Zhangjiajie 2 1/2 days itinerary help please!

Question

Hi, we had originally planned for 3 days in Zhangjiajie area, but unfortunately this has reduced to 2 1/2 days due to misreading train timetable!

It will be in April, 2 adults and a teen, self-guided (not tours). We will stay for 3 nights, arriving in the late afternoon/evening before, and leave on the 2:38pm train.

How would we be best to arrange the days, and would it make sense to stay one night in Zhangjiajie near the station, and 2 nights Wulingyuan?

Here is what we had hoped to see. I’m not sure which to group together for ease of distance, and am guessing with minimum amount of time to spend in each place.

- Baofeng Lake boat (2 hours?)

- Tianmen Mountain with both cable cars/summit/cave/999 steps etc (6 hours?)

- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with glass bridge, zip line and slides (4 hours??)

- National Forest Park with Bailong Elevator, ‘Avatar Hallelujah’ mountain and Tianzi mountain (3 hours)

We’re not big hikers, but would have liked to do a short walk along Golden Whip Stream. That’s prob unlikely in the time we have, unless I have overestimated.

How could we group activities together? Which would be best to put on the day which finishes at 1:00?

Would it be feasible to go to Tianmen Mountain if we start at 7:30am to be back at station by 1:30?

Thank you so much for your advice!

Answer

With 2 ½ days in Zhangjiajie, self-guided, it’s important to prioritize and group attractions based on location and travel time. Your idea of staying one night near Zhangjiajie Station and two nights in Wulingyuan is practical. It reduces early morning travel and maximizes your time in the scenic areas.

Here is a suggested itinerary considering your time constraints, minimal hiking preference, and arrival/departure times:

Day 1 – Arrival evening: Arrive late afternoon/evening. Stay near Zhangjiajie Station or make your way directly to Wulingyuan if you prefer a scenic town atmosphere. Rest and prepare for early start next day.
Day 2 – Tianmen Mountain: Early start around 7:00–7:30am from Wulingyuan (or station area if nearby). Use the Tianmen Mountain cable car to the summit. Explore the Tianmen Cave, walk the cliff skywalk (if open), and climb part of the 999 steps if desired. Allocate 5–6 hours. Return by early afternoon if necessary. Avoid trying to squeeze in other major activities this day as Tianmen is best done unhurried. Consider this for your day that finishes around 1:00–1:30pm if you want a shorter visit, but starting early is essential.
Day 3 – Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Focus on the core highlights: Bailong Elevator, Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, and Tianzi Mountain. Use the park shuttle to reduce walking. Short walk along Golden Whip Stream is possible if you choose a partial segment instead of the full trail; this could take 1–1.5 hours. Allocate 4–5 hours total.
Optional Day 4 – Baofeng Lake and/or Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: If you have time on your departure day before your 2:38pm train, you can visit one nearby attraction. Baofeng Lake is around 2 hours and easier logistically. The Grand Canyon with glass bridge can take 3–4 hours, so this may not be feasible if your train is early afternoon.

Grouping tips:

Tianmen Mountain should be done separately due to distance from Wulingyuan and time required. Best on Day 2.
National Forest Park (Avatar Hallelujah/Tianzi) should be grouped together. These are closer to Wulingyuan and the shuttles reduce walking time.
Baofeng Lake is relatively easy and can be combined with a short visit to Wulingyuan town on a half-day, depending on arrival/departure times.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is farther; best reserved for an early start or if you can dedicate most of a day. Not recommended on a day with early train departure.

Feasibility of Tianmen Mountain before a 1:30pm finish:

Starting at 7:30am, yes, it is feasible to visit the main summit, Tianmen Cave, and some cliff walk sections if you move efficiently and take cable cars both ways. Avoid lengthy hikes like the full 999 steps.
Make sure to check cable car operating hours and potential queues. Early arrival helps.

Additional tips:

Use official shuttles inside National Forest Park to save energy.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water/snacks; spring can be cool and wet.
Plan transport in advance from hotels to attractions, as taxis and buses may take time to arrange.

Overall, prioritize Tianmen and National Forest Park, consider Baofeng Lake if time allows, and only attempt the Grand Canyon if you can dedicate a half to full day and don’t have an early departure.

Zhangjiajie 2 1/2 days itinerary help please!

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