Zhangjiajie Forest Park Guide: Hunan's Must-See Nature

Hunan Province, China

FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Location: Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province at Jinbian Road No.279.
Total Area: 48.1 square kilometers (alternatively expressed as 5,000 hectares).
Approval Date: Approved by the State Council of China, September 25, 1982.
Climate: Subtropical monsoon humid climate. Annual average temperature: 17°C (alternatively reported as 12–15°C).

Zhangjiajie Forest Park Guide: Hunan's Must-See Nature

GEOLOGICAL & TOPOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Situated in the middle portion of the Wuling Mountains.
Features over 3,000 unique quartz sandstone peaks formed by water erosion, gravity collapse, and weathering.
Parent rock: Near-horizontal Middle and Devonian systems quartz sandstone.

VEGETATION & BIODIVERSITY

Forest Coverage: 97.7%.
Dominant Vegetation: Evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed woods.
Plant Species: 517 species of woody plants across 93 families.
Protected species: Ginkgo biloba, Hemlock Spruce, Chinese yew.
Wildlife: 27 mammal species (e.g., macaques, giant salamanders), 41 bird species (13 families, 6 orders).

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Huangshizhai: Mist-covered Golden Turtle, Five-Finger Peak.
Jinbianxi: Towering mountains, clean stream; filming site for Journey to the West.
Yuanjiajie:

Back Garden, Soul-Losing Terrace, World’s First Bridge.
Inspiration for Avatar‘s “Hallelujah Mountains.”

Yangjiajie: Steep pathways, unvarnished natural beauty.
Tianzishan: Commanding Platform, Yubi Peak, Fairy Offering Flowers.
Suoxiyu (Suxi): Misty streams, river-like formations.

TOURISM INFORMATION
Best Travel Time:

Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November).

Opening Hours:

March 1–November 30: 07:00–18:00 (last admission 16:00).
December 1–February 28: 08:00–17:00.

Ticket Cost:

Wulingyuan Central Scenic Area: 224 yuan/person.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Single Ticket:
Peak season: 165 yuan/person.
Off-peak season: 84 yuan/person.

RECOGNITION & HONORS

1992: Included in UNESCO World Heritage List for its quartz sandstone peak forest.
2004: Designated a World Geopark (February).
2007: Awarded AAAAA-level tourist attraction (China’s highest rating).

CONCLUSION
Hunan Province’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a treasure of natural beauty and cultural legacy. A must-visit destination for travelers exploring China’s geological wonders.

Format: Clean sections, bold headers, bullet points, and strategic spacing for readability. No words altered. 🌄