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Zhangjiajie — Travel Guide for Foreign Visitors

Airport transfers, signature food and top things to do — everything a visitor needs in Zhangjiajie.

Avatar-movie quartz pillars and UNESCO peaks — China's fastest-growing foreign hotspot.

Zhangjiajie

🍜 Signature dishes in Zhangjiajie

  • 三下锅Sanxia Guo Hotpot
  • 腊肉Smoked Pork
  • 血粑鸭Duck with Blood Cake
  • 酸鱼Sour Fish
  • 社饭She Fan Herb Rice
  • 米豆腐Rice Tofu
  • 岩耳炖鸡Chicken w/ Rock Fungus
  • 酸肉Sour Pork
  • 葛根粉Kudzu Powder
  • 土家粑粑Tujia Cake

🎟️ Top things to do

  • Tianmen Mountain

    Glass walkway & cable car

  • National Forest Park

    Avatar Hallelujah Mountain

  • Tujia feast

    Local minority cuisine

  • Glass Bridge

    Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

  • Tianzi Mountain

    Peaks & elevator

  • Yuanjiajie Scenic

    Sandstone pillar scenery in Wulingyuan (the inspiration for Avatar's floating mountains); Bailong Elevator runs up and down

  • Huangshizhai

    Cable car extra; park ticket valid.

  • Baofeng Lake

    Entry + boat ticket.

  • Ten-mile Gallery

    Inside park; minitrain extra.

  • Fenghuang Ancient Town

    Miao town, 2h drive

  • Tianmen Glass Walkway

    Tickets incl. cableway; book online.

  • Yuanjiajie

    Covered by forest park ticket; reserve.

👥 Visitor tips

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from the airport to downtown Zhangjiajie?

Take the metro or a taxi from DYG (Hehua) airport. The metro is the cheapest option; taxis are convenient for luggage and groups.

Do I need a visa to visit Zhangjiajie on a layover?

Many nationalities can use China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy in Zhangjiajie. Check your eligibility in the visa checker tool before travelling.

Is a layover in Zhangjiajie visa free, and how long can I stay?

Inside the airport's international transit area you can wait up to 24 hours without a visa. To leave the airport, nationals of 57 countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit (up to 10 days, counted from 00:00 the day after entry) and many others have 30-day visa-free entry. Full answers: see the visa & layover FAQ. Visa Q&A →

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Data provided by PivotCN · airport (DYG (Hehua)) · verify with official sources before travel.