Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie is a city in northwest Hunan Province, known for the sandstone pillar peaks of Wulingyuan and the Tianmen Mountain cableway.

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Zhangjiajie is a prefecture-level city in the northwest of Hunan Province, China. Most visitors come for the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, whose sandstone pillar peaks led UNESCO to list it as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, one of its four main parts, became mainland China's first national forest park in 1982. The city centre in Yongding district has Tianmen Mountain, reached by cableway, and Old Dayong ancient town. The city was called Dayong until 1994, when it was renamed after the forest park.

Plan the trip around Wulingyuan, then add the city sights. The climate is subtropical monsoon, with about 1,400 mm of rain a year, and droughts, floods, strong winds and hail are fairly common, so check the forecast before committing a full day to the mountains. Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is about 5 km from downtown and 30 km from Wulingyuan. Urban buses in Yongding run on about 13 lines, and taxi drivers have been reported to refuse fares or skip the meter, so agree the fare before getting in. The Tujia are the main ethnic group, making up about two-thirds of residents.

Zhangjiajie in five

Book your first-entry slotThe Hunan government's English site says that from 24 April 2023 first-time visitors, in groups or alone, must book timed tickets at a specific check-in through the official mini program. Confirm the current rule before you fly.Hunan government notice
Match your base to your gateThe Hunan government lists five check-ins: East (Wujiayu), South (National Forest Park), West (Yangjiajie), North (Tianzi Mountain) and Central (Zimugang). Sleep near the gate you booked, not just near the city.
Give Wulingyuan two daysUNESCO puts the area at about 26,400 hectares, and the Hunan government says it has four parts, including Yangjiajie, Suoxi Valley and Tianzi Mountain. One day sees one part, so split the pillars and the quieter valleys.UNESCO on Wulingyuan
Treat Tianmen Mountain as a separate tripThe Hunan government describes the Tianmen Mountain cableway as 7,455 meters long with a 1,279 meter height gap, starting in downtown Zhangjiajie. In March 2026 the cave express cableway paused for maintenance, so check operations.Hunan on Tianmen Mountain
Plan for flood-season weatherFloods and storms are common from May to November, per the UK government. Mountain mist and rain can hide the pillars, so keep a spare day and check park announcements the morning you go.UK safety advice

Things to do in Zhangjiajie

See all attractions in Zhangjiajie

Landmark · ZhangjiajieZhangjiajie National Forest Park

Viewpoint · ZhangjiajieNational Forest Pk of Tianmen Mountain

Sight · ZhangjiajieZhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ZhangjiajiePut the places you like in Zhangjiajie on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Zhangjiajie Hehua (DYG)
Entry: Timed first-visit slots by official mini program, per the Hunan government
Distance: About 400 km from Changsha, per the Hunan government
Check-ins: East, South, West, North and Central gates
Time needed: 2 days for Wulingyuan; 1 more for Tianmen Mountain

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh9°Low1°Cold, misty
FebruaryRain12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, damp
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Mild, misty
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Spring, green
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, rain
JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Hot, rain
JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°Hot, humid
AugustRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°Hot, humid
SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Clearer
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Clear, mild
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Cool, dry
DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cold, damp

Average daily high and low in Zhangjiajie, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Zhangjiajie

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Zhangjiajie

04:41 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today15°13°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 98%.
Wed18°12°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu17°12°73%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 73%.
Fri20°13°52%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 52%.
Sat17°13°100%Saturday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun16°10°100%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon19°9°16%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 12:48 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Tianmen Mountainfrom downtown ZhangjiajieA 7,455 meter cableway to the summit and a glass walkway, per the Hunan government.
Changshaabout 400 km eastHunan's food city and rail hub, the usual way in or out.Read the guide
Hunan overviewregional planningFenghuang, Changsha and how to split time across the province.Read the guide

Before you go to Zhangjiajie

Wulingyuan and Tianmen toursGuided park days with transfersCompare tours

Stays near the park gatesStart early at your booked gateCheck availability

eSIM for ZhangjiajieBooking mini programs need dataRead the guide

Insurance for ZhangjiajieCable car closures and storm delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Zhangjiajie, checked

From 24 April 2023, first-time visitors to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, in groups or alone, must book timed tickets at a chosen check-in.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Zhangjiajie

Hunan

Changsha, Fenghuang and the whole province

Read the guide Changsha

Rail hub and food city

Read the guide Guiyang

Guizhou karst to the southwest

Read the guide Wuhan

River city to the north by rail

Read the guide All of China

Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities

Read the guide China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide Transport in China

Rail booking and local transit

Read the guide

Zhangjiajie FAQ

Do I need to book Zhangjiajie tickets in advance?

The Hunan government says first-time visitors must book timed tickets at a chosen check-in through the official mini program, since 24 April 2023. Rules can change, so confirm the current system before you travel.

How many days do you need in Wulingyuan?

Two days. UNESCO describes about 26,400 hectares with more than 3,000 sandstone pillars, and the Hunan government splits it into four parts. One day sees one part; add a third day for Tianmen Mountain.

Is Tianmen Mountain part of Wulingyuan?

No. It is a separate scenic area reached by a cableway from downtown Zhangjiajie, which the Hunan government gives as 7,455 meters long. Plan it as its own half or full day.

What is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie?

April, May, September and October for greener or clearer views. Summer is hot and wet, winter is cold and misty, and the UK government notes flooding and storms from May to November.

How do I get to Zhangjiajie from Changsha?

By rail or flight. The Hunan government puts Wulingyuan about 400 km from Changsha, and Zhangjiajie has its own airport. Book trains on 12306 with your passport.