Best Things to Do in Zhangjiajie: Top Attractions (2026)
The Avatar peaks, Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, the Glass Bridge, the caves and the shows — what's actually worth your days, from a family who's done most of it.
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🏆 #1 must-do: the Avatar mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
🚡 Biggest thrill: Tianmen Mountain's cable car & glass walkways
🌉 For adrenaline: the Glass Bridge & Grand Canyon
🌧️ Rainy-day pick: Huanglong Caves
🎭 Best evening: the Fox Fairy show
👨👩👧 Easiest with kids: Golden Whip Stream
Quick answer: The thing people come to do in Zhangjiajie for is exploring the "Avatar" peaks of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. But this is not the only attraction – riding the cable car up Tianmen Mountain to Heaven's Gate, walking the Glass Bridge over the Grand Canyon, and taking the boat through the Huanglong Caves are worth a trip. Two evening shows — Charming Xiangxi near the park and the Fox Fairy show in the city — were for us one of the highlight. These are separate ticketed areas spread across the region, so plan on roughly one major sight per day.
We weren't aware of everything that is available during our family trip, but both me and my husband had a chance to come back on two separate occasions, so we now have a very good idea of what is worth doing, and what can be skipped.
Magda Sawyer
The Avatar mountains (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park)
The reason most people come. The Yuanjiajie area is home to the sandstone pillar that inspired the floating "Hallelujah Mountain" in Avatar. We rode the Bailong Elevator up — the lift ride on the highest outdoor elevator is really spectacular — then moved around the top by a mix of walking and shuttle buses and took a gondola back down. The scenery up here is the highlight of the whole region.
This alone is a full day. The park is huge, and if you want to explore more, you should give it 2-3 days. The ticket is valid for 4 days.
Tianmen Mountain & Heaven's Gate
Tianmen is separate from the Forest Park and rises straight above Zhangjiajie City — the cable car starts in the city itself. At the top you get Heaven's Gate (the natural arch at the head of a long stairway), glass-floored cliff walkways, and views down the famous 99-bend road.
We didn't make it up here on our first family trip — our hotel was right by the cable car, but our daughter was unwell and we ran out of days. I've since been back and gone up, and it's one I'd tell first-timers not to skip the way we accidentally did. One practical note: the summit runs cold in autumn and winter, noticeably colder than the city below, so pack warm layers even if it's mild at the bottom.
The Glass Bridge & Grand Canyon
The world's longest glass bridge is located in the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, a separate scenic area with its own entry ticket about an hour from the park. Beyond the walk across, the area is all about thrill and entertainment — zip-lining, bungee jumping and a VR experience — plus a canyon walk and boat ride below.
It's worth seeing if you have the time and your family likes a bit of adrenaline. If your days are tight, though, more time in the Forest Park is the better call.
Huanglong Caves
One of the region's top sights and a great family activity — you take a boat ride inside the caves, past some of the oldest stalactites around. It's also the smart weather backup: it stays cool inside, a welcome break on a hot day, and a good plan B if the mountain views are clouded out.
Charming Xiangxi show
An evening performance near the park telling the folklore of the Tujia and Miao peoples of west Hunan. We've both seen it — it's a gentle, colourful intro to the region's culture and an easy way to fill an arrival evening in Wulingyuan before you visit the park the next day.
The Fox Fairy show
Staged at the base of Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie City, using the mountain itself as the backdrop. We saw this on our first trip — it was a highlight, sick child and all (she threw up spectacularly right before it began, which is the kind of thing you don't forget).
It pairs well with a Tianmen day, since the performance is right by the mountain.
Tujia Brocade Museum
A small, worthwhile stop on Tujia weaving and craft, less than a 20-minute taxi from Zhangjiajie City. We've both been, and it's a quiet change of pace from the mountains — easy to slot into a city day.
→ Read more: Tujia Brocade Museum
72 Qilou — skip unless you're curious
One to be straight about: 72 Qilou is a modern, theme-park-style attraction built as a new draw — advertised as the highest stilted building, with shows, food and a light show. I haven't been, and my husband found it skippable. If you don't have time, you're not missing much. However, if you are staying in Zhangjiajie city for multiple days, you can take a look.
If you do go, go at night, because the light show is the whole point — by day it looks fairly grim.
Nearby: the old towns
Both of these pair naturally with a Zhangjiajie trip, and we've stayed in each:
- Furong Ancient Town — about 30 minutes away, with beautiful waterfalls. My favourite of the two.
- Fenghuang Ancient Town — the more popular riverside town, where the small-boat ride down the river is lovely.
Doing it all with kids
Spread these across several days and lean on the easier wins — Golden Whip Stream, the caves, the shows — between the bigger climbs. See our Zhangjiajie with kids guide for pacing.
FAQs
What is Zhangjiajie famous for?
The "Avatar" sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, plus Tianmen Mountain's Heaven's Gate and the world's longest glass bridge.
How many of these can you do in a day?
Realistically one major sight per day, sometimes two if they're close (like Tianmen and the Fox Fairy show, both in the city). They're spread across the region, so plan around four or more days.
Is the Glass Bridge worth it?
If you have the time and like a thrill, yes — but if your days are limited, more time in the Forest Park is the better use of them.
What's the best thing to do in Zhangjiajie with kids?
Golden Whip Stream and the Huanglong Caves boat ride are the easiest crowd-pleasers, with the Avatar peaks as the big-ticket highlight.
Plan your Zhangjiajie trip
- 🗓️ Zhangjiajie itinerary — how to fit it together
- 🏨 Where to stay in Zhangjiajie
- 🎟️ Book attraction tickets
