Zhangjiajie trip report
A short report on a recent trip to Zhangjiajie. Full report on Dont forget to Write.Some useful threads: Scratching the surface of Southern Sichuan and Zhangjiajie and Zhangjiajie in Hunan
Main points to note.
It's expensive- 248 Rmb admission plus cable cars at around 50 Rmb a ride. Student discounts available only for those under 24 - passports are checked.
Plan your trip - it's a big park with lots to see so try to avoid back tracking by seeing section by section.The first thread above gives some ideas.
Maybe hire a guide. I'm not sure if it is really necessary but they are not expensive - maybe plan better than I did and you won't need one! Many Chinese travellers hire a private guide.
Places to stay in the park. Our 'unofficial guide' took us to a village near the bus terminus of the Upper Station of Bailong Elevator where there are lots of options. The second place we stayed, no English name but something like Ding Ding Guesthouse ( see picture ) is highly recommended. Tel 13574483310 / 13574476181 ; qq 1125683318 / 200608539. You need Chinese language skills to book, but the manager, Ding Ding, is very helpful so I think non Chinese speaker just turning up would be ok. Price is 100 Rmb for a very clean double with bathroom; wireless and computer for guest use. Extras such as hairdryer and kettle in room. Meals at around 25 Rmb for 3 dish set menu.
Tour Groups - there are lots, and they can be noisy and annoying.Try to get off the main trails to get some peace.
We had seen Dehang and Fenghuang before, but I think those two combined with Zhangjijie would make quite a nice few days.
2
Man... look at China getting smart!I always carry my 8 yr old student ID with me to access discounts wherever given. This will be the 1st place I've heard of that checks a passport with it and has an age limit! Although my husband is 30 and still taking classes, I could see how the majority of people over 24 might be using these to play the system (like me).
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I found that despite a large number of tour groups, once you get off the main (mostly flat) trail, you get away from the tour groups. When I went, once I was just 15 minutes away from the main trail I was completely alone. Just be careful not to get lost like I did. Definitely one of the better parks in China if only because it's easy to get away from the crowds. I highly recommend heading to Dehang, two hours south of Zhangjiajie, too (check your LP), but avoid the tourist trap of Fenghuang (Phoenix Town?).5
Yes, Fenghuang is similar to Lijiang in terms of number of tourists, but the vast majority there are Chinese, while Lijiang does get quite a few foreign tourists - so there is some infrastructure in Lijiang to cater for them. I don't think there is much to help non Chinese speakers in Fenghuang.While it is a picturesque place, especially early morning, what annoyed me most was the noisy karaoke until very late at night from riverside bars.
Travelling and sightseeing during the Spring Festival is not recommended.
6
Have to make a trip down south to HK and Guangzhou. On the way back, I've got a few days to do something and Zhangjiajie has popped up as a possibility. What's the general weather in mid to late March? I've researched but not getting a very good idea. Cold isn't that much of a problem--I'm more concerned about rain and heavy fog. Any experiences? Logistics getting/in out, Chinese language, etc. would not be a problem. I'd also put Dehang on the list, not decided about Fenghuang, and may even have time to backroads over to Enshi then Yichang.
