The Ultimate 3-Day Avatar Mountains Itinerary: How to Visit China’s Zhangjiajie like a Pro
by Nicole Fan
Zhangjiajie looks like something pulled straight out of a dream — endless sandstone pillars, misty cliffs, and cable cars floating above the clouds. It was so surreal I caught myself pinching my arm just to make sure it was real. I’d wanted to go for years, and when I got the chance to study at NYU Shanghai, I knew immediately it’d be my first weekend getaway in China.
If you’re heading there for a long weekend, here’s exactly how I’d plan it. Three days is sufficient to see the highlights without feeling like you’re sprinting through all the main attractions. But If you're lucky to stay longer, 4-5 days would allow you to see it all. My flight from Shanghai was on Thursday night since I have no classes on Friday.
Day 1 – Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Friday)
Start strong with a full day hiking inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This is the main attraction — the “Avatar Mountains” themselves. The park is enormous, so don’t even think about finishing it in one day. Luckily, your entrance ticket is valid for four days, which gives you the freedom to slow down and actually enjoy it. Take the Bailong Elevator entrance— the world’s tallest outdoor lift — and prepare to be amazed at every corner you turn.
Focus on the Tianzi Mountain and Avatar Hallelujah Mountain areas first. You’ll pass countless viewpoints along the way, so don’t stress about getting the perfect photo right away — every angle is worth it.
The weather changes constantly, so pack a raincoat even if the morning looks clear. If the fog rolls in, it will feel otherworldly — that's the beauty of Zhangjiajie. It looks pretty in every single weather condition.
And forget the panic-snack packing. There’s food everywhere inside — Chinese street food, noodles, and yes, even a McDonald’s halfway through the trails. I was so excited to get their Taro Pie (only available in some Asian regions and Hawaii!)
Day 2 – Tianmen Mountain (Saturday)
This one’s different from the National Park and deserves a full day. Take the Tianmen cable car, which is the longest in the world — about 30 minutes of jaw-dropping scenery that takes you straight into the clouds.
Another route you could take is to start with the 999 steps up to Heaven's Gate, and then take an escalator to explore the rest of the park. Be mindful though, it might not be the best route as you'll get tired earlier on – that's why most people take the cable car first and just walk down the stairs at the end of the day. It is really up to personal preference, your stamina, and pace.
Up top, walk the glass skywalks if you can handle heights (they’re not as scary as they look). You'll have to rent shoe covers to walk the glass but it's very affordable!
End your day with the Fairy Fox show at the mountain’s base. It’s a large-scale outdoor performance with English subtitles, music, and lighting that honestly beats any Broadway show production I've seen in my opinion. They even performed in the rain during my visit, which somehow made the whole experience even more magical.
Day 3 – Back to the Park (Sunday)
Use your last day wisely — remember that your 4-day park pass still works for Zhangjiajie Park. You can either revisit or explore a new route at Zhangjiajie (especially if you had fog or rain on Day 1) or split the day and head to the Glass Bridge for something more adventurous. In fact, they have one of the most radical bungee jumps in the world at the Grand Canyon park!
If it’s raining, don’t waste the morning — go to Huanglong Cave instead. It’s beautifully lit inside, full of colorful rock formations, and makes for a perfect rainy-day detour before your flight or train back.
Tips I Wish I Knew Before Going
Book your park tickets on Trip.com. It’s the easiest platform for foreigners and accepts international cards. Double check which package you selected – there will be several options depending on what you are interested in.
Split your stay between Zhangjiajie city and Wulingyuan if possible. They’re about 40 min apart, and moving hotels halfway through saves commuting time. Stay at Wulingyuan for Day 1 and Zhangjiajie city for the remainder.
Check the forecast before you book. Late summer gave me the perfect balance: no crowds, warm but not hot, and still great visibility.
Do some route research beforehand. Watch a few YouTube or TikTok videos to get familiar with names like Yuanjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, and Tianzi. It helps so much once you’re on-site and to feel far less disoriented, especially if you're not fluent in Chinese and feel the urge to ask many questions.
Don’t overthink the hiking part. A lot of people skip Zhangjiajie as a destination because they’re scared of the heights or physical effort, but there are cable cars, elevators, and buses everywhere. You can tailor the difficulty to your comfort level and still see everything. I personally hiked most of it for the adventure, but that’s totally optional.
Try to get early nights of sleep. There isn't much to explore around the city at night, so take advantage of sleeping earlier. Trust me – your body will thank you after days of so much physical activity.
Pack light. Comfortable shoes, a small backpack, and layers you can easily take off when the sun comes out are all you really need.
Zhangjiajie isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience that feels absolutely unreal until you’re standing there. Whether you’re chasing the “Avatar” views, hiking for the thrill, or just seeing what China's natural beauty has to offer, it’s one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. For me, the most rewarding part wasn’t just the scenery but the physical challenge I took on — every steep climb or tricky ladder down made reaching the final stop that much more spectacular.
