
Dayong City Park Zhangjiajie
Experience the breathtaking, 'Avatar'-inspired landscapes of Zhangjiajie's towering sandstone pillars and misty valleys. A truly otherworldly natural ...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Mild weather, lush greenery

Dayong City Park Zhangjiajie
Best Time
Mild weather, lush greenery
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the breathtaking, 'Avatar'-inspired landscapes of Zhangjiajie's towering sandstone pillars and misty valleys. A truly otherworldly natural wonder.
"Feels like another planet. Truly unreal views that will stay with you forever."

Book Tickets in Advance
Save time and guarantee entry by booking your park tickets and transport passes online beforehand. :admission_tickets:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking and climbing. Sturdy, broken-in shoes are a must for exploring the park. :athletic_shoe:

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Avatar Hallelujah Mountains
Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
Towering sandstone pillars shrouded in mist, creating an ethereal, 'floating mountains' effect. Truly a sight to behold!

Tianmen Mountain Skywalk
Tianmen Mountain
Walk on a glass-bottomed walkway clinging to the side of a cliff, offering dizzying, panoramic views. Not for the faint of heart!

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
One of the world's longest and highest glass bridges, providing a thrilling, transparent walk over a deep canyon.

Bailong Elevator
Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
Ride the world's tallest outdoor elevator up the side of a cliff for unparalleled views and quick access to the Yuanjiajie area.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Avatar World
Navigating the Park
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Tickets in Advance
Save time and guarantee entry by booking your park tickets and transport passes online beforehand. :admission_tickets:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking and climbing. Sturdy, broken-in shoes are a must for exploring the park. :athletic_shoe:
Embrace the Mist
Don't let fog or mist deter you; it adds to the mystical 'Avatar' atmosphere and can create stunning photo opportunities. :camerawithflash:
Consider Robotic Legs
Rent robotic leg exoskeletons for an easier hike on steep trails. A unique experience! :walking:
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Tickets in Advance
Save time and guarantee entry by booking your park tickets and transport passes online beforehand. :admission_tickets:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking and climbing. Sturdy, broken-in shoes are a must for exploring the park. :athletic_shoe:
Embrace the Mist
Don't let fog or mist deter you; it adds to the mystical 'Avatar' atmosphere and can create stunning photo opportunities. :camerawithflash:
Consider Robotic Legs
Rent robotic leg exoskeletons for an easier hike on steep trails. A unique experience! :walking:
Utilize Park Transport
The park is huge! Use the shuttle buses, cable cars, and the Bailong Elevator to save energy and time. :bus:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently awestruck by Zhangjiajie's surreal, 'Avatar'-like landscapes, with the sandstone pillars and misty vistas being major highlights. The park's unique attractions like the glass bridge and Bailong Elevator offer thrilling experiences. However, some find the park's organization chaotic and the sheer scale can be overwhelming for short visits.
"Dayong Town offers a tranquil escape with its scenic riverside setting, making it an ideal destination for a leisurely stroll. The charming town exudes a laid-back atmosphere, inviting visitors to unwind as they meander along the picturesque riverbanks. Lined with lush greenery and dotted with quaint bridges, the river promenade offers captivating views at every turn. Whether enjoying a peaceful morning walk or a relaxing evening stroll, Dayong Town provides a serene setting to connect with nature and soak in the beauty of its surroundings. It's a delightful retreat for those seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life."
B Przystawski
"You see a lot of recommendations for this place when you Google activities in the city, we visited in late October 2023 and the place is a literal ghost town, very few places are open, most look abandoned. We expected some kind of old town but this is clearly a leisure district built in the old style that probably died during corona."
Mattias Aspegren
"I mean, I can’t really review this place because it was closed, but it looks completely empty nonetheless and a bit of a dilapidated state.
I would only You have nothing to do and lots of free time. Also check it’s open because it seems to be closed for renovations-if anything is happening at all."
Tim Armstrong
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Most visitors fly into Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG), which has domestic flights from major Chinese cities. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a shuttle bus to the park entrance. Alternatively, you can take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie West Station and then a bus or taxi to the park.
The park offers an efficient network of shuttle buses that connect major scenic spots. For vertical ascents and descents, consider the Bailong Elevator or various cable cars. These are essential for covering the vast distances and steep inclines.
Yes, there are regular shuttle buses from Zhangjiajie city center and bus stations directly to the park entrances. Taxis are also readily available, though they will be more expensive.
Private vehicles are generally not allowed inside the main scenic areas of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to manage traffic and environmental impact. You'll need to park outside and use the park's internal shuttle system.
For a single day, focus on either the Yuanjiajie area (Avatar Mountains, Bailong Elevator) or Tianmen Mountain (Glass Skywalk, Heaven's Gate). Trying to do both in one day is very rushed.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entrance fees typically range from 225-250 CNY for a 4-day pass. Additional costs apply for attractions like the Bailong Elevator (around 72 CNY one-way) and Tianmen Mountain cable car (around 278 CNY round trip). It's advisable to check the official website for the most current pricing.
Tickets can be purchased at the park's entrance gates, but booking online in advance through platforms like Trip.com or the official park website is highly recommended to avoid long queues, especially during peak travel seasons.
The standard entrance fee usually covers access to the main scenic areas like Yuanjiajie and Huangshizhai. However, it does not include internal transportation like shuttle buses, cable cars, or the Bailong Elevator, which require separate tickets.
Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and children, but these often require valid identification and may only apply to the entrance fee, not internal transport. It's best to inquire at the ticket counter or check the official booking sites.
The park generally opens early in the morning, around 7:00 AM, and closes in the late afternoon or early evening, around 6:00 PM. However, specific operating hours for attractions like the Bailong Elevator or cable cars may vary.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountains' in Yuanjiajie, the glass skywalk on Tianmen Mountain, and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge are top highlights. The Bailong Elevator offers incredible views and access.
Absolutely! The park is a hiker's paradise with numerous trails ranging from easy paved paths to challenging mountain climbs. The unique terrain offers incredible views at every turn.
Walking on the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is a thrilling experience, offering transparent views of the canyon below. It can be crowded, and some visitors report feeling a bit nervous but awestruck.
Yes, you can rent robotic leg exoskeletons to assist with hiking steep inclines, which can make the experience more accessible and less strenuous.
The park can get very crowded, especially during national holidays and summer months. Visiting during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) or on weekdays can offer a less crowded experience.
📸 📸 Photography Tips
The 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountains' offer iconic shots, especially when shrouded in mist. The glass skywalk on Tianmen Mountain and viewpoints along the various trails provide stunning panoramic vistas.
Early morning or late afternoon often provide the best light for photography, with softer shadows and a more atmospheric glow. Sunrise and sunset can be particularly magical if you can access viewpoints.
A wide-angle lens is highly recommended to capture the immense scale and dramatic landscapes of Zhangjiajie's pillars and canyons.
Experiment with different angles, capture the mist and fog for an ethereal feel, and try to include elements like the unique flora or the park's transport systems in your shots for a sense of scale.
Popular spots can be very crowded, making it challenging to get unobstructed shots. Be patient, wait for moments when people move, or try to find less-visited viewpoints.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶♀️ Adventure Seekers & Hikers
📸 Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The 'Avatar' Connection
Several specific areas within Zhangjiajie are directly linked to the 'Avatar' inspiration. The Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, home to the Hallelujah Mountains, is perhaps the most iconic. These towering, slender pillars are what most people envision when thinking of Pandora. Another key area is Tianzi Mountain, offering panoramic views of similar formations. The park's natural beauty is so profound that it's easy to see how it sparked such a vivid cinematic imagination.
Navigating Zhangjiajie's Terrain
For vertical travel, the Bailong Elevator is a marvel of engineering, offering a swift ascent up a sheer cliff face with spectacular views. Cable cars are also available in different sections, such as on Tianmen Mountain, providing breathtaking aerial perspectives. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, numerous hiking trails wind through the park, ranging from accessible paved paths to challenging climbs with stairs. Renting robotic leg exoskeletons is a unique option for tackling particularly strenuous ascents, making the experience more manageable for some visitors.
It's crucial to wear comfortable and sturdy footwear, as you'll be doing a significant amount of walking and climbing. Many visitors recommend allocating at least two to three days to fully appreciate the park's diverse landscapes without feeling rushed. Planning your route using the park map and understanding the shuttle bus routes in advance will greatly enhance your visit.
The Thrill of the Glass Attractions
Another must-experience is the Tianmen Mountain Skywalk, a series of glass-bottomed walkways that cling to the sheer cliffs of Tianmen Mountain. Stepping onto these transparent paths, with the vast expanse of the valley below, is an unforgettable experience that tests your nerve while rewarding you with incredible vistas. These attractions are not for the faint of heart but are a testament to human engineering and offer a thrilling way to appreciate the dramatic natural beauty of the region.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit