How to Get from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie 2025

A tour to Zhangjiajie offers a fantastic opportunity to "refresh" your perspective on parks, mountains, caves, and bridges. While you may have already explored many beautiful parks, mountains, caves, and bridges, the wonders in Zhangjiajie are truly breathtaking and unlike anything you've seen before.

So, how can you reach this incredible destination? Some travelers choose to visit Zhangjiajie after disembarking from a Yangtze River cruise in Yichang, while others start their journey from Beijing, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. Shanghai is a key entry point for international tourists visiting China, thanks to its numerous flights and train connections. This makes starting your China adventure in Shanghai both relaxing and enjoyable. Moreover, traveling from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie is very convenient.

This Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Transportation Guide provides information on distances, flights, trains, and more. Keep reading to discover the best way to travel that suits your preferences!

How Far is Zhangjiajie from Shanghai

Shanghai is located on China's east coast, near the mouth of the Yangtze River. Zhangjiajie is situated in south-central China, approximately 1,120 km (696 miles) from Shanghai. Most travelers choose to fly directly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, which takes about 2.5 hours. Some opt for a transfer via Changsha. Direct trains are less popular since the journey takes nearly 10 hours.

Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Transfer Information

Option 1. Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Flight - Most Popular

• Duration: 2.5 hours around
• From - To: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG)

Several daily flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) can get you from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie in just about 2.5 hours. Most flights depart from Shanghai in the early evening, allowing you to enjoy a half-day tour in Shanghai before catching your flight to Zhangjiajie.

Tourist Tip: Flights from Zhangjiajie back to Shanghai also depart daily after 6:00 PM. On your last day in Zhangjiajie, you can enjoy a half-day tour before catching an evening flight back to Shanghai.

6 Days Shanghai Zhangjiajie Highlights Tour with Glass Bridge Experience

Itinerary: Shanghai / Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Experience, Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport Services & Transportation

Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (IATA: DYG) is situated in the Yongding District of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. Serving as the sole international airport in the Wulingshan area, it plays a crucial role in advancing the tourism industry of Hunan Province.

On April 23, 2024, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport inaugurated its Foreign Guest Payment Service Center, located within the international arrival hall. This center offers a diverse range of payment services tailored to international travelers, concerning cash payment, card payment and QR code payments. It also facilitates exchanges for six major foreign currencies, including USD, KRW, JPY, GBP, EUR, and HKD. The center boasts a professional team to provide travelers with immediate guidance and assistance. In the future, the airport aims to deepen its partnership with financial institutions, striving to develop an international tourism airport that complements top-tier global destinations.

Payment Service Center at Zhangjiajie Airport

In terms of transportation, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport provides convenient and efficient services such as airport buses, regular buses, and taxis. The airport bus departs within 40 minutes after each flight lands and is free for passengers with a valid boarding pass or ticket for that flight. Stops include the Post Office Building and Zhangjiajie International Hotel. At the airport exit, Traffic Information Boards display bus routes to downtown and price references for taxis to various major attractions, making it easy for travelers to find transportation options.

⋙ More Details: Zhangjiajie Airport to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Option 2. Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Train - Long Journey

• Duration: 9.5-19 hours
• From - To: Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站) / Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站) to Zhangjiajie Railway Station (张家界站) / Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (张家界西站)

There is one daily high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, taking about 9.5 hours. Additionally, a few regular trains depart from Shanghai South Railway Station to Zhangjiajie Railway Station, with a journey time of around 19 hours. Given the long travel times for both high-speed and regular trains, taking a flight to Zhangjiajie is generally a better option. For more real-time information on Shanghai to Zhangjiajie trains, click here ⋙

4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain

Itinerary: Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountain, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Yellow Dragon Cave

From Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station to Downtown and Major Attractions

▶ To Wulingyuan District (National Forest Park & Grand Canyon): Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station is approximately 50km from Wulingyuan scenic area. Coming out of the station, you'll find the intercity bus terminal on your right. From there, you can take a coach to Wulingyuan (武陵源)/National Forest Park and the Grand Canyon (大峡谷). Note that coaches to Wulingyuan stop operating early evening. For late-night arrivals needing accommodation near the National Forest Park, taxis are available from the B1 parking lot at Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station.

▶ To Zhangjiajie Downtown (Tianmen Mountain): Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station is approximately 10km from downtown. After exiting the station, simply turn left and walk to the bus stop. You can take bus 4 or 17 to Wuling Delicious Restaurant Stop (武陵山珍馆), which is conveniently located near the Tianmen Mountain Cableway Station.

▶ To Furong & Fenghuang Ancient Towns: Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station operates multiple high-speed trains daily to Furong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town, offering fast and comfortable travel options for travelers to choose from. The journey to Furongzhen Station takes about 25 minutes, while to Fenghuanggucheng Station it takes approximately 1 hour.

⋙ More Details: Zhangjiajie Railway Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
⋙ More Details: How to Get Around Zhangjiajie

Option 3. Shanghai to Zhangjiajie via Changsha or Fenghuang - Great Alternative

If you want to shorten the long train journey between Shanghai and Zhangjiajie or are unable to book a direct train, you can opt for a transfer via Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province.

Shanghai to Changsha: You can travel from Shanghai to Changsha by either flight or high-speed train. There are many daily nonstop flights from both Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), with a flight time of approximately 2.5 hours. Additionally, Changsha South Railway Station receives dozens of high-speed trains from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. Depending on the specific train service, the journey typically takes between 4.5 and 6.5 hours.

Changsha to Zhangjiajie: Upon arrival in Changsha, you can either take a high-speed train directly from Changsha South Railway Station to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station or transfer via metro line 2 to Changsha Railway Station to catch a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. If you arrive by air, you can reach either Changsha Railway Station or Changsha South Railway Station using metro lines or shuttle buses, where you can board a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie. Be sure to check the train schedules for the most convenient options.

Useful Link:
>> Real-time Shanghai to Changsha Trains
>> How to Travel from Changsha to Zhangjiajie

5 Days Amazing Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour

Itinerary: Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang / Zhangjiajie
Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie, Tianmen Mountain, Fenghuang Ancient Town

You can also go to visit the romantic Fenghuang Ancient Town before Zhangjiajie. The trains travel from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站) and arrive at Fenghuang Ancient Town after abtout 8 hours' running. Know more about Real-time Shanghai to Fenghuang Ancient Town Trains >>

How to plan a Shanghai Zhangjiajie Tour

6 days or so is needed for a Shanghai Zhangjiajie tour. You can spend about 1-2 days to discover Shanghai, the most modern city of China. Then catch a flight to Zhangjiajie to explore its magnificent natural views.

Leave yourself about 2-3 days to indulge in the Hallelujah Mountains, villages, streams and forests inside the huge Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one part of Wulingyuan). Then have a one-day tour to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to have a thrilling glass bridge walking experience or Tianmen Mountain to get more surprise from nature. Some travelers choose to visit Yellow Dragon Cave or Baofeng Lake for one day.

>> 6 Days Shanghai Zhangjiajie Highlights Tour

If you have 1-2 days more, you are suggested to have a side trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town to appreciate the old place and feel the rich culture of the 28 minority ethnic groups.

>> 5 Days Classic Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Tour

Stunning View of The Bund (Shanghai)

Travel Zhangjiajie with China Discovery

Zhangjiajie is a beautiful mountainous area, and its main highlights are the canyon, National Forest Park, caves, and lakes… If you are new to this city, you may get troubles to find the best places to visit, best areas to stay at night and also the best traveling routes that perfectly match to your needs, budgets and prefers. Don’t worry, travel with China Discovery and then all your problems will be solved. And during your whole journey, our professional local guide and driver will escort you from your hotel, train station, airport to all attractions with comfortable private car with speed and convenience and let you catch the highlights of every site, so you can get really relaxed on the way and focus on what you are interested.

The tour can be tailor made according to your plan, time, interests and demands. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us and tell us your needs, and we will customize a memorable tour for you!

Floating Halelujah Mountain in Avatar
(Inspiration from Yuanjiajie)