Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Nature’s Fantastic Masterpiece
Table of Contents
Introduction to Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Wulingyuan Scenic Area is located in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China, at the junction of Wulingyuan District, Cili County, and Sangzhi County, with a unique geographic location that combines the natural and humanistic flavors of the Western Hunan region.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area is a large-scale scenic area complex, consisting of four core scenic areas: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, Tianzishan Nature Reserve, and Yangjiajie Nature Reserve.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area has a total area of 369 square kilometers, the core scenic area of 217.2 square kilometers.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Geological Features
Wulingyuan Scenic Area is famous for its strange peaks, weird stones, valleys, beautiful water, karst caves, and towering stone pillars resembling a giant stone forest. This kind of landform is extremely rare in the world.
Thousands of stone peaks rise up from the ground, these peaks have different forms, some like a sword straight into the sky, some like a fairy pavilion, some like a horse galloping gallop. They are sparse and dense, staggered, constituting a magnificent quartz sandstone scroll.
The peaks are mostly composed of quartz sandstone, which is hard and not easy to be weathered and eroded, and after hundreds of millions of years of geological changes, it has formed such a peculiar landscape today.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Climate Characteristics
Wulingyuan Scenic Area belongs to the central subtropical mountain prototype monsoon humid climate, ANNUAL RAINFALL 54-57 inches (1380-1450mm), RAINY SEASON FROM APRIL TO JULY, the rainfall days up to 49 days, accounting for about 32% of the annual precipitation days.
Features of Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Rich Biodiversity
Wulingyuan Scenic Area has a forest coverage of 67%, with more than 400 species of wild animals and 850 species of woody plants living here.
There are three species of Grade I protected animals, including leopard, clouded leopard and yellow-bellied pheasant, and 25 species of Grade II protected animals, including Chinese giant salamander (the world’s largest amphibian), rhesus monkey and pangolin.
There are 5 species of national-level protected plants such as dove tree (also called ‘ghost tree’ for its white hanging flowers), Bole tree and southern red bean tree, and 16 species of second-level protected plants such as white bean tree, eucalyptus, and Houpu.
Natural Landscape Integrity
The natural landscape in Wulingyuan Scenic Area is well preserved and has not been subjected to large-scale man-made destruction. quartz sandstone, canyons, streams, forests and other ecosystems are interdependent, constituting an intact ecological chain, presenting tourists with the most pristine and purest beauty of nature.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Core Attractions Tourist Information
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: China’s first national forest park, famous for its peculiar quartz sandstone peaks and forests landscape, the scenic area has six small scenic spots such as Huangshizhai, Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie, etc., of which Yuanjiajie is the prototype of the movie Avatar in the Hallelujah Mountains set.
Standing on the observation platform, you can see the strange peaks like levitated mountains standing in the clouds, as if in a fairyland. The Vertigo Terrace, No.1 Bridge ‘Under Heaven’ and other attractions are even more amazing. No.1 Bridge ‘Under Heaven’ is a natural stone bridge that spans between two mountains in a majestic way
Suoxiyu Scenic Spot: connected with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the scenic spot is surrounded by mountains and water, the main attractions are Huanglong Cave, Baofeng Lake,Shuirao Simen, the Ten Mile Gallery and so on.
Tianzishan Scenic Spot: like a giant bonsai garden, the landscape of the peaks and forests here is majestic and spectacular, with realistic images of fairy scattering flowers, royal brush peaks and other attractions. Early in the morning or in the evening, the sea of clouds tumbles, and the peaks appear and disappear in the sea of clouds, just like an ink scroll.
Yangjiajie Scenic Spot: Famous for its unique wonders of peaks and walls, the main attractions include Xiangzhi Creek, Longquan Gorge, and Hundred Monkeys Valley.
Historical Background of Wulingyuan Scenic Area
The Wulingyuan area has a long history, with human activities in ancient times.During the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), it was part of the state of Chu, and during the Qin Dynasty, it was set up as the Qianzhong County, with the jurisdiction of Cili. The Wulingyuan area was under the jurisdiction of Cili.
In 1992, Wulingyuan was included in the List of World Natural Heritage, in 2004 it was included in the World Geopark, and in 2007 it was recognized by the National Tourism Administration as one of the country’s first 5A-level tourist attractions.
Local Ethnic Characteristics
Wulingyuan area is inhabited by Tujia, Bai and other ethnic minorities. Tujia Hand-Waving Dance is its most representative dance, the movement is rough and powerful, the rhythm is bright and fast, and is often performed in grand festivals to express the reverence for the ancestors and the desire for a better life. Bai residential architecture is unique, traditional ‘three-room-and-screen-wall’ courtyard houses, Four Buildings Embracing Five Open Courtyards
(A unique Bai minority) architectural style featuring four interconnected buildings surrounding five sunken courtyards (‘skywells’), designed for ventilation and family ), exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings and colorful decorations, reflecting the superior architectural skills and aesthetic interests of the Bai people. In addition, each ethnic group has its own unique dress culture, marriage and funeral customs, etc. For example, the Tujia’s Silankapu, with its colorful and exquisite patterns, is an ancient folk brocade.
Wulingyuan Regional Specialties
Sanxiaguo (Tujia-style hotpot with smoked meats)
This is a signature dish of the Wulingyuan region, usually made by stewing bacon, tofu, radish and other ingredients together. The bacon is smoked to give it a rich flavor, then paired with fresh vegetables and stewed slowly over a low flame, making the flavors of the ingredients mingle with each other. The salty aroma of the bacon, the tenderness of the tofu, and the sweetness of the radish are perfectly combined in the pot, making it a mellow taste and a great way to enjoy a meal.
Tujia Hopscotch
This is a hodgepodge dish that brings together a variety of ingredients, including vermicelli, pork, pig’s blood, and tofu. These ingredients are mixed and stir-fried with chili peppers, ginger, garlic and other seasonings to create a spicy and nutritious dish that fully reflects the bold and honest style of eating of the Tujia people.
kudzu root starch (a healthy Asian staple)
The cubes made of kudzu root starch are stir-fried with bacon. The kudzu root starch is soft and sticky with a light aroma, and the fat from the bacon penetrates it, adding rich layers of flavor.
How to get to Wulingyuan Scenic Area
By plane
You can first arrive at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, which is about 35 kilometers away from Wulingyuan Scenic Area. From the airport, there is a special tour bus to Wulingyuan Scenic Area, or you can take a taxi or bus to get there.
Train
You can arrive at Zhangjiajie Railway Station first, and there are Chinese buses to Wulingyuan Scenic Area after leaving the station. You can also take a tour bus to Wulingyuan Scenic Area from the bus station near the train station. The ride takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour and the fare is about ￥12-13 (approx. $2 USD).
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Internal Transportation
The main means of transportation within the scenic area is the environmental protection vehicle, which connects the various attractions and major stations and is free to ride.
Tianzishan, Yangjiajie, Huangshizhai and other major attractions with Tianmen Mountain ropeway up and down the mountain, from the bottom of the mountain quickly to the top of the Yuanjiajie mountain you can take the Bailong Elevator (world’s tallest outdoor lift at 326m), but you need to buy a separate ticket Oh, All tickets can be purchased online! via WeChat/Alipay.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Fares
| trip one way | trip round trip | |
| Tianzishan Cableway | 72 RMB | 144 RMB |
| Yangjiajie Cableway | 76 RMB | 152 RMB |
| Huangshizhai Cableway | 65 RMB | 118 RMB |
| both ways Ten Mile Gallery | 38 RMB | 76 RMB |
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Business Hours
The scenic area is open all year round, and the daily business hours are 07:30 – 18:00, but some attractions in the scenic area may be closed in advance or adjusted according to the actual situation of the opening time, it is recommended that tourists check the official information in advance and make reasonable arrangements for the trip.
Map of Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Wulingyuan Scenic Area Travel Notes
1. Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province is dominated by Tujia, Miao and other ethnic minorities, so please respect the habits of local ethnic minorities.
2. Pay attention to the weather forecast of the scenic area in advance and make reasonable arrangements for traveling.
3. Climbing in the scenic area is more physically demanding, so please choose how to climb according to your own physical strength.
4. Smoking is not allowed in the scenic area, and those who need to smoke should go to the designated area.
