Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Golden Whip Stream Hiking Guide

🌟 **Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Golden Whip Stream Hiking Guide | A Natural Spectacle Among Cliffs and Valleys** 🌿 --- ### **🚶‍♂️ Route Overview** - **Start/End Points**: Water Winding Four Gates → Forest Park South Gate (7km total) - **Duration**: 3-4 hours (including photo stops) - **Trail Condition**: Flat path without stairs, following the stream through valley floor - **Difficulty Level**: ⭐️⭐️ (suitable for beginners) --- ### **🗺️ Must-See Attractions** 1️⃣ **Golden Whip Rock**: 170m towering stone pillar, golden in sunrise light 2️⃣ **Eagle Guarding Whip**: Rock formation resembling an eagle protecting the Golden Whip 3️⃣ **Longevity Spring**: Natural spring from cliff face (hand washing only, no drinking) 4️⃣ **Monkey Paradise**: Concentrated around "Camel Peak" section, abundant wild monkeys --- ### **🚌 Transportation** - **Tianzi Mountain → Water Winding Four Gates**: Take park shuttle to "Ten-Mile Gallery Station" and transfer, about 40 minutes total - **South Gate Return**: Taxi to Landmark Gate/downtown (about CNY 50), or bus to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (CNY 12) --- ### **🎒 Packing List** ✅ Non-slip sports shoes (rocks are slippery near stream) ✅ Long-handle umbrella (monkey deterrent + rain protection) ✅ Sealed backpack (monkey-proof!) ✅ 1 water bottle + energy bars (only 2 shops along the way) --- ### **⚠️ Essential Tips** 1️⃣ **Monkey Safety Guide**: - Keep food in sealed bags, don't open bags near monkeys - Stay calm if blocked by monkeys, wave umbrella to clear path 2️⃣ **Restroom Alert**: - Available at start point "Water Winding Four Gates" & end point "Big Oxygen Bar Plaza" - Only one pit toilet near "Camel Peak" (not recommended) 3️⃣ **Photography Tips**: - Morning: front-lit shots of Golden Whip Rock, afternoon: backlit stream shots with slow shutter --- ### **📸 Local Photography Spots** 1️⃣ **Purple Grass Pool**: Shoot reflections from wooden bridge, 0.5x wide angle 2️⃣ **Jumping Fish Pool**: Fish jumping visible in May, use high-speed shutter 3️⃣ **South Gate Exit**: Valley panorama view, drone height limit 120m --- **"When sunlight pierces through the peaks onto the stream, you truly understand Shen Congwen's meaning of 'natural ink painting'"** 🏞️