Exploring Zhangjiajie National Park

How do I even begin to descibe this place. For those that know about Zhangjiajie, this place is magical but for those that had never heard about it well I find it supprising, for a real natural wonder its weird how low key it is to the world. Think of the seven Natural Wonders of the world and this should be on the list but somehow its missing.

Zhangjiajie National Park

Setting up base at Wulingyuan town for a few nights me and Zaine proceed to explore Zhangjiajie National Park. Zaine had already gone in once yesterday but it would be my first today. Cost to go in was RMB 225 but this allow visitors to go in for a total of 4 days consequtive and free access to the numerous internal park shuttle bus systems.

Day one in and Zaine lead the way avoiding cable cars systems and the Bailong elevator which cause additional fee of RMB 70 per way. In total there was 3 cable car system and one elevator plus one special shuttle ride. 

Zhangjiajie Low Zone 

The Aim is to Hike up to the top - High Zone of Zhangjiajie 

The hike up Zhangjiajie

If one were to do all of em in every way, that would cost like 70x5x2 about 640 extra making the total excursion in ZZJ a whooping RMB 925 visit. This does not even include all the nearby attraction in Zhangjiajie surrounding vicinity such as Tianmen Mountain or the Glass Bridge Grand Canyon. 

Take note the prices above keep changing depending on seasons.

So we tried to save some money as poor backpackers naturally. There was numerous hiking trails which one could hike up and down to get to the same location that the cable car and elevator goes but each hike up and down would take at least 2.5 hours. Hike elevation difference was about 1000m.

Zhangjiajie National Park was more or less divided to the high zone and the low zone and the shuttle bus services only goes high or low and no other way. Entering the national park, one would be at the low zone and the only way to get to the high zone was either elevator, cable car or hike. Hike being the free one, we did it first. Then after walking around the small scenic area, our time was out and it was time to go down again the same path.

Zhangjiajie - Highzone 

Zhangjiajie - Highzone

Zhangjiajie - Highzone

Zhangjiajie - Highzone

Climbing up was labourous and tiring but going down was hurting the knees for me. By the time we reach down it was dark out and we were the last one out of the park. The next day I woke up with painful knees. Going up or down stairs I was really slow as a snail. 

Still I thought that it would pass and we went into the park again. Every day the plan was to wake up early to go into the park but the cold was not inviting and bed was so much better so instead about half the time spend in the park was usually from Noon to sundown.

Cable Car Ride Inside Zhangjiajie National Park

Hiking to One Step to the Sky

One Step To the Sky - Zhangjiajie

Day two in the park and I convince Zaine to do at least 1 cable car up coz my legs were fucked and no way I could do a climb up to the highzone again. The idea was go up easy and come down easy. I was so, so wrong. 

We hit this small trail at the highzone which lead us to one of the most amazing view in ZZJ park, One Step to the Sky was the name of the viewing place. One had to hike up and down a little trail from the high zone to reach it and that was where I picked up a walking stick for my legs were really getting worst and worst.

Somehow made it to One Step to the Sky but I was nowhere able to take stairs now. Going down was sideways bracing with walking stick and barristers wherever they are. Imagine a baby learning how to go down stairs the first time. I was like that baby but in pain. 

View at One Step to The Sky - Zhangjiajie 

Rest Point - One Step To the Sky - Zhangjiajie

View at One Step to The Sky - Zhangjiajie 

View at One Step To The Sky - Zhangjiajie

I surrended to Zhangjiajie National Park and spilit up from Zaine. He would go on for the walk down while I take the shuttle bus to Bailong elevator, paying money to take the elevator down and shuttle out of the park.

Day three in Wulingyuan was rest day, a day to somehow recover back the damaged legs so we could leave for Fenghuang Ancient City the next day. There was still so many parts of the Park that I had not ventured and thinking back yet I was still happy enaugh with the area we saw.

Bailong Elevator at Zhangjiajie

View from Lowzone - Zhangjiajie 

In a way I appreciate the elevator and cable car system more now, for each trail and systems was designed to actually show different part of the park and does not overlap. If one were to only hike, they would missed out the sections where cable car goes but if one were to go only by cable car, they would also missed the hike’s scenery.

Traveled on: November 2023