China Road Trip: Jiuzhaigou Valley to Zhangjiajie Forest
Explore China's most stunning natural landscapes across 2,175 km. This route connects Jiuzhaigou Valley's colorful lakes and Nuorilang Waterfall in Sichuan Province with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park's dramatic sandstone pillars in Hunan Province, featuring iconic stops at Five Flower Lake and the ancient Welcome Guest Pine.
- Distance
- 2175.5 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Jiuzhaigou Valley
- End
- Welcome Guest Pine
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Jiuzhaigou Valley
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — Dramatic granite peaks and mountain scenery in central China.
- Terracotta Army — One of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries in the world, containing thousands of life-sized clay soldiers created to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi…
- Five Flower Lake — One of the most famous spots in Jiuzhaigou Valley.
- Nuorilang Waterfall — One of the widest waterfalls in China, creating a powerful and unforgettable site.
- Welcome Guest Pine — One of the most famous pine trees on Yellow Mountains, appearing to stretch its branches outward as if greeting visitors.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit the Great Wall sections near Beijing (Mutanu and Bottling sections) during autumn when forests turn red, orange, and gold for the most beautiful scenery.
- Timing
- Spring and summer offer lush greenery in Jiuzhaigou Valley, while autumn transforms it into red, orange, and golden leaves.
- Tip
- Explore Jiuzhaigou Valley using wooden pathways that allow you to see forests, lakes, and waterfalls while protecting the fragile ecosystem.
- Timing
- Watch the sunrise from Tanzi Mountain in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park when golden light illuminates the forest of sandstone pillars.
- Transport
- Use the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor glass elevator, to ascend hundreds of meters up a cliff in just a few minutes.
- Tip
- Explore Zhangjiajie through scenic hiking trails, glass walkways, and cable cars for different perspectives of the landscape.
- Tip
- Visit Five Flower Lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley to see brilliant colors created by mineral deposits and fallen tree trunks visible in crystal clear water.
- Tip
- See Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou Valley, one of the widest waterfalls in China, for a powerful and unforgettable sight.
- Timing
- Watch the sunrise from Yellow Mountains when golden light spreads across the mist-covered peaks for an unforgettable scene.
- Tip
- Visit the Welcome Guest Pine at Yellow Mountains, an ancient tree that has grown on steep cliffs for hundreds of years with branches that appear to greet visitors.
- Transport
- Use cable cars at Yellow Mountains to reach viewpoints and explore stone staircases carved into the cliffs along scenic hiking trails.
- Tip
- Walk across Ruyi Bridge with sections of transparent glass flooring to see the dramatic drop beneath your feet and panoramic views of cliffs and valleys.
Video on this route
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