[2025 Zhangjiajie Stay] Travel Guide for Jinglifang Shanju Hotel (Updated May)

If you’re looking for a short holiday in Zhangjiajie then you wouldn’t want to miss a stay here! Definitely a MUST on the list. The hostess, whose name I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t even know, was more than accommodating and treated us like family. Her brother picked us up from the airport for free, they carried our bags up the stairs to our room, we were given free refreshments and watermelon upon arrival, we shared a beer with her at dinner and she arranged transport to take us to a few places the next day and also to take us to the train station when we left. - She went above and beyond and this made our stay so much easier and welcoming! The hotel’s road is under development so if you are staying here please pack rucksacks or backpackers gear and not a suitcase, as the staff insist on carrying your luggage for you and there are many steps to walk to to get to the hotel from the road. Saying this, the walk was pleasant and a good workout! Make sure you are physically able to walk a bit of a way. Just make sure you get back in plenty of time before the sun sets or it might be a scary walk in the dark with the things in the forest. Myself and my partner stayed for a few nights in one of the ‘rainbow bubble’ rooms in the forest. It was very spacious and had all you needed. They provide shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, towels e.t.c It was clean, however you have to bare in my mind that in the forest there will be bugs and insects that do make their way into your room and even the small amount that find your bed (only a squished mosquito or ant or two). When we came back to our room from our day trip into the park, we were surprised that our room had been cleaned and fresh towels and bedding was replaced, which was lovely! We had breakfast included in the price, which was a nice spread of rice, porridge and dishes often found on the dinner menu such as tomato and eggs. The hostess also offered to pack some fried rice to take with us in the park, which we enjoyed eating throughout the day. We enjoyed dinner here , the menu of which is provided. There was plenty of food to enjoy! The hostess spoke very good English and she helped us plan and arrange things to do and transport to make the most out of our stay. If we ever come back to Zhangjiajie we hope to come here again! #jungle #zhangjiajie #staycation #chinatravel #holidayvacation #forestadventure #china

🏞️ Must-See Attractions 1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan Core Area) - Highlights: 🌉 Yuanjiajie (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain) 🗿 Tianzi Mountain (Sea of Clouds) 🌲 Huangshi Village ("You haven't been to Zhangjiajie if you haven't been to Huangshi Village") - Special Experiences: 🚡 Bailong Elevator (1 min 28s to the top) 🚶 Golden Whip Stream Hike (7.5km ecological corridor) 2. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - Thrilling Experiences: ☁️ Tianmen Cave (World's highest natural mountain cave) 🛤️ Glass Skywalk (60m high) 🚠 7455m Cable Car (Direct access from the city to the summit) - Hidden Gems: 🌧️ Sea of Clouds after Rain (Like a fairyland) ❄️ Winter Ice Cascades (December-February only) 3. Grand Canyon Glass Bridge - World Records: 🌉 World's Longest Glass Bridge (430m) 👣 Bungee Jumping (Reservation required) 📸 Aerial Photography Spots (Additional fee) 4. Fenghuang Ancient Town (Nearby Recommendation) - Combo Options: 🚗 Zhangjiajie + Fenghuang 4-Day Tour 🌙 Tuojiang River Night View + Miao Village Culture 🍲 Food Guide Must-Try Trio 1. Tu's Three-Pot Stew (Pork belly, tofu, and radish stew) 2. Suancuo Fish (Traditional Tujia pickled fish) 3. Kudzu Root Powder (Cooling and refreshing) Local Recommendations - Wulingyuan Area: 🍢 "Hu Master Three-Pot Stew" (20-year-old restaurant) 🍚 "Bo Bo Dishes in the Village" (Tujia cuisine) - Downtown Area: 🍜 "Pig Brain Cold Noodles" (Zhangjiajie specialty) 🍲 "Fu Zhengyi Three-Pot Stew" (Chain restaurant) Special Snacks 🌶️ Fermented Tofu (Perfect with porridge) 🍡 Glutinous Rice Balls in Sugar Oil (Sweet and chewy) 🍵 Tujia Lei Cha (A must-have for guests) 🏨 Accommodation Guide Budget-Friendly (CNY 100-200) 1. Wulingyuan Area: - "Bajie Youth Hostel" (Backpackers' choice) - "Jinjiang Inn" (Near the landmark gate) 2. Downtown Area: - Hotels near "Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Station" - "Zhangjiajie International Hotel" (Established 3-star hotel) Unique Experiences (CNY 300-500) 1. Mountaintop Accommodation: - "Tianzi Mountain Inn" (Best for sunrise viewing) - "Yuanjiajie Homestay" (Near Lost Souls Platform) 2. Boutique Hotels: - "Mirror Cube Mountain Lodge" (Glasshouse stargazing rooms) - "Zishan Manju" (Designer homestay) 🚗 Transportation Guide Main Transportation - Airplane: ✈️ Hehua Airport (5km from downtown) - High-Speed Rail: 🚄 Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (Newly opened) - Train: 🚂 Zhangjiajie Railway Station (Old train station) Scenic Area Transportation 1. National Forest Park: 🚌 Eco-friendly Buses (Included in ticket price) 🚡 Cable Cars (Yangjiajie/Tianzi Mountain/Huangshi Village) 2. Downtown - Wulingyuan: 🚍 Shuttle Bus (CNY 13/person, 40 minutes) 💡 Local Tips 1. Best Seasons: - April-June (Spring/summer with abundant water) - September-November (Crisp autumn air) ❌ Avoid peak season and rainy season (July-August) 2. Essential Items: - Non-slip hiking shoes - Portable raincoat - Sun protection gear 3. Ticket Information: - National Forest Park: CNY 228 (4-day validity) - Tianmen Mountain: CNY 278 (Including cable car) - Grand Canyon: CNY 219 (Including glass bridge) 4. Things to Avoid: - Beware of "cheap one-day tours" - Do not provoke wild monkeys in the scenic area - Remember to bargain while shopping (Local products can be bargained down by 30%) 5. Hidden Gems: - Laowuchang Sky Farm (Off-the-beaten-track viewing platform) - Yangjiajie Wulong Village (Thrilling and adventurous) - Baofeng Lake (Picturesque lake and mountain scenery) 📅 Classic Itinerary: Day 1: Tianmen Mountain (Glass Skywalk + Tianmen Cave) Day 2-3: National Forest Park (Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain + Golden Whip Stream) Day 4: Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Day 5: Fenghuang Ancient Town (Optional) Zhangjiajie's beauty lies in its breathtaking natural wonders. We recommend at least a 3-4 day trip. Witness a sunrise over the sea of clouds at Yuanjiajie in the morning, encounter monkeys at Golden Whip Stream in the afternoon, and savor Tujia cuisine at Xibu Street in the evening. This is the right way to experience Zhangjiajie! Remember to bring a wide-angle lens, every frame here is a masterpiece! ～ 📸✨ [Special Reminder] Mountain weather is unpredictable. Check the weather forecast in advance. Prepare non-slip shoe covers for rainy days. Foggy days also offer a unique fairyland beauty!

Location: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Back Mountain Secret Realm 💰 Average cost: 800+ (glass houses are a bit expensive, but worth it!) 🏡 Homestay: Cube Mirror Mountain Residence [Reasons to stay] ✅ 360° glass house: Lie in bed and watch the stars 🌌, open your eyes to a sea of clouds and forests 🌲, romantic to the point of suffocation! ✅ Cliffside infinity pool: A must-visit in summer 🏊‍♀️, every shot is an Instagram-worthy masterpiece 📸! ✅ Secluded experience: Hidden in the primeval forest, completely away from tourist groups, enjoy the tranquility of the back mountain of Tianmen Mountain 🏞️. ✅ Tujia-flavored meals: The cured meat and mountain vegetables made by the auntie are so delicious you'll cry 😭 (remember to order in advance!) [Tips] 🔸 Transportation: It is recommended to drive yourself or contact the homestay for pick-up and drop-off (the mountain road is a bit winding, but it is absolutely stunning when you arrive!) 🔸 Weather: The best experience is to check in on a sunny day ☀️, and the misty clouds on rainy days are also very ethereal~ 📌 Summary of recommendations Unique: Zhangjiajie's only forest glass house, comparable to the Nordic tree house experience. Great for photos: From the room to the swimming pool, every shot is a blockbuster. A top choice for escaping the world: Stay away from the hustle and bustle of tourists and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the back mountain of Tianmen Mountain. I thought the online pictures were deceptive, but the reality was so beautiful that I was speechless... There were so many stars at night that I felt like I had fallen into the Milky Way. The privacy of the glass house is completely OK, and the only problem is that it's expensive!"