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Zhangjiajie Travel Guide: Avatar Mountain & 72 Strange Buildings

Zhangjiajie Guide: Visiting the Avatar Mountain

Destination:ChinaProvince:HunanCity:Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie Guide: Visiting the Avatar Mountain
Vanessa Huang18 min

Zhangjiajie Guide: Visiting the Avatar. This was filmed by Vanessa Huang. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

You might think of floating mountains in Avatar when you hear about Zhangjiajie, and you’re absolutely right! In this vlog, Linardo and I explore the breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Park, home to the iconic Hallelujah Mountain, and as a bonus, we will uncover the unique 72 Strange Building in the city.From jaw-dropping landscapes to fascinating city spots, we’ll take you on an unforgettable journey as we navigate the beauty and quirks of exploring Zhangjiajie. Ever wondered why Zhangjiajie is such a hot topic in any China travel vlog? We’ll show you why, while also diving into some “only in China” moments, like how we encountered an unexpected scam in China and dealt with some of the overcrowded tourist spots.

--- Vanessa Huang
November 30, 2024, Autumn in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Vanessa Huang and Linardo visit Zhangjiajie National Park to see the Hallelujah Mountains, the Bailong Elevator and the Glass Bridge. They navigate buses, ticketing and a persistent tour guide before taking a cable car to the mountains. The park is large, and their original plan changes as they use different routes and encounter crowds at the elevator. They also visit 72 Strange Building, associated with Tujia culture, a night market and light shows. Their food stops include stinky tofu and beef pie. Vanessa recommends several days to explore the park and notes that one day is not enough.

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Zhangjiajie Guide: Visiting the Avatar Mountain

Getting to the park and planning the route

Vanessa Huang and her friend Linardo visit Zhangjiajie National Park, known for its Avatar-like mountain scenery. Their journey begins with a bus ride from the city center and an encounter with a persistent tour guide. They purchase tickets at the ticket office and carry passports for entry registration. Vanessa says visitors should politely decline unwanted guide services to avoid potential scams. The park is extensive, and their plan to see the Hallelujah Mountains, Bailong Elevator and Glass Bridge requires more time than expected. They take buses and cable cars, and a bus ride eventually brings them to the elevator after earlier directions and timing complicate the route.

The cable car to the Hallelujah Mountains costs 72 yuan per person, in addition to park admission and any other transportation. Vanessa finds the ride enjoyable on a Monday, though popular locations still have visitors. She says a single day is not enough and recommends at least four days for the major sights. The Yulan area is described as the main hub for reaching attractions and a useful starting point for planning movement between sections.

Mountain views, elevator and evening visit

At the Hallelujah Mountains, Vanessa points out the landscape that inspired the Avatar comparison. The video mentions drone footage and a drone filming service for visitors without their own equipment. The pair's planned route to the Glass Bridge and elevator becomes difficult because of the park's size. They eventually reach Bailong Elevator, where the line is long and disorganized. The descent takes several escalators and gives them a distinct view of the mountains from the elevator.

They later visit 72 Strange Building, an architectural landmark associated with the Tujia ethnicity. The area has a night market with street food and light shows. Vanessa and Linardo sample stinky tofu, which they like, and beef pie. The fee at 72 Strange Building is lower before 4:30 p.m. than afterward, which the source connects to the evening light shows. They reflect on the park's scenery and the challenges of planning a visit, and Vanessa advises leaving enough time to see the major areas without rushing.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What's the best day to visit Zhangjiajie to avoid crowds?
A: Vanessa says Mondays are less crowded than weekends, although popular places can still have visitors even on a weekday. The pair still encounter visitors at major attractions, but Vanessa notes that Mondays are less busy than weekends.
Q: How much does it cost to get to the Hallelujah Mountains?
A: The cable car costs 72 yuan per person. Visitors also pay for park entry and may need to budget for other transport inside the park. The park entrance and additional transportation inside the park may add to the total cost beyond the cable car fare.
Q: Is it possible to see everything in Zhangjiajie in one day?
A: No. Vanessa says the park is very large and recommends at least four days to explore its major attractions without feeling rushed.
Q: What's the 72 Strange Building?
A: It is a distinctive building associated with the Tujia ethnicity. The area has a night market and evening light shows, and the visit includes food stalls. The fee is lower before 4:30 p.m. than afterward, when the evening light shows are part of the attraction.
Q: What's the stinky tofu like?
A: Vanessa and Linardo describe it as black, crispy and garlicky, and say they enjoyed it.

Previous travel video:

Zhangjiajie Travel Guide: Avatar Mountain & 72 Strange Buildings

You might think of floating mountains in Avatar when you hear about Zhangjiajie, and you’re absolutely right! In this vlog, Linardo and I explore the breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Park, home to the iconic Hallelujah Mountain, and as a bonus, we will uncover the unique 72 Strange Building in the...

Zhangjiajie National Park: Avatar Mountains & Bailong Elevator

Vanessa Huang and Linardo explored the breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Park, home to the iconic Hallelujah Mountain, also known as Avatar Mountain, and the unique 72 Strange Building in the city. Their journey included navigating the beauty and quirks of exploring Zhangjiajie, encountering unexpected scams, and dealing with overcrowded tourist spots. The vlog showcases jaw-dropping landscapes and fascinating city spots, explaining Zhangjiajie's popularity and offering a glimpse into unique "only in China" moments.

Attractions in this video: Hallelujah Mountain, Avatar Mountains, Bailong Elevator, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, 72 Strange Building