How long does it take to hike Zhangjiajie?

Hiking in Zhangjiajie can vary significantly in duration depending on physical fitness, travel time, and chosen routes. Specific details are as follows:

Wulingyuan Core Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park)

The ticket is valid for 4 days, allowing multiple entries and exits within this period.

Major attractions and hiking times:

Jinbian Stream

3-4 hours, approximately 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) total. The route is mostly flat, making it relatively easy to walk.

Huangshizhai

Features numerous staircases, taking 2-3 hours to complete.

Yuanjiajie

Characterized by steep cliffs and rugged terrain, the full hike takes approximately 2-3 hours.

Tianzishan

This vantage point offers panoramic views of the mountain peaks. On clear days, the scenery is spectacular; during rainy weather, mist and clouds create an ethereal, fairy-tale-like atmosphere. The hike takes about 3-4 hours.

Ten-Mile Gallery

Requires approximately 2 hours.

Within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, eco-friendly shuttle buses cover the core scenic areas. To save time, taking these buses can reduce hiking time by 1-2 hours. A complete hiking tour of the entire national forest park takes about 3-4 days.

Tianmenshan Forest Park

Main attractions and estimated hiking times:

West Trail (Glass Walkway, Tianmen Mountain Temple)

Built along the cliff face, offering breathtaking views.

A transparent walkway built on cliffs, offering thrilling and adventurous views. The entire route takes 2-3 hours.

Tianmen Cave

A naturally formed large cave. Reaching it requires climbing 999 steps, taking approximately 40 minutes to an hour.

Cable Car: Home to the world’s longest high-altitude passenger cable car, directly reaching the summit. However, for those seeking a full hiking experience,

a complete hike through Tianmen Mountain takes approximately one day.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

This area is primarily known for the world’s longest glass bridge, offering breathtaking views of the canyon’s scenery.

The full hike takes about 40 minutes, but an eco-friendly shuttle is available. Opting for the shuttle allows for a half-day tour of the entire area.

Huanglong Cave

This large karst cave system features stalagmites, underground rivers, and stone pillars. The entire tour requires walking and takes about 2 hours.

Baofeng Lake

The main attractions are the alpine lake and Miao ethnic dance performances. Walking around the lake takes about 2 hours. Consider taking a boat tour around the lake, which can save about an hour.

Summary

Therefore, if you plan to hike the entire Zhangjiajie journey, covering the core scenic areas on foot, it will take approximately 6-7 days. Additionally, there are other attractions in the surrounding Xiangxi area, such as Furong Ancient Town and the 72 Wonder Tower Zhangjiajie, which are worth visiting if you have time.

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