City Introduction

Zhangjiajie City is very rich in tourism resources, with numerous scenic spots. It has the first National Forest Park in China: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park[3]; Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve; Tianzishan Nature Reserve; Hunan Badagongshan (BDGS) National Nature Reserve, one of China's first 20 national nature reserves and one of the first 45 members of China's biosphere reserve network; Tianmenshan Mountain National Forest Park; Tian Menshan Mountain, one of the provincial-level scenic spots; and Maoyan River Scenic Area; Huanglongdong Cave, “the underground pearl”; Baofeng Lake, “the heavenly lake on earth”; Jiutian Cave, fine and marvellous cave in the world and the number one cave in Asia; Puguang Temple, “famous temple in south of the Yangtze River”; Tujia Customs Park, “the Holy Land of Tujia; Wu Leishan Mountain, “sacred place of Taoism”; He Long Memorial, the Long March starting of the Second Front Army of Chinese Red Army, Revolutionary Base Memorial of Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Zhangjiajie City has a long history and was in Jingchu Area in Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and was in Qianzhong Area of Chu State in The Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Periods. It was previously named Dayong, the home of the Ancient Yong State. As early as the late primitive society, the ancestors began to live along both banks of Lishui River. In the times of Yao and Shun, “Huan Dou was banished by Yao to tall mountains to reform Nanman Area”, which is the origin of “Nanman Area” in the history of China. 221 BC, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty set up prefectures and counties, and Zhangjiajie Area belonged to Cigu County, Qianzhong Prefecture, and the county government was located in Guantaping, Cili County (i.e. now Taiping Village, Jiangjiaping Township). Qianzhong Prefecture, which was the first region established on Lishui River and Yuanjiang River basins in nowadays Hunan Province, and was one of the 36 prefectures in China. Now Zhangjiajie's two districts and two counties are governed by this prefecture. In the three kingdoms period, 264 AD, the Emperor Jing of State of Wu named Songliang County the Tianmenshan. Tianmenshan Prefecture was established. Zhangjiajie was governed by Tianmenshan Prefecture until Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Zhangjiajie City is situated in the northwest of Hunan Province, located in the junction of Yungui Plateau uplift and Dongting Lake sedimentation, between 109°40'E to 111°20'E and 28°52'N to 29°48'N, bordering on Shimen and Taoyuan Counties in the east, Yuanling County in the south and Hefeng and Xuan’en Counties of Hubei Province in the north. The maximum city boundaries are 167 kilometers from east to west and 96 kilometers from south to north. The city's total area is 9653 square kilometers, accounting for 4.5% of the province's area. The complex and diverse strata of Zhangjiajie have made the local distinctive landscape.

 

 

 

 

Climate Change

Zhangjiajie is located in north middle latitude, and its climate is moderate, belonging to subtropical mountain prototype humid monsoon climate. Therefore, it has abundant rainfall (annual average precipitation of 1400 mm), plenty of sunshine, long frost free period and short freeze-up. The annual average temperature is around 16.6℃. Summer’s extreme temperature in August is around 37.2 ℃, and winter average temperature in the coldest month is 4.3 ℃ (January is the coldest and extreme temperature is from zero to 4.5 ℃). Such a climate is suitable not only for the growth of animals and plants, but also for tourism.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

Zhangjiajie Tourism Office: +86.744.8380188 / Zhangjiajie Tourist Complaint 0744-8380193

 

 

 

 

Notes

1. Rainy mountain road is wet and slippery, while rain and fog can also reduce visibility, so it is best not to take the risk of hiking in the rain.

2. Golden week and summer vacation is the peak tourism season, with price rise and transportation and accommodation inconvenience.

3. Tourist Complaint: +86.744.8380193, Consumer Complaint: 12315.

4. Don't hold high expectation on the airport bus, which often does not start on time, or stop working while the last trip flight hasn't arrived yet. The taxis around the airport will compete for customers and have the record of cheating, so choosing a taxi must be careful and it is better let the local tour guides negotiate the price. Take note of the taxi and driver information in the taxi and ask for bill if running the meter, in case a complaint is needed.

5. Do not take the train N569 from Changsha to Zhangjiajie if you just want to tour Zhangjiajie, because this one will pass through Jishou and Huaihua Cities, which will take 10 hours, while the train N589 only takes 5 hours. N569 would be a good choice if you want to take the opportunity to tour Fenghuang County as well. You can take the bus after arriving at Jishou for more than 1 hour to Fenghuang County. If you want to take the trip to Zhangjiajie, Xiangxi as well as Fenghuang, the train from Zhangjiajie to Zhanjiang would be a nice choice, getting off at Jishou Station and taking bus to Mengdonghe River Station, which is nearby Furong Town. You can visit Furong Town and taste the famous Liu Xiaoqing rice tofu.

6. Contact a reliable guide in advance, who can bargain with the hotel for a better price. This is convenient for sightseeing.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Torch Festival of the Bai ethnic people

On the evening of June 25th of the lunar calendar, the torch festival of Bai ethnic people will he held in the area of Zhangjiajie City, which is related to the elimination of pests and the protection of crops. On the evening of the day, each family will light a torch, which will be gathered to form a bonfire, and people will crossover it to pray for the god of fire to avoid disaster.

Time: June 25th of the lunar calendar

Location： Zhangjiajie

Tujia three-new year

Tujia people will celebrate new year for three times each year. December 29th (or 28th), June 25th and October 1st of the lunar calendar are called “Gan New Year", “June New Year” and “October New Year” respectively. During the night of “Gan New Year”, an open bonfire will be lighted in the village, and Tujia people will perform hand waving dance and sing the new year song around it. "June New Year" is originated from an important migration of the history of Tujia, which was completed on June 25th of the lunar calendar. Cattle is sacrificed to gods on this day, and the custom of "June New Year" is gradually formed. “October New Year” is to greet the first harvest season after the migration. On October 1st, Tujia people celebrate and extend new year greetings. July 21st of the Lunar calendar is a busy day at Wulingyuan. Men, women and children from around 100 miles will dress in festive costumes, carrying offerings, blowing the suona horn and pounding drums to join the “Black God Festival” in Zhonghu township at the foot of Longfeng’an Slope of Zhangjiajie. According to legend, at the end of Tang Dynasty, An Lushan sent troops to attack Suiyang City during the rebellion. Tujia soldiers fought a bloody war and were led by the Commander Lei Wanchun, who was unfortunately shot by fire arrows and was burned into charcoal, remaining standing after death. The emperor of Tang honored Lei Wanchun as “Ronglu Captain General" to praise his loyalty, later known as the "Black General", or the "Black Lord".

Time: July 21st of the lunar calendar

Location： Wulingyuan