National park · China
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park张家界国家森林公园
Enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a half‑day hike to the Bailong Elevator (ticket ¥250) or a full‑day trek to the Glass Bridge (ticket ¥300) in Apr–Jun or Sep–Oct; avoid peak holidays.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
48 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (48 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–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
- 48 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (48 km²)
- 48.1 km² area defined at park establishment in 1982 (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China's first national park, showcases quartz‑sandstone pillar forests, the Bailong Elevator and the Glass Bridge within the UNESCO‑listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1994Part of Wulingyuan Scenic Area.
- Special national site · 2001Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Geopark.
Size and age
48 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (48 km²) · national park since 1982
48.1 km² area defined at park establishment in 1982 (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Zhangjiajie.
Why go
- Explore the quartz‑sandstone pillar forest that defines the region.
- Ride the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor lift.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible fog
- FebCold, occasional rain
- MarMild, fewer crowds
- AprClear skies, comfortable temps
- MayWarm, dry
- JunWarm, low rain
- JulHeat, occasional storms
- AugHeat, rain
- SepCooler, dry
- OctMild, low humidity
- NovCool, occasional fog
- DecCold, possible snow on peaks
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., Chinese monal, pheasants)Mar–Sep · Best early morning. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Small mammals (e.g., Chinese hare)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Visitor Area | Entrance, ticket office, Bailong Elevator, main trails. | Open with ticket. |
| Glass Bridge Zone | North‑west canyon crossing, viewing platforms. | Ticket required, limited capacity. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park maps; approximate for planning.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (incl. main trail) | CNY 250 (≈ US$35) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Bailong Elevator ticket | CNY 250 (≈ US$35) | person | Check for seasonal discounts. |
| Glass Bridge ticket | CNY 300 (≈ US$45) | person | Check for peak‑day surcharge. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥250≈ US$35
- CN¥250≈ US$35
- CN¥300≈ US$45
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Prohibited without park authority permission.
- Guides
- Not required for main trails, but recommended for Glass Bridge during peak times.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Zhangjiajie city.
Where to stay
Near the park
Zhangjiajie city hotels
Range from budget to mid‑range; 15‑30 km (19 mi) from park gate.Range from budget to mid‑range; 15‑19 mi (30 km) from park gate.
Safety
Slippery rocks after rain medium
Crowds on Glass Bridge high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance area reachable by bus; short paved paths to elevator.
- Steep steps on pillar trails not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in certified eco‑lodges in Zhangjiajie city.
- Use park‑approved transport; avoid litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
Entry is ¥250 per adult; Bailong Elevator adds ¥250, Glass Bridge ¥300. Prices are 2026 estimates; check for seasonal changes.
What are the best hikes in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
The pillar forest loop (3–4 h, moderate) and the Glass Bridge crossing (1 h, moderate) are top choices; the Bailong Elevator offers a quick viewpoint.
When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
April to June and September to October offer clear weather and fewer crowds.
Can I visit the Glass Bridge without a guide?
Yes, but tickets are limited; book online and arrive early.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Zhangjiajie city.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
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