Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Day 1: Yuanjiajie & Golden Whip Stream

 


Located about 30 kilometers from the city of Zhangjiajie, near the town of Wulingyuan, is China’s oldest national park: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This is the place that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar, earning it the popular nickname "Avatar Mountains". The park covers a large area, with shuttle buses, cable cars, and even lifts operating inside to connect the main scenic spots. (Shuttle buses are free with the ticket; the rest are at an additional cost.) There are popular cliff-edge paths as well as quieter hiking trails. The national park is divided into 4 main areas, and the entrance ticket is valid for four consecutive days, which is useful if you want to explore each earea to some extent. It's not likely that you can hike every trail in four days unless you’re an extreme walker. The four main areas consist of Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie, and Huangshi Village (Huangshizhai), and between them are other locations such as the Golden Whip Stream, Ten Miles Gallery, and Suoxi Valley. (Read more here and here.) I visited two areas in two days: Yuanjiajie on the first and the Tianzi Mountain on the second. 

Starting from Wulingyuan town via the main east entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, I took a shuttle bus toward the Bailong Elevator. But I wasn't sure what I wanted so I got off one stop before, at the World Geopark Museum. This is where the Golden Whip Stream emerges from the Yuanjiajie mountains. I decided to go to the Bailong Elevator, but at the end of the hike I returned to the same spot via the stream. From the top of the Bailong Elevator, I took another shuttle bus to the Enchanting Terrace stop, where the cliff-edge walking path begins westward. The path ends shortly after the Great Natural Bridge, a huge arch connecting to the top of a tall rock column. At the end of the cliff-edge walk is the Tinqiao bus stop for buses going west. I took a bus but only for one stop and then walked to a viewpoint offering a full view of the arch. After enjoying the views, I returned by shuttle to the Tinqiao stop and walked along the road to the Enchanting Terrace stop. (No buses between the two points, they are served by different lines.) Now heading east from the Enchanting Terrace, I walked down into the Golden Whip Stream valley. Following the path along the stream eastward, I eventually returned to the World Geopark Museum and caught a shuttle back to the national park's east entrance. This route covered most of Yuanjiajie and a good stretch of the Golden Whip Stream, and the whole circuit — including all transportation — took about six hours. You could skip the Bailong Elevator, not that exciting or outstanding, but then you need an additional route to go up or come down, and the hike will be longer. 


Original Maps 
(Source: pcbisolation.com) 



Wulingyuan Wujiayu Entrance - The main, eastern entrance of the national park, nearest to Wulingyuan town.





The World Geopark Museum area. 




Walking one bus stop to the Bailong Elevator. 



The Bailong Elevator stop.


Toilet paper dispenser with facial recognition — I assume the idea is that once you've received your allowed amount, you can't get more. 


The Bailong Elevator area. 





The Bailong Elevator is just a fast lift with a window. I find it a bit expensive for CNY 60, around the same as a cable car ride, but there is no other way to get up to the ridge from here. 







The view from a crowded viewpoint at top of the Bailong Elevator. This is the only viewpoint in this area. 






From the top of the Bailong Elevator, first you have to walk a little then take a shuttle bus to the Enchanting Terrace stop, where the cliff-edge walking path begins westward. There are many viewpoints all along the way. 





























A small metal bridge along the path, over the top of a ravine. 





The cliff-edge path continues with more views of dramatic landscapes. 






















The view of the Great Natural Bridge, a huge arch connecting to the top of a tall rock column. 





Crossing the Great Natural Bridge and the views from different points around the column top. 


















Crossing the Great Natural Bridge again, back to the cliff-edge path.








These are the best views of the arch that you can get from the cliff-side path. 




Shortly after the arch view, the path ends at a terrace. The Tinqiao bus stop is here, the terminus of the westward buses. 


After one stop, there is a trailhead. Remind the driver, he won't stop otherwise. This is a path to the viewpoint which offers the best view of the arch of the Great Natural Bridge. 












Back at the Enchanting Terrace stop; however, this time the route is to the east, down to the valley floor. First it runs along the cliff's edge, but then, after a little stream and pond, descends into a gully that leads to the Golden Whip Stream. 

































Upon reaching the Golden Whip Stream, our path continues east, sometimes crossing over but always following the water. 






































Back at the World Geopark Museum, where the walk started. 







Back at the east entrance of the national park in Wulingyuan. 




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