National park · China
Wulingyuan Scenic Area武陵源
Base in Wulingyuan town and buy the ¥227 four-day ticket: ride the Bailong elevator up once, walk Golden Whip Stream down, and start before 07:30 to beat the tour groups; skip the park in Jul–Aug rain and Chinese public holidays.Base in Wulingyuan town and buy the ¥227 four-day ticket: ride the Bailong elevator up once, walk Golden Whip Stream down, and start before 7:30 AM to beat the tour groups; skip the park in Jul–Aug rain and Chinese public holidays.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
264 km²102 sq mi
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 264 km²102 sq mi
- About 264 km² for the whole scenic area; the core Zhangjiajie National Forest Park section is often quoted as roughly 48 km² (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Wulingyuan is the sandstone pillar country of Zhangjiajie: a UNESCO World Heritage scenic area of quartz-sandstone towers, gorges and subtropical forest, split into several ticketed zones. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the best-known part, but the same ¥227 ticket covers Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie and Suoxiyu, and it is valid for four days. Almost everyone arrives through Zhangjiajie city, 40–60 minutes away by bus or taxi. The park is huge and the cable cars, elevator and free shuttle buses matter as much as the trails: plan the day around transport, not around a single viewpoint.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1992Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area.
Size and age
264 km²102 sq mi · national park since 1994
About 264 km² for the whole scenic area; the core Zhangjiajie National Forest Park section is often quoted as roughly 48 km² (check).
Why go
- Hundreds of sandstone pillars rising 200 m and more out of green forest, seen from rim walkways and from the valley floor.
- A working shuttle-bus, cable-car and elevator network that lets you link three or four different landscapes in one day.
- The quieter western and northern trails: an hour from the main stops you can walk alone.
- A four-day ticket, so a rainy first day does not waste the trip.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, icy walkways, some paths closed
- FebSnow possible; slippery steps
- MarMild, misty; fewer crowds
- AprGreen, clear spells, comfortable walking
- MayWarm; 18 °C mornings, 30 °C by noonWarm; 64 °F mornings, 86 °F by noon
- JunHumid, heavy rain, leeches on wet trails
- JulPeak domestic crowds, heat and storms
- AugHottest and busiest month
- SepRain easing; still busy early
- OctClear, dry, best all-round month
- NovCool and clear; quiet weekdays
- DecCold; fog can hide the pillars
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhesus macaques along the main trailsAll year · Used to people and known to grab plastic bags; keep food inside your pack. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds and butterflies in the forestApr–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Giant salamanders in the streamsApr–Sep · Rarely seen; do not handle. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Leeches on wet trailsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Zhangjiajie city centre
Bus from the central bus station to the Wulingyuan or Forest Park gate, or a taxi (about ¥100 (≈ US$14)).
45–60 min
From Zhangjiajie Hehua airport
Taxi direct to the Wulingyuan gate.
about 1 h
From Zhangjiajie high-speed rail station
Bus or taxi to the central bus station, then the park bus.
1–1.5 h
From Hunan and the rest of China
High-speed rail to Zhangjiajie, then road transfer to the gates.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (south) | Golden Whip Stream, Huangshizhai and the southern gate. | Open with the scenic area ticket. |
| Yuanjiajie (west) | The Avatar Hallelujah Mountain area, First Bridge of the World, Back Garden. | Reached by Bailong elevator or the Yuanjiajie cable car. |
| Tianzi Mountain (east) | Rim viewpoints above the pillars, cable car and shuttle buses. | Open with the ticket; cable car extra. |
| Suoxiyu and Wulingyuan town | The eastern gate, Baofeng Lake and most of the hotels. | Open; lake ticketed separately. |
Sketch map
- 1Wulingyuan town gate · Gate≈29.346, 110.467Map ↗
- 2Zhangjiajie National Forest Park gate · Gate≈29.316, 110.435Map ↗
- 3Bailong elevator · Ranger station≈29.355, 110.460Map ↗
- 4Huangshizhai · Viewpoint≈29.320, 110.430Map ↗
- 5Yuanjiajie · Viewpoint≈29.360, 110.430Map ↗
- 6Tianzi Mountain · Summit≈29.390, 110.500Map ↗
- 7Baofeng Lake · Beach≈29.330, 110.545Map ↗
- 8Huanglong Cave · Cave≈29.368, 110.614Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wulingyuan scenic area ticket (covers Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, Suoxiyu) | CNY 227 | person | 2026 estimate; four-day validity, photo ID taken at the gate (check). |
| Bailong elevator, one way | CNY 56–90 | person | 2026 estimate; price has risen over time, confirm at the lower station. |
| Cable cars (Huangshizhai, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain), one way | CNY 65–90 | person | 2026 estimate; each line is ticketed separately. |
| Sightseeing mini-train (Ten-Mile Gallery) | CNY 38–76 | person | 2026 estimate; one way and return. |
| Baofeng Lake (outside the main ticket) | CNY 48–96 | person | 2026 estimate; boat trip included, student rate lower. |
| Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and glass bridge, combo ticket | CNY 130–259 | person | 2026 estimate; bridge-only tickets are cheaper but sell out first. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Scenic area ticket permit or guide
Glass bridge slot permit or guide
Drone flight permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Cliff edges are railed on official paths only; the Bridge of the Immortals is fenced off and crossing it is dangerous.
- No camping
- Camping is not allowed anywhere in the scenic area; sleep in Wulingyuan town or Zhangjiajie.
- No feeding monkeys
- Keep food and plastic bags out of sight; the macaques will take them.
- Ticket and ID
- The ticket is registered to your passport and checked at gates and cable-car stations.
- Drones
- Not allowed without written permission from the scenic area administration (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Wulingyuan town
Guesthouses and midrange hotels around the eastern gate and bus station; the most practical base.
Near the park
Zhangjiajie village (south gate)
Budget inns and hostels a short walk from the Forest Park entrance.
Near the park
Zhangjiajie city
Full range of hotels, 45–60 min from the gates; use it for late arrivals and early flights.
Safety
Steep cliffs and drop-offs medium
Slippery steps after rain or snow medium
Crowds and queue times medium
Heat and humidity in summer medium
Accessibility
- Shuttle buses, the Bailong elevator, the mini-train and all three cable cars remove most climbing; the main rim walkways are paved and railed.
- Golden Whip Stream is the flattest long walk in the park, though it is uneven in places.
- The 3,878-step Huangshizhai stairway and the Shadao Gully staircase are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out your rubbish; bins on the trails are limited and wildlife raids them.
- Do not buy or eat wild-caught animals; some restaurants in the area have displayed protected species.
- Use the free shuttle buses between zones instead of private cars inside the scenic area.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Wulingyuan?
The scenic area ticket is ¥227 per person (2026 estimate) and covers Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain and Suoxiyu for four days. Cable cars, the Bailong elevator and the mini-train cost extra, roughly ¥56–90 each way. Baofeng Lake, Huanglong Cave and the Grand Canyon are separate tickets.
What are the best hikes in Wulingyuan?
Golden Whip Stream is the best easy walk: flat, 2.5–4 hours, pillars overhead. For a climb, Huangshizhai's 3,878 steps or the Shadao Gully staircase give the views without a cable car. If you want solitude, the Yaozizai trails in the west see very few people.
When is the best time to visit Wulingyuan?
April, May and October. Spring is green and mild, October is clear and dry. July and August are hot, humid and crowded, and winter walkways can be icy. Fog is common year-round and can hide the pillars entirely.
How many days do you need?
Two full days is the practical minimum: one for the Forest Park and Golden Whip Stream, one for Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. The four-day ticket lets you add a quiet trail or a rainy-day backup.
How do I get to Wulingyuan?
Fly or take high-speed rail to Zhangjiajie, then a bus (about ¥12) or taxi (about ¥100) to the Wulingyuan or Forest Park gate, 45–60 minutes. Buses leave the central bus station from about 06:30.
Can I stay inside the park?
No. Hotels and homestays inside the park have been removed and camping is banned. Stay in Wulingyuan town, Zhangjiajie village near the south gate, or Zhangjiajie city.
Is Wulingyuan the same as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
No. Wulingyuan is the whole UNESCO scenic area; Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is its most famous section, and the same ticket covers both plus Tianzi Mountain and Suoxiyu.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go