20 hunan zhangjiajie national forest park

14-Day Yunnan, Guizhou, Fenghuang & Zhangjiajie Tour

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20 hunan zhangjiajie national forest park

Overview

Karst and Culture – an Ethnic Heartland Journey from Yunnan to Zhangjiajie

This 14-day private journey spans Yunnan, Guizhou, Fenghuang and Zhangjiajie, covering iconic landscapes and diverse ethnic cultures across southwest and central China.

Your trip starts in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. You will wander ancient towns of Naxi and Bai communities, experience traditional folk crafts,  see distinctive karst landscapes and high-altitude alpine lake scenery.

Next, head to Guizhou. This province is typified by vast karst formations. You’ll visit the Wanfenglin peak clusters and Huangguoshu Waterfall, as well as the rural landscapes and traditional customs of  Buyi village rural landscapes.

You then travel to Fenghuang where you will explore riverside Tujia stilt house settlements.

The tour ends in Zhangjiajie, where you can witness the unearthly landscape of  wooded quartz sandstone pillars  spread across subtropical mountain valleys.

ChinaMap

Highlights

Stone Forest — 270 million years of karst

A UNESCO World Heritage site. Limestone pillars shaped by wind and water into a forest-like maze.

Multi-ethnic minority encounters

Bai traditions in Dali, Naxi culture in Lijiang, Buyi rural life in Guizhou, Tujia stilt house culture in Fenghuang. Different places with different local minorities, offering distinctly different architecture, food, and rhythm of life.

Iconic karst waterfall landscape

Huangguoshu Scenic Area features one of Asia’s largest waterfalls and a chance to walk through a water curtain cave. In addition you’ll enjoy unique natural karst scenery, with quirky rock formations and peaceful river views.

Riverside traditional stilt house living

Fenghuang is cut through by the Tuojiang River, lined with traditional Tujia stilt houses. You will explore the riverside architecture, local snacks and enjoy the rhythm
of life.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Known for being the visual inspiration for the movie Avatar, the landscape here is filled with towering vertical rock columns in the misty subtropics of Hunan. Lovers of natural beauty will enjoy observing the deep canyons and dense forests, especially from the world-famous Grand Canyon Glass Bridge.

Why take this tour and not another trip?

A pace that makes sense

Stay two nights in most places, enough time to settle and explore at leisure.

Real local encounters, not performances

Spend time in villages where tradition is a part of daily life. No staged “cultural shows” for tourists.

Private tour, no groups

Your own car, your own guide, your own pace. Want to skip something? Fine. Want to stay longer somewhere? Tell your guide.

Local English-speaking guides only

They live in these cities. They know the side streets, the family-run noodle shops. No guides flown in from other cities.

Itinerary

kunming main 2
66 kunming xishan mountain
22 kunming green lake
26 kunming stone forest scaled

Pick-up time: depending on your time of arrival

Begin your Yunnan trip to the diverse landscapes of China’s most spectacular province in the provincial capital of Kunming. One of our English-speaking tour guides and a professional driver will transfer you directly to your hotel, giving you plenty of time to recover from a long flight.


Meals

–

Transportation

Car

Altitude

2000m

Traveltime

Kunming Changshui Airport → Kunming centre: 1hrs

Kunming Train Station → Kunming centre: 15 minutes

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery.

09:00 Stone Forest

You will be picked up in the morning and head to the Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you will have time to wander around a landscape of towering limestone pillars that have been sculpted by wind and water over 270 million years, creating a labyrinthine forest of stone that feels like another world.

13 kunming stone forest

Kunming – Dali (high-speed train)

In the afternoon, you will board a high-speed train to Dali.

Dali – Ancient Town

Upon arrival, you will step back in time as you enter Dali Ancient Town. Settled at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains, this historic town was once the capital of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms. Wander through its cobblestone streets, admire the traditional Bai minority architecture with its elegant, grey-tiled roofs and ornate marble decorations, and soak up the vibrant, bohemian atmosphere as the town lights up for the evening.

7 dali ancient town scaled

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2000 m – 2100 m

Traveltime

Kunming → Stone Forest: 1.5 hrs (85 km)

Stone Forest → Kunming: 1.5 hrs (85 km)

Kunming → Dali 2.5 hrs (350 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
  • Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access

09:00 Dali – Xizhou Morning Market

In the morning we stop off at the ancient market town of Xizhou, just 19 kilometers north of Dali Old Town. Here we will visit the morning market, where locals dressed in traditional minority clothing sell and buy local fruits, freshly cut meat, piles of fragrant spices, livestock and anything else you can think of. You can visit a traditional three-course tea ceremony and an exquisite example of a traditional Bai-style courtyard home.

7 dali xizhou

Zhoucheng Village

Then visit Zhoucheng Village, the largest Bai village in the region, famous for its tie-dyeing traditions. Stroll through the village streets and witness local artisans crafting batik fabrics and mastering intricate tie-dye techniques. You’ll have the chance to visit a workshop where you can observe the entire tie-dye process, from dyeing to drying.

10 dali people tie dye scaled

13:00 Erhai Ecological Corridor

The highlight of the afternoon is a cycling along Erhai Ecological Corridor. You will ride beside the wide lake that lends its name to the local area. Along the path, you can take in full lake scenery of Cangshan Mountain and nearby villages.

39 dali erhai lake

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2000 m – 2100 m

Traveltime

Dali Ancient Town → Xizhou Morning Market: 30 min (18 km)

Xizhou → Zhoucheng Tie-Dye Village: 10 min (6 km)

Zhoucheng Village → Erhai Lake: 20 min (12 km)

Additional information

  • Bring a light jacket for bike ride or walk along Erhai Lake: it can get breezy out by the water

09:00

After breakfast, you will depart Dali for the next leg of your adventure: the ancient city of Lijiang.

Upon arrival, your first stop is the Black Dragon Pool Park located at the foot of Elephant Hill. This park is famed for its classic Chinese garden landscape, where you can capture the iconic photograph of the elegant Snow Dragon Bridge perfectly framing the distant, snow-capped peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in the tranquil pond.

3 lijiang black dragon pool park

Dongba Museum

A few kilometers from the park is the Dongba Museum, an institution dedicated to the culture of the Naxi people. Here, you can learn about the world’s last living hieroglyphic writing system, the Dongba script, and explore exhibits on Naxi rituals, music, and history.

Lijiang Ancient Town

As evening falls, you will walk through the maze-like alleyways of Lijiang Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow the gentle sound of flowing canals, cross over centuries-old stone bridges, and discover a vibrant town filled with charming shops, cozy cafes, and the warm, welcoming spirit of the Naxi people.

lijiang old town main

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2300 m – 2400 m

Traveltime

Dali → Black Dragon Pool Park, Lijiang: 2.5 hrs (200 km)

Black Dragon Pool Park → Dongba Museum: 10 min (3 km)

Dongba Museum → Lijiang Ancient Town: 10 min (3 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable shoes for Black Dragon Pool Park and Lijiang Ancient Town: both are best explored on foot over uneven stone paths

09:00

Start your day with an early rise to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. First, watch the Impression Lijiang show, choreographed by renowned director Zhang Yimou and nestled at the mountain’s base. Later, take a cable car up to Spruce Meadow, a perfect spot for a leisurely walk.

Afterwards, visit Later, take a cable car up to Later, take a cable car up to Blue Moon Valley, a perfect spot for a leisurely walk, a destination at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that is known for its turquoise rivers and lakes. Stroll along scenic paths and enjoy the views of the snow-capped peaks reflected in the crystal-clear waters.

Baisha Village

Following this adventure, head to Baisha Village, where you can peruse the intricate Baisha murals, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Naxi minority.

5 lijiang baisha old town

Shuhe Old Town

Rounding off your day, make a pitstop at the Shuhe Old Town before returning to your hotel.

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2400m – 3200m

Traveltime

Lijiang → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Ganhaizi): 40 min (30 km)

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Blue Moon Valley: 10 min (7 km)

Blue Moon Valley → Baisha Village: 30 min (25 km)

Baisha Village → Shuhe Old Town: 15 min (4 km)

Additional information

  • Bring warm layers for Spruce Meadow: temperatures at altitude can be significantly colder than in Lijiang town

09:00

After breakfast, you will visit the local Zhongyi Market. This market is predominantly run by Naxi women, many of whom still wear traditional clothing. The Naxi language is widely spoken here, offering you an authentic glimpse into Naxi daily life.

3 lijiang naxi minority

Pick up time: depending on your time of departure

In the afternoon, get driven to Lijiang Airport and catch the flight to Guiyang, the beautiful “Forest City” and provincial capital of Guizhou.

Pick up time: depending on your time of arrival

Upon your arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Guiyang.

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1000 m – 1100 m

Traveltime

Lijiang Airport → Guiyang Airport: 1.5 hrs (650km)

Guiyang Airport → Hotel: 30 mins (28 km)

Additional information

  • Guiyang has a more humid climate and heavier rainfall compared with Lijiang; loose-fitting, breathable clothing and a light waterproof jacket is recommended

09:00

After breakfast, a scenic drive will take you to Huangguoshu Waterfall, which is the largest waterfall in Asia. Stroll around the waterfall and feel its roar as it plunges into the 17 meters of watery depth below. You can walk through the water curtain cave and see the waterfall from the back.

5 guizhou huanggushu waterfall scaled

Tianxingqiao Scenic Area

Then, take the shuttle to Tianxingqiao Scenic Area. A unique karst landscape, where you will see a stone forest set in water.

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1000 m – 1100 m

Traveltime

Guiyang → Huangguoshu Waterfall: 2 hrs (130 km)

Huangguoshu Waterfall → Tiangxingqiao Scenic Area: 50 min (31 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
  • Bring a waterproof layer as spray from the waterfalls is common

09:00

In the morning, transfer from your hotel to Xingyi. Today, you will visit Wanfenglin Scenic Area, a world geological park covered with more than twenty thousand cone-shaped karst peaks.

Nahui Buyi Village

Afterwards, take a shuttle to different viewing platforms to overlook the layered rice fields and winding rivers in the valley. Wander through Nahui Buyi Village to observe local rural life and handmade ethnic goods made by local villagers.

You will stay overnight in Xingyi.

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1300 m – 1400 m

Traveltime

Anshun → Wanfenglin Scenic Area: 3.5 hrs (230 km)

Wanfenglin Scenic Area → Nahui Buyi Village: 10 mins (4 km)

Additional information

  • Wear sun protection and bring plenty of water, as the open karst landscape offers limited shade and can become hot during the day.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00

After breakfast, set out to explore the Maling River Canyon, also known as “The Earth’s Most Beautiful Scar”. You will descend by elevator to the bottom of Maling River Canyon . As you walk through the Tianxing Gallery, you’ll be surrounded by towering cliffs, calcareous rocks, lush greenery, and cascading waterfalls.

Guiyang – Jiaxiu Pavillion

Drive back to Guiyang in the afternoon. The rest of the day you can explore Guiyang. You may visit Jiaxiu Pavilion, the landmark of Guiyang with a history of over 400 years. The three-storey wooden building stands on a stone platform in the middle of Nanming River, connected to the river bank via two stone bridges. You can stroll along the riverbank and overlook Guiyang’s urban landscape.

2 guizhou jiaxiu pavilion scaled

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

2000 m – 2100 m

Traveltime

Xingyi → Maling River Canyon: 25 min (11 km)

Maling River Canyon → Guiyang: 3.5 hrs (280 km)

Additional information

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00 Guiyang

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Guiyang. Take a stroll through local streets where you can find various stalls with local snacks and ethnic crafts.

6 guizhou city scape scaled

Pick up time: depending on your time of departure

After, transit to Guiyang Airport and fly to Tongren Fenghuang Airport.

Pick up time: depending on your time of arrival

Upon arrival, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel for check-in.

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1100 m – 1200 m

Traveltime

Guiyang Airport → Tongren Fenghuang Airport: 1 hr (289 km)

Tongren Fenghuang Airport → Hotel: 50 mins (30 km)

09:00

Fenghuang sits beside the Tuojiang River and is enclosed by mountains. Its distinctive architectural feature is the ethnic stilt houses, unique in China. 

Its narrow flagstone lanes are lined with lantern decorations. You may walk along old streets, visit local shops and traditional residences, and browse handmade ethnic craft goods unique to this area. The town presents a quiet atmosphere after dusk, and you can enjoy a rest at one of the local bars from where you can view the sunset.

3 hunan fenghuang

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1100 m – 1200 m

Additional information

  • Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00

After breakfast, you will head to Zhangjiajie by train to visit Tianmen Mountain and Grand Canyon Glass Bridge.

Tianmen Mountain

Here, cliff-side glass walkways are built along steep slopes from where you can overlook wide areas of subtropical forest on the hillsides.

8 hunan zhangjiajie tianmen mountain scaled

Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

Afterwards, you will travel to Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, which is the world’s highest glass bridge at 300 meters above the canyon floor. If you dare, you may walk across the bridge and overlook the valley and woodland below.

2 hunan zhangjiajie grand canyon glass bridge

Pick-up time:

Around 09:00

Drop-off time:

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1400 m – 1500 m

Traveltime

Fenghuang → Zhangjiajie: 1 hr (176 km)

Train station → Tianmen Mountain 40 min (23 km)

Tianmen Mountain → Grand Canyon Glass Bridge 1.5 hrs (75 km)

Additional information

  • Bring waterproof clothing: mist and wet conditions are common.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

09:00

After breakfast, you will drive to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and spend the whole day exploring its other worldly filmic landscapes. 

Take an elevator up to Yuanjiajie, where you will see the Qiankun Pillar, the prototype for the film Avatar. Here, you will walk along mountain trails to visit Mixingtai viewing platform and the natural stone bridge known as the First Bridge Under Heaven.

32 hunan zhangjiajie national forest park

Tianzi Mountain

After Yuanjiajie, you will take a shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain. From here, you can overlook a myriad of towering stone peaks and panoramic views of mountain valleys.

24 hunan zhangjiajie national forest park

Pick-up time

Around 09:00

Drop-off time

17:00 – 18:00

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

400 m – 1400 m

Traveltime

Zhangjiajie → Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: 35 mins (28 km)

Additional information

  • Bring waterproof clothing: mist and wet conditions are common.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery

Pick up time: Depending on time of departure

Say goodbye to Zhangjiajie and depart for the airport, to catch your flight to your next destination or a return home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and we look forward to welcoming you back to China in the future!

1 hunan zhangjiajie airport

Pick-up time

According to your flight schedule

Meals

Breakfast

Altitude

1400 m – 1500 m

Traveltime

Hotel → Zhangjiajie Airport: 1 hr (45 km)

Accomodation

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Inclusions & Exclusions

  • 13 nights of economy, comfort, superior or luxury accommodation, shared room with breakfast
  • Transportation: gas, tolls, parking fees and any additional pick-ups and drop-offs
  • High-speed train tickets
  • Local experienced English-speaking tour guides
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary: 9 breakfasts
  • 2 half-liter bottles of drinking water per person per day
  • Entrance tickets to the attractions listed
  • Supplement for the meals for the tour guide and driver
  • 24/7 English-speaking customer service
  • Government taxes
  • Chinese visa
  • International and domestic flights
  • Meals not listed in the program (lunch, dinner)
  • Dynamic Yunnan Show discount tickets (please mention which category you prefer if you are interested: VVIP = USD 100, VIP = USD 77, Luxury = USD 59, Standard = USD 44, Budget = USD 33)
  • Additional days caused by unexpected nature disasters, for instance, land slides or flooding.
  • Single room supplement if the guest requests a private room in the hotel (If you prefer a private room or if there is no one else in your group to share with, a single room supplement will apply.
  • Possible surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to double-bed rooms
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips for drivers and guides (highly appreciated but not requested)
  • Anything not listed in inclusions

Frequently asked questions

Important information

  • Single Supplement. The price listed is for two people sharing one room. If you require a private room or if there is no one else in the group to share a room with, a single room supplement will apply. The single supplement fee is outlined in our price list.
  • Driver and guide working hours. The daily working time for driver and tour guide during this tour is maximum 10 hours per day. Overtime working hours will be charged extra.
  • Tipping drivers and tour guides is custom in China. We recommend giving 50-80 RMB (7 – 10 USD) per day to the driver and 80-130 RMB (10 – 15 USD) per day to your tour guide.
  • Weather. During the summer months (June to September) Yunnan has a rainy season. It won’t be raining 24/7, but we recommend bringing a small umbrella that fits in a backpack.
  • Accommodation. The hotels in the itinerary are the recommended hotels, if they are fully booked during your travel period, we will book alternative hotels in the same price/quality range. We book different hotels on request too, but a surcharge might be needed.
  • Children & Accommodation. Please note that except for luxury hotels, in many hotels family rooms only have space for one child, but it could be possible to book an extra mattress in some hotels. Please contact us for more information when travelling with a family.
  • Meals. Lunches at authentic, quality local restaurants are not included. Your guide can recommend quality authentic places for you. If you have preferences or dietary requirements such as vegetarian, halal, kosher, vegan or gluten-free, please tell your tour guide in advance. Your tour guide will normally not order spicy food or meat/fish with bones unless asked for.

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