Huangshizhai Zhangjiajie Travel Guide
Table of Contents
Historical Story of Huangshizhai
Zhangjiajie Huangshizhai Tourist Scenic Area belongs to Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Spot, according to the legend of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 8 A.D.), the military strategist Zhang Liang’s mentor, Huangshigong, used to live in seclusion in this area, the main peak is shaped like a crouching lion (the contour line is 1.2 kilometres long), so it is nicknamed the Yellow Lion Walled City, and the core attractions are distributed in 3 square kilometres, with the best walking accessibility.
Huangshizhai has always been the highlight of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. At an altitude of 1,280 metres (4,199 ft), higher than the Eiffel Tower, and surrounded by knife-slicing walls, it is a huge square mountain plateau (a table-like mountain with a flat top) surrounded by 10,000 ft of walls, and is the best lookout point overlooking a forest of sandstone peaks.
Because of the unique geological structure and geographical location, marine fossils from the Devonian period (380 million years ago) are preserved in the rock formations. Huangshizhai was also named ‘The Essence of Wulingyuan Landscape’ by National Geographic.
Scenic Characteristics of Huangshizhai
Scenic Characteristics of Huangshizhai There are 3000+ sandstone peak forests in Huangshizhai, with the world’s only ‘stone blossom’ geological phenomenon, and an annual average of 285 days of cloud days, which has the characteristics of Danxia Peak Forest, and the density of quartz sandstone peak forests is 7 times that of the Grand Canyon of Colorado, which gives you a feeling of grandeur, masculinity, richness and charm, and it had been awarded the special certification of the aesthetic value of the UNESCO’s ‘World Geopark’.
Main Attractions of Huangshizhai
1.Welcoming Arhats (Luohan Yingbin)
The sandstone peaks and forests here greet visitors like Buddhist monks.
2.Celestial Book Treasure Box (Tianshu Baoxia)
A mysterious stone box embedded in a crack in a cliff is known as ‘nature’s time capsule’.
3.Sea-Calming Needle (Dinghai Shenzhen)
A 200-foot-long column of needle-like sandstone, the legendary weapon of the Monkey King in Chinese mythology’s Journey to the West.
4.South Heaven Pillar (Avatar Floating Mountains)
zhangjaijie’s iconic 3,540-foot quartzite columns, the inspiration for Pandora’s floating peaks in Avatar, are very scenic.
5.The Relic Pillars of the Heavenly Bridge in Zhangjiajie
This is the highest viewing platform in Zhangjiajie, as if you are in the sea of clouds
There is the remains of an ancient collapsed bridge, which demonstrates the process of geological change over 300 million years and is a witness to history.
7.Fuqi Yan/Husband and Wife Peaks
Two stones that symbolise eternal love are called the Twin Stones, and this is a popular proposal spot overlooking the beauty of the valley.
You hike on 1.2 kilometres of quiet roads through cedars that have grown for thousands of years, where the air is pure: 99.3%.
Red sandstone pillars shaped like mythical medicine bottles.
10.Jin Gui Yan（Golden Turtle Rock）
The rock, illuminated by the setting sun, looks like a tortoise. Did you know that the tortoise symbolises longevity in Asian culture?
11.West Heaven Gate
This is the entrance to the park’s western wilderness area, with striking natural stone arches at the entrance.
12.Dragon Head Peak
The cliffs here look like a roaring dragon’s head, with a 360° panoramic view.
13.Conch Shell Peak
Why is it called Conch Peak? Because it contains spiral rock formations of prehistoric marine fossils.
14.Giant’s Hand Rock
While you are still sitting on the cable car, you can see that there are five towering stone pillars that form a giant ‘stone hand’.
15.Mandarin Duck Spring
The water here is nice and warm and cold, perfect for soaking your feet.
16.Breeze Pavilion (Qingfeng Ting)
It offers ethereal views of the gorge and a traditional tea service.
17.Golden Phoenix Rock
There is a cliff that glows like a phoenix and is best photographed at sunrise.
18.Nine-Layer Immortal Tower (Jiuchong Xiange)
A hundred-metre-high rocky peak with a nine-storey fairytale-like building of cloud-piercing viewpoints.
19.Gazing-for-Lover Peak
Heart-shaped rock, legend has it that it’s connected to a local Romeo and Juliet-esque folktale.
20.Three Sisters Peaks
Three rocky peaks spaced more than 80 metres apart are named after the legend of the Protective Sisters.
21.South Heaven Gate
Naming of scenes from Chinese mythology, natural caves, natural stone gateways used in helicopter stunt scenes in TV programmes.
22.Natural Fresco Cliff
You can see that on the 1,640-foot-long ‘stone canvas’ with abstract designs carved by ancient rivers.
23.Six Wonders Pavilion
Here you can enjoy a 360° view of the 6 wonders of Yellowstone: peaks, clouds, forests, caves, wildlife and sunsets.
24.Heicongnao Primeval Forest
The Jurassic-era ecosystem is maintained, and with more than 2,000 rare plant species, it’s definitely worth it.
Recommended Route for Huangshizhai
- Visitors who do not exercise regularly
Take a shuttle bus, train or taxi from Zhangjiajie downtown to the south gate of the forest park, walk for 10 minutes to the Huangshizhai cable car station, take the cable car to the top of the mountain, about 8 minutes, One-way fare: 65 CNY/person (approx. $9, tax included).
Once at the top, you will pass by Six Wonders Pavilion, Star-Catching Terrace, Celestial Book Treasure Box (Tianshu Baoxia), Golden Turtle Rock, Giant’s Hand Rock and other attractions. It takes about 2 hours to complete the walk, after which you can take the cable car down the mountain and walk to the Golden Whip Stream. - Suitable for people with moderate physical ability or above
You can choose to hike up the mountain, the whole journey takes about 2-3 hours, it is tiring, but you can see rare plants and primitive landscapes.
Notes for travelling to Yellow Stone Village in Zhangjiajie
A, if you choose to walk to play yellow stone village, the physical strength of the body is a certain challenge, if you usually do not exercise much, it is recommended to choose to take the cable car up and down the mountain.
B. Visitors with hiking poles can bring them along, and hiking poles are recommended for the back 4.5 kilometres.
C. If you have a pet, weighing less than 5kg and with vaccination certificate, you can bring it with you, but remember, you need to apply for it three days in advance.
D. There are monkeys, do not carry transparent plastic bags or exposed food.
E. It is recommended to wear hiking shoes or non-slip sports shoes for hiking.
F. The temperature difference at the top of the mountain is quite big, so it is recommended to carry a windproof jacket.
