Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang are two of the most beautiful places to visit in the Hunan Province of China! From the famous Avatar mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest to the beautiful old houses built alongside the river in Fenghuang, these two sites offer incredible views and two unique travel experiences in China.
Because of their close locations, you can easily visit both cities in one trip. I created this 6 day itinerary to help you make the most of your time and see the best parts.
Day 1: Travel to Zhangjiajie
Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll most likely need a day to travel to Zhangjiajie. There’s no high speed train to Zhangjiajie, so you’ll either need to fly, take a slow train, or grab a bus from a nearby Hunan city. Once you’re in Zhangjiajie, take a bus, mini van, or taxi to the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Here’s how I traveled from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie:
- High speed train from Guangzhou to Changsha South Railway (2.5 hours)
- Metro to Changsha Normal Railway
- Slow train from Changsha Normal Railway to Zhangjiajie (6 hours)
- Bus from Zhangjiajie city center to Wulingyuan Area
- Check into hostel
For more information about getting to the park and planning your route inside, check out My Guide for visiting Zhangjiajie.
Day 2: Wulingyuan Scenic Area
I spent one full day in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. This area is where the famous Hallelujah Mountain is located (the inspiration for the movie Avatar), so it’s very popular to visit and a must-see if you come to Zhangjiajie.
- Take the shuttle bus from the Park Entrance to the Tianzi Mountain Cableway
- Cable car to the top up Tianzi Mountain
- Hike down to the 10 Mile Gallery and other trails
- Bus over to Yangjiajie Area – hike up to
Bus from Yangjiajie to Yuanjianie to see the Hallelujah Mountain - Bailing Elevator down
- Bus to park entrance
This was a lot to cram into one day, but I had limited time and wanted to see the main attractions and spend more leisure time hiking the next day.
Day 3: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Area
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a separate park, but it is still connected to Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It’s recommended to come to this area if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter hike in nature! The best way to get there is by walking along the Golden Whip Area.
- Shuttle bus to Jinbian (Golden Whip Stream)
- Stroll along the Golden Whip (1-2 hours)
- Bus to Huangshi Village Cableway
- Take the cable car up the mountain (alternatively you can also hike up the mountain)
- Walk the loop around the National Forest
- Hike down the Huangshi Mountain (1+ hour)
- Walk back along the Golden Whip Stream
- Bus back to the Park Entrance
Day 4: Tianmen Mountain + Travel to Fenghuang
Tianmen Mountain is a gorgeous mountain in the middle of Zhangjiajie City. You need to take a bus back to the city center to get here. You can buy your tickets for the mountain on the day of your visit, but it’s recommend to buy your ticket ahead of time if you have a time preference for going up the mountain. Your ticket will have a time slot on it, and you can’t go on the cablecar or take the bus up the mountain before the time on your ticket.
- Early morning bus to the Zhangjiajie City Center
- Walk to the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Entrance
- Cable Car up the top of Tianmen Mountain
- Walk the East Loop around the top
- Visit the Heaven’s Gate
- Bus down the mountain back to the city center
- Depending on how much time you spend on top of Tianmen Mountain, you should have time to catch a bus from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang in the evening (3.5 hour bus ride to Fenghuang)
Take a look at more incredible views I saw at the top of Tianmen Mountain
Day 5: Fenghuang Ancient Phoenix Town
Fenghuang is a little ancient town in Western Hunan province. It’s a beautiful place to see a more traditional way of Chinese life, and also one of the most photographic sites I’ve ever seen in China!
One day is plenty of time to explore Fenghuang – stroll around the river area, try some local snacks, and get your feet nibbled on by little fish. Make sure you stay out to enjoy the night life as the evening is when Fenghuang really comes alive! Bars and restaurants along the river will light up, and you’ll hear live music all around.
See my complete guide to Fenghuang here!
Day 6: Travel Day
After a day in Fenghuang, it was time for the return trip home. Fenghuang doesn’t have an airport or train station, so you’ll need to take a bus to Huaihua or Changsha, and then a high speed train or plane from there.
If you’re planning a visit to the Hunan Province in China, Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang are two sites you can’t miss. Whether you’re looking for stunning scenery, a break from city-life, or more traditional Chinese culture, you’ll find all that and more here.
Here’s a short video of my trip to Fenghuang and Zhangjiajie:
Have you been to Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang? How was your experience traveling in the Hunan Province?
Read more about the Hunan Province:
- Hiking The Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie
- 7 Incredible Views on Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie
- A Complete Guide To Fenghuang: The Ancient Phoenix Village in China
- What Do You Eat In China?
