The First Bridge under Heaven （天下第一桥）
You can cross this bridge and walk around a circle path to get some fantastic views to the valley. This bridge and the views means there are always crowds in this section, but our guide will select a time of day when people are leaving or moved to other sections; but in summer it is still quite busy.
Avatar's "Hallelujah Mountain"
Hallelujah Mountain, named after the floating outcrops of Pandora, as its middle is often lost in cloud
Near to The First Bridge of the world you will soon come to a metal suspension bridge, giving you a view down to Heavenly Pillar, called Avatar Hallelujah Mountain since the movie, and the top section features in some posters.
Lost Souls Platform (迷魂台）
About 800 meters into Yuanjiajie there is a trail zigzagging its way southward up to the top of Wuyanding Platform, which provides panoramic views of 'Lost Souls Platform' (Mihun Tai迷魂台). You can see many mesas of various shapes and sizes that may be partly hidden in wispy clouds, especially after rain, just like you are standing in a celestial wonderland.
Visitors fascinated by the beautiful and mysterious scenery there are said to have forgotten the way back. That's why it got the name 'Lost Souls Platform'.
Hundred Dragon Elevator
Hundred Dragon Elevator (Bailong Elevator 白龙天梯) is a non-recommended way to the heights of Yuanjiajie, due to typical 2-hour lines for the 2-minute ride. 335 meters in height, it consists of the machinery inside the mountain and three glass elevator cars clinging to the mountainside. Running side-by-side, they give passengers a view of Spirit Soldiers’ Gathering.
Tianzi Mountain
Tianzi Mountain
The reason Tianzi Mountain takes the spotlight is this area is its height. At 1,182 meters (3,878 feet), it offers the best chance of photographing the sea of clouds, mainly during the spring and early autumn. There is a cable car up to this area and it is popular with photographers.
Tianzi Mountain (天子山 'Heaven Son Mountain') is sometimes translated as “Emperor Mountain”. Emperors were thought to be descendants of heaven, and the peaks, like floating islands in swirling mists, are the traditional image of heavenly realms.
Nod-to-the-General Platform
‘Nod-to-the-General Platform’ (Dian Jiang Tai 点将台) is in a gorge full of curling clouds, where there are many tall rock pillars of different shapes. The tallest one, sitting in the middle, is called the "emperor". In front of it is the "herald" who is reading an imperial edict to the "soldiers". The two "prime ministers" are "bending down" and stand on the left and right. It is said that the emperor of Xiang once reviewed his troops there.
Yubi Feng
By a modern building in the style of a pagoda, this view is what some Western photographers have called “The Emperor’s Pens”. They feature on some of China’s stamps, as they resemble calligraphy pens.
Ten-Li Gallery
This is a place with a cute ground level monorail train that winds its way up 5k valley to a stream, with 3 finger like mountains towering over it. Once you arrive (by train or foot) just head up right, and you can hike all the way up to Tianzi Mountain; not recommended in summer! If the river has water flower it could be a lovely photo, but unless that river has water I would recommend skipping this small up and down valley.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area
Yangjiajie Scenic Area
Yangjiajie ('Yang Family Territory' 杨家界) is a newly developed area of the park. It is the least-crowded area, with spectacular scenery, and challenging hiking.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area involves a lot of hard and steep climbing — about 2 hours up. The steepest path is made up of slippery stone steps, going up at 70 degrees, and only allowing people to pass sideways.
The toilets in Yangjiajie are very natural — a hole in the ground with squat boards in a small hut.
The Natural Great Wall
The highlight of Yangjiajie Scenic Area is its ‘Natural Great Wall’, towering walls of rock snake through the landscape like the Great Wall of China, quite different to the pillars in the rest of the national park.
Tianbo House
Tianbo House is at the top of the mountain above Oolong Village (乌龙寨). The ten high, parallel, stone walls of General Yang’s family house look magnificent.
Old House Area
Paddies in the sky scenic area
‘Old House Area’ (Laowu Chang 老屋场) is an undeveloped part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, between Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. It is best reached by local hired van from Yuanjiaje, as it is well off the ordinary travel route.
The scenery in the area is incredibly beautiful and overwhelming. Sun rise in Laowuchang is considered by photographers to be the must-shoot scene in Zhangjiajie.
Paddies in the Sky
'Sky Field Garden' (Kongzhong Tianyuan 空中田园) is a small area of paddy fields, seemingly hanging on an outcrop surrounded by Zhangjiajie’s typical peaks. The paddy fields are farmed by local ethnic people.
Spirit Soldiers' GatheringSpirit Soldiers' Gathering
Walking down from Kongzhong Tianyuan, you will find 'Spirit Soldiers' Gathering' (Shenbing Juhui 神兵聚会), opposite Bailong Elevator. There are 48 rocky towers like soldiers standing in the formation.
It’s a unique sight in the area; and if you’re a photographer it brings a diversity to your Zhangjiajie photos. The walk down to a nearer viewing point offers some nice shots of the valley formations, and in summer there is fairly good tree cover.
