I spent three unforgettable days exploring Yuanjiajie, a lesser-known gem within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park that most international tourists overlook. Taking the world's tallest outdoor elevator up 326 meters through sheer cliff faces, walking across the natural stone bridge that inspired Avatar's floating mountains, and discovering ancient bandit hideouts deep in the forest—this journey revealed why Yuanjiajie deserves far more attention than it gets. If you're seeking breathtaking landscapes without the crushing crowds of China's more famous peaks, this is where you'll find them.
Trip Overview
When: May 2026 (Spring is ideal, but we visited during the May Day Golden Week)
Duration: 3 days
Travelers: With friends (part of a Beijing Love Car Sunshine self-drive tour group)
Transportation: Self-drive + park shuttle buses + Bailong Elevator
Best For: Adventurers seeking Avatar-like landscapes away from main tourist areas
Day 1: Escaping the Crowds
Yuanjiajie panoramic view (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
When I first arrived at Zhangjiajie during China's May Day Golden Week in 2006, I quickly learned a valuable lesson about traveling in China's most popular national parks. After enduring two days of overwhelming crowds at Tianmen Mountain and Huangshi Village—where I felt more like cattle being herded than a tourist—I realized there had to be a better way to experience these magnificent landscapes.
The secret? Head to the newly developed areas. That's how I discovered Yuanjiajie (袁家界, Yuánjiājiè), a spectacular region that would become the highlight of my entire Zhangjiajie journey.
Our group at Yuanjiajie (Photo: Lin Lan)
🎯 Why Yuanjiajie?
Compared to the more famous Tianzi Mountain and Huangshi Village, Yuanjiajie offers:
Location: Adjacent to Golden Whip Stream, overlooking Yanzhi Village to the east; connecting Tianbo Mansion to the south; leading to Tianzi Mountain to the west Size: Approximately 1,200 hectares Elevation: Average 1,074 meters above sea level Character: Known for its majestic, strange, dangerous, and steep scenery
The Legend Behind the Name
Majestic peaks of Yuanjiajie (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
As I wandered through Yuanjiajie, I couldn't help but wonder about the origin of its name. A local guide shared a fascinating story that transported me back over a thousand years.
During the late Tang Dynasty, after the failed Huang Chao Rebellion, the imperial court issued wanted posters everywhere to capture remaining rebels. One of Huang Chao's officers, surnamed Yuan, fled to this remote mountainous area to escape capture. He built a simple dwelling, cultivated the land, and eventually named the place after himself—Yuanjiajie, meaning "Yuan Family Boundary."
Standing there among the towering peaks, I could almost imagine this ancient soldier finding refuge in what must have seemed like a paradise hidden from the world.
Day 2: The Bailong Elevator Experience
Shui Rao Si Men Square (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
On the afternoon of May 3rd, my friends and I took an eco-friendly shuttle bus from Tianzi Mountain to Shui Rao Si Men (水绕四门, Shuǐ Rào Sì Mén—literally "Water Surrounding Four Gates"). After a ten-minute walk, we reached the transfer point for the Bailong Elevator.
The Bailong Elevator wonder (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Unlike the endless queues we'd endured elsewhere, the ticket office was practically empty. What a relief! Looking up at the Bailong Elevator clinging to the sheer cliff face, I understood why it's called the "World's First Elevator."
Layered mountain peaks (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
There are two ways to reach Yuanjiajie from the valley floor: hiking up the "Random Climb Slope" (乱窜坡, Luàn Cuàn Pō) to the "Back Garden," which takes over two hours, or taking the Bailong Elevator, which takes just two minutes. Technology versus tradition—on this day, I chose speed.
🎯 Bailong Elevator Facts
Records: World's tallest outdoor sightseeing elevator, world's fastest double-deck sightseeing elevator, world's largest capacity sightseeing elevator Height: 335 meters total vertical, 326 meters running height Structure: 154m vertical shaft inside the mountain + 172m steel structure attached to the cliff face Capacity: Three double-deck elevators, 47 passengers each Speed: 3 meters per second Throughput: 3,000 passengers per hour Cost: ~¥65 one-way (~$9 USD)
Photo with the friendly elevator staff (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Walking through the long corridor leading to the elevator, I felt the cool mountain breeze and admired the illuminated photos of Zhangjiajie's landscapes on the walls. Before boarding, we took photos with the friendly staff—such a contrast to the rushed atmosphere at the main cable cars.
The elevator passage tunnel (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The ride itself was breathtaking in more ways than one. As the elevator emerged from the mountain shaft, the view suddenly opened up to reveal a landscape that seemed to belong to another world.
Colorful ethnic crafts and souvenirs (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Arriving at the Summit
When the elevator doors opened at the top, I was greeted by a sight that literally took my breath away. The "Heavenly Soldiers Gathering" (天兵聚会, Tiānbīng Jùhuì) stood before me like an honor guard of stone giants, perfectly aligned and waiting to be admired.
Walking out of the station, I found myself on a pathway lined with vendors selling colorful ethnic crafts and souvenirs. Beyond them, the "Floating Field in the Sky" (空中田园, Kōngzhōng Tiányuán) appeared like a mirage—rice terraces suspended in mid-air among the peaks.
One Pillar Supporting Heaven (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
From the elevator station, we hopped on another eco-shuttle for a ten-minute ride to the "Back Garden" (后花园, Hòuhuāyuán). This place truly lives up to its name—a natural masterpiece that no human garden could ever replicate.
I wandered through what felt like a celestial art gallery: naturally formed "bonsai" trees growing from stone, rock formations resembling furniture, intricate "murals" and "carvings" created by millennia of erosion, and stone tables and chairs that looked deliberately placed. A stream meandered through it all like liquid silver.
Day 3: Exploring the Hidden Corners
The Turtle Gazing at the Sea (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Across from the Back Garden rises a massive mountain covered in ancient forest. Our guide explained that this was "Yang Stockade" (羊寨, Yáng Zhài), named for the wild goats that once roamed here and whose bleating could be heard at night. During the Republican era, bandits actually occupied this area, and remnants of their strongholds—barricades, hidden bunkers, trenches, and even wells—still remain. Some ancient pine trees still bear the "V" marks carved by the bandits over a century ago.
From this vantage point, I could see the entire Golden Whip Stream valley below, a silver ribbon winding through hundreds of stone pillars.
Yuanjiajie Lianxin Bridge (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
A hundred meters from the Back Garden brought us to "Lost Soul Platform" (迷魂台, Míhún Tái)—and the name couldn't be more accurate. Standing there, I watched hundreds of peaks rising like a stone forest around me, each one uniquely shaped by time and weather.
Lost Soul Platform view (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Some formations resembled a "Celestial Dog Watching the Moon," others looked like a "Conch Emerging from Water." I saw what appeared to be "Generals in Formation" and the famous "One Pillar Supporting Heaven" (一柱擎天, Yī Zhù Qíng Tiān)—a single massive pillar that seems to hold up the sky itself.
Our group exploring Yuanjiajie (Photo: Cao Qun)
Natural barriers divided these peaks into orderly rows, creating depth and perspective that changed with every step. As the sun broke through the mist, the scene transformed into something that felt more like a traditional Chinese ink painting than reality. Standing on Lost Soul Platform, I truly felt like I'd stepped into a fairyland.
Baixian Platform (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The Stone Ribbon Path
Connecting the Back Garden to the World's First Bridge is a 2,000-meter walkway paved with white stone slabs. From a distance, it looks like a white ribbon tied in knots at either end—one at Lost Soul Platform, one at the World's First Bridge.
Hundred-zhang sheer cliff (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
As my friends and I strolled along this path, we discovered one breathtaking viewpoint after another: Baixian Platform (拜仙台, Bàixiān Tái—"Worshipping Immortals Platform"), the Hundred-zhang Sheer Cliff (百丈绝壁, Bǎizhàng Juébì), the Small Paradise Cave (小洞天, Xiǎo Dòngtiān), and Lover's Valley (情人谷, Qíngrén Gǔ).
Lover's Valley (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The moderate elevation here means weather rarely affects visibility, and taking time to appreciate the subtle details of each rock formation brought genuine joy. The altitude wasn't too high, so I never felt short of breath—just endlessly amazed.
💡 Traveler's Tip
Yuanjiajie has many unnamed scenic spots waiting for visitors to name them. The park actually encourages creative naming—if the park adopts your suggestion, you'll receive a reward and permanent recognition. Even if your name isn't chosen, the act of observing and imagining adds a layer of fun to every stop.
The World's First Bridge
The World's First Bridge (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
No visit to Yuanjiajie is complete without experiencing the "World's First Bridge" (天下第一桥, Tiānxià Dìyī Qiáo)—one of Zhangjiajie's "Ten Absolute Scenes" and Yuanjiajie's most iconic landmark.
This is no ordinary bridge. It's a natural stone arch connecting two mountains that were once part of the same massif. Over countless millennia, wind, rain, and erosion weakened the middle section until it collapsed, leaving this incredible natural bridge spanning the void.
Shadao Valley below the bridge (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
🎯 World's First Bridge Specs
Width: 2 meters Thickness: 4 meters Span: Over 20 meters Height above valley: Over 300 meters Status: Highest natural stone bridge in the world
Looking down from the bridge, I could see Shadao Valley (沙刀沟, Shādāo Gōu) far below, where a stream flows among vibrant spring vegetation. The view from the bridge is spectacular, but I'll admit—crossing it required a bit of courage!
Lover's Valley: A Romantic Tradition
Lover's locks at Lover's Valley (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Continuing down from Shadao Valley, I reached Lover's Valley—a place that captures the romantic spirit of Chinese travel culture. Everywhere I looked, the railings and chains were covered in brass padlocks.
Our guide, Xiao Ye from Zhangjiajie China International Travel Service, explained the tradition: young couples and married partners buy these "Connected Heart Locks" (连心锁, Liánxīn Suǒ) to symbolize their eternal love. They lock them onto the chains and then throw the keys into the valley below, ensuring their love can never be unlocked.
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The Wishing Pavilion (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Nearby, the Wishing Pavilion stood adorned with red ribbons and more locks, each representing someone's hopes and dreams.
Reflections on Three Perfect Days
Exploring Yuanjiajie was undoubtedly the happiest experience of my second Zhangjiajie visit. Unlike the crowded main peaks where you're constantly jostling for position, here I could truly connect with the landscape.
The Bailong Elevator delivered me to another world in minutes. The Back Garden revealed nature's artistry. Lost Soul Platform made me lose myself in wonder. The World's First Bridge challenged my perception of what's possible. And Lover's Valley reminded me why we travel—to share experiences with those we care about.
If you're planning a trip to Zhangjiajie, do yourself a favor: skip the main tourist routes for a day and head to Yuanjiajie. Take the elevator, walk the stone ribbon path, and let yourself get lost in one of China's most extraordinary landscapes. The Avatar mountains are real, and they're waiting for you in Yuanjiajie.
Quick Reference Guide
Getting There
From Zhangjiajie City: Take shuttle bus to Wulingyuan entrance (~40 minutes) Within the park: Free eco-shuttle buses connect all major areas To Yuanjiajie: Take shuttle from Shui Rao Si Men to Bailong Elevator
Costs (approximate)
Park entrance: ~¥225 (~$32 USD) for 3-day pass Bailong Elevator: ~¥65 one-way (~$9 USD) Eco-shuttle buses: Included in park ticket
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April-May): Lush greenery, moderate temperatures Autumn (September-October): Clear skies, colorful foliage Avoid: Chinese national holidays (especially May 1-3, October 1-7)
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip Light jacket (temperatures cooler at elevation) Rain gear (mountain weather changes quickly) Water and snacks (limited options on the trails) Camera with wide-angle lens
Chinese Names (for taxi/navigating)
Yuanjiajie: 袁家界 Bailong Elevator: 百龙天梯 World's First Bridge: 天下第一桥 Lost Soul Platform: 迷魂台 Back Garden: 后花园