Zhangjiajie 5A-Level Scenic Spot!

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is incredibly vast and can be explored over four days. Unfortunately, we only had one day, so we chose to focus on the highlights of the East Gate. From the East Gate, we took the eco-friendly shuttle to "Shuirao Simen" and then transferred to the "Bailong Elevator" station (about a 15-minute ride). The elevator (¥65 one-way) is renowned as the world's tallest outdoor elevator. In just **68 seconds, it ascends straight to Yuanjiajie**, and as you emerge from the mountain, the "Gathering of Soldiers" peaks rise dramatically before your eyes—absolutely breathtaking! Once at the top, a 10-minute walk along the trail leads to "Mihuntai," the **core viewing area of Yuanjiajie**: 1. **Qiankun Column** (the prototype for Avatar's "Hallelujah Mountain")—a massive stone pillar shrouded in mist, exuding a sci-fi vibe! 2. **First Bridge Under Heaven**—a natural stone bridge connecting two peaks, with a 300-meter deep valley below. Thrilling and spectacular. 3. **Back Garden**—surrounded by unique peaks resembling a bonsai garden, offering views of Huangshizhai and Tianzi Mountain. **Tips**: - The Yuanjiajie loop takes about 2 hours to complete. At the endpoint, you can take the eco-friendly shuttle to Tianzi Mountain or Yangjiajie for further exploration. - For the return trip, you can descend via the elevator or walk to the "First Bridge Under Heaven" station to catch a shuttle to other scenic areas. (This route is compact and packed with photo-worthy spots, perfect for visitors looking to efficiently explore the highlights!)