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My First Day Exploring China's Avatar Mountains! 🇨🇳 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains: Bailong Elevator and Hiking
Day 11 in China 🇨🇳 Wulingyuan
Today was the start of me exploring the famous Avatar Mountains, starting at the East Gate. From riding the incredible Bailong Elevator to hiking through towering sandstone pillars hidden in the clouds, this ended up being one of the longest and most unforgettable...
Day 11 in China 🇨🇳 Wulingyuan. Today was the start of me exploring the famous Avatar Mountains, starting at the East Gate. From riding the incredible Bailong Elevator to hiking through towering sandstone pillars hidden in the clouds, this ended up being one of the longest and most unforgettable days of my trip through China. The adventure wasn't over after the park either... I finished the day with what might have been the most painful massage I've ever had. 😂
Jacob Kennedy's first day exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the real-life Avatar Mountains, was nothing short of epic. From the surreal Bailong Elevator ride to hiking through misty sandstone pillars, it became an unforgettable adventure. But the real twist? A hilariously painful massage that ended the day. This vlog captures the awe and humor of China's most stunning landscapes.
Day 11 in China 🇨🇳 Wulingyuan. Today was the start of me exploring the famous Avatar Mountains, starting at the East Gate. From riding the incredible Bailong Elevator to hiking through towering sandstone pillars hidden in the clouds, this ended up being one of the longest and most unforgettable days of my trip through China. The adventure wasn't over after the park either... I finished the day with what might have been the most painful massage I've ever had. 😂
Day 11 of Jacob Kennedy’s China trip kicks off with a chaotic morning: he forgets his passport, sprints back to the hotel, and barely makes the 8:00 bus to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The adventure begins at the world’s tallest outdoor elevator, the Bailong, which lifts him into the clouds. From there, it’s a non‑stop puzzle of bus routes, fog‑shrouded trails, and hidden viewpoints. The mist is so thick that Jacob can barely see the famous sandstone pillars, but he uses his “bat senses” and echoes to explore. He stumbles upon a pond full of turtles, a monument called the First Bridge Under Heaven (with a 350‑meter drop), and a group of monkeys that nearly attack a tourist. The day’s highlight is a cable car ride that drops below the clouds, revealing the iconic Avatar Mountains for a breathtaking moment. Later, he discovers a McDonald’s in the middle of the forest and treats himself to fried chicken. After eight hours of hiking and bus rides, Jacob returns to his hotel and decides to get a massage. That turns into a brutal 90‑minute session – dry, sweaty, and full of hammer fists, slaps, and spine cracking. He’s left feeling “jumped.” To top it off, an elderly woman offers him a prostitute, which he politely declines. Jacob ends the day exhausted, bruised, and ready to watch the movie Avatar. The transcript captures the raw, unfiltered chaos of solo travel – the struggle with fog, the thrill of unexpected views, the absurdity of a mountain McDonald’s, and the pain of an “authentic” Chinese massage.
Traveler Jacob Kennedy dives into China's Avatar Mountains at Zhangjiajie, battling fog, hungry monkeys, and a killer itinerary. The real highlight? A cable car ride that plunges through the clouds, revealing the surreal sandstone pillars. Then he ends the day with a brutal Chinese massage—and a hilariously awkward proposition. Pure adventure, pure chaos.
Jacob Kennedy hikes foggy Zhangjiajie, rides the Bailong Elevator, sees the Avatar Mountains, and survives a brutal Chinese massage.
Exploring Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains - Cable Car, Bailong Elevator,
4:57 Get to the park entrance early. Jacob barely made the 8:00 AM bus after forgetting his passport. Plan for extra time and keep your passport handy.
5:49 The Bailong Elevator is the world's tallest outdoor elevator. It's a must-ride, but be prepared for crowds – arriving early helps avoid long waits.
10:20 Fog can obscure the views completely. Use your camera's screen to capture what you can't see with your eyes – it picks up more detail than the naked eye.
14:11 The First Bridge Under Heaven is a natural rock bridge with a 350m drop. It's a short walk from the bus stop, but fog can make it feel like a blind jump.
20:25 Monkeys are aggressive. Keep your distance and don't try to take selfies with them – a Russian tourist learned this the hard way when one jumped at her.
24:00 The cable car ride from Yangjiajie is the best part of the park. It drops below the clouds, revealing the pillars. Do it even if you're tired.
30:04 There's a McDonald's inside the park near the Helong area. It's a reliable spot for a quick meal if you're sick of mountain snacks.
38:49 Chinese massages can be extremely intense. Jacob's was 90 minutes of dry, sweaty hammer fists and slaps. If you want a relaxing massage, ask for a gentler style.
4:57 Get to the park entrance early. Jacob barely made the 8:00 AM bus after forgetting his passport. Plan for extra time and keep your passport handy.
5:49 The Bailong Elevator is the world's tallest outdoor elevator. It's a must-ride, but be prepared for crowds – arriving early helps avoid long waits.
10:20 Fog can obscure the views completely. Use your camera's screen to capture what you can't see with your eyes – it picks up more detail than the naked eye.
14:11 The First Bridge Under Heaven is a natural rock bridge with a 350m drop. It's a short walk from the bus stop, but fog can make it feel like a blind jump.
20:25 Monkeys are aggressive. Keep your distance and don't try to take selfies with them – a Russian tourist learned this the hard way when one jumped at her.
24:00 The cable car ride from Yangjiajie is the best part of the park. It drops below the clouds, revealing the pillars. Do it even if you're tired.
30:04 There's a McDonald's inside the park near the Helong area. It's a reliable spot for a quick meal if you're sick of mountain snacks.
38:49 Chinese massages can be extremely intense. Jacob's was 90 minutes of dry, sweaty hammer fists and slaps. If you want a relaxing massage, ask for a gentler style.
0:00 Morning run and passport panic
5:49 Bailong Elevator ride
14:11 First Bridge Under Heaven
20:25 Monkey attack near viewpoint
24:00 Cable car through the clouds
25:30 Hiking to Natural Great Wall
30:04 McDonald's on the mountain
32:07 Yubi Peaks and echo fun
38:49 Intense Chinese massage
44:09 Proposition after massage
0:00 Morning run and passport panic
5:49 Bailong Elevator ride
14:11 First Bridge Under Heaven
20:25 Monkey attack near viewpoint
24:00 Cable car through the clouds
25:30 Hiking to Natural Great Wall
30:04 McDonald's on the mountain
32:07 Yubi Peaks and echo fun
38:49 Intense Chinese massage
44:09 Proposition after massage
What were the sweet potato noodles like?
They looked like shining leather and tasted yummy!
What was the most surprising thing you found?
Probably the $1 haircut and the fact that I didn't need a ticket to enter the Zhu-long cave!
