Zhangjiajie Private One Day Photography Tour

  • Availability: Daily
  • Duration: One Full Day (8-10 hours)
  • Departure Date: On Your Request
  • Pick up and Drop off Spot: Your hotel
  • Highlights: Zhangjiajie national park, Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie…the Inspiration for the landscape in "Avatar"

This place is Zhangjiajie, China.  In the movie, most people are familiar with those incredible sights of towering karst pinnacles in the mist and especially the floating mountains in the sky.  This is where Jake Sully and Neytiri race around on dragons, soaring through the mists and under those floating mountains.  In our opinion it is one of the best parts of the movie and left us wishing that this was something we could do in real life.

Cruising around on dragons was not an option but viewing that inspirational scenery was, and here we are now in Zhangjiajie.  Tim was so excited to be here, almost like a kid on Christmas, and this is the place where Tyler celebrated his twelfth birthday.  I think that Tyler just may have the coolest location ever for a birthday celebration!

We spent two full days touring Zhangjiajie, exploring various areas of the park.  Since it was March it was a bit chilly, with daytime temperatures in the mid 40’s (fahrenheit) with overcast skies.  It was low season which meant no crowds of people and no queueing.

Photo Tour of Zhangjiajie

Here are some of my favorite photos from our explorations. Zhangjiajie is a beautiful place and my photos will show it so much better than my writing ever would, so enjoy!

Our first views of the spectacular scenery was from our first cable car ride.

Laowuchang

Laowuchang is more pristine than the other parts of the park with many odd-shaped peaks. Photographers could walk and shoot Fields in the Sky - terraced rice paddies on the top of the peaks, and Supernatural Army Gathering , about 100 peaks standing in the valley orderly, Couple Waterfalls and some other sights.

Yangjiajie

Yuanjiajie is a pristine area with all the features of Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. It is the new area good for photography. This scenic area has unique peaks, cliffs, as well as clear streams and brooks and waterfalls. Photographers could shoot Tianbo Manshion, Oolong Village, Corridor the Cliffs, Natural Great Wall and capture the awesome sunset in One Step Under the Heaven.

Yuanjiajie

The famous Yuanjiajie lies between Huangshi Village and Tianzi Mountain. It is the shooting place for the movie “AVATAR”. Many amazing lesser peaks and grotesque rocks stand in the valley and possesses its own peculiar shape. Photographers could take gorgeous pictures of the First Bridge under the Heaven, Hallelujah Mountain and more sites.

The First Bridge under the Heaven is the natural stone bridge stretching across thin air between two mountain peaks. It is the highest natural bridge in the world. Hallelujah Mountain, called South Pillar of Heaven, is a single, very imposing peak standing erect, seemingly reaching to the sky. It is the Hallelujah Mountain appeared in the film “Avatar”.

Tianzi Mountain

Tianzi Mountain is at altitude of 1260 meters, providing stunning views of peaks which rise one after another. At the top of the mountain, travelers could capture the panoramic view of Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Among all the scenic spots of Tianzi Mountain, the favored spots by photographers are the Imperial Writing Brush Peak (Yu Bi Peak), Fairy Maid Scattering Flowers (Xian Nv San Hua), the Mid-Air Farmers’ Cottage (Kong Zhong Hua Yuan), Nod-to-the-General Platform (Dian Jiang Tai), etc.

There are 84 viewing platforms. Photographers could catch the best chance to capture the four wonders: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in Winter. The day after the rain is the best time to photograph the sunrise and the sea of cloud. And the best place is Tianzi Mountain Upper Cable Station.

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain is the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie. Many Chinese people believe that the Tianmen Mountain is the “Closest Earth Landmark to God”. It is visible anywhere in Zhangjiajie city. Tianmen Mountain features Tianmen Cave, a prominent keyhole cut through the mountainside. It is good to take the longest cable car to get atop Tianmen Mountain which takes half an hour. Photographers could shoot the Avenue toward Heaven with 99 turns while on cable car. Once at the top, glass plank road a short walk from the upper cable station (about 60 meters) will test your belief in human engineering. Visit Tianmen Mountain Temple and Tianmen Mountain Academy and more cultural sights on the top of the mountain.

Tour Price (Price Per Person)

1 Person 2-3 Persons 4-6 Persons
US$400 US$219 US$199

What's Included

  • The main entrance tickets for the sights mentioned
  • Meals listed in the itinerary B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner.
  • Private Transport service described in the itinerary.
  • English-speaking guide service