Destinations · Photography
Zhangjiajie's sandstone pillars rising out of misty valleys are genuinely otherworldly—James Cameron's team visited here before designing the floating mountains in Avatar. The park is bigger and more varied than most visitors expect. This guide covers the 10 most photogenic spots with specifics on how to get there, when to shoot, and what to expect.
How to get there: Take the Bailong Elevator or Yuanjiajie cable car to the upper plateau, then follow signs to Yuanjiajie viewing area.
Best shot: From the main viewing deck, the pillar appears to float when mist fills the valley. The right side of the platform gives a cleaner background. Come at 7–8 AM before tour groups arrive.
Tip: The viewing deck can be very crowded by 10 AM. Arrive at opening (7:30 AM) for solitude.
Location: Yuanjiajie plateau, a short walk from the Avatar Mountain viewpoint.
What it is: A natural stone arch bridge connecting two pillars, with a sheer drop on both sides.
Best shot: From below, looking up through the arch; or standing at the center with the valley beneath. Early morning light comes from the east—plan accordingly.
Tip: The path is narrow; wait for a gap in foot traffic to get a clean shot.
How to get there: Shuttle bus from Wulingyuan core scenic area to Tianzi Mountain cable car, then cable car up.
Best shot: Helongling (贺龙岭) viewpoint at sunrise—a sea of pillars stretching to the horizon with cloud layers between them. Imperial Brush Peak and Fairy Scattering Flowers are the main named peaks.
Tip: The sunrise here (when clear) is considered the best in the entire park. Stay overnight in Tianzi Mountain hotels if you want it without the early shuttle rush.
What it is: The world's tallest outdoor elevator at 326 meters, built into the cliff face. The ride itself is photogenic.
Best shot: Through the glass cabin as you ascend—the vertical cliff and receding valley floor make a dramatic frame.
Tip: Goes up and down; factor it into your route to avoid backtracking. Queues can be 40–60 min on busy days—arrive early or go in the early afternoon.
What it is: A 7.5 km flat walking trail through the valley floor, following a stream between the pillars.
Best shot: Reflections of the pillars in the water, especially in the first 2 km; monkeys and birds add life to the frame. Overcast days create soft, diffused light ideal for detail shots.
Tip: Walk it in one direction (entry at Zhangjiajie NP gate, exit at Suoxiyu); the shuttle bus connects the ends. Morning is quieter; afternoon is busier but better for wildlife.
How to get there: Hike up (about 2 hours) or take the cable car.
Best shot: The Five Major Scenic Spots viewing platform gives a panoramic view of the pillar forest. The Six-奇绝景 trail loops the plateau rim—each section offers a different perspective.
Tip: Fewer visitors than Yuanjiajie plateau; better for unobstructed landscape shots. Hike down for sunset views.
Location: Accessible from Tianzi Mountain area.
What it is: Dense cluster of narrow vertical pillars that look like a stone forest. Less visited than Yuanjiajie—you may have viewing points to yourself.
Best shot: Looking through the pillars toward the horizon; telephoto lens compresses the layers dramatically. Misty conditions are especially atmospheric here.
How to get there: Cable car from Zhangjiajie city center (longest passenger cable car in the world, 7.5 km). Separate ticket from Wulingyuan park.
Best shot: The glass skywalk hugging the cliff face with the valley far below; Tianmen Cave (natural arch at 1,260 m elevation) with clouds rolling through.
Tip: Go on a clear day—the cave is often in cloud. Morning is usually clearer than afternoon. Wear non-slip shoe covers provided at the skywalk entrance.
Location: Separate scenic area ~40 km from Wulingyuan; requires its own ticket (≈ ¥138 including bridge).
Best shot: Standing on the glass bridge looking down the canyon; also the canyon walk with waterfalls and rock formations.
Tip: Book the bridge slot in advance (capacity-limited). Go early—morning light comes into the canyon from the east. The bridge is 430 m long and 300 m above the valley floor.
Location: Upper plateau of Wulingyuan, accessible by shuttle bus.
Best shot: Less-visited viewpoint looking across a sea of pillars—ideal for dramatic wide-angle shots. The crowd-free factor alone makes it worth including on a 2+ day visit.
Tip: Combine with a full Yuanjiajie loop on the same day for efficiency.
Zhangjiajie has a humid subtropical climate with rain and mist year-round. This is not a problem—mist flowing between the pillars is actually the most dramatic condition for photography. Clear blue-sky days are rarer but give better color contrast. The best strategy is to plan for mist and treat clear views as a bonus.
Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) has flights from major Chinese cities. High-speed trains connect to Changsha (about 2 hours), which in turn connects to the national network. From Changsha, take a train to Zhangjiajie railway station, then bus or taxi to Wulingyuan entrance (about 40 min). Allow at least 2–3 days in the park; most photographers stay 4–5 days to catch different light and weather conditions.
Ticket prices and cable car schedules can change; confirm on the official Zhangjiajie tourist authority website or through your hotel before visiting.