September 13, 2026

When we arrived at the Zhangjiajie train station, we had a driver meet us to take us all the way to the little village just outside the North Gate of the Zhangjiajie National Forest, which was about a 2 hour ride.This put us in a great position to get right into the Park early the next morning before the large crowds and access to the top section of the park, in lieu of the more crowded routes, coming in from the base of the mountains from downtown. We stayed at an older resort called Stilt Paradise and the place had a rustic charm as did the whole one street village. It was close to 7:30 pm when we arrived.  We went in search of dinner, which commenced a session of pointing at photo's on their billboard and piecing together an order with google translate, to get the basic dumplings and noodles.

The hotel had some beautiful carved wood details.

The town was just one road, and about 4 streets long, with a mix of hotels, houses and small shops. We went to a neighboring hotel's restaurant, because they were open and had photos of about 10 items in the window.

The next morning we awoke to 3 rounds of fireworks, going off at 7 am (we never got a straight answer why ? They were loud & bold  - chat said maybe for a local wedding or funeral). Regardless, we were up, had a quick hotel breakfast, and off to the Forest Entrance by 8:00 am. Once inside the Park, we took a series of buses to get to all the scenic overlooks. It was lots of climbing up and down stairs and path and the crowds were still heavy. This is most visited landmark in all of China right now.

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Besides the scenery, what i found impressive was the variety of food available in the remote Forest! Like the yummy dumplings, we all smelled and quickly indulged, when we came around a corner viewing spot, with the above ladies. Also the age, determination and will power of some of the visitors who did not let their afflictions deter their quest of seeing the sights! Admirable!  


I also thought the view from the bottom of the mountains was more impressive, than our morning views from the top. 

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At the base of the Bailong Elevator they have a giant TV screen that plays scenes from the Avatar Movie, with identify notes on which part of the Forest was the backdrop for the scene. I found watching the Movie, was way more dramatic in viewing the mountains, because of the way they were sweeping up and down, the heights and depths, on the backs of the flying dino/birds?

TIANMEN MOUNTAIN, ZHANGJIAJIE NATIONAL FOREST, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
Tianmen Mountain , also known as Heaven's Gate , is where the dramatic natural arch is at the top of a staircase 999 steps! This is in a whole different section of the Zhangjaijie National Forest then we did yesterday. Getting up to the plaza at Upper Station, to start the ascent to Heaven's Gate , is quite extensive in itself. First we took a 30 minute cable car ride from the town of Zhangjaijie; then a bus ride you have to strap in for up a series of hairpin turns, for another 30 minutes. Then you climb a couple of staircases to make it to Upper Station . To get to the Peak of the Mountain, you either climb the 999 steps or take a series of 12 escalators inside the mountain. The upper station cableway is currently closed for renovations, so the options above were limited and very crowded.

FURONG ANCIENT TOWN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
We had arranged for a driver to pick us up at the Zhangjaijie National Forest at 2:30pm, so we could have a much needed break for the 2 hour drive to Furong Ancient Town. That way, we could explore Furong at night, which is the best time to see it, have a bit of a rest and still be in a good position, to see more of the Forest, the next day.

HIGH SPEED TRAIN TRAVEL IN CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 12, 2026
We did all our travel for this trip in China via high speed railway. We started in Hong Kong and traveled to Guilin in just over 3 hours. Then our longest leg, of 7 hours for Guilin to Zhangjiajie . Next was Zhangjiajie to Chongqing at 3.5 hours and finally Chongqing to Xi'An was around 5.5 hours. Some of the train stations were massive like Chongqing below and Xi'An. Signage was pretty good, with some English, so we could navigate well.