Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
张家界国家森林公园 · Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
3,000 stone peaks rising from the ground — the model for Avatar's floating mountains.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Don't carve on or litter in the protected peak forest
- at bridal laments and other folk performances, don't heckle or interrupt.
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
China's first national forest park (1982), its quartz-sandstone pillar landscape is unique in the world. The Hallelujah Mountains in the film Avatar are thought to be modelled on it, and in 2010 the park's 'Southern Sky Column' (also called the Qiankun Pillar) was renamed 'Hallelujah Mountain'. Tujia bridal laments, the baishou dance and maogusi rituals are the cultural backdrop of this landscape, which became a natural World Heritage Site in 1992 (as Wulingyuan).
Costumbres locales
- The Tujia are warm and martial and celebrate 'Gannian', one day before the Han Spring Festival
- the baishou (hand-waving) dance is a group dance of worship and harvest celebration. Kudzu-root starch, Tujia cured pork and sanxiaguo are local flavours.
Religión y creencias
- The Tujia mostly revere ancestors and nature spirits, and the baishou hall is a place of worship
- respect the performers at folk shows and don't climb on stage.
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: China travel advice
China: carry your original passport
- Foreign visitors should carry their original passport
- Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport
Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: China travel advice
No lo haga DON'T
- Don't carve on or litter in the protected peak forest
- at bridal laments and other folk performances, don't heckle or interrupt.
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
- Locals love drinking vine tea and eating cured pork
- Zhangjiajie people are proud of being 'Avatar's home'.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
Consejos de viaje
- Allow 2–3 days
- tickets are valid for several days (check the official website). Note that Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain are different sites, so don't mix up your plans
- the Bailong Elevator and the Ten-Mile Gallery train save effort
- the peaks are most beautiful in mist after rain clears.
Eat nearby
Qué comer cerca
Imprescindible
- Sanxiaguo (three-ingredient pot)
- Chicken stewed with rock-ear fungus
- Tujia braised pork
Sanxiaguo ('three in a pot' — Tujia cured pork, sausage and tripe), rock-ear mushroom chicken stew, Tujia steamed pork belly, kudzu-root starch, vine tea (a local drink)
| Dónde comer | Restaurants in Wulingyuan town, Xibu Street, and the Nanzhuangping area in the city |
|---|---|
| Normas en la mesa | Pace yourself when Tujia hosts sing toasting songs |
| Precio orientativo por persona | CNY 50–90 |
| Consejos | Food inside the scenic area is scarce and expensive, so stay and eat in Wulingyuan town; sanxiaguo comes dry or as a soup pot — state your spice level first. |
Los precios son orientativos a octubre de 2026, no presupuestos exactos; en zonas con tipos de cambio muy variables solo se da un intervalo aproximado en yuanes.
Popolon · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Fotos
Kuruman from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0
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xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
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xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
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