Hotels in Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie: Sandstone Pillars of Western Hunan

Zhangjiajie sits in western Hunan Province, roughly 400 km northwest of Changsha. The city borders Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — China's first national forest park, designated in 1982 — where more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone columns rise above forested gorges. The tallest, Southern Sky Column, reaches 1,080 metres and served as the visual reference for the Hallelujah Mountains in the 2009 film Avatar. That cinematic connection drives substantial international tourism alongside domestic visitors drawn to the park's Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor lift at 326 metres.

Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie

Hotels concentrate in two zones. Wulingyuan District, 32 km from the city core, places guests within walking distance of forest park entrances and shuttle bus stops. Downtown Yongding District suits travellers using the Tianmen Mountain cable car — at 7.5 km, the longest high-altitude gondola in China — which departs from the urban cable car station. Budget guesthouses cluster around Suoxiyu Village; mid-range properties line the Wulingyuan main road closer to the park gates.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport serves direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou; high-speed rail from Changsha takes under 2 hours.
• Best season: April–June and September–October offer lower crowds and clearer visibility among the columns.
• Park entry: A 3-day Wulingyuan Scenic Area ticket costs approximately ¥248 (2024 rate); internal shuttle buses connect major viewing platforms.