First, the geography: two places called Zhangjiajie
“Zhangjiajie” is both a city and the name most visitors use for the whole mountain region. Almost everything in the photos sits in one of two places. The first is Wulingyuan, north of the city: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is inside it, and so are Yuanjiajie (the Avatar pillars), Tianzi Mountain, Huangshizhai and Yangjiajie. The second is Tianmen Mountain, which rises straight out of the city itself. The two are roughly 40 km and about 40 minutes apart by road.
Most people sleep either in Wulingyuan town (closest to the park gates) or in the city (closest to Tianmen Mountain, the airport and the railway station).
WulingyuanZhangjiajie National Forest ParkThe heart of the pillar landscape: four areas, one four-day ticket, and a lift up a cliff.Read the guide →
Inside the parkThe Avatar mountainsWhere the Hallelujah pillar actually is, and how to stand in front of it.Read the guide →
Above the cityTianmen MountainHeaven’s Gate, the cliff walkways and the one route that runs right now.Read the guide →
A separate parkGrand Canyon glass bridge430 metres of glass, plus the canyon, a zipline and a bungee jump.Read the guide →How many days do you need?
- 3 days — one day on Tianmen Mountain, two in the national forest park. The most common plan.
- 4 days — add the Grand Canyon glass bridge.
- 5 days or more — add Fenghuang ancient town or Furong, the town on a waterfall. Both are outside Zhangjiajie and each takes a day.
If you only have one day in the forest park, there is a standard route that covers the best of it: east gate, Bailong Elevator up, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, cable car down. It is on the park page.
Getting to Zhangjiajie
By air
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) has direct flights from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi’an. Changsha and Chongqing have no direct flights; the high-speed train is faster from both. The airport is 5–6 km from the city centre and about 40 km (40–50 minutes) from Wulingyuan.
By high-speed rail
Trains arrive at Zhangjiajie West, about 10 km from the city centre and about 25 km (30–40 minutes) from Wulingyuan.
| From | Fastest direct train | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing East | 2 h 02 min | most trains 2–2.5 h |
| Changsha | 1 h 45 min – 2 h 10 min | Changsha South services take 2 h 50 min – 3 h 40 min |
| Shanghai Hongqiao | 7 h 15 min | three direct trains a day; flying takes 2 h 10 min – 2 h 40 min |
| Beijing West | 12 h 01 min | one direct train a day; most people fly |
Timetables above are from 12306 (China Railway) checks in September 2026. Check the live timetable for your date; tickets go on sale 15 days ahead.
When to go
Zhangjiajie is open all year; the question is which version of the mountains you want. The most comfortable windows are late April to May and late September to mid-October, avoiding the 1–7 October holiday. The pillars look their best after rain, when cloud fills the valleys — spring and September are the sea-of-cloud months. Summer (June–July) is the wettest and hottest; winter is dry, quiet and occasionally snowy.
| Month | Avg °C | Rain mm | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.6 | 46 | coldest and quietest; snow and rime most likely |
| Apr | 17.7 | 126 | fresh green; cloud seas after rain |
| May | 22.0 | 193 | the most reliable cloud-sea month; 1–5 May is crowded |
| Jul | 28.2 | 227 | hottest and wettest; afternoon showers; school holidays |
| Sep | 24.0 | 101 | fewest rainy days; clear air |
| Oct | 18.4 | 95 | most comfortable; 1–7 Oct is the busiest week of the year |
| Dec | 7.9 | 27 | driest and clearest; snow possible late in the month |
The full month-by-month table, with rain days, snow days and what to wear, is on the weather page. Figures are China Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for the city station.
Two weeks to avoid if you can: the National Day holiday (1–7 October) and the week around Chinese New Year (6 February 2027).
Quick answers
Is Zhangjiajie the same as the Avatar mountains?
Not exactly. Zhangjiajie is the city and the region. The “Avatar mountains” are the sandstone pillars in the Yuanjiajie area of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The film was made in studios; the pillars were the inspiration.
How many days do I need in Zhangjiajie?
Most travellers spend 3 to 4 days: two in the national forest park, one on Tianmen Mountain, and an extra day if you add the Grand Canyon glass bridge.
Should I stay in Wulingyuan or in the city?
Stay in Wulingyuan town if the forest park is your priority. Stay in the city if you want Tianmen Mountain first, or an early flight or train.
What is the best month to visit Zhangjiajie?
Late April to May and late September to mid-October are the most comfortable. For cloud seas, go in spring or September and head up the morning after rain.