Magical Hunan Trip: Zhangjiajie Mountains & Fenghuang Water Town
My family and I have long dreamed of visiting Zhangjiajie to witness the dreamlike floating peaks featured in the movie Avatar. We often browsed photos of Zhangjiajie’s strange peaks and sea of clouds online, imagining being surrounded by rocks and mist among mountains. Finally, we locked in our trip to visit this fairyland in
Click here for a detailed itinerary.
1. Cost Guide
We originally planned a self-guided trip. After calculating accommodation, attraction tickets and local transport, our estimated budget was 4100 MYR. After connecting with Kai, he customized our private itinerary, pre-booked all attraction tickets and arranged a private car with an English-speaking driver-guide. The total cost came to 3280 MYR, saving us 820 MYR in total. Kai replied to our messages promptly before departure and freely adjusted our sightseeing pace according to our physical condition. Strongly recommend!
This is Kai's WhatsApp +86 18907331470
Email: zhangjiajiekai@outlook.com
2. Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Zhangjiajie
Arrive in Zhangjiajie. Private transfer from airport or train station to the hotel. We had free time to rest in the afternoon. In the evening, we visited 72 Qilou, admired the unique western Hunan architecture and tried local Tujia snacks.
·72 Qilou is built along the mountain, a reconstructed Tujia stilt house complex with stunning lights after dark.
·It is recommended to arrive in the late afternoon to avoid strong sunlight for better photos.
Day 2: Tianmen Mountain
Full day at Tianmen Mountain. We took the long cable car up the mountain and overlooked the famous 99 winding mountain roads. We walked along the cliff glass skywalk and Ghost Valley Plank Road, visited Tianmen Cave and climbed the 999-step staircase. When clouds wrapped around the peaks, the whole mountain seemed to float in the air. The view was absolutely breathtaking.
·Overlooking from high above, the Tongtian Avenue with 99 sharp bends presents a spectacular view.
·Wear comfortable non-slip shoes when walking on the glass skywalk.
Day 3: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
A full day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We rode the Bailong Elevator and reached the mountain top in just 88 seconds. We wandered around Yuanjiajie, seeing the Hallelujah Mountain prototype and the No.1 Bridge under Heaven. Then we travelled to Tianzi Mountain to view the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks. In the afternoon, we hiked along Jinbian Stream. Clear water ran through the green woods, letting us enjoy the fresh air of the forest.
·These stone pillars were formed after hundreds of millions of years of geological changes.
·Kai told us traditional Tujia legends connected with these mountain peaks.
Day 4: Furong Town & Fenghuang Ancient Town
In the morning, we headed for Furong Town, an ancient town built on a waterfall. We strolled on stone alleys and watched the waterfall running through the town. In the afternoon, we drove to Fenghuang Ancient Town. At dusk, we walked along Tuojiang River, watched the stilt houses light up, and took a river boat cruise. We experienced the romantic night scene described in Shen Congwen’s story. We stayed overnight in Fenghuang.
·It’s such a unique ancient town, with a waterfall running right through the settlement.
·The river breeze is strong at night. Bring a light jacket for the Tuojiang night cruise.
Day 5: Fenghuang Ancient Town & Departur
We got up early to enjoy the quiet morning scenery of Fenghuang Ancient Town. There were only a few visitors and thin mist floating over the Tuojiang River. We wandered old streets, visited Shen Congwen’s former residence and picked local souvenirs. The private car transferred us to the station, wrapping up our wonderful 5D4N trip.
·There are few tourists in Fenghuang early in the morning. Mist over Tuojiang River makes it perfect for photos.
·The river breeze is strong at night. Bring a light jacket for the Tuojiang night cruise.
3. Experience with Guide Kai
• Special thanks to our tour guide Kai for his professionalism, meticulousness, and engaging explanations throughout the trip, which helped us understand Zhangjiajie rich history and culture spanning thousands of years.
• Before our arrival, Kai arranged the whole route according to our travel rhythm, reserved all hard-to-get tickets and arranged a clean private vehicle with an experienced English-speaking driver-guide. We did not need to worry about complicated ticketing or transfer issues..
• Compared with rigid group tours online, Kai’s tailor-made private tour fits us perfectly. We saved both money and time, and we could sightsee at our own relaxed speed.
• Many overseas visitors coming to Zhangjiajie ask Kai for itinerary planning and ticket booking. It is cost-effective and enjoyable, and you may even meet new friends on the trip
4. Personal Suggestion
• Do not spend too much time reading massive copied travel guides online. Most of them repeat the same information and may mislead first-time visitors.
• My recommendation: Find a reliable local guide and let him arrange your whole trip. It helps you save both money and energy for your journey.
• Personal feeling: Excellent value for money. We could move freely during sightseeing, no forced shopping or hidden extra charges at all.
• Gratitude: I am truly thankful to Kai for arranging everything throughout our Zhangjiajie trip. My family and I had an unforgettable experience, so I am happy to share this recommendation for Kai.
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Kai 's email address: zhangjiajiekai@outlook.com
Kai's wechat ID: s1025566476
