Zhangjiajie National Park in China: description, photo, time of work, how to get there and where to stay

In China, in the north of Hunan Province, there is the Zhangjiajie National Park, which was one of the first in the country. It includes the protected natural areas of Tianjisan, Zhangjiajie, Sangzhi, Suosia, Yangjiajie, and also the Baofeng Lake.

In the Zhangjiajie National Park (Hunan Province) you can visit throughout the year. Spring gives this unique nature reserve aromas of tropical flowers and magnificent greenery, summer - stunning vegetation and mountain coolness, autumn fascinates with the riot of colors, winter wraps up in a fluffy snow cover, turning the park into a fairy tale.

Zhangjiajie National Park : history

Thanks to several photos in popular publications and paintings of artists that were written in Wulinua, the world learned that in the mountains of China is a natural pearl. The Chinese government officially recognized the forest part of the Wulinyuan region as the Zhangjiajie National Park. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.

Ten years later, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China significantly expanded this territory, and in 2004 a huge natural geopark entered the world network of national parks.

Description

Zhangjiajie is a national forest park, the territory of which is divided into several large zones, each of which has its own peculiarities and picturesque landscape. The park is a huge column of sandstone, located above the rainforest, a maze of karst caves, majestic waterfalls, amazing travertines, a picturesque lake, powerful rivers.

Tianmen Mountain

Local residents often call it Tianmen. Its height is fifteen hundred meters. This mountain is famous for the cave "Celestial Gate" located very high. Its height is one hundred and thirty-two meters, length - sixty meters, width - fifty-seven. The cave appeared as a result of erosion. During the collapse of the mountain, a huge cliff of rock broke away. Sometimes this cave is called fabulous because of the belief that it is connected with the sky.

The Yellow Dragon

Zhangjiajie National Park, photo of which you can see in this article, is famous for its caves. One of the most beautiful in the world is the four-tier karst cave "Yellow Dragon". Its height is more than 140 meters, and the depth is about fifteen kilometers.

Inside there are thirteen halls, more than a hundred galleries, four waterfalls, two underground rivers and three lakes, thousands of stalagmites, stalactites, stalagmites. The rarest stalagmite reaches twenty meters in height and only ten centimeters in diameter.

Yangjiajie

In the north-east, Zhangjiajie National Park adjoins this nature conservation area. It includes the stream of Xiangzhi, the Lunquan and Baichhou valleys. These places are known for steep cliffs and the waterfall "Dragon Spring". He dumps streams of water from a high cliff, which is very beautifully wrapped with ivy and surprisingly beautiful flowers.

Elevator Bailung

Every year more and more tourists are interested in the Zhangjiajie National Park. How to get here, we'll tell you later, but for now we will continue to get acquainted with its sights.

For tourists in the park all conditions for a comfortable inspection of the unique reserve are created. Most of the tourist routes are linked by funiculars and cable cars, which greatly facilitate the ascent to the peaks.

The glass elevator "One hundred dragons" (Bailong Elevator) was created to deliver tourists to a 300-meter-high mountain. It is located in the heart of the park and connects the upper and lower level of the reserve. Prior to its appearance, tourists were forced to climb the stairs. The road was rather tedious and long. Today, most travelers prefer to climb quickly on a glass elevator. If you are lucky, you can be in the front ranks of passengers, which will allow you to admire the stunning views that open from the viewing glass of the lift.

It should be noted that this elevator is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest, tallest, open-view and yet the most powerful - at the same time it can lift fifty people.

Glass bridge

This unique building was opened in the park in August 2016. Zhangjiajie National Park, whose photo captivates, became the owner of the world's longest and tallest glass bridge. The author of the unusual project was the architect Haim Dotan. The cost of developing, and then implementing the project amounted to almost three and a half million dollars.

The structure is located at a height of three hundred meters above a deep precipice. The length of the bridge is four hundred and thirty meters with a width of six meters. The glass bridge in the Zhangjiajie National Park connects two cliffs and consists of steel, extra-strong structures and ninety-nine three-ply glass plates. This structure can withstand eight hundred people at a time.

It is interesting that on the day of his inauguration the number of those wishing to see the construction with their own eyes amounted to a record figure - eight thousand people. All who were fortunate enough to visit the Zhangjiajie National Park on that day, the reviews left enthusiastic. Nothing can compare the walk over the bottomless abyss, which can be seen through glass plates.

Due to the huge influx of those who want to leave the site after two weeks, the park administration temporarily closed the bridge for reconstruction. However, the management assured that this is not connected with any damages. After carrying out preventive works to strengthen the construction of the bridge was again open to visit.

Stream "Golden Whip"

This zone is recognized as the easiest to study, since it is located at the foot of the mountains in the valley and does not have steep climbs. Along the creek the footpath stretches for almost eight kilometers. From this zone, you can make an ascent in Yuanjiajie or take a stroll to the village of Yellow Stone.

Tourists point out that the walk here is very pleasant - one feels such a welcome unity with nature. Crowds of tourists are found only in some areas, so you can enjoy the noise of water in the stream, the funny chirping of birds, picturesque views of the mountains.

In this zone, at one of the stops, very treacherous monkeys live. Tourists try to treat them with all sorts of sweets. Do not do this. These lovely, at first glance, animals are very cunning and dexterous - they can completely leave you without wallet, phones and other valuable things. In addition, they often show aggression towards a person.

Vegetation

The Chinese National Park Zhangjiajie impresses tourists with the diversity of its flora and its beauty. Scientists believe that the appearance of dense forests in Ulinyuan contributed to the tropical wet climate and varied relief. Vegetation here develops much faster than in the neighboring provinces of the country.

In the park there are more than seven hundred and seventy species of plants. Among them there are very rare specimens. These include gingko bilobate, chestnut softest (Chinese), pigeon tree, and on the plains travelers can see compact mandarin groves.

But a special impression on the visitors of the park is made by the white, large stipules of the pigeon tree that flutter in the wind, which resemble a huge flock of white pigeons.

Animals in the park

The Zhangjiajie National Park has become a home for more than five hundred species of different animals. Twenty-eight of them are rare, and therefore are under constant protection. These include:

• A gigantic salamander;
• A large panda;
• Golden snub-nosed monkey;
• Leopard.

Interesting Facts

• In the 20th century, a waterfall unexpectedly hit the gorge from the top of Tienmen Mountain. This happened four times. Streams of water broke for fifteen minutes, and then as suddenly stopped.
• On the stairs, numbering 999 wide steps, you can go to the cave "Heaven's Gate".
• Along the top of the massif, at an altitude of 1500 m, a pedestrian path is laid. Over particularly picturesque and steep precipices, it was made of high-strength glass.

China, Zhangjiajie National Park: how to get there?

If you want to see unusually beautiful landscapes, then you need to visit this unique place. To see the Zhangjiajie National Park, you must first get into the city of the same name, and then get to the small villages located at the entrances to the park. There are several ways to get to the city: by plane, train, bus. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

By airplane

If you plan to visit the Zhangjiajie National Park and spend as little time as possible on the road, then this option is more suitable for you. Aircraft can fly from other major cities in the country. The airport is located five kilometers from the city center. Every day flights from Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Tianjin and other cities of the country fly here.

From the airport to the city can be reached by bus or taxi, which takes you to the entrance to the park for 100 yuan ($ 15).

By Train

The Zhangjiajie National Park causes an increased interest of all tourists coming to the country, therefore trains come from many cities of China . We want to warn that this option is suitable for those who have a spare of free time and patience. A small reference: the road from Beijing to the destination takes about twenty-six hours, and the ticket will cost sixty dollars (reserved seat) and one hundred (coupe). Zhangjiajie Railway Station is conveniently located near the city center and the airport.

By bus

There are several bus stations in the city. They are arriving flights from different cities of China. The schedule of departure, the cost of the trip, travel time should be specified on the bus stations.

When you arrive in a convenient way for you, you will find the Zhangjiajie National Park (China). How to get to the territory of the reserve? It is necessary to go to one of the entrances, which have small villages. There you can stay for the night.

The nearest entrance to the city is 32 km away, and it is called the village of Zhangjiajie. Forty kilometers from the city there is an entrance in the area of Wulinyuan. The third is the most remote from the city. It is located near Tianji Mountain and is not very popular with tourists.

Where to live?

In Zhangjiajie, a good selection of hotels is offered, but having settled here, you have to spend money and time on the road every day. And this is about two hours a day. It is more expedient to stay in a village at the entrance to the park - you will save time on the road.

Practically in all these villages there are several comfortable hotels. If you want, you can stay at the hotel in the park, unless, of course, you are not afraid of Spartan living conditions: there are frequent interruptions with light, water, disconnection of the Internet. After the closure of the park, tourists can not leave their territory, which, you will agree, is not very convenient.

Opening hours and cost of visiting

Throughout the year, you can visit the Zhangjiajie National Park. Time of work depends on the season:

• In the summer - from 7.00 to 19.00;
• In the winter - from 7.30 to 17.00.

In the summer it is not hot at all, and in the winter there are no severe frosts.

Entrance tickets can be purchased in two types:

• For seven days - 298 yuan;
• 4 days - 245 yuan.

Tips for tourists

• In the park it is better to come early, then you will have the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty in relative silence.
• If you want to use the lift of Bailong, then it is also better to do it in the morning and go down to 16:00. Otherwise, you can queue for about four hours.
• In the park you have to walk a lot, so prepare comfortable shoes so that it does not rub. The same can be said about clothes: it should be comfortable.
• To stay longer to explore the park, combine walking tours using cable cars and a ski lift.
• Going to the park, be sure to take a card (it can be bought at the entrance), sunscreen, cash, water and food. You can buy food in the park, but the prices are overestimated. The most available in these stores are fruits, corn, fried potatoes (about 10 yuan).
• Chinese and foreign students studying in China can buy tickets for half the price. But this applies to young people under 24. When buying a discount ticket you need to show your passport.
• Store purchased tickets separately from the tickets of friends or relatives. The fact is that on each of them the number to which the fingerprints are attached is knocked out. If you take your husband's ticket, a friend, the system will refuse to let you through the turnstile.

Reviews

Everyone who has visited the Chinese park Zhangjiajie, believe that this is one of the most vivid and memorable trips. With nothing comparable beauty of natural landscapes, rare plants and animals are admired. Many believe that such a trip will be of interest to school-age children.