Zhangjiajie, in northern Hunan, is one of China’s most jaw-dropping landscapes — thousands of quartz-sandstone pillars rising from the mist, the inspiration for the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar.

What to see

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — the core, with the famous Avatar pillars, Yuanjiajie and the Bailong glass elevator.
• Tianmen Mountain — a cable car, the “Heaven’s Gate” arch, and a cliff-side glass walkway.
• Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge — one of the world’s highest and longest glass bridges.

Getting there

Fly or take the high-speed train to Zhangjiajie, then a local transfer to the park. Book transport on Trip.com (affiliate); guided tours that handle the complex park logistics are on Viator or Klook (affiliate).

Tips

• Give it 2–3 days — the park is enormous and spread out.
• Spring and autumn are best; mist is common (and atmospheric) but heavy rain closes glass attractions.
• Buy park and glass-bridge tickets online in advance — they sell out.
• Wear good shoes and pack layers; weather shifts fast at altitude.

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