For my first trip in China during my annual sojourn in Hong Kong this year, my sister and I joined a Wing On tour to Zhangjiajie.
I don’t have a bucket list as such but Zhangjiajie has been on my to-visit list for a while. I just couldn’t find anyone to go with me because all my potential travel companions in Hong Kong had all been there! I was at the point of joining a tour by myself, paying 1/3 more as single room supplement, when my sister decided to come with me because the tour took in Fanjingshan Scenic Area in Guizhou, somewhere she had not been before.
Zhangjiajie
It’s often said that one goes to Jiuzhaigou to admire China’s crystal clear lakes and Zhangjiajie for its towering sandstone pillars and vertical peaks. Well, having been to Jiuzhaigou last year I was eager to see the mountain landscape featured in the film Avatar. It was an absolutely awe-inspiring experience!
Hilton Garden Inn Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain
For our base in Zhangjiajie we stayed at Hilton Garden Inn, a modern 5* hotel away from main town. From our room we could see Tianmen Cave in the distance.
72 Strange Buildings
On our first night we were taken to this visually stunning building. It’s the Guinness World Record holder as the world’s highest stilted building standing at a nearly 110 metres high.
The number does not mean there are actually 72 separate towers. In local folklore, the number represents abundance and endless sights. The main structure actually has 36 physical levels, stacked like traditional cliffside stilt houses built by the Tujia people for centuries
The central hollow arch of the main tower measures 38 metres high and 28 metres wide, perfectly aligned to face the natural Tianmen Cave across the valley, which inspired the design.
The project took seven years to complete and opened fully following pandemic delays in late 2022. Holiday accommodation is now available directly inside and immediately surrounding the towers.
At night, the development is lit up, like a femme fatale in full party gear. In day time, it still turns heads for its unique design.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
On entering the South Gate, all eyes are immediately arrested by the towering quartz-sandstone pillars that can be seen at every turn.
Golden Whip Stream 金邊溪
Golden Whip Stream is a scenic, 7.5-kilometre hiking trail winding through a path framed by crystal-clear water, lush subtropical forest, small waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs overhead
Bailong Elevator
This is the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevator, built directly into a massive cliff face. It reaches 326 metres. It’s also the world’s fastest double-decker sightseeing elevator, holding 16 persons in each capsule.
I stepped out of the Elevator right into an endless living Chinese painting!
Imperial Brush Peak 御笔峰
It is so called because it consists of several tall, slender quartz-sandstone pillars that look exactly like giant Chinese writing brushes standing upside down.
Fairy Scattering Flowers 仙女散花
This is one of the most iconic rock formations in the scenic area. The shape resembles a maiden holding a flower basket, hence the poetic name.
The Great Bridge of the World
Located in the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it’s formed by a single natural stone slab, spanning two mountain peaks and connecting them.
Avatar Hallelujah Mountain
The traditional names of one of Zhangjiajie’s most famous landmarks are Qiankun Pillar (乾坤柱) or Southern Sky Column (南天一柱) Since Jan 2010 its official name became Avatar Hallelujah Mountain named after the floating Hallelujah Mountains in the film Avatar
Holding onto the railings to walk around the mountain was an unforgettable experience: looking up verdant peaks framed by fluffy clouds drifting across the bright blue sky; looking down, strangely shaped peaks resembling bamboo shoots seemed to float around, gradually disappearing into the distance.
On the way down via the cableway, we came face-to-face with more towering quartz-sandstone pillars
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park
Tianmen Cave is the world’s highest natural cave through a mountain which can be seen from miles! The entrance is no less impressive!
We took the cable car up to the mountain, then up a covered escalator, passing the open-air Tianmen Fox Fairy Grand Theatre located in a natural canyon at the foot of Tianmen Mountain.
Then we’re at the square in front of the 999 steps up to Tianmen Cave! However, for those of us who preferred a less strenuous ascent to the top, there’s a series of 7 escalators!
There’re more escalators until we reached the top of the mountain above the cave. The views were worth all the efforts!
Fanjingshan Park in Guizhou
We crossed the county border from Hunan to Guizhou to Fanjingshan Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2018. The mountain holds great significance in Chinese Buddhism, soaring 2,572 metres above sea level. There’re two iconic temples standing atop the dramatic ”Red Clouds Golden Summit” separated by a deep gorge crossed by a stone bridge.
It looks stunning and mystical in publicity shots. The harsh reality is that the ascent to the top is not suitable for the faint-hearted and physically-challenged!
From the East Gate, it took about 15 minutes to reach the upper Fanjingshan cable car station.
To reach the Worship Platform with sights like Mushroom Rock and the base of the famous peaks, there’re approximately 1200 steps. The red ribbons seen everywhere were good-luck messages handed out at the queue for the cable cars
From the platform, mere mortals started the descent towards Cheng’en Temple, the mid-Mountain Complex. The brave souls obtained numbers there to wait their turns for at least an hour to negotiate the steep steps to the Golden Summit.
I managed the 1,200 steps up and down with a couple of stops to catch my breath. However services operated by local porters were available to carry individuals up and down this section. Fees were chargeable according to weight. For instance ¥400 one way and ¥780 return for those weighing between 50kg and 65kg
For me, Fangjinshan is overrated and frankly, after the majestic peaks of Zhangjiajie, a disappointment. The peaks is often shrouded in mist and the views nothing special. The reality is that the alluringly striking views seen online are taken by drones. It’s unlikely that those views can be replicated even if one makes it to the Summit.
Fenghuang Ancient Town at night
We travelled back to Hunan after visiting Fangjinshan, arriving at Fenghuang Ancient Town in the evening in time to see the town lit up. The 300-years old Ancient Town is acknowledged as one of most beautiful small towns in China. At night time the traditional stilted wooden houses were illuminated, with the reflections of historic bridges along the Tuojiang River, it resembled a film set.
Fenghuang Ancient Town by day
The tranquility of Fenghuang Ancient Town in daytime is like Cinderella being returned to normality after the ball, revealing its natural beauty. It was
My first trip in China this year was an unforgettable and inspiring experience. The breathtaking mountains of Zhangjiajie whet my appetite for exploring other areas in China.
So far I have visited only 11 out of the 22 provinces on the mainland and 3 out of the 4 administrative municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing except for Tianjin)
Next trip is to South Xinjiang which will be the third of the 5 Autonomous Regions that I have visited – Guangxi and Inner Mongolia. Only 2 to go – Ningxia and Xizang (Tibet)!
As can be seen, the trip to Zhangjiajie provided me with wonderful photo opportunities!
