son". Known as the "King of Peak Forests", it has numerous stone peaks and crisscrossing valleys on its east, west, and south sides. Major attractions here include Xiannü Xianhua (Fairy Presenting Flowers), Yubi Peak (Imperial Brush Peak), Tianzi Pavilion, and Yunqing Rock.
Suoxiyu Scenic Area
It is connected to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in the west and adjacent to Tianzishan in the north, covering a total area of 160 square kilometers. It is in the late stage of peak forest evolution, with mountains and waters complementing each other. One of its key attractions is Baofeng Lake, which is part of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area (a World Natural Heritage site, Global Geopark, and national 5A-level tourist area). Baofeng Lake is a lake-type natural scenic area that combines natural landscapes with humanistic customs in the Zhangjiajie landform.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area
It is adjacent to Zhangjiajie in the east and Tianzishan in the north, covering an area of 34 square kilometers, with a maximum altitude of 1,130 meters. It is in the early stage of peak forest evolution, featuring crisscrossing valleys, clear streams, and dense vegetation, with a forest coverage rate of up to 95%.
Tour Routes
Route from Wulingyuan Sign Gate (East Gate): First, take the scenic area shuttle bus to the lower station of Tianzishan Cableway. Take the cableway uphill to visit Tianzishan Scenic Area, following the order of attractions: Upper Station of Tianzishan Cableway → Helong Park (Xiannü Xianhua → Yubi Peak → Tianzi Pavilion → Yunqing Rock → Scenic Viewing Platform) → Bus Stop towards Yangjiajie. After that, you can go to Yangjiajie Scenic Area and Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Alternatively, you can first go to Bailong Elevator, visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and finally explore Tianzishan Scenic Area.
Route from Tianzishan Ticket Gate: Take the scenic area shuttle bus to Sanchakou first, visit Daguantai (Grand View Platform) and Kongzhong Tianyuan (Sky Garden), then go to Helong Park.
Travel Tips
- Plan your itinerary in advance and choose a suitable tour route based on your time and interests.
- The scenic area has high mountains and steep roads; it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
- Bring rain gear, as the weather in mountainous areas is changeable and it may rain at any time.
- If you have enough time, you can stay in the scenic area to experience its beauty in depth.
Notes
- Choose to take legally operated vehicles for travel and sightseeing; firmly resist and refuse to take illegally operated vehicles.
- Strictly abide by fire prevention regulations; do not smoke, barbecue, or use open flames in areas with flammable materials or fire prevention signs.
- Abide by public order, cherish public facilities, take personal protection, and travel safely.
- Dine in a civilized manner, use serving chopsticks and spoons, eliminate food waste, and practice the "Clear Plate Campaign" (a campaign advocating not to waste food).
- Protect the ecological environment; do not damage vegetation at will or litter.
Transportation
- After arriving at Zhangjiajie West High-speed Railway Station, you can take the city-scenic area bus or taxi to Wulingyuan District (the journey takes about 30-40 minutes).
- After arriving at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, first take a taxi or Bus No. 4 to the Central Bus Station in the urban area, then take the city-scenic area bus to Wulingyuan District.
- After arriving at Zhangjiajie Railway Station, walk to the Central Bus Station in the urban area (next to the railway station), then take the city-scenic area bus to Wulingyuan District.
- For self-driving, you can get off the highway at Wulingyuan Transportation Hub, Yangjiajie Transportation Hub, or Zhangjiajie West Transportation Hub to reach Wulingyuan District.
Opening Hours
Normally, it is open from 7:00 to 18:00. The specific hours may be adjusted according to the season and actual conditions.
Tickets
Ticket + Environmental Protection Bus + Insurance: 227 RMB per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "张家界国家森林公园" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.