Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province refers to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. Here is a detailed introduction to this national forest park:
Basic Information
Location: Jinbian Road No. 279, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province.
Total Area: 48.1 square kilometers (alternatively stated as 5,000 hectares).
Approval Time: September 25, 1982 (approved by the State Council of China).
Climate: It has a subtropical monsoon humid climate, with an annual average temperature of 17°C (alternatively stated as 12-15°C).
Geological and Topographical Features
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the middle section of the Wuling Mountains.
The park's landscape is characterized by over 3,000 peculiar peaks, which are vivid and spectacular.
Zhangjiajie geomorphology is a special type of sandstone landform formed mainly by quartz sandstone of the near-horizontal Middle and Devonian systems as the parent rock, through processes such as water erosion, gravitational collapse, and weathering.
Vegetation and Biodiversity
The forest coverage rate is 97.7%.
The vegetation is dominated by evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests, with 93 families and 517 species of woody plants.
Protected plant species include Ginkgo biloba, Hemlock Spruce, Chinese Yew, etc.
The park is home to 41 species of birds belonging to 13 families and 6 orders, as well as 27 species of mammals, including protected animals such as macaques and giant salamanders.
Major Attractions
Huangshizhai: Featuring scenic spots such as Five-Finger Peak and Mist-Covered Golden Turtle.
Jinbianxi: A scenic valley with a clear stream running through it, flanked by towering peaks. It is also a filming location for the classic TV series Journey to the West.
Yuanjiajie: Known for its scenic spots such as the Back Garden, Soul-Losing Terrace, and the World's First Bridge. It was also the filming location for the floating mountains "Hallelujah Mountains" in the movie Avatar.
Yangjiajie: Renowned for its primitive natural beauty and steep paths.
Tianzishan: Offers scenic spots like Yubi Peak, Fairy Offering Flowers, and Commanding Platform.
Suoxiyu: Also known as Suoxi, named after the rope-like shape of the streams within the scenic area. It is famous for its constant mist and clear streams.
Tourism Information
Best Travel Time: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is at its finest.
Opening Hours: From March 1st to November 30th, 07:00-18:00 (latest entry at 16:00); from December 1st to February 28th of the following year, 08:00-17:00.
Ticket Price: The core scenic area of Wulingyuan has a ticket price of 224 yuan per person; the single ticket for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is 165 yuan per person during peak seasons and 84 yuan per person during off-peak seasons.
Honors and Recognition
In December 1992, the Wulingyuan area, with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park as its core, was listed in the World Heritage List by the United Nations for its unique quartz sandstone peak forest.
In February 2004, the Zhangjiajie scenic area was listed as a World Geopark.
In 2007, Zhangjiajie was awarded one of China's first batch of AAAAA-level tourist attractions.
In summary, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province is a national forest park with rich natural scenery and cultural heritage. It is a must-visit destination for tourists visiting Zhangjiajie.