The Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Site comprises the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, and the Tianzishan Nature Reserve.

Located north of the city of Zhangjiajie 400 km from Changsha in northwestern Hunan, the Wulingyuan site is one of the province's main attractions and ranks among China's 40 most famous scenic sites.

History

In 1982, part of the site was designated a nature reserve under the name Wulingyuan Scenic Park.

In 1992, Wulingyuan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Characteristics of Wulingyuan

Famous for its immense sandstone pillars, the Wulingyuan scenic park spans more than 26,000 hectares. The site features over 3,000 rock peaks with an average height of 200 meters. Beyond the peaks, two natural bridges are visible, one reaching 357 meters high. The park is also home to more than 40 natural caves.

The park enjoys a natural beauty formed by mountains, valleys, lush forests, waterfalls, caves and a lake, all in perfect harmony. More than 560 points of interest can be counted within this same park.

Fauna and flora are very rich, with nearly 3,000 plant species, some of which are rare or endangered. The forests are inhabited by numerous populations of rhesus macaques, and if you're lucky, you may spot giant salamanders, clouded leopards, or even pangolins.

The park has experienced growing success since the release of James Cameron's Avatar film. Indeed, the famous director is said to have drawn inspiration from these mountains and rocky peaks to create the landscape of Pandora. Signage throughout the park makes note of Wulingyuan's involvement in the film.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, also known as Qingyan Mountain, was China's first authorized national forest park. This natural park is located northwest of the Wulingyuan scenic park.

It covers an area of 130 km² carpeted with karst peaks, vast forests, and valleys with watercourses including the Jinbian Stream, which is pleasant to follow along the trails.

This park of rocky pinnacles rises majestically in an almost enchanting wild nature. Follow the marked trails that will lead you to the most beautiful viewpoints. The breathtaking panoramas will leave you speechless.

By following the path along the stream, you will eventually reach Suoxiyu.

Suoxiyu Nature Reserve

The Suoxiyu Nature Reserve features more than 2,000 mountains and is home to the majority of limestone caves, including the Yellow Dragon Cave, recognized as the "treasure chest of speleology".

The Suoxi Valley immerses you in a fantastic landscape. The trails through the forest are very pleasant to walk and allow you to find yourself in perfect harmony with nature. You can still observe various plant and animal species that inhabit the area.

The Tianzishan Nature Reserve

The Tianzishan Nature Reserve is rich in peaks and rocks, and on cloudy days, it plunges you into a unique landscape. The reserve sits at a relatively high altitude, which adds difficulty to the hiking. Nevertheless, the surrounding natural scenery is worth the effort.

Mount Tianzi, which rises above 1,200 meters in altitude, offers a scenic view of some of the most remarkable peaks. The mountain is accessible by cable car or on foot for the most adventurous.

Yuanjiajie Tourist Area

From the Tianzishan Nature Reserve, it is easy to reach the Yuanjiajie area by bus. This natural zone also offers splendid panoramas of the high karst peaks. Following one of the trails, you can admire the world's largest natural suspension bridge, located at an altitude of 357 meters.

A bit further on, you can descend from the heights via the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor elevator. The upper section rises 330 meters. The glass elevator can accommodate about forty people and offers a gentle 2-minute descent allowing you to fully appreciate the panorama before you.

The Wulingyuan scenic park contains countless picturesque sites and viewpoints to discover. The two days included in the pass will be sufficient to see the main attractions and immerse yourself in the magic of the place. For the most passionate visitors, you may want to extend your stay to explore all the trails.

When to Visit?

Each season reveals a different and distinctive atmosphere:

Summer and spring sometimes immerse the peaks beneath a sea of clouds, offering striking panoramas. Sun, heat and humidity can make the air stifling and add difficulty to climbing the mountains.

Autumn bathes the park in warm and orange hues like a painting. Dry climate and cooler temperatures make hiking pleasant.

In winter, the park is generally immersed under a thick white veil. Some sites are inaccessible and trails become slippery with snow, but the landscape remains breathtaking nonetheless.

The park has several entrances accessible by bus or taxi from Zhangjiajie city or its districts. Tourist buses run there at all hours of the day and shuttle between the park and the city.

Many buses run through the park on the roads to take you to the main sites of interest or the starting points of hiking trails.

Cable cars are also set up at certain key locations for quick access to the highest points.

The Bailong Elevator allows you to ascend or descend from one of the mountains in the park in the Yuanjiajie area.

Pricing

Park admission is 248 Yuan for a two-day pass. This pass gives access to most of the park and allows you to use the buses for free. You will be charged 3 RMB for insurance.

This two-day pass does not allow you to access the cable cars and elevator for free:

• Bailong Elevator: 72 RMB one-way — 144 RMB round-trip
• Cable car for Yellow Stone Village: 65 RMB one-way — 118 RMB round-trip
• Cable car for Mount Tianzi: 67 RMB one-way — 134 RMB round-trip
• Cable car for Yangjiajie: 76 RMB one-way — 152 RMB round-trip
• Train for the Ten Thousand Gallery: 38 RMB one-way — 52 RMB round-trip