Zhangjiajie: A Place Worth Visiting Once in a Lifetime
Recently, I visited Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—a place that felt distant and unfamiliar to me. Before going, I was intrigued by online anecdotes about Koreans’ lifelong obsession with bringing their parents here. After experiencing it firsthand, I had no doubts. This truly magical place leaves you awestruck at first glance, its breathtaking scenery crafted by nature’s hand. As you wander through it, all you can do is gasp in wonder, wishing you had a more eloquent way to describe it.
In the golden autumn of October, the sun shone brightly, its warmth caressing my face. Following the crowd, I first arrived at the Wulingyuan Scenic Area tower to wait for the bus up the mountain. The crowd was immense, and even with buses arriving one after another, we still waited for quite some time. Once aboard, the seasoned driver launched into full-throttle mode. Navigating the mountain roads, I felt myself swaying left and right, but with so many passengers, I trusted the driver.
At the terminal, we followed the guide to the Bailong Elevator. Before boarding, I’d heard it was the world’s tallest outdoor elevator—and indeed it was. Built so vertically on the mountaintop, it looked downright terrifying. I’d hoped to stand by the transparent side and experience the sensation of bursting through the clouds into heaven, but the crowds made it impossible. Still, I savored the thrill of soaring from the valley floor into the sky.
After ascending, we strolled through the core scenic area. How to describe these mountains? A single towering peak, or a cluster of them, stretching straight upward. Looking down revealed an abyss of unimaginable depth. Standing at the railing, my mind filled with questions: How did this form? How did it become so bizarre? Was this the seabed from ten thousand years ago? Or evidence of an unknown civilization? What truth could possibly explain this bizarre spectacle?
Towering stone formations, their peaks and cliffs covered in lush greenery, made me marvel at the resilience of plants and the preciousness of life. Even in the tiniest space, they grow wildly, just like humans—equally tenacious. Here, words failed to capture my awe, and no description could do justice to the scenery’s beauty. Many photographers operate within the scenic area. For the first time, I paid to have two photos taken as mementos.
We wandered along, stopping frequently to soak it all in. Crossing the chain bridge, we arrived at the “Asking the Summit of Zhangjiajie” viewpoint. Everything felt so magical and novel. This place demands to be experienced firsthand: seeing towering, chess-piece-like stones standing straight yet flat enough to stand upon; spotting rock formations piled into animal shapes, brimming with vitality; discovering that such lofty mountains truly hide enchanting treasures within their landscapes. Everything was real, and witnessing its creation made me feel truly alive. It made me believe nothing is impossible.
On the way back, I took a cable car—my first time ever, and at such a high altitude. My emotions were indescribable; I kept gasping in awe. The cable car ride was long, and halfway through, I stared wide-eyed at the breathtaking, fairy-tale-like scenery all around. Later, I visited the Ten-Mile Gallery to see the Three Sisters Peaks and the herbalist statue, and spotted some monkeys—though they were in cages, not wild.
The next day, we explored Jinbian Brook. Crystal-clear water flowed quietly through the forest as we strolled, feeling utterly carefree, content, and blissful. Every meaningful journey not only cleanses the soul but also broadens one’s horizons. The world holds so many beautiful things—while you have the time and health, travel freely, whether on a budget or in luxury, and experience it all to the fullest.
