Zhangjiajie Tour Review: Glass Bridge, Cable Car & Elevator

Zhangjiajie, a place that seems almost lifted straight from the movie Avatar, is known for its soaring sandstone pillars, lush greenery, and well, breathtaking views, so it’s really a spot you have to see to believe. Now, lots of folks get drawn in by the hype surrounding its iconic attractions: the Glass Bridge, the Cable Car up Tianmen Mountain, and that incredibly fast Bailong Elevator. Thinking about giving these attractions a shot? So, maybe let me share my experiences and bits of wisdom to really guide you when it comes to visiting. These places are amazing, really, but there are quite a few things you might want to think over before going. It will help make sure you get a fun time.

Getting to Zhangjiajie and Settling In

So, the adventure starts quite simply with how you reach Zhangjiajie itself. The easiest way is really flying into Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG). Actually, it’s a medium-sized airport with flights from quite a few big cities in China. When you get to the city, picking a good spot to drop your luggage for a while can seriously affect how much fun you have later on. For what it’s worth, staying in Zhangjiajie City (downtown) will let you see a bunch of tasty restaurants and shops, which is quite nice, too, honestly. Yet, you know, staying close to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park will definitely mean you are closer to the scenery but far from a city that you can depend on to stock what you may need, for instance snacks and gear. No matter where you choose, booking things ahead can basically give you some peace.

The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge: Walking on Air?

You might have heard about the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, which everyone just calls the Glass Bridge. Guess what? Turns out that this bridge, being one of the longest and highest glass-bottom bridges on Earth, gets tons of looks, you know? Now, as someone who really gets a bit queasy when high up, I must tell you, standing right in the middle, seeing straight down, it almost felt very exciting and sort of terrifying! In some ways the views from up there are truly amazing; you can see the deep canyon and all the scenery all over. So, if you’re thinking about walking out on this bridge, buying tickets beforehand, really to save yourself time, especially during busy days, it’s worth it. Also, they’re very firm on folks putting cloth shoe coverings over their shoes. I guess this makes certain the surface doesn’t get scratched. You aren’t actually allowed to bring cameras or selfie sticks onto it, you see? Be ready to leave those behind, basically in the lockers there. The coolest time to visit might be at sunrise, which is so pretty, and so avoids all the tourist groups.

My Glass Bridge Tips

Arrive Early: Beat those crowds by getting there right when it opens.
Check the Weather: It goes without saying, this step is important! You may not actually get to see those grand canyon vistas if it happens to be foggy, as an example.
Leave the Selfie Stick: They’re truly strict! I will mention it again, you know. Lockers are supplied to ensure that your items stay perfectly secure.

Riding the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car: A Sky-High Experience

Okay, you’ve walked on glass, that’s all fine and good; the cable car toward Tianmen Mountain feels quite a bit like its own adventure. Tianmen Mountain Cable Car, thought of as the longest of its kind in the whole wide world, truly brings you all the way up to Tianmen Cave, nicknamed Heaven’s Gate. Is that not interesting? Along the trip, the sights are actually mind blowing. That’s right, the lush greens are beneath your feet, and at times it seems like, the cable car goes almost through the low clouds. In some respects it looks like a moving postcard. Really. If heights make you anxious, well this could actually test how strong your nerves are. Still, believe me; you won’t actually get another angle similar to this, not in that general location. To have some comfort, I really would suggest grabbing the ticket one or two days earlier than the day you wish to ride. When I had to queue for about three hours just to enter, I learned it by experience.

Cable Car Essentials

Book in Advance: I mentioned this already! To keep your peace, especially when visiting during high times, secure your booking quite a bit early.
Pack Layers: On the mountain’s peak, the air can become so cool that it really needs to be protected with layered garments.
Stay Hydrated: Take some water. The journey could take quite a while; staying appropriately hydrated is really an idea, just so you are properly looked after.

The Bailong Elevator: Ascending with Astonishing Speed

You probably need to check out Bailong Elevator if, just so you’re keen about a speedy trip all the way to the top of one amongst those famous sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie. Folks actually consider it the tallest and heaviest outdoor elevator, and I can honestly say going in one will likely be just thrilling and pretty efficient in so many respects. Well, to begin with you zip hundreds of feet upward literally in only some minutes, so there is the thing that it’s that speedy. The views as you are ascending are pretty excellent, really. Is that surprising? Actually the whole experience is sort of an appeal between those beautiful natural vistas and what we are able to create due to human engineering! However, this spot does indeed fill very rapidly. Expect waiting sometimes. I would highly advise reaching that elevator quite early, that way you would actually need to wait for a shorter period of time.

Bailong Elevator Tactics

Go Early or Late: Seriously, avoid the main surge that sometimes arrives between 10 am and 3 pm; in general, there will probably be less persons to bother with at those instances.
Combine with Other Sites: You might save much effort and experience while combining the lift adventure through the trip up Yuanjiajie location, for instance.
Prepare for Crowds: The fact there will sometimes be many travellers may probably affect how convenient this is. Always make an effort when handling masses like that.

Other Zhangjiajie Gems to Consider

There’s clearly so much in Zhangjiajie beyond the better-known locations. Really do check Yuanjiajie Scenic spot out. It gives such extraordinary perspectives from mountain tops – there is no wonder it gave insight to what audiences have witnessed in Avatar the cinema film series! As a matter of fact, in the place known as Tianzi Mountain, well there are some amazing landscapes along with several less persons! Is this useful? Make sure to go on a short hike, to Gold Whip Stream that might show all that the stunning natural side from that locale can offer while on one calm trip downward; It has amazing beauty that can draw many tourists for very good reasons.

Hidden Gems in Zhangjiajie

Yuanjiajie: Don’t lose this chance if you like seeing beautiful natural views; such panoramic view is really one unique opportunity.
Tianzi Mountain: Should you rather be far from mass gatherings while watching sights as gorgeous this might definitely then please you immensely!
Golden Whip Stream: Ideal in cases in which the hope might be just some leisure wander directly amid some rather grand organic landscape with natural characteristics from any forest.

A Few Words About Zhangjiajie Cuisine

You might be missing out in case there’s nothing tasted through its cooking styles for just how adventurous everyone became up high and across scenic routes. The area comes using local favorites to consider while consuming foods just around there. Xiang cuisine gives flavor quite distinct thanks particularly onto use by spice plus peppers etc.. Attempt pot prepared spicy chicken since the food can combine a few unique tasty traits on native components used round it, quite delicious anyway! Ensure a go would appear as tasting among several those street items also especially on which the people market those small dishes at market location since then one gains several glimpses concerning that local lifestyle.

The Food is Just Delightful!

Spicy Chicken Pot: One that comes for many to give anyone tastes as bold ones using every meal out of neighborhood native eating custom.
Street Snacks: As such might lead anyone through learning more for Zhangjiajie due directly as the cultural essence can start shining from it.