6 Days Incredible Xiamen Zhangjiajie Tour

Day 1 Xiamen Arrival

Airport / railway station pick up

Welcome to Xiamen, the Garden City on the Sea! Your local guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall of Xiamen airport or railway stations and then escort you to your hotel at Xiamen downtown and help you with the check-in. The rest of today is on your own to explore this beautiful city.

Arrival Ideals: Xiamen has frequent daily flights from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Xian, Kunming, etc. Besides, you can take a bullet train from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Guilin, Fuzhou, Huangshan, and so on.

Evening Idea: take a leisure walk at Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street where you’ll appreciate lots of beautiful old arcade buildings in Chinese, Western and South Asian styles and also some local popular food for a good try!

• Welcome to Xiamen

Day 2 Xiamen - Nanjing Tulou - Yongding Tulou- Xiamen (B, L)

Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yuchang Building, Taxia Village, Chengqi Building

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotels and then escort you to see the earthen buildings (Tulou) in Nanjing County with a 3-hour scenic drive. Nanjing Tulou is a key part of Fujian Tulou that are the traditional dwelling houses of Chinese Hakka people with round, square or rectangular appearance for living in family groups and have been listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2008.

First, walk up to the viewing platform to have a bird’s eye view of the must-see Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster from the best angle, which is the most famous earthen building cluster known as “Four Dishes and a Soup” with 3 round, 1 oval and 1 rectangular well preserved earthen building looking really like a set of meal on the natural tablecloth of the lush mountain an graceful rice terraces surrounding.

Next, go to discover Yuchang Building that was built during 1308-1338. It is the present oldest Tulou and the largest and highest round Tulou with highest floor height in Nanjing region. Also, it is famous as “Zigzag Building” because it looks about to totter with a maximum inclination of 15 degrees due to weather beats and earthquakes, however, it stands quite still till nowadays. Walk into this Tulou and closely look at the zigzag wooden pillars which have well supported such huge building for over 600 years.

Then, visit Taxia Village. With an “S” shaped stream floating across the entire village, two earthen buildings located just right on the two curves, and multiple big and small Tulou built along the banks, this village is reputed as a “Water Town of Taichi” with rich Tulou flavor. You will not miss Yude Building known as “Apron Building”, Deyuan Hall with outstanding sculptures of birds, beasts and flowers and also the 24 Hakka stone flagpoles beside the semilunar pond.

Then, drive to Gaobei Tulou Cluster in Yongding to explore Chengqi Building, which has been constructed for around half a century and is now more than 300 years old. Being the largest round Tulou with most circles in Yongding, it is reputed as the “King of Tulou” and has been printed on the national stamps in China in 1986. Walk in the huge earthen building with a diameter of 72 meters to admire its amazing design of 4 circles and 4 floors with circle in circle, which was in accordance to Bagua and reaches the highest level of Tulou construction.

After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Xiamen. Have a good sleep!

• Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster
• Yuchanglou (Zigzag Building)
• Taxia Village
• Chengqilou Interior Design

Day 3 Xiamen Highlights (B, L)

Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple

Good morning! Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotels and then take you to have a classic discovery of the refreshing Xiamen City.

First, take a 20-minutes’ ferry to Gulangyu Island from Xiamen downtown. It is the No.1 attraction in Xiamen and also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage with dozens of precious historical architectures built by people from the UK, Italy, France, Spain, Japan, etc. during the Second Opium War, thus, this little island of 1.88 s.q.m wide is regarded as “International Architecture Museum” with relic sites of 13 embassies from 18th-19th centuries. Roam along the old alleys to appreciate those left sites of churches, mansions, villas, banks and museums telling the historical stories of Gulangyu. Walk up to the most famous Sunlight Rock and catch the wonderful panorama of the large group of red and pink Western styled architectures with dotted emerald trees. Then, go to discover the must-see Shuzhuang Garden that is the classic model of traditional Chinese garden on the sea. Take a leisure stroll amongst the twisty corridors, ancient halls with flying eaves and blue tiles, delicate pavilions, poetic gardens and ponds, etc. facing the shimmering sea and feel its traditional Chinese literal beauty contrasting to the western charm surrounding. Step into the outstanding Piano Museum which boasts an awesome collection of nearly 100 precious old pianos from all over the world for your worthy musical inspiration. Enjoy your architectural savory and then take the ferry back to Xiamen downtown.

Then, go to visit Nanputuo Temple (South Putuo Temple) of more than 1,000 years old. Enter the temple to admire a grand cluster of Buddhist halls with flying eaves and yellow tiles standing layer by layer under century-old trees and against the emerald mountain and pray in front of the holy Buddhas. Meanwhile, immerse into the peaceful atmosphere with locals taking a break around the large lotus pond, traditional Chinese pavilions, corridors, etc.. Later, walk about 20 minutes up to Wulao Peak to have a terrific bird’s eye view of the beautiful Xiamen University, Xiamen Port and the nearby islets on the blue sea!

After the tour, you'll be escorted to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport to catch a flight to Changsha (about 2 hours). Get picked up by local tour guide after arriving at the airport, then transfer to check in your hotel in Changsha City.

• South Putuo Temple Buddhist Architecture
• Xiamen University View from Wulao Peak
• Sightseeing from Sunlight Rock
• Shuzhuang Garden

Day 4 Changsha City Tour & Train to Zhangjiajie (B, L)

Hunan Museum - Yuelu Academy - Orange Island - Train to Zhangjiajie

Begin your day with a visit to the Hunan Museum, one of China's premier museums. Here, you'll delve into the region's history and admire a vast collection of artifacts, among which the Changsha Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs Exhibition is the best highlight. It houses cultural artifacts from the Western Han Dynasty, dating back over 2200 years. Among the exhibits is the remarkably well-preserved “wet corpse” of Lady Xin Zhui, considered one of the best-preserved ancient wet corpses in the world, and of immense research value. Additionally, the renowned Plain Unlined Gauze Gown, unearthed from Xin Zhui's tomb, is also on display. This garment, the earliest, thinnest, and lightest of its kind discovered to date, exemplifies the pinnacle of Western Han weaving technology and represents the highest standards in silkworm cultivation, harvesting, and weaving techniques during the early Han Dynasty.

After lunch, take some time to visit the Yuelu Academy, one of the four great academies of ancient China. This historic institution is located on Yuelu Mountain and offers a peaceful setting where you can explore traditional Chinese architecture and educational heritage. Along the way to Yuelu Academy, you can catch a distant view of Orange Island, a notable landmark in Changsha.

Next, board a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie, a city surrounded by the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Wulingyuan mountain range. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Wulingyuan District, the gateway to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

• OrangeBeach
• Hunan Museum, Picture Taken by Our Travel Consultant Evelyn

Day 5 Yuanjiajie - Tianzi Mountain (B, L)

Bailong Elevator - Avatar Mountain - Yuanjiajie - Tianzi Mountain

Kick off your day with an early breakfast, then head to the UNESCO World Heritage site - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You will visit Ten-mile Gallery, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain which is the Core Scenic Area of the national park.

Begin your adventure at the Ten-mile Gallery, where sightseeing trams glide past stunning formations like The God of Longevity Welcoming Guests, the Old Herb Picker, and the Three Sisters Peaks. This leisurely journey leads you through a captivating valley filled with storytelling landscapes. To fully immerse yourself in the experience, you’ll take a tram in and stroll back out, soaking in the beauty along the way.

Your next destination is Yuanjiajie. Begin your exploration on the Bailong Elevator, the world’s fastest and tallest outdoor lift, which ascends from the valley floor to the peak in just 1.5 minutes, providing a stunning bird’s-eye view of the remarkable landscape. Once you arrive at Yuanjiajie, immerse yourself in the area's natural beauty, renowned for its towering sandstone columns. Hike through this enchanting terrain, often shrouded in mist, and discover the inspiration behind the floating Hallelujah Mountains from the film Avatar. At the Ecstasy Terrace, soak in breathtaking vistas of hundreds of distinctive stone peaks. Finally, explore the natural wonder of The First Bridge, a striking stone bridge connecting two peaks with a 5-meter platform, showcasing a rare geological marvel.

After exploring Yuanjiajie, hop on a sightseeing bus to Tianzi Mountain. At Helong Park, you'll discover one of the area's finest viewing decks, providing close-up views of the majestic and unique Yubi Peak, and find the romantic Fairy Flowers among the hundreds of bizarre sandstone peaks. If you have the energy, you can venture a bit deeper to the Warrior Training Horse where dozens of unusual peaks stand tall, among which one peak resembles a proud steed with its mane held high, while next to it, a rock looks like a warrior holding the reins of a horse. End your visit at Tianzi Mountain with an exhilarating ride on the Cable Car, descending through a landscape of sandstone pillars that seem to rush past your window.

Following this thrilling tour, your guide and driver will take you to Zhangjiajie’s downtown area for hotel check-in.

Today 's Optional Attraction - Kongzhong Tianyuan, also known as The Field in the Sky (around 1~2 hours):

Kongzhong Tianyuan is a scenic spot that is less frequented by tour groups but features breathtaking views, making it especially suitable for photography. Typically, visitors need to take a sightseeing bus to reach the area (round trip CNY 64/pp not included in the ticket price). Here, you can see dozens of terraced fields layered amidst hundreds of towering stone peaks, and you can also gaze at the Bailong Elevator rising like a giant dragon into the sky. It’s important to note that to get a close-up view of the Avatar peaks from the lower observation platforms, you'll need to walk about half an hour. Be extra cautious while walking during rainy days and in winter.

Optional Evening Show: Enjoy your night to watch the popular Tianmen Fox Fairy Show at the foot of Tianmen Mountain, which is an excellent large-scaled musical drama performance with real landscape being the background and stage telling the touching story. Performance time: 20:15-21:50.

• Mazurek's Group from Poland visited Tianzi Mountain in May 2024.
• Lenise's Group from Brasil visited Yuanjiajie in March 2024.
• Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie
• Bailong Elevator, Taken from Kong Zhong Tian Yuan Scenic Area

Day 6 Tianmen Mountain National Park & Zhangjiajie Departure (B, L)

Tianmen Mountain Cableway - Top of the Mountain West Line (Tianmen Temple, Guigu Cliffside Path, Glass Bottom Cliffside Path) - Transmountain Escalator - Tianmen Cave - Tianmen Cave Express Cableway - Mountain Gate

After breakfast, your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel to embark on an exhilarating journey to Tianmen Mountain, a must-see attraction in Zhangjiajie, renowned for its record-breaking single-track circular alpine cableway and the awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, Tianmen Cave.

You'll begin by taking the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, which ascends from downtown Zhangjiajie to the top of the mountain, over 1,400 meters above sea level. This approximately 7,455-meter-long cableway is currently the longest of its kind globally, offering a breathtaking view of the meandering Tongtian Avenue (Avenue toward Heaven) as seen from the transparent carriage.

The first part of your journey will be along the West Line Visiting Route (Looking for a Wonderland), which leads you through the mountain’s peak area. En route, you’ll be surrounded by natural marvels and thrilling experiences. The Guigu Cliffside Path awaits your adventurous spirit. At the end of the West Line, you’ll find the Tianmen Mountain Temple, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty and is situated atop the mountain.

After visiting the temple, you have the option to continue exploring the East Line (Jasper Terrace in The Green Field), hiking towards Yuhu Peak, and passing through South Overlooking Tianmen Cave, Immortal Source, Yu Hu Peak and Happy Grove, etc. Alternatively, you can take a refreshing forest sightseeing cable car (requires an extra fee of 25/pp for a single run) up to the Yunmeng Fairy Summit, the best vantage point on Tianmen Mountain, then walk down to the Turbulent Water at Tianmen (Upper Station of Transmountain Escalator).

Next, you’ll take the Transmountain Escalator from the peak down to Tianmen Cave to witness the colossal natural opening in the mountain. This cave, formed by natural compression and collapse, measures 131.5 meters in height, 57 meters in width, and 60 meters in depth, making it an extraordinary geological wonder. Afterwards, you’ll walk down the extremely steep 999 steps (Stairway to Heaven), with an incline of up to 45°. Finally, you will take the Tianmen Mountain Express Cableway down to the mountain gate parking lot, then transfer to a shuttle bus back to the Tianmen Mountain Tourist Center, where your driver will be waiting for you.

Following your exhilarating day, you’ll be escorted to Zhangjiajie’s airport or train station for your next adventure or journey home, marking the end of our services. Safe travels and fond memories!

Tianmen Mountain Travel Tips: 1. At Tianmen Mountain, there are three glass skywalks: one to the east and two to the west. It costs CNY 5-10/pp to walk on them. 2. If you have trouble moving around or want to save energy, you can take the escalator down to Tianmen Cave square. It costs an extra 32 per person per ride. 3. The tour of Tianmen Mountain offers great flexibility in operation. The guide arranges the specific order of sightseeing according to the flow of visitors in the scenic area on the day. If you have specific places you're keen on exploring, please share this with your guide.

• Manolis' Group from Greece visited Tianmen Cave in September 2023.
• Tianmen Mountain Temple Inner
• Tongtian Avenue, View from Tianmen Mountain Cableway
• Lenise's Group from Brasil visited Tianmen Mountain in March 2024.