Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie
The Avatar mountain park is huge — your ticket covers 4 zones for 4 days, but cable cars, elevators, and eco-buses are separate decisions.
Last verified: 2026-08-21
Why choosing is confusing
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (also called Wulingyuan Scenic Area on tickets) covers over 26,000 hectares across 4 scenic zones: Yuanjiajie (Avatar mountains), Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, and the Golden Whip Stream valley. The basic ticket covers entry + free eco-buses for 4 consecutive days. But the cliff-top zones are only accessible by cable car or elevator (extra cost), and you need to reserve a timed entry slot for each day you visit — even with a multi-day ticket.
Local guide's shortcut
For most international visitors
Buy the Park + Eco-Bus pass (¥240, 4-day validity). Then get the 4-Ride Lift Pass (¥238) covering Bailong Elevator up + Tianzi cable car down + Huangshizhai cable car round-trip. This covers the classic 2-day route. Reserve your entry slots for each day when you buy the ticket.
Choose by Travel Style
Which ticket fits you?
Guide first, booking second. The final product names and inclusions can be connected to the existing ticket inventory.
Park Entry + Eco-Bus Pass (4 Days)
The essential base ticket — required for everyone
What this combination includes
- ✓Entry to all 4 scenic zones (Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Yangjiajie, Golden Whip Stream)
- ✓Unlimited rides on park eco-buses for 4 consecutive days
- ✓Re-entry on any of the 4 days
What's not included
- All cable cars and the Bailong Elevator (sold separately)
- Transport from Zhangjiajie city to Wulingyuan (~40 min taxi)
- Timed entry reservation (must book separately for each day)
Main trade-off
This is the minimum ticket you need. Without the eco-bus pass, you would pay per ride and it adds up fast since the zones are 10+ km apart.
¥240 (≈ US$34) + US$0.99 service fee
Book this optionPark + Eco-Bus + 4-Ride Lift Pass
Best for most 2-day visitors following the classic route
What this combination includes
- ✓Everything in the Park + Eco-Bus pass
- ✓4 one-way rides across any combination of: Bailong Elevator, Tianzi cable car, Yangjiajie cable car, Huangshizhai cable car
What's not included
- Transport from Zhangjiajie city to Wulingyuan
- Timed entry reservation (book separately)
Main trade-off
Saves ~¥30 vs buying 4 rides individually. Covers the standard 2-day route perfectly: Day 1 (Bailong up + Tianzi down) + Day 2 (Huangshizhai up + down). If you only need 2 rides (Bailong + Tianzi), pay per ride instead.
¥240 + ¥238 = ¥478 (≈ US$67) + US$0.99 service fee
Book this optionPark + Eco-Bus + Unlimited Lift Pass
Best for 3+ day visitors, photographers, or those who want flexibility
What this combination includes
- ✓Everything in the Park + Eco-Bus pass
- ✓Unlimited rides on all 4 lifts for 4 days
What's not included
- Transport from Zhangjiajie city
- Timed entry reservation
Main trade-off
Only worth it if you plan 5+ lift rides. For the standard 2-day route, the 4-ride pass is cheaper. But if you are a photographer wanting to revisit viewpoints or doing a 3-day itinerary, this gives full flexibility.
¥240 + ¥298 = ¥538 (≈ US$75) + US$0.99 service fee
Book this optionBefore you book
Timed Entry Reservation — Critical
- •Since June 2025, every entry day requires a separate timed reservation — even with a 4-day ticket.
- •Book all your entry days at the time of ticket purchase. Each day needs its own slot.
- •Peak season (May–October) slots fill fast, especially 8–10 AM entries.
- •Without a reservation for a given day, you cannot enter — even if your ticket is still valid.
Passport & Foreign Visitors
- •Bring your physical passport. Since July 2026, gates can read foreign passports directly.
- •Half-price discounts for cable cars generally apply to Chinese nationals only. Foreign visitors pay full lift prices.
- •Children under 14: free park entry (all nationalities). Seniors 65+: free park entry.
Route Planning
- •Classic 2-day route: Day 1 — East Gate → Bailong Elevator up → Yuanjiajie (Avatar) → eco-bus to Tianzi Mountain → cable car down. Day 2 — South Gate → Golden Whip Stream → Huangshizhai (cable car) → exit.
- •Do NOT try to do the park in one day — you will see less than 20% of it.
- •Stay in Wulingyuan town, not Zhangjiajie city. You save 30–40 min of transit each morning.
Weather & Seasons
- •Best: September–November and April–June for clear skies and moderate temperatures.
- •The "floating mountain" mist effect is most common after rain in summer (June–August), but this is also peak crowd season.
- •Cable cars may close during thunderstorms or high winds.
Ready to book?
We book your park pass and help you plan entry day reservations. Tell us your travel dates and how many days you plan inside the park. US$0.99 service fee per booking.
Still unsure? Ask a Local
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💬 Chat with a Local ExpertFrequently asked questions
Is this the same as Tianmen Mountain?+
No. They are two completely different parks with separate tickets. This guide covers the National Forest Park (Avatar mountains). Tianmen Mountain is near Zhangjiajie city and requires its own full-day visit.
Can I visit in one day?+
Technically yes, but you will see a small fraction of the park. We strongly recommend 2 days minimum, 3 days ideal.
Do I need the eco-bus pass?+
Yes. The zones are 10+ km apart and private cars are banned inside. Without the bus pass, you pay per ride and it costs more than the ¥71 difference.
What if I miss my reserved entry slot?+
Contact us or the park service center. Slots can sometimes be rebooked, but during peak season availability is limited. Always arrive on time.