Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, in the northern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is the core area of Zhangjiajie World Natural Heritage, covering an area of about 1,200 hectares with an average altitude of 1,074 meters. Known for its unique peaks and sea of clouds, it is praised as "an enlarged bonsai, a reduced fairyland"—a lush mountain highland where magnificent scenes of mist and overlapping peaks often appear. It is also the filming location of the movie Avatar.
History and Culture
The origin of the name "Yuanjiajie" is rich in historical stories. According to legend, during the late Tang Dynasty, after the failure of Huang Chao's rebellion, the imperial court hunted down rebels everywhere. A general surnamed Yuan under Huang Chao fled to Qingyan Mountain (now the area of Yuanjiajie) to hide from pursuit. He built a cottage, reclaimed land for farming, and named the place after his surname, thus creating "Yuanjiajie."
Main Attractions
Natural Bridge
As one of Zhangjiajie's "Ten Great Wonders" and the iconic attraction of Yuanjiajie, this natural stone bridge spans between two mountains. Originally a single mass, the bridge formed due to weathering, collapse, and erosion from rain, water flow, and mountain floods, as the middle section of weaker rock gradually wore away. The bridge is 2 meters wide, 5 meters thick, with a span of 25 meters and a vertical height difference of 357 meters—the largest natural stone bridge with the greatest vertical drop discovered so far. Standing on the bridge, one can see white clouds floating and unique peaks towering; looking around, layers of independent stone peaks stretch as far as the eye can see.
Mihun Terrace
This prime natural viewing platform in Yuanjiajie gets its name from the way visitors are enchanted by the scenery. Here, hundreds of stone peaks stand quietly in the canyon, piercing the sky with various postures and imposing momentum. Sceneries like "Heavenly Dog Gazing at the Moon," "Conch Emerging from Water," "General's Formation," and "Single Pillar Holding the Sky" are orderly arranged by mountain ridges and barriers, creating a spectacular array of peaks. Overlooking the peaks from Mihun Terrace is deeply intoxicating.
Qiankunzhu (Hallelujah Mountain)
The filming location of the floating "Hallelujah Mountain" in Avatar, this peak stands at an altitude of 1,074 meters with a vertical height of about 150 meters. The lush vegetation on its top and unique peak shape, with distinct vertical joint cuts resembling an axe-carved pillar, give it the name "Qiankun Column" (Heaven-Earth Pillar) for its indomitable presence.
Back Garden
Located south of Yuanjiajie, this hidden gem reveals itself when walking through bamboo forests and encountering a stone wall that seems to block the path—until a full-moon-shaped opening is found around the corner. Passing through it, visitors are greeted by dozens of peaks towering over a dark green gully. With clustered peaks, winding streams, and ancient trees, this natural bonsai-like scene features peaks of varying heights that complement each other beautifully when viewed from above.
Bailong Elevator
Invested and constructed by Zhangjiajie Bailong Elevator Tourism Development Co., Ltd., it began construction in September 1999 and entered operation in April 2002, costing 180 million RMB. With a vertical height difference of 335 meters and an operating height of 326 meters, it consists of a 154-meter shaft inside the mountain and a 172-meter steel structure attached to the mountain. Three double-deck, fully exposed sightseeing elevators operate in parallel, each carrying 50 passengers at a speed of 3 m/s, with a combined hourly capacity of 4,000 round trips. Riding the Bailong Elevator reaches the summit in under 2 minutes, offering thrilling sky-to-earth views and panoramic vistas of Yuanjiajie during the ascent.
Delicacies
Sanguo Pot
A signature dish of Zhangjiajie, this stew typically combines three main ingredients (such as cured meat, pig's trotter, pig's stomach, ox tripe, sheep's stomach, or chicken) with radish, wax gourd, potatoes, etc. It features rich flavors, mellow taste, and diverse ingredients, satisfying visitors' appetites.
Rock Ear Mushroom Stewed Chicken
Using Zhangjiajie's unique rock ear mushrooms and local free-range chickens, this dish features nutritious rock ears (fungi growing on cliff faces) stewed with tender chicken. The soup is fresh, the chicken is succulent, and the rock ears are crisp, offering nourishing benefits.
Combining shredded pork, Chinese cabbage, vermicelli, shiitake mushrooms, black fungus, and other ingredients, this dish boasts rich colors, balanced nutrition, and a moderate salty flavor, embodying Tujia culinary culture and local characteristics.
Surrounding Snacks
Near the scenic area, visitors can taste Hunan specialties like Changsha stinky tofu (crispy outside, tender inside, aromatic despite the smell), tangyou baba (glazed fried dough twists, red and shiny, soft and sweet), and Xiangxi pickles (sour, spicy, and varied), satisfying diverse tastes.
Admission Ticket
Admission to Yuanjiajie is included in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket, priced at 227 RMB per person.
For the latest updates or online booking, search for the official WeChat public account "张家界国家森林公园".
Opening Hours
Open year-round from 07:00 to 17:30 (entry closed at 17:00). Hours may vary due to seasons or maintenance—check official notices before visiting.
Tour Route
Enter via Wulingyuan Gate, take the scenic area shuttle to the lower station of Bailong Elevator, and ride up to Yuanjiajie. Start at Mihun Terrace to admire the grand peak clusters, then follow the path to Natural Bridge to experience its majesty. Next, visit Qiankun Column (Hallelujah Mountain) for a movie-location photo op, and end at Back Garden to appreciate its hidden fairyland scenery. Allow 4–6 hours for the tour. For a deeper experience, stay overnight in Yuanjiajie to enjoy different views, and visit Tianzi Mountain or other areas the next day.
Transportation
- Air: Arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, take a dedicated bus to Wulingyuan, then transfer to a scenic area shuttle to Yuanjiajie.
- Train/High-speed Rail: Arrive at Zhangjiajie West Station, take a bus to Wulingyuan, then transfer to a scenic area shuttle.
- Self-driving: Navigate to Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area, park at the lot, and transfer to internal shuttles.
- Internal Transportation: Take Bailong Elevator directly, or hike the Chaotic Slope from Zicao Pool in Jinbian Stream (about 2 hours). Free eco-friendly battery cars operate within Yuanjiajie for easy access to attractions.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Natural Bridge: The natural stone bridge with the largest vertical drop in the world, spanning mountains with magnificent surroundings—perfect for photos.
- Mihun Terrace: The best spot to view stone pillar clusters, offering a panoramic view of hundreds of peaks and nature's grandeur.
- Qiankun Column: The prototype of Avatar's floating mountain, with unique geological formations that immerse visitors in a cinematic fantasy world.
Tour Tips
- Visit in spring or autumn for comfortable weather and stunning scenery—lush greenery in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
- Check the weather forecast and choose sunny days for optimal visibility. Rainy days bring misty charm but may reduce clarity.
- Wear comfortable sneakers for long walks and easy exploration.
- Bring water and snacks—onsite vendors exist but are pricier; staying hydrated and energized is essential.
- Protect the environment by not littering and preserving the natural beauty.
Notes
- Bailong Elevator can have long queues, especially during holidays—plan ahead and avoid peak times.
- Some paths are steep; prioritize safety while sightseeing, and don't risk dangerous angles for photos.
- With high altitude, Yuanjiajie is cooler—bring a jacket to avoid cold.
- Wild monkeys inhabit the area; do not feed them to prevent scratches.
- Obey scenic area rules: no climbing, carving, or damaging vegetation.