Avatar mountains & glass bridges
Zhangjiajie
Zhāngjiājiè · Floating pillar mountains
A forest of thousands of towering quartz-sandstone pillars that inspired the floating peaks of Avatar. Zhangjiajie is China's most jaw-dropping national park — a world of mist, glass skywalks and cliffside elevators.
Top sightsSights
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
The core of towering sandstone columns, including the "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain".
Tianmen Mountain
A cliff-hanging glass walkway, the world's longest cable car and the vast "Heaven's Gate" cave arch.
Bailong Elevator
A 326m glass elevator bolted to a sheer cliff — the world's tallest outdoor lift.
Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
A vertigo-inducing glass-bottomed bridge spanning a deep gorge.
Tianzi Mountain
Panoramic viewpoints over seas of pillars and cloud.
What to eatFood
Tujia bacon
Smoky cured pork of the local Tujia people.
Sour-spicy dishes
Hunan's bold sour-and-fiery mountain cooking.
Sanxiaguo
A hearty Tujia dry-pot of mixed meats and vegetables.
Good to know
- Allow at least two full days — the park is enormous.
- Go early to beat crowds and catch the peaks emerging from mist.
- The mountaintops are cooler and wetter — bring a rain layer.
Getting there
Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) and high-speed rail on the Zhangjiajie–Jishou–Huaihua line, connecting to Changsha (1.5h).
Next city
Sanya