6 Days Zhangjiajie Chongqing Scenic Escape Cultural Tour

Zhangjiajie Arrival

4+ stars Hotels

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Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, you will be warmly greeted by our local guide and transferred to your hotel. Take your time to settle in and recover from the journey. Zhangjiajie, located in Hunan Province, is famed for its surreal landscapes and towering sandstone pillars—many of which inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

If your arrival is early enough, you may enjoy a relaxing stroll around Zhangjiajie City Center or visit Dayong Ancient Town, a peaceful historic district featuring traditional Tujia architecture, lantern-lit alleyways, and ancient watchtowers.

You’ll have the opportunity to taste some signature local snacks such as Tujia bacon, spicy tofu, and sour fish soup in nearby markets or small family-run restaurants. This is a great moment to start immersing yourself in the ethnic culture and flavors of this mountain region.

Recommended Activities:
Spend your evening at leisure, or opt for a visit to Tujia Folk Custom Park, where you can enjoy cultural exhibitions, traditional stilt houses, and local music performances. Alternatively, enjoy a quiet dinner in one of the local restaurants offering mountain views and regional cuisine specialties.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park--Bailong Elevator--Yuanjiajie--Tianzi Mountain

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Breakfast & Hotels

After breakfast, we will enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its towering sandstone pillars. Ascend via the world’s tallest outdoor elevator—Bailong Elevator—and arrive at Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, famous for its "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain."

Continue to Tianzi Mountain, often blanketed by seas of clouds and offering breathtaking views of jagged peaks and lush valleys. Explore scenic spots like He Long Park and Fairy Maiden Presenting Flowers.

Evening Option:
You may choose to enjoy the Charming Xiangxi Show, a vibrant performance showcasing Tujia and Miao ethnic traditions with dance, music, and dazzling costumes.

Tianmen Mountain Park--Tianmen Cableway--Glass Skywalk--72 Strange Buildings

4+ stars Hotels

Breakfast & Hotels

This morning, prepare for a thrilling ride on the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, one of the world’s longest. Upon reaching the summit, explore the Glass Skywalk, where you can walk above steep cliffs with dramatic views beneath your feet.

Admire natural wonders like Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), a gaping hole through the mountain, and marvel at the mountain road's 99 bends.

Later, visit the 72 Strange Buildings, a complex blending stilt-style architecture with modern lighting, art, and folk culture displays.

Recommended Activities:
Take an evening stroll through the illuminated streets of downtown Zhangjiajie or visit a local teahouse to relax and experience local hospitality.

High-speed train to Chongqing

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Breakfast & Hotels

After breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train to Chongqing, one of China's most vibrant and fast-growing cities. The journey offers scenic views of rural Hunan and the changing landscape as you move into the mountainous regions of Sichuan.

Upon arrival in Chongqing, your guide will meet you at the station and escort you to your hotel. After some rest, you may explore the surrounding area at your leisure. Take this opportunity to get a feel for Chongqing's unique terrain—a city of hills, rivers, and bridges, often referred to as the "Mountain City."

Recommended Activities:
Enjoy a relaxed evening by taking a stroll along Nanbin Road, a riverside promenade known for its dazzling city lights and river views. You may also opt to taste Chongqing hotpot, famous for its fiery flavors and endless variety of ingredients—an essential culinary experience in this spicy city.

Shancheng Lane--White Elephant Street--White Elephant House--Dongshuimen City Wall Ruins--Yangtze River Cableway--Hongyadong

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Breakfast & Lunch

Early in the morning, when the first rays of sunshine pour over the staggered buildings of Shancheng, we will depart from the historical Shancheng Lane, where the ancient houses and stores on both sides of the stone-paneled road intertwine to create a vivid picture of the old street. Afterwards, lightly turn to White Elephant Street, which was once a prosperous place where merchants gathered, and every piece of green stone board seems to be whispering about the past splendor. 

Continuing on to the White Elephant House, this residential complex surrounded by the spectacle of the light rail running through the building is a perfect example of the fusion of modernity and antiquity, which makes people stop and look up, marveling at the unique magical charm of the mountain city. 

Stroll to the Dongshuimen City Wall Ruins, the mottled walls witnessed the vicissitudes of Chongqing City, as if you can travel through time and feel the resilience and unyielding. Then go to experience the different scenery brought by the Yangtze River Cableway.

Finally, at nightfall, arrived at Hongyadong, the lights, hanging footstools built on the mountain, layers upon layers, like a bright night pearl set in the Jialing River, this is not only the sea of food, but also a perfect place to experience the culture of Bayu.

Eighteen Stairs--Jiefangbei- Liziba (light rail through the building)--Ciqikou--Chongqing Departure

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Breakfast & Hotels

In the early morning light,  you will step into the Eighteen Stairs, which is full of historical flavor. The stone paths here have gone through vicissitudes of life, and each piece of green stone plate records the stories of the past. The old houses on both sides of the street are mottled, but you can still see the prosperity of the past. The small stores along the street are bustling with all kinds of handicrafts and local snacks, and the air is filled with tantalizing aromas.

After the Eighteen Stairs, We will then take you to Jiefangbei, the commercial center of Chongqing and a symbol of the city. The towering monument gleams in the sunlight, and the surrounding skyscrapers showcase the city's modernity and prosperity. You can stroll through the busy streets, admire the various stores and billboards, and feel the fashion and vitality of the city.

In the late afternoon, we will bring you to the scene of the spectacle of the Liziba Light Railway passing through the buildings. This incredible sight is breathtaking as the LRT train slowly passes through the residential buildings. You can stand on the observation deck to get a close-up view of this mind-blowing scene and feel the harmonious coexistence between modern transportation and ancient architecture.

Finally, as night falls, we will take you to the old town of Ciqikou. The town is full of lights and people, and is filled with a rich historical and cultural atmosphere. You can stroll along the green stone road and admire the ancient buildings and the wide range of handicraft stores. Taste the authentic Chongqing snacks in front of the food stalls in the ancient town and feel the unique spicy and fresh aroma. In the teahouse to listen to a Sichuan opera face-changing performance is to appreciate the unique charm of the Bayu culture.

As the sun sets, we will arrange a special car to take you to the airport or station, the end of this unforgettable tour. We hope this trip will become a wonderful memory in your heart, and look forward to meeting you again in the mountain city.