2010 Complete Guide to Zhangjiajie Self-guided Tour - Save Money, Effort, and Time
2010 Complete Guide to Zhangjiajie Self-guided Tour - Save Money, Effort, and Time
I. Comparison between self-guided tours and group tours
The facilities in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Scenic Area are quite complete, the tourism market is relatively mature, and the operations are relatively standardized.
Joining a tour can save you a lot of trouble, allowing you to focus solely on playing. However, mandatory shopping and additional attractions can be quite annoying. Therefore, the joy of self-guided tours has become a dream for every backpacker. We believe that everyone is not an easy person to deal with, and moreover, joining a tour in Zhangjiajie will not allow you to visit good attractions.
II. Transportation methods from all over the country to Zhangjiajie:
(1) Beijing friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Train: 1. Take K267 from Beijing West Station to Zhangjiajie or Jishou in Hunan Province; 2. Take a train from Beijing to Changsha, then transfer to N733 or N702 directly to Zhangjiajie or Jishou.
Plane: 1. Take a direct flight from Beijing to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport; 2. Fly from Beijing to Changsha Airport, then take another flight from Changsha to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport.
Car: Beijing―(via Jingzhu Expressway)→Changsha―(via Changchang Expressway)→Changde―→Cili County-(go straight after the bridge)→Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Suoxiyu) about 30 hours. It's recommended to stay overnight in Zhengzhou or Wuhan halfway.
After arriving in Zhangjiajie, you can take a bus directly to Phoenix Ancient City. There are two trips per day, one at 8:30 am, and the other at 2:30 pm.
(2) Northeastern friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Train: 1. Travel to Beijing from your location, then take K267 to Zhangjiajie or Jishou; 2. Travel to Changsha from your location, then transfer to N733 or N702 trains directly to Zhangjiajie or Jishou.
Plane: 1. Fly from your departure point to Beijing, then take a direct flight from Beijing to Zhangjiajie; 2. Fly from your departure point to Changsha, then transfer to Zhangjiajie.
(3) Hunan friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Changsha, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Loudi: Take the N733 train from Changsha to Zhangjiajie. Departure times are as follows: Changsha at 20:15, Zhuzhou at 21:20, Xiangtan at 21:51, and Loudi at 23:17. Arrive in Jishou the next day at 06:34, then transfer by car for about an hour to reach Phoenix Ancient City.
Chenzhou, Hengyang, Changsha, Yiyang, Changde: Take the N702 train from Shenzhen West to Huaihua. Departure times are as follows: Chenzhou at 21:32, Hengyang at 23:37, Changsha at 02:43, Yiyang at 04:06, and Changde at 05:13. Arrive in Jishou the next day at 10:15, then transfer by car for about an hour to reach Phoenix Ancient City.
(4) Hubei friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Wuhan, Xianning, Chibi: Take the 2159 train from Wuchang to Huaihua. Departure times are as follows: Wuchang at 17:08, Xianning at 17:58, and Chibi at 18:29. Arrive in Huaihua the next day at 06:10, then transfer by car for about three hours to reach Phoenix Ancient City.
Xiangfan, Jingmen, Yichang: Take the 1473 train from Xiangfan to Zhanjiang. Departure times are as follows: Xiangfan at 09:25, Jingmen at 11:10, and Yichang at 13:31. Arrive in Jishou at 21:28, then transfer by car for about an hour to reach Phoenix Ancient City.
(5) Guangxi friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Nanning, Liuzhou: Take the 2012 train from Nanning to Zhangjiajie. Departure times are as follows: Nanning at 19:04 and Liuzhou at 22:40. Arrive in Jishou the next day at 07:42, then transfer by car for about an hour to reach Phoenix Ancient City.
Yulin, Liuzhou: Take the 1474 train from Zhanjiang to Xiangfan. Departure time is as follows: Yulin at 19:22 and Liuzhou at 23:11. Arrive in Jishou the next day at 08:42.
(6) Guangdong friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shaoguan: Take the N702/3 train from Shenzhen West to Jishou. Departure times are as follows: Shenzhen West at 11:25, Guangzhou at 14:26, and Shaoguan at 16:59. Arrive in Jishou the next day at 07:34, then transfer by car for about an hour to reach Phoenix Ancient City.
2 Complete Guide to Zhangjiajie Self-guided Tour - Save Money, Effort, and Time
(7) Liuzhou, Nanning, Guilin friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Depart from Nanning at 19:03 on train 2012, arrive at Jishou station at 07:38, then transfer by car to Phoenix Ancient City.
Guilin friends can take a train to Liuzhou, then take a train from Liuzhou to Jishou, and finally transfer by car to Phoenix Ancient City.
(8) Wuxi, Shanghai, Hangzhou friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Plane: Take a plane to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, then transfer by train/car to Jishou or directly to Phoenix Ancient City.
Train: 1. Depart from Wuxi at 17:12 on train 1607, arrive at Jishou station at 21:44, then transfer by car to Phoenix Ancient City; 2. Depart from Shanghai at 17:40 on train 1527, arrive at Huaihua station at 21:10, then take a car to Phoenix Ancient City.
(9) Xiangfan, Yichang friends coming to Zhangjiajie and Phoenix Ancient City:
Depart from Xiangfan at 09:15 and Yichang at 13:07 on train 1473, arrive at Jishou station at 21:26, then transfer by car to Phoenix Ancient City.
Note: (Routes from Zhangjiajie, Jishou, Huaihua to Phoenix Ancient City)
1. Buses from Jishou to Phoenix run every 20 minutes, the earliest bus departs at 7:00 am, and the latest bus departs at 6:00 pm. The journey takes 90 minutes, and the ticket price is 12 yuan.
2. Buses from Huaihua to Phoenix run every hour, the earliest bus departs at 7:00 am, and the latest bus departs at 6:00 pm. The journey takes two and a half hours, and the ticket price is 22 yuan.
3. Buses from Zhangjiajie to Phoenix run twice a day, one at 8:30 am and the other at 2:30 pm. The journey takes four hours, and the ticket price is 62 yuan. If you miss these two buses in Zhangjiajie, you can first take a bus to Jishou, then transfer to Phoenix. Buses from Zhangjiajie to Jishou run every hour, the journey takes three hours, and the ticket price is 43 yuan. Prices are for reference only; please adjust your itinerary according to your actual situation.
III. Things to Note in Zhangjiajie City
On the train, many people will approach you to promote Zhangjiajie multi-day tours. At this point, it's best to ignore them. Once you ask a few questions, you'll be surrounded by overly enthusiastic people. When you get off the train, head straight to the large square on the left side of the exit.
There are public buses to the city center at the square. Buses 5 and 6 cost 1 yuan per person (2 yuan from 22:00-06:00), and both go to the city center. Bus 5 can drop you off at the bus station to transfer to a bus to the scenic area; bus 6 stops at the department store, then turn left and walk for two minutes to reach the west bus station.
Of course, you can also choose to take a taxi directly to the city center or the scenic area from the train station square. If you're staying in the city, the taxi fare is a flat rate of 10 yuan. If you're going directly to the scenic area, the fare is between 80 to 100 yuan, negotiable down to 60 yuan to the forest park with a reasonable chance. Of course, if the price is too low, don't take it. There's no such thing as free lunch!
Accommodation options include the Armed Department Hotel, Jian Yin Hotel, Min Nan Hotel (4-star), Bin Peng Hotel, Jin Du Hotel (bank operated, open to the public), and the Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse, etc. Prices are generally fair. You can negotiate prices around 160 to 220 yuan. Most three-star hotels can be booked for around 180 yuan. Two-star hotels range from 70 to 120 yuan.
IV. Eating and Playing in the City
Zhangjiajie city is not very large but has developed commerce. The larger and more comprehensive shopping places are Wan Jia Shopping Center and Mei Ni Supermarket. These are recommended. Mei Ni Shopping Center is spacious and clean, recommended. No matter which hotel you stay at, just take a minibus and tell the driver to go to Wan Jia Shopping Center, and it will only cost 1 yuan.
The first floor of Guang He is worth visiting. They sell Miao ethnic silver jewelry, reasonably priced and distinctive, usually non-negotiable, fair pricing. In the corner of the first floor, there are places selling specialty items, worth taking a look.
On the second floor, you can buy daily necessities, everything you need.
After Wan Jia, you will see a memorial tower on the opposite mountain. It's a free park, where you can enjoy the view of the city, recommended. The scenery on the mountain is nice, lush and green.
Another recommendation: Tujia Folklore Park, which has the world's tallest stilt house, highly recommended for its viewing value.
Also, the starting fare for taxis in Zhangjiajie is only 3 yuan, extremely cheap.
Not far from Wan Jia, there's a large People's Square. Across from the square is a temple called Pu Guang Temple, but the sign says Bai Yang Ancient Temple. The entrance fee is 20 yuan, with amazing sights inside, recommended.
Hungry? I've been talking for so long.
Just take a minibus for 1 yuan. A taxi? At most 3 yuan! Get off at the People's Cinema, where night markets line up along the street. Choose the crowded places, they won't let you down.
Opposite the cinema, there's a small stall selling pickled vegetables. Look for the one backed by a storefront, with several pots of sour cucumbers, crisp and appetizing, sour radishes, oh, drooling already.
If it's noon or dusk, and you don't want to eat at a large barbecue stand or hotel dishes, try the Sichuan-style beef at a place called Yin Man Dou. It's incredibly delicious, 25 yuan for a hot pot, enough for three people. Located in the alley below the aviation school, adjacent to the pedestrian street. If you can't find it, go to Master Hu's Sanxia Guo restaurant near Fengwan Bridge to taste the Zhangjiajie specialty dish -- dry-fried intestines and walnut meat hot pot, 10 yuan per serving, world-class flavor. Came here without eating it? A waste of a trip to Zhangjiajie!
Like fish? Take a taxi for 5 yuan to Qian Nan Gas Station nearby to eat Osmanthus fish. The restaurant is called Yan Bo Du Fish Restaurant, seems to be the only one with this name. Extremely delicious, with Perilla leaves floating around, oh...
Like fish heads? Go to Sanjiaoping. Once you get to Sanjiaoping, anyone can tell you where to eat fish heads. The soup is made with locally grown cherry tomatoes from Zhangjiajie, with a distinct Guizhou sour soup flavor.
1. City Area: Zhangjiajie is a world-renowned tourist city with plenty of hotels. However, for those who love self-guided tours, I recommend a hotel called Forest Grand Hotel in the city area. It's affordable and decent. Double standard rooms are 80 yuan per room, including air conditioning and 24-hour hot water. For those who prefer luxury accommodations, any three-star hotel in Zhangjiajie can be booked for 150 to 180 yuan (except during May Day and National Day holidays).
2. Scenic Area: There's a great family inn called "Farmhouse Inn" (the owner is a well-known online guide named Qin Hui, contact number 15074452317//15174405232-QQ1286324066). Their hotel is clean and hygienic, equipped with boilers, and has double standard room settings. The hostess is very warm and welcoming, always smiling.
3. Wulingyuan: Xiang Xiang Renjia Hotel, located in the Baofeng Lake Homestay Village of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan District, operates based on the international youth hostel concept, mainly serving backpackers and students. The service motto is "Economical, Hygienic, Safe, and Warm." Standard double rooms (with air conditioning, color TV, bathroom) are priced at 40 yuan per room, with an additional 20 yuan per night for air conditioning use. (Phone: 07442192198)
V. How to go to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
As mentioned earlier, there are five ticket stations in the core scenic area of Wulingyuan. Tickets can be purchased at any ticket station to enter the aforementioned areas. However, regular tourists are advised to enter through the Forest Park ticket station or the Wulingyuan ticket station because the other two ticket stations do not have direct access, making it inconvenient. Self-driving tourists can enter through the Tianzi Mountain ticket station, which allows direct access to Yuanjiajie or the top of Tianzi Mountain. If you make arrangements with a popular online guide named Qin Hui in advance, you can park your car at the "Farmhouse Inn" run by Mr. Wang (Guests arriving in Zhangjiajie city have several options to reach our hotel: 1. Take a bus from Zhangjiajie city to Zhangjiajie Forest Park, walk along the Jinbian Stream sightseeing route to the Yuanjiajie scenic area. At the Mi Hun Tai parking lot, call 15074452317//151 and they will pick you up. 2. Take a bus from Zhangjiajie city to the Tianzi Mountain ticket station (bus fare 12 yuan), then take the eco-friendly vehicle from the ticket station to the Mi Hun Tai parking lot, call 15074452317//15174405232 and they will pick you up. 3. Take a bus from Zhangjiajie city to the Wulingyuan ticket station, then take the eco-friendly vehicle to the Hundred Dragons Elevator, ride the elevator to Yuanjiajie, call 15074452317//15174405232 and they will pick you up.), secure the room first before heading out for sightseeing, making it a very relaxed experience. Secondly, it can save you over 50 yuan in elevator or cable car fees, as you must take the Hundred Dragons Elevator or climb 3,200 steps up Chaunpo from the Forest Park to Yuanjiajie, or take the cable car or climb 8,000 steps over five mountains from Wulingyuan to the top of Tianzi Mountain. Round-trip travel to Qingdao. However, entering the scenic area from Tianzi Mountain requires a 77-kilometer car ride, taking two hours, which is more than twice the time required from Forest Park or Wulingyuan. Therefore, entering from the Tianzi Mountain ticket station is only suitable for those who want to save money and conserve energy. The most important point is third: it is impossible to drive into the scenic area from Forest Park or Wulingyuan. Currently, only the Tianzi Mountain ticket station has a road directly to the top of Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie. Vehicles from outside are required to have a pass to enter the scenic area. Self-driving tourists wishing to drive into the scenic area can only enter through the Tianzi Mountain ticket station and must obtain a government-issued scenic area pass. However, if you contact the independent guide Mr. Wang in the scenic area in advance, driving directly from the Tianzi Mountain ticket station into the scenic area for free is absolutely no problem. The bus fare from Zhangjiajie Bus Station to the Tianzi Mountain ticket station is 12 yuan. Don't hire a private car; the driver won't take you to the Tianzi Mountain ticket station unless you pay 200 to 300 yuan.
4 Complete Guide to Zhangjiajie Self-guided Tour - Save Money, Effort, and Time
If you choose not to enter the scenic area from Tianzi Mountain, then if you arrive in Zhangjiajie in the morning, it is recommended to enter through the Forest Park. If you want to indulge, hiring a taxi to Forest Park costs 80 to 120 yuan, depending on your negotiation skills. If you're frugal, go to the bus station (there's only one bus station in Zhangjiajie) and take a bus. Remember, it's to the Forest Park, not somewhere else. The fare is 10 yuan.
VI. How to Play Inside the Scenic Area
After buying the ticket and entering the mountain, you'll arrive at a place called "Big Oxygen Bar." Take a moment to relax and breathe in some negative ions, it's free. Don't be greedy, filling your stomach is enough. Now consider how to play. The scenic area covers 398 square kilometers, so a certain plan is necessary. Here's a recommended self-guided tour route:
Don't believe the saying "If you don't climb Huangshi Fort, you've wasted your trip to Zhangjiajie," it's a scam. The views up there are average, wasting time and energy going up and down is not the issue, but wasting money on the cable car would lead others to exclaim "The advertisement was successful!"
You can take the Jinbian Stream route, a beautiful canyon, definitely worth walking. It's 7 kilometers long, follow the stream all the way until you reach a place called Water Around Four Gates. This is one of the places to kill film rolls. There's also a very impressive spot called Hundred Dragons Elevator there, highly recommended. After taking the elevator to the top, there's a shuttle bus to the Yuanjiajie scenic area. I