72 Strange Buildings (72 Qilou) in Zhangjiajie - Guinness World’s Highest Stilted Building

As the Guinness World Record holder for being the highest stilted building, 72 Strange Buildings, also known as 72 Wonder Towers offers visitors a visual feast, a unique Tujia cultural experience, and wonderful nightlife.

The best highlight that makes it a must-see spot is the unique stilted houses with typical Tujia ethnic features. It presents traditional architectural skills that can be rated as a model of craft. These buildings also incorporate modern design elements such as lighting and contemporary building materials, which is why they are so visually stunning. Especially when night falls, the whole architectural complex will be illuminated by yellow and orange lighting.

Founded in the Tang Dynasty, 72 Strange Buildings have been destroyed and reconstructed several times after the vicissitudes. The design of 72 Strange Buildings is inspired by the traditional stilted houses of the Tujia people, which are usually built on hillsides with unique overhanging and wooden structures. The stilted buildings at the height of 109.9 meters have a square and hollowed-out cave, with a height of 38 meters, width of 28 meters, and depth of 21 meters. This cave echoes with Tianmen Cave of Tianmen Mountain at a distance, making it a highly popular spot.

Light Show

72 Strange Buildings is located at No.1 Wulingshan Avenue, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Provine. Usually, visitors need to get to Zhangjiajie first, then transfer to 72 Strange Buildings by private car or bus. It’s about 3.5 km from Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (10 mins by car), 8 km from Zhangjiajie Railway Station (20 mins by car), and 7 km from Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (15 mins by car).

Also, you can go to 72 Strange Buildings after visiting other attractions in Zhangjiajie, such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (12 km and 21 mins to drive), Tianmen Mountian (19 km and 30 mins to drive), and Yellow Dragon Cave (36 km away and 45 mins to drive), Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (55 km away and 1 hrs to drive).

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, is China's first national forest park. Known for its towering sandstone pillars, lush vegetation, and mist-covered landscapes, it inspired the floating mountains in the movie "Avatar." The park spans over 11,900 acres and is home to diverse wildlife, hiking trails, and scenic spots like the famous Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, offering breathtaking views of nature's grandeur.

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountian, located just outside Zhangjiajie City, is known for its breathtaking views and dramatic natural features. The mountain is famous for the Tianmen Cave, which echoes with the square cave of 72 Strange Buildings. Visitors can take the world’s longest cable car ride to the summit, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Walikng on cliffside glass walkways is also a thrilling experience. The winding 99-Bend Road leading to the mountain is another highlight.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a dramatic natural wonder, featuring deep gorges, verdant forests, and towering cliffs. It's famous for the world’s longest and highest glass bridge, which stretches 430 meters across the canyon, offering thrilling views of the landscape below. Visitors can also explore waterfalls, caves, and a scenic hiking trail that descends to the canyon floor, providing a close-up experience of the area’s stunning geological formations.

Zhangjiajie, a destination renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, is best explored over a span of 3~4 days. In Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, visitors can immerse themselves in the ethereal beauty of the “Avatar Mountains,” and marvel at the stunning vistas of Tianzi Mountain, Huangshi Village, and Golden Whip Stream, where a picturesque stream winds through lush greenery. The adventure continues with a visit to Tianmen Mountain, offering panoramic views, and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, home to the world’s largest and highest glass bridge. These natural wonders, with their seas of clouds, mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets, and atmospheric mists and fogs, create a paradise-like experience.

To further enrich the journey, many travelers extend their trip to include the nearby Furong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town. These old towns offer a glimpse into the unique culture of the western Hunan ethnic minority, with their characteristic antique wooden stilt houses and serene river views, adding a cultural dimension to the natural splendor of Zhangjiajie.

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