How to Get from Zhangjiajie City to Wulingyuan by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take the tourist bus from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to Wulingyuan Bus Station — buses run every 5–10 minutes from 07:00 to 17:30, cost ¥13, and take about 50 minutes. If you arrive at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (high-speed rail), direct coaches to Wulingyuan depart from the station's tourist distribution center (¥13, 40 min, every ~40 min). Wulingyuan Bus Station is about 990 m from the East Gate (Bailong Elevator entrance) of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

Factor	Best Option
Fastest from high-speed rail	Direct coach from West Station (¥13, 40 min)
Most frequent	Central Bus Station bus (¥13, every 5–10 min)
Cheapest	City bus to Central Station + coach (~¥15 total)
Best for most travelers	Central Bus Station tourist bus

Wulingyuan (武陵源) is the gateway town to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — the "Avatar Mountains" of towering sandstone pillars. Most visitors stay in Wulingyuan rather than Zhangjiajie city, because it puts you within walking distance of the park's East Gate and eliminates a daily 50-minute commute.

Compare Your Options

Method	Cost	Time	Notes
Central Bus Station → Wulingyuan	¥13	50 min	Every 5–10 min, 07:00–17:30
West Station direct coach	¥13	40 min	Every ~40 min, 07:00–17:20
Bus Route 5 + Central Station coach	¥2 + ¥13	~90 min	Budget option from West Station
Taxi / DiDi	¥80–120	40–50 min	Door-to-door; best for groups/late arrivals

Option 1: Bus from Central Bus Station (Recommended)

Step-by-step

Get to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (张家界中心汽车站). It is located next to Zhangjiajie Railway Station (the old station) on Guanniping Street, Yongding District. City buses 4, 5, 6, 8, 17, and 102 stop nearby. It is about 800 m north of the Tianmen Mountain Cableway lower station.
Buy your ticket at the counter for the bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station (武陵源汽车站). The fare is ¥13 per person. Buses depart every 5–10 minutes from approximately 07:00 to 17:30 (in high season, service may start as early as 05:40 and run until 19:30–20:00).
Board the bus. The journey takes about 50 minutes and covers 35 km. The bus may make a brief stop at Zhangjiajie West Station en route.
Arrive at Wulingyuan Bus Station. From here:
- The East Gate (东门) of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (also called the Wulingyuan marker / Bailong Elevator entrance) is about 990 m away — a 10–15 minute walk, or take Wulingyuan city bus 1 or 2 (¥1).
- The Wujiayu Ticket Station (吴家峪门票站) is about 2 km from the bus station. Take Wulingyuan bus 1 or 2 (¥1) or a short taxi ride.
- Most hotels in Wulingyuan are within a 5–15 minute walk or a ¥5–10 taxi ride from the bus station.

[!TIP] If you are staying in Wulingyuan, the bus station is the transit hub for everything — local buses to the East Gate, Yellow Dragon Cave, Baofeng Lake, and the Grand Canyon all depart from here.

Option 2: Direct Coach from Zhangjiajie West Railway Station

If you arrive by high-speed train at Zhangjiajie West Station (张家界西站):

Exit the station and turn right. Walk about 50 meters to the Tourist Distribution Center (游客集散中心) on the western side of the station building.
Buy a ticket for the direct coach to Wulingyuan Bus Station: ¥13, approximately 40 minutes.
Coaches run every 40 minutes from approximately 07:00 to 17:20.
In high season, service may be extended. If you arrive after the last coach, take Bus Route 5 (¥2) to the Central Bus Station and transfer, or use DiDi/taxi.

[!IMPORTANT] Zhangjiajie has two railway stations: Zhangjiajie West (张家界西) for high-speed G/D trains, and Zhangjiajie Station (张家界站) for slower overnight trains, right next to the Central Bus Station. Almost all international visitors arrive at West Station. Check your ticket carefully.

Option 3: Taxi or DiDi

A taxi or DiDi from Zhangjiajie city center to Wulingyuan costs approximately ¥80–120 and takes 40–50 minutes.
From Zhangjiajie West Station, expect ¥80–150 depending on traffic and time of day.
This is the best option if you arrive after bus hours (after ~18:00), have heavy luggage, or are traveling in a group of 3–4.
Agree on a fixed price before departure if using a street taxi; DiDi shows the fare upfront.

How to Get Back

Buses from Wulingyuan Bus Station back to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station run every 20 minutes from approximately 06:50 to 18:00, fare ¥13, duration 50 minutes. Coaches to West Station also run from Wulingyuan. If you miss the last bus, a taxi back to the city costs ¥80–120.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. In high season (July–October, Chinese holidays), buses run later and more frequently. In off-season, service may end earlier. Check at Wulingyuan Bus Station when you arrive.

Chinese Names You May Need

English	Chinese	Pinyin
Wulingyuan	武陵源	Wǔlíngyuán
Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station	张家界中心汽车站	Zhāngjiājiè Zhōngxīn Qìchēzhàn
Zhangjiajie West Railway Station	张家界西站	Zhāngjiājiè Xī Zhàn
Wulingyuan Bus Station	武陵源汽车站	Wǔlíngyuán Qìchēzhàn
East Gate (Forest Park)	东门	Dōng Mén
Wujiayu Ticket Station	吴家峪门票站	Wújiāyù Ménpiàozhàn
Bailong Elevator	百龙天梯	Bǎilóng Tiāntī
Tianmen Mountain Cableway	天门山索道	Tiānménshān Suǒdào

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing Zhangjiajie West Station with Zhangjiajie Station. They are 8.5 km apart. West Station handles all high-speed trains; the old station is next to the Central Bus Station. If your ticket says "张家界西," you are at West Station — use the direct coach from there.
Staying in Zhangjiajie city instead of Wulingyuan. The national park is in Wulingyuan, 35 km from the city. If you stay in the city, you will spend 1.5–2 hours commuting each day. Stay in Wulingyuan if the forest park is your main focus.
Not knowing which park entrance to use. Wulingyuan town is closest to the East Gate (Bailong Elevator). The South Gate (Forest Park Ticket Station) is a different entrance, 30 km from the city in the other direction (see our separate guide). The Tianzi Mountain Ticket Station is yet another entrance, farther away.
Arriving late without a backup plan. Buses stop around 17:30 (off-season) to 20:00 (peak season). If your train arrives after 19:00, budget for a taxi or DiDi.
Paying with a 100-yuan note on the bus. Bus drivers often cannot give change for large bills. Carry small notes (¥5, ¥10, ¥20) or use WeChat/Alipay.

Before You Go

Tickets: The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park entrance ticket (¥228 peak / ¥145 off-season, valid 4 days) is required. See our National Forest Park ticket guide for details and booking.
Crowds: Check our Zhangjiajie crowd forecast to plan your visit dates and avoid peak days.
Best time to visit: April–June and September–October for comfortable weather; avoid Chinese national holidays (Oct 1–7) when crowds are extreme.
What to bring: Passport (for park entry), comfortable hiking shoes, layers (mountains are cooler), rain gear, water, and snacks.

Related Guides

Zhangjiajie Travel Guide — full city guide with attractions and practical tips
How to Get from Zhangjiajie City to the National Forest Park — South Gate entrance guide
How to Get from Zhangjiajie to the Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge — another popular day trip
12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
DiDi Ride-Hailing Guide for Foreigners — using ride-hailing apps in China

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Need help booking park tickets, arranging a private guide, or planning a multi-day Zhangjiajie itinerary? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Bus schedules and fares are based on TravelChinaGuide (updated May–July 2026), the official Zhangjiajie tourism website (hnzjj.com), and ZhangjiajieHoliday.com. High-season extended hours are based on TravelChinaGuide Q&A (August 2026). Schedules may change — verify at the bus station before travel.

Last verified: August 2026