8-Day Tour of China's Three Great Fairylands: Zhangjiajie Avatar Landform + Wangxian Valley Wuxia Secret Realm + Huangshan Sea of Clouds

Welcome to Zhangjiajie, the real-life prototype of the "Hallelujah Mountain" in the movie Avatar. Our driver will meet you at the airport/train station exit and take you to the hotel in Wulingyuan Scenic Area for check-in. The whole journey is 35 km, about 1 hour. After that, you can arrange your time freely. Free activity suggestions: Visit Xibu Old Street, where you can browse local Xiangxi folk culture souvenir shops or specialty handicraft shops, stroll along the old street to admire local Tujia-style residential architecture, and explore the street's food, tasting specialties like frog cakes and Tujia fried rice. How to get there 1. By plane: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) has many direct international routes, such as Malaysia (4h55m), South Korea (3h35m), etc., as well as many domestic direct routes, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc. Transportation is extremely convenient. 2. By train: Zhangjiajie's rail connections are also well-developed. You can take high-speed trains from Changsha (2-4h), Fenghuang Ancient Town (1h), Beijing (11h), Shanghai (9h), Guilin (7h), Guangzhou (13h15m), etc. Extended knowledge Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Wulingyuan Scenic Area is known as one of China's top ten tourist attractions. It is not only a World Natural Heritage site but also one of China's first World Geoparks. It consists of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and Suoxiyu Nature Reserve. Our itinerary mainly visits the most popular and representative Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve.

Today you will have a full day to tour Wulingyuan Scenic Area. First, you will visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China's first national forest park. Take the scenic-area shuttle bus to Bailong Elevator, known as the "World's No. 1 Elevator." This elevator once broke the Guinness World Record for the tallest outdoor elevator and is also the fastest and heaviest outdoor sightseeing elevator. In just 66 seconds, it smoothly takes you from the foot of the mountain to the top, letting you instantly experience the thrill of rising from a deep valley straight into the clouds. After arriving at the mountaintop platform, you can take in the magnificent mountain scenery around you. Then hike into the real-life Pandora world of Yuanjiajie, the filming location of the movie Avatar and the site of the real-life Hallelujah Mountain (formerly South Heaven Pillar). Here, you can walk along the trails and visit major sights in turn, including Back Garden, Ecstasy Terrace, and No. 1 Bridge Under Heaven. You can also immerse yourself in Zhangjiajie's fantastical peaks as you walk and learn more about Zhangjiajie's geological and landform features during the tour. Afterward, take the sightseeing bus to visit Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, known as the "King of Peak Forests." Here, you will first go to Jiangtai to overlook the spectacular scenery of the West Sea peak forest, then head to Yubi Peak, the representative of the king of peak forests, to admire rows of upright peaks resembling writing brushes. Finally, hike to He Long Park to visit the bronze statues of Marshal He Long and his warhorse, and on the way visit the nearby Tianzi Pavilion, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire national forest park. Warm reminder: To avoid the crowds during peak tourist season, your guide may flexibly adjust the order of attractions visited that day to avoid peak crowds and ensure you can enter the scenic area before large tour groups, enjoying a more comfortable touring experience.

After breakfast, you will drive about 56 kilometers, about 1.5 hours, to visit [Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon], praised as "one of the most beautiful canyons in the world," and experience the world's longest and highest fully transparent glass bridge - Yuntian Du Glass Bridge. This is the world's first cable-stayed large-variable spatial cable glass suspension bridge, about 375 meters long in total, paved with 99 pieces of fully transparent glass. From a distance, the glass bridge is as thin as cicada wings, "invisible" in the landscape and sky. The bridge deck is about 300 meters above the canyon floor. Walking on the bridge, you can take in the magnificent scenery of the entire grand canyon and look down at the deep canyon below your feet, very thrilling and exciting. In addition, in the middle of the bridge there is the world's highest bungee jumping platform. If you are brave enough, you can experience it, very thrilling and unforgettable (optional, bungee jumping fee at your own expense). After lunch, you will visit [Tianmen Mountain National Park]. Tianmen Mountain is about 8 kilometers from downtown Zhangjiajie. It is the first sacred mountain of western Hunan and a mountain suitable for visitors of all ages. You will take the cable car directly to the summit (about 30 minutes). On the cable car, you can take in the 99-bend winding mountain road and the magnificent surrounding mountain scenery. After reaching the summit, you can start two exciting cliff walkway hikes. First, visit the fully transparent glass walkway, 1.6 meters wide and 60 meters long. Walking on it feels like strolling above the clouds, with towering magnificent mountains beside you and a bottomless deep valley below, very thrilling. Afterward, visit the 1,600-meter-long Guigu Cliff Walkway. The entire walkway clings to the cliff like a giant dragon, and while walking you can overlook the mountains, both thrilling and spectacular. Then, visit Tianmen Temple, one of only five Buddhist temples in the world preserving Buddha's sarira, and also enjoy the pleasant scenery of layered green peaks around. If interested, you can also climb to Yunmeng Immortal Summit at about 1,518 meters above sea level and overlook the magnificent panorama of Tianmen Mountain. Afterward, take the escalator to Tianmen Cave, the most unmissable attraction in Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area and the world's highest natural mountain-piercing cave. After sightseeing, you can challenge the 999 steps or take the elevator to the cableway station, then take the cable car down the mountain. After the tour, you will head to downtown Zhangjiajie for the night.

In the early morning, you will be taken to Zhangjiajie West Station to catch a high-speed train of about 6 hours to Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. Welcome to Shangrao, a quiet small city that serves as the gateway to Wangxian Valley. After arriving at Shangrao Railway Station, our local driver will greet you at the exit and escort you to [Wangxian Valley] (about 50 km away, roughly 1.5 hours by car), known as a "real-life world of immortals and martial arts." Upon arrival, our guide will assist you with check-in, and you can rest for a while and recharge. It's only when darkness falls that Wangxian Valley truly comes alive. Houses built along the mountain light up with warm yellow lights, stretching from the foot of the mountain all the way to the summit, looking from afar like celestial palaces hidden in the sky from mythology. This scene brings to mind the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai's poem "Staying Overnight at a Mountain Temple": "The towering tower rises a hundred feet high, my hand could pluck the stars from the sky. I dare not speak in a loud voice, for fear of disturbing the heavenly beings." It means: in a pavilion a hundred feet tall, you could reach out and seemingly pluck the stars; I dare not speak loudly, lest I disturb the immortals who live in the heavens. Walking slowly along the valley paths, you'll feel as if you've stepped into a martial arts world—teahouses cling to the cliffs, waterfalls cascade down in tiers from above, and the sound of water intertwines with light and shadow. If you're lucky, you may even come across a street performance or a traditional sword dance, and in that moment, you'll truly feel as if you've traveled back to the ancient martial arts world of China. Warm tip: Wangxian Valley at night is prime time for photos, as the buildings on the cliffs are outlined by lights, and every snapshot looks like a masterpiece. Remember to fully charge your phone so you won't have any regrets.

This morning, while the daylight is good, you can take your time exploring Wangxian Valley. The architecture here is highly distinctive—rammed earth walls, dark gray tiles, and narrow alleys, with a strong Gan (Hui) style, typical of traditional dwellings in northeastern Jiangxi. Strolling through the village, you'll see local handicrafts such as bamboo weaving and wood carving everywhere, each piece carrying the warmth of old artisans' hands. Hidden in the alleys are authentic Jiangxi snacks—steaming hot rice noodles and silky tofu pudding. Sitting down for a bowl is truly comforting. Looking for some excitement? Try the glass walkway built over the steep canyon. It's nearly 100 meters above the ground, with rushing rapids below and layered mountains opposite. The scenery is superb, and the expansive view will set your heart racing. The valley is rich in springs, with Wangxian Waterfall and Three-Tier Waterfall coming one after another, babbling water and refreshing views everywhere. Most surprising of all—this picture-perfect place was formerly an abandoned quarry. Who would have thought that a former stone pit has now transformed into a fairyland on earth. After the tour, our driver will escort you to Shangrao Railway Station to take a high-speed train to Huangshan City (about 1 hour). Upon arrival, our guide will assist you with check-in. Recommended leisure activities in Huangshan City Tunxi Old Street: Explore this bustling historic street, admire traditional Hui-style architecture and time-honored shops, and taste authentic Huizhou cuisine. Liyang in Lane: Stroll through this charming district where old and new blend, experiencing modern cafes, bars, and restaurants beside ancient buildings. It's especially lively at night.

After breakfast, you will drive 80 kilometers (about 1.5 hours) to visit Huangshan, one of China's famous Five Great Mountains. Huangshan is not only a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site but also one of the outstanding representatives of China's magnificent mountains and rivers and splendid culture. It is renowned for its "Five Wonders" of strange pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow, as well as its "Five Excellences" of historical relics, painting and calligraphy, literature, legends, and celebrities. It enjoys the reputation of "the most fantastic mountain under heaven," and the saying "Having returned from the Five Great Mountains, no other mountains are worth seeing; having returned from Huangshan, no other mountains are worth visiting" is the highest praise for Huangshan. Today's suggested Huangshan route: Yungu Cableway → Shixin Peak → West Sea Grand Canyon → Bright Summit → Flying-Over Rock. The total walk is about 7–9 kilometers and takes about 5–6 hours. First, from the foot of Huangshan's rear mountain, you will take a sightseeing bus to Yungu Temple, then take the cableway to Bai'e Ridge Station (8 minutes). As the cableway ascends, you can overlook the majestic peaks and the misty clouds winding among the mountains, as ifin a fairyland, and along the way you can also see various strange pines and rocks of different shapes, enjoying Huangshan's stunning scenery from a unique perspective. After arriving at Bai'e Ridge Station, you will begin a wonderful hike to Shixin Peak. Along the way, you will pass sights such as Black Tiger Pine, Harp Pine, and Interlocked Pine. The scenery is very charming and perfect for photos, and you can also capture the myriad forms of fantastic peaks and rocks. These masterpieces of nature bring you endless imagination and the best experience. Standing on Shixin Peak, you can take in the magnificent mountain scenery around you. After enjoying the views at Shixin Peak, you will hike about 40 minutes to the mountaintop hotel to rest. In the afternoon, you will visit the fantastical West Sea Grand Canyon. Here there are magnificent canyon scenery, peculiar rock formations and peak forests, and charming sea of clouds, making it one of Huangshan's must-see attractions. It is worth mentioning that this hiking route can be customized according to your physical strength and time. (Note: The hiking path in the West Sea Grand Canyon is thrilling and rugged, full of challenges, and highly demanding physically; in addition, during cold weather and heavy snow, the West Sea Grand Canyon is usually closed.) Afterward, you can choose to watch the stunning sunset at Paiyun Pavilion or at the higher Bright Summit. Paiyun Pavilion is named because the clouds and mist of the West Sea rise and roll, dispersing as they reach the stone pavilion. Here, you can enjoy magnificent views of the sea of clouds, sunset glow, fantastic peaks, and deep valleys. Especially when the sun sinks and the sunset glow radiates, it is very charming. Returning from Paiyun Pavilion to the hotel takes about 30 minutes. Bright Summit (about 1,860 meters above sea level) is one of Huangshan's main peaks and also its second-highest peak. Here, you can view the sea of clouds, strange pines, strange rocks, peaks, sunrise and sunset, among which the sunset with red clouds filling the sky is extremely beautiful. Hiking back to the hotel from Bright Summit takes about 40 minutes. If your time and energy permit, you may consider extending by 1 hour to hike to the Tianhai Scenic Area to see Flying-Over Rock. This is a famous Huangshan attraction, about 12 meters high and weighing 600 tons, standing on a flat rock with very little contact area at the bottom, as if it had flown in from beyond the sky. Travel Tips 1. Travel light: Huangshan involves a lot of walking. To save energy and enjoy the trip easily, it is recommended to carry only essentials and travel light, or store your luggage at the foot of the mountain. 2. Environmental protection and hygiene: Some hotels on Huangshan do not provide disposable toiletries. Therefore, for environmental protection and hygiene, it is recommended to bring your own. 3. Accommodation note: Staying on Huangshan allows more time to enjoy more of Huangshan's beauty, especially the sunrise and sea of clouds. However, due to higher transportation costs on the mountain, hotel facilities may be limited. Even star-rated hotels may not reach the standards of major cities such as Shanghai. In addition, the mountain climate is humid, so rooms may be a bit damp. Although choices are limited, we will select a relatively comfortable hotel for you.

Today's Huangshan touring route for reference: Sunrise - Shuguang Pavilion - Qingliang Terrace - Monkey Gazing at the Sea - Lion Peak - Yungu Cableway, about 3 kilometers of walking in total, taking about 2 hours. Early this morning (usually around 5:00 to 6:00 AM), you can get up early to enjoy the most magnificent natural wonder - the Huangshan sunrise: as the first light of dawn appears, the eastern sky gradually turns pale, then red light begins to glow on the horizon, the dawn breaks, and the rosy clouds shine brilliantly, a breathtaking sight. (Warm tips: 1. The temperature in the mountains is very low in the early morning, so it is recommended to wear thicker clothes. 2. The sunrise is affected by weather and season, and whether you can see it depends on the actual conditions.) After enjoying the sunrise, return to the hotel for breakfast. Then, head to the steep Lion Peak (about 1,690 meters above sea level), named for its resemblance to a crouching male lion. Qingliang Terrace is the lion's waist, and Shuguang Pavilion is the lion's tail; both are the best places to view Huangshan's stunning sunrise and sea of clouds. In addition, at Lion Peak you can also see one of Huangshan's iconic attractions - Monkey Gazing at the Sea, famous for its lifelike monkey image. The stone monkey sits alone on the peak top, as if gazing into the distance, or as if leaping to quietly watch the sea of clouds, a truly spectacular scene. Afterward, walk to the Bai'eling Cableway Station and take the Yungu Cableway down the mountain. Our driver is already waiting at the foot of the mountain in advance and will take you to the picturesque Hongcun. [Hongcun] is the most representative ancient village in southern Anhui and a famous World Heritage Site. It is known for its typical Hui-style architecture, unique water system layout, and long historical culture, and enjoys the reputation of "a village in a Chinese painting." The village preserves about 140 well-preserved ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties, scattered in every corner of the village, mostly featuring white walls, black tiles, horse-head walls, and carved beams and painted rafters, like a living Huizhou scroll painting. The tranquil water landscape fills the whole of Hongcun with spirit; the painted bridge spans the lake surface, with interlacing light and shadow, very charming. You can stroll and explore this ink-wash ancient village and check in at popular attractions such as Nanhu Academy, Chengzhi Hall, Wang Clan Ancestral Hall, the ancient tree, Moon Pond, and South Lake. After touring Hongcun, you will return to Huangshan City to rest.

After a leisurely breakfast, your 8-day Zhangjiajie, Wangxian Valley, and Huangshan tour comes to an end. Our driver will take you to Huangshan Railway Station to catch a train to your next destination. Departure suggestions: From Huangshan, you can take high-speed trains directly to major Chinese cities: Shanghai (2.5-3.5 hours, 80% of travelers choose this route), Hangzhou (1.5-2 hours), Suzhou (2-3.5 hours), Beijing (5.5-7 hours), Guangzhou (7 hours), and more.