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Yangjiajie (Yuanjiajie)袁家界
Yuanjiajie is one of the core scenic areas of Wulingyuan, northeast of Tianzi Mountain at about 1,000 m elevation. It is the home of Avatar's floating-mountain prototype — the famed Qiankun Pillar, later renamed Hallelujah Mountain. The First Bridge, Maze Terrace and Back Garden together make up Wulingyuan's most spectacular pillar landscape.
Zhangjiajie · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Yangjiajie (Yuanjiajie) worth visiting?
Wulingyuan's core scenic area and the inspiration for the Avatar floating mountains — included in the Wulingyuan pass (CNY 225). The First Bridge spans 26 m across a 1.5-m-wide quartzite pillar.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Included in the Wulingyuan through ticket (225 CNY); Bailong Elevator or cableway tickets cost extra |
|---|---|
| Hours | 07:00-18:00 (follows Wulingyuan opening hours) |
| Recommended duration | 4-5 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-October; avoid public-holiday crowds for the best experience |
| How to get there | Inside Wulingyuan: park shuttle buses to the Bailong Elevator station or the Yuanjiajie stop |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Address | Yuanjiajie scenic area, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan |
| Type | Peak forest / World Natural Heritage |
| Elevation | About 1,000 m |
| Key sights | Qiankun Pillar (Avatar mountain), First Bridge, Maze Terrace, Back Garden |
| Admission | Included in the Wulingyuan pass (225 CNY) |
| Suggested duration | 4-5 hours |
What to expect
Yuanjiajie is the essence of Wulingyuan, best known for the First Bridge: a natural rock bridge spanning two peaks, about 26 m long and barely 1.5 m wide, over a gorge of unfathomable depth. Nearby Maze Terrace is one of the finest viewpoints on the pillar forest — peaks crowd the horizon in drifting mist, so disorienting that the platform earned its name.
The most famous sight is the Qiankun Pillar cluster (elevation about 1,200 m): slender, vertical stone columns standing side by side about a hundred meters tall — the prototype of Avatar's floating mountains. After the film's 2010 release, Zhangjiajie officially renamed the pillar Hallelujah Mountain, drawing waves of domestic and international fans. The renaming later stirred controversy (UNESCO rules discourage renaming at heritage sites) but never dented its status as the park's biggest draw.
The walking loop is well designed: up by the Bailong Elevator or the Tianzi Mountain cableway, then roughly 3-4 hours on the circuit past the main sights — the First Bridge (natural rock bridge), Maze Terrace (superb lookout), Back Garden (deep in the peaks) and the Qiankun Pillar (the Avatar prototype). The path turns constantly, a new scene at every step; slow down and take it in.
How to get there
Yuanjiajie is part of Wulingyuan. Two ways in: 1) from the Wulingyuan ticket gate, take a shuttle to the Bailong Elevator and ride up (72 CNY, about 2 minutes), then walk; 2) from the Tianzi Mountain gate, take the Tianzi Mountain cableway (67 CNY) and continue by shuttle. Both routes reach the Yuanjiajie core.
Best photo spots
- Frontal panorama of the Qiankun Pillar / Hallelujah Mountain — the must-shoot for Avatar fans
- Looking down into the gorge from the First Bridge deck
- Layered pillar seas from the Maze Terrace lookout
- The deep gorges hidden in the Back Garden
Tips
- Go in the morning to dodge the crowds — Avatar fans arrive in droves
- Bailong Elevator queues run long; arrive early or shift off-peak
- Dining inside is limited; bring simple food with you
- The route is a one-way loop with no backtracking
Scams to avoid
- Sedan-chair porterage prices are opaque; know the going rate or politely decline
- Summit souvenirs are overpriced; buy in the city instead
- Unlicensed local guides may take unsafe unofficial routes
Frequently asked questions
Yuanjiajie vs Tianzi Mountain — what is the difference?
Yuanjiajie sits lower, famed for deep gorges, the First Bridge and the Avatar prototype; Tianzi Mountain sits higher with wider views, known for cloud seas and sunrises. The styles differ — visit both if you can.
Does the Qiankun Pillar really look like Avatar's floating mountains?
From certain angles, remarkably so. The cluster of slender standing columns closely matches the film's floating peaks — one reason Zhangjiajie went viral worldwide.
How long does a visit to Yuanjiajie take?
About 4-5 hours including the Bailong Elevator rides and walking. Allow half a day.
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Other things to do in Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Forested canyon in Zhangjiajie with 90%+ tree cover and about 8 km of gorge; entry 91 yuan or 138 yuan bundled with the glass bridge, open 08:00-17:30, allow 3-4 hours.
Tianmen Mountain
A 1,518 m karst peak towering over Zhangjiajie city, reached by a 7.4 km cable car and crowned by a 131 m natural arch called Heaven's Gate plus a glass walkway bolted to the cliff.
Tianzi Mountain (Emperor Mountain)
Core scenic area of Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie with Konglun Peak at 1262 m; included in the 225-yuan Wulingyuan pass, cableway 2084 m long, open 07:00-18:00, allow 4-6 hours.
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
China's first UNESCO Global Geopark near Zhangjiajie, 264 sq km with 3000+ sandstone pillars; 225-yuan pass valid 4 days including shuttles, open 07:00-18:00, world heritage since 1992.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan)
3,000+ quartz-sandstone pillars rising 200–400 m through subtropical mist — the landscape that inspired Avatar. China's most alien landscape. 2–3 days.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
The world's longest glass bridge — 430 m suspended above a canyon — and one of China's most viral photo stops.