Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie
Among China’s crop of surreal landscapes, Zhangjiajie has got to be a contender for one of the most impressive. A forest of spectacularly weathered spires…
Must-see attractions in Hunan
Hunan
If you've made it all the way to Hongjiang, don't overlook nearby Qianyang, another historic river town with a completely different architectural style…
Hunan
The old town can be visited in half a day, and undulates in a delightful, higgledy-piggledy, often steep, maze of narrow stone-flagged alleys and lanes…
Hunan
Seventy-two peaks spanning 400km comprise the Heng Shan range, but most visitors focus on Zhurong Peak, rising 1290m above sea level.
Zhangjiajie
This area is at the top of the plateau near the Wulingyuan entrance, and enjoys many of the park's more spectacular viewpoints. It can be reached directly…
Zhangjiajie
Located on the backside of the park is this unexpectedly fun hike, which descends into a valley (beneath a cable car) before climbing back up a series of…
Zhangjiajie
Located near the top of the Bailong Elevator (白龙天梯; Báilóng Tiāntī; one way ¥72), this scenic trail is a succession of one incredible panorama after…
Zhangjiajie
If you speak some Chinese and want to get well off the beaten track, this staggeringly beautiful mountain valley and its caves, natural arches and…
Former Residence of Mao Zedong
Hunan
Surrounded by lotus ponds and rice paddies, this modest mud-brick house is like millions of other country homes except that Mao was born here in 1893. By…
Zhangjiajie
On the canyon floor, the Golden Whip Stream area is a peaceful, flat trail meandering 5.7km east from the Forest Park entrance to the Bailong Elevator …
Furong Zhen
These dramatic falls give the town its unique character, especially when they're in full spate. The waters fall from one level to another before crashing…
Hunan
This lovely waterfall – very thin, but very tall indeed – concludes a lovely walk beyond the village. You can climb up behind the curtain of water, which…
Changsha
Changsha's main attraction is this modern museum. There's a special focus on the Mawangdui Tombs, which were excavated nearby in the early 1970s,…
Fenghuang
In the style of the Dong minority’s Wind and Rain bridges, this attractive structure vaults the waters of the Tuo River and is illuminated at night. Like…
Fenghuang
Stones laid out for crossing the river. Not a great idea to cross them after too many glasses of the local strong stuff.
Changsha
This large and active temple in the north of town dates originally to the Five Dynasties period, with many additions during later dynasties. The imposing…
Zhangjiajie
Visible from anywhere in Zhangjiajie City, this distinctive mountain range features Tiānmén Dòng (天门洞), a prominent keyhole cut through the mountainside…
Changsha
The most famous of the city’s parks is a 5km-long sliver of an island smack bang in the middle of the Xiang River. A reflective 32-year-old Mao…
Changsha
Students have been cramming for exams at the base of Yuelu Mountain west of the river since AD 976, when the academy was established as one of China’s…
Zhangjiajie
The Grand Canyon's primary attraction is the world's highest (300m) and longest (430m) glass bridge, which famously closed a mere two weeks after opening…
Old City Walls & Tianxin Pavilion
Changsha
The old city walls, which once stretched for 9km around ancient Changsha, were built of rammed earth in 202 BC, reinforced with stone in AD 1372 (during…
Hunan
This huge Taoist and Buddhist temple dates from the Tang dynasty and was moved from Heng Shan summit to its foot in the Sui dynasty and then rebuilt many…
Fenghuang
Built in 1836, this building's exterior (by the door) still has some faded slogans from the Cultural Revolution. There are two lovely black-and-white…
Fenghuang
Restored fragments of the city wall lie along the south bank of the Tuo River. Carvings of fish and mythical beasts adorn the eaves of the North Gate…
Hunan
This 2.6km-long hike follows a path along the Yùquán Stream, past terraced fields and delightful views. Cross the Jade Spring Gate (玉泉门; Yùquán Mén) to…
Zhangjiajie
A 48-hectare cave network that consists of a large number of chambers, subterranean pools, lakes and falls, all illuminated in fancy colours. It's a two…
Hunan
Mao secluded himself here for 11 days in June 1966, 3km outside of Shaoshan village, to contemplate the start of the Cultural Revolution. His retreat was…
Hunan
This cone-shaped mountain is visible from the village. On the lower slopes is the forest of stelae: stone tablets engraved with Mao’s poems. You can hike…
Zhangjiajie
From the Forest Park entrance, there is an early opportunity for a bird's-eye view of the towers from Huangshi Village, a 3km loop on a plateau 1048m up…
Hunan
A 10-minute walk east of Nanyue Temple, this Buddhist temple with an attractive stone-carved entrance dates as far back as the Tang dynasty. Outside, on…
Fenghuang
The town’s wealthiest resident, Pei Shoulu, has his personal collection of antiques on display in his former residence on Shijia Long. The collection of…
Fenghuang
Built in 1755, this assembly hall north of Wanming Pagoda served as the Jiangxi guildhall for almost 200 years. It now has dance performances every half…
Furong Zhen
The name of this historic building literally means 'Copper Pillar Hall'; it's on the way down to the river, and is also known as the Fuyin Hall (福音堂;…
Fenghuang
The Ming dynasty defensive wall, 13km west of town, once stretched to Guizhou province. It's been largely rebuilt, though it does provide nice views of…
Fenghuang
Rising above the old town's eastern flank is this small hill, which affords views over town. A few modern buildings grace the park. Admission is not…
Fenghuang
A Tang dynasty military outpost, this village is well preserved and of interest to architecture buffs. Located 25km west of town, you'll need to take a…
Fenghuang
This elegant and slim pagoda was built during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing. It cannot be climbed, but is gloriously illuminated at night and makes for…
Fenghuang
Carvings of fish and mythical beasts adorn the eaves of the North Gate Tower, one of four original main gates. The town ticket office is located on the…
Hunan
This museum includes everyday artefacts used by the Great Helmsman, clothing he wore and photos from his life; it benefits from good English captions.
Furong Zhen
One of the historic buildings in the old town, named after the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. It's on the main steps down to the wharf and the river.
