The Grand Trio: Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang & Fanjingshan
An Epic Journey Through Hunan's Natural and Cultural Wonders
This 7-day adventure takes you through three of China's most spectacular destinations - the towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie, the ancient water town of Fenghuang, and the sacred Buddhist peak of Fanjingshan. Experience the dramatic landscapes that inspired the movie Avatar, wander through centuries-old architecture, and challenge yourself on one of China's most breathtaking mountain summits.
Day 1: Arrival in Zhangjiajie
Gateway to the Stone Forest Kingdom
Transfer service to hotel
Meals: No meals Accommodation: In Zhangjiajie City
Arrive in Zhangjiajie, a natural labyrinth located in northwestern Hunan Province. Your tour guide will wait for you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for a good rest.
PS: Please click Tips on Zhangjiajie Tours for more details on Zhangjiajie tours.
Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Exploration
Huangshi Village and Golden Whip Stream Discovery
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Huangshi Village, Golden Whip Stream
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: In Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan District
Today after breakfast, we will have a day tour in Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Firstly, have 20-minute driving from hotel in Wulingyuan District to the entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. When enter into it, go firstly to take the cable car to visit Huangshi Village (1 - 1.5 hour) - one of the top 5 highlight travel itineraries of China. After lunch, continue to visit Golden Whip Stream (2.5 hours hiking) - it is titled as the most beautiful valley in the world. When finish this tour, drive back to your hotel and have rest of this day.
Day 3: Heavenly Pillars and Mountain Majesty
Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie Adventure
Tianzi Mountain Area, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Bailong Elevator
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: In Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan District
Today after breakfast, we will begin our first day trip to Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Today, we may firstly visit Tianzi Mountain Area (2 hours hiking) - boasts rocky peaks in grotesque shapes and shrouded in drifting mist. After that, taking the scenic shuttle bus to the restaurant to enjoy the lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to have another hiking trip to visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (2 hours) - one of the must-see attractions in Zhangjiajie. During this day, you will have chance to experience the Bailong Elevator - the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world. After the tour, drive back to your hotel and have a rest of this day.
Day 4: Mountain Gateway to Ancient Town
Tianmen Mountain and Journey to Fenghuang
Tianmen Mountain, Drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: In Fenghuang
In the morning after breakfast, we will firstly have a half day tour to Tianmen Mountain (4 - 4.5 hours including round cable way) - which is famous for the Tianmen Cave. When finish the tour, we will drive you to Fenghuang Ancient Town, known as Phoenix Town, within 5 hours. The Phoenix Town, built up in Qing Dynasty, is still kept in its original appearance with 300 years passed. The stone streets, stilted houses, and the Miao nationality are the typical scenes here. In the evening, you may wander around the ancient town leisurely.
Day 5: Riverside Charm to Sacred Mountains
Fenghuang Ancient Town Exploration and Transfer to Fanjingshan
Fenghuang Ancient Town, drive to Fanjingshan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: At the foot of Fanjingshan
Today we start to explore the Fenghuang Ancient Town with a boat along Tuojiang River, the mother river of the town, surrounded along by the stilted wooden houses and stone roads on both sides. When mist rises from the river, you will really find why it is so famous and popular all the time. We will cruise down to the Rainbow Bridge. You might feel like being in a traditional Chinese painting of green hills, clear water, city wall and stilted houses. You will be guided around the ancient city including some other famous sites like the Former Residence of Sheng Congwen and the East Gate Tower, etc.
In the afternoon, it's time to say goodbye to your guide and driver from Zhangjiajie and meet your guide and driver from Mountain Fanjing at Fenghuang ancient town. Then you will be transferred to Fanjingshan directly (about 1.5hrs drive) and check in the hotel at the foot of Fanjingshan. You may leisurely explore the surrounding part of this famous mountain on your own during the rest of the day. Have a nice sleep for the hiking exploration on the next day!
Day 6: Fanjingshan Summit Challenge
Mushroom Stone, Golden Summits and Temple Discovery
Mushroom Stone, Old Golden Summit, Chengen Temple, Red Clouds Golden Summit, Drive to Tongren
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: In Tongren
After breakfast, the guide and driver will meet you at the hotel. We drive to the nearby entrance of Fanjingshan to start the hiking tour along the popular south route.
Route Details: Entrance- Sightseeing Bus - Cable Car - Forest Hiking Trail - Mushroom Stone - Old Golden Summit - Chengen Temple – Red Clouds Golden Summit -Cable Car - Sightseeing Bus – Exit Fanjingshan Scenic Area – Drive to Tongren
We take a sightseeing bus nearby the entrance for about 20mins to Yu'ao Station and change to the cable car there. Being in the cable car for another 20mins, we may have a bird's eye view of the prosperous green forest of Mountain Fanjing.
We start to hike from the Forest Hiking Road with 45mins up to the famous landmark Mushroom Stone. It attracts numerous visitors by its unique outline of the bigger top quadrate right on the smaller quadrate bottom, which looks like a mushroom and seems fragile to fall. However, for one million years, it just stands so still there after centuries of natural weathering.
Continue to hike for about 30mins to the Old Golden Summit and walk up to its peak where we could appreciate the panorama of Fanjingshan and the Red Clouds Golden Summit clearly from a distance. Later on, we walk down gradually to the Cheng En Temple that was built first from the Ming Dynasty and one of the four royal temples at Fanjingshan.
Red Clouds Golden Summit, a thumb-like peak with one of the main appeals of visiting Fanjingshan from the summit, is described by UNESCO as an "island of metamorphic rock in a sea of karst". Take your challenge to hike along the narrow and steep steps with iron chain up to it. You will be rewarded with the panoramic view of Fanjingshan and enjoying the feeling of walking in the sky. (Note: You may choose to go up or not considering your physical condition at that time. Just tell your needs to the guide.)
At the end, take the cable car and sightseeing bus down to exit Fanjingshan Scenic Area. We drive back to Tongren for overnight accommodation. Have a good rest!
Day 7: Departure from Tongren
Journey Conclusion and Transfer Service
Transfer service to airport/railway station
Meals: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast, our local guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and escort you to the airport / railway station for your flight / train for your next destination or home!
Service Ends