Avatar enthusiasts are probably familiar with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the birthplace of the Hallelujah Mountains we see in the series. In addition to being the inspiration for the hit movie, the national park is also a place full of nature and history.
If you think the Supertrees at Gardens Through the Bay, Singapore’s Avatar-like attraction, are a sight to behold, wait until you see what Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has in store for you.
Zhangjiajie National Forest is part of Wulingyuan’s largest scenic domain, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. It is also made up of three other components: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and Yanjiajie.
You will need to buy a price ticket to enter the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which costs around S$2. 35. One day is certainly not enough if you want to cover it all. Fortunately, each price ticket is valid for four days. , giving you plenty of time to explore the entire area. But if your only purpose is to make a stopover in the Hallelujah Mountains, waste no time and head straight to the Zhangjiajie National Forest.
This is the stance that drove the Hallelujah Mountains, or the “floating mountains” of Avatar. James Cameron, the director, visited the mountains of the Zhangjiajie National Forest and was encouraged through them to design Pandora, a fictional universe of the film.
Since then, the Zhangjiajie National Forest has gained popularity, and the mountains have been renamed “Hallelujah Mountains” in honor of the show. However, even before the release of Avatar, the Zhangjiajie National Forest was popular with locals. It was not unusual to see mountains emerging from the forest depicted in paintings and poems.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park spans 48. 15 km² and is home to many herbal attractions, plus hiking trails, waterfalls, agricultural restaurants toured by the locals themselves, as well as the iconic tianxiadiyiqiao, where many walk across the bridge as a symbol of good luck. Couples close love locks.
Outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased to know that there are a few trails they can take in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, from shorter trails that can be completed in less than two hours to more intense hikes that can last up to nine hours. A popular address here is the Golden Whip to Avatar Mountain Trail, a 6. 3-mile-long direction that takes about 2. 5 hours.
The direction follows the Golden Whip Stream that passes through the national park. It’s a moderate hike as you’ll be walking on paved trails; However, there are monkeys running around like crazy, so don’t take care of your belongings.
In addition to this, you can also visit Huangshizhai, a village perched in the mountains. It is available via the Huangshi Village Cable Car and is the largest grass viewing platform in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
There is no “best time” to stop in Zhangjiajie National Park, as the weather remains constant throughout the year. That said, it is recommended to make a stopover in April or October, as the weather is quite cool, with just over 20°C. Also, it is said that this is when the herbaceous landscape is at its best.
On the other hand, you may need to avoid traveling during those holiday periods:
This is when the costs of attractions, hotels, food, transportation, and tour advisors increase due to increased demand.
Pro tip: Visit the winter season (December to February) when the mountains are covered in snow. This is when there are fewer tourists. Prices are also slightly lower than normal.
To get to Zhangjiajia National Forest Park, you’ll first want to head to Zhangjiajie, a city in Henan Province located 320 km from the capital, Changsha. You can take a connecting flight from Singapore to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, with transit in Beijing or Shanghai. The total will last approximately 10 hours and forty-five minutes.
Alternatively, another option would be to take the Zhangjiajie Exercise Station; this is a suitable option for those who are making a stopover for the first time in other parts of China, such as Changsha or Jishou. Train journeys will take a few hours depending on where you are. from.
Whether you’re an Avatar fan or not, the scenery of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park makes it a must-stop destination at least once in your life. And while you’re at it, make a stop in other parts of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. which is packed with attractions such as a picturesque glass bridge and a cliff-top suspension walkway for daredevils.
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