Comments on our itinerary please

Question

Our proposed plan for a trip this September is as follows. We seek your kind advice of our planned place of accommodation works for the intended coverage? If not what tweaks do you advise? Still in early stage of planning and overwhelmed by the number of various sights out there! Thank you in advance!

1) day 1 - late arrival close to mid night at international airport , check in at hotel close to Changsha south station

2) day 2 - depart for zhangjiajie via train. We will stay next 2 nights at wulingyuan area. Please do advise which station should we be arriving at? On arrival in the early afternoon, what sight would you recommend we do for the rest of day 2?

3) day 3 - how do you recommend we plan our route here?

4) day 4 - we will check out and spend the night in a hotel close to Tian Men Mountain. What time do you recommend we depart in order to still make it for the TMS sightseeing? How best to commute to TMS? If by train - which station do we depart from?

5) day 5 - we will spend the night at fenghuang town. Will we have sufficient time to stop via furong town before arriving at Fenghuang town to see the night scenes there? What time do the lights stay on?

6) day 6 - depart from Fenghuang town and spend the night at Changsha

7) day 7 - Changsha city tour

8) day 8 - late check out , depart close to midnight .

Answer

Your proposed itinerary covers the main highlights of Hunan province, including Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain, Fenghuang, and Changsha. It is generally feasible, but there are some adjustments and tips that can help maximize your time and reduce travel stress.

Day 1: Arriving late at Changsha International Airport and staying near Changsha South Station is convenient for catching the train to Zhangjiajie the next morning. No major adjustments needed here.

Day 2: For Zhangjiajie, you should aim to arrive at Zhangjiajie Railway Station, which is the main station serving Wulingyuan and the National Forest Park. On arrival in the early afternoon, since you will have limited time, consider visiting a nearby scenic spot such as:

Golden Whip Stream: Easy to access from the park entrance, scenic and suitable for a short afternoon walk.
Yellow Stone Village (Huangshizhai) Cable Car: Offers good panoramic views and can be done in a few hours.

Day 3: For a full day in Zhangjiajie:

Consider starting with Yuanjiajie Scenic Area in the morning, famous for the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains.
Take the eco-bus to Bailong Elevator and explore the area.
End the day at Tianzi Mountain for sunset views if possible.
Plan your route using the park’s eco-bus system to minimize walking distances and avoid long queues.

Day 4: Check out and head to a hotel near Tianmen Mountain. To make the most of the sightseeing:

Depart early from Wulingyuan (around 7–8 AM) to reach Tianmen Mountain by mid-morning.
Commute via taxi or private car from Wulingyuan to Zhangjiajie city station, then take the cable car up to Tianmen Mountain. Driving directly to the cable car station is also common.
Allow 3–4 hours to explore the mountain and walk the glass skywalk if desired.

Day 5: Traveling to Fenghuang Town:

Yes, it is feasible to stop at Furong Town en route to Fenghuang, but plan for an early departure (around 8 AM) to allow a 2–3 hour stop at Furong.
Furong Town is best visited in daylight; the main night lights there are limited, but Fenghuang Town’s night scenes are more vivid and the lights usually stay on until around 10–11 PM.

Day 6: Depart from Fenghuang back to Changsha. Trains and buses are available; an early departure allows some flexibility for traffic or minor sightseeing stops.

Day 7: Changsha city tour:

Consider visiting Yuelu Mountain, Orange Island, Hunan Provincial Museum, and local food streets for an authentic experience.
Adjust activities according to your energy levels; Changsha is busy and traffic can be heavy.

Day 8: With a late check-out and night departure, you have some free time for shopping or a last short walk around the city. Ensure your hotel can store luggage if you plan to explore before your midnight flight.

Additional tips:

Train tickets for Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang should be booked in advance, especially during September which can be busy.
Consider private transfers between stations and hotels to save time, especially with luggage and if traveling with multiple people.
Always check opening times for scenic spots; some areas may have seasonal variations or maintenance closures.

Overall, your itinerary is well-structured. The main tweaks involve early departures for travel days, strategic selection of scenic spots for partial-day visits, and advance ticket bookings for trains and cable cars.

Comments on our itinerary please

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