Laowuchang in ZJJ forest park

Question

Google n saw many good reviews of this not so touristy place inside the park. It seems not too easy to get to. Looking for tips here.

In some blogs, it stated that it lies in between Yuanjiajie and Tianzi & need to inform the bus drive to drop off midway. I believe this midway point is Dingxiangrong Village. From here need to hire a tram to bring to the location.

Wonder how much time needed for this enroute & whether is there a lot of hiking still in this place.

I was thinking of doing it, Yuanjiajie,laowuchang and Tianzi in one day,if it is possible.

Answer

Yes — you’re correct that the Laowuchang (老屋场) area in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (湖南张家界) is a bit off the standard tourist trail, and yes, it is possible (though ambitious) to combine it with both Yuanjiajie (袁家界) and Tianzi Mountain (天子山) in one day — but it will involve an early start, efficient transport, and moderate hiking. I’ll break down how to get there, how much time you’ll need, how much walking is involved, and whether your one-day plan is realistic.

How to get to Laowuchang — route & logistics:

Laowuchang is located on the west side of the Tianzi Mountain area (天子山西麓尾) within the park.
The common route: From Yuanjiajie or from the internal park shuttle bus between Yuanjiajie ↔ Tianzi, ask the driver to get off at a junction / halfway point (often referred to as “Dingxiangrong Village” or “Dingxiangrong” / 丁香榕) — this is a drop-off where you switch from the main shuttle to a smaller local shuttle/tram/truck to reach Laowuchang.
Specifically: “Get off at the shuttle bus station of Dingxiangrong, then walk along the path about 1 hour to the place.”
At that junction you board the smaller shuttle/cartoons (“little shuttle cart … 12-seater electric golf cart”) which takes you into Laowuchang scenic zone.

How much time & hiking involved:

Time from Yuanjiajie to Laowuchang: You’ll ride the internal bus/shuttle for the portion of park between Yuanjiajie and that junction — that takes perhaps 30–60 minutes depending on where you catch it and traffic inside the park.
From the drop-off (Dingxiangrong area) to Laowuchang viewpoint: There is a walk/hike of about 1 hour (one way) along a scenic path. So round-trip might be ~2 hours including stopping for views. The terrain is moderately steep in parts and you’ll want good shoes and allow extra if you stop for photos.
Within Laowuchang: The main viewpoints (for example “Shenbing Gathering” 神兵聚会 and “Parade Platform” 阅兵台) each are a short walk from the small shuttle drop-off. For example one blogger says “two main viewpoints that can be reached with 10 minutes of hiking”.
All told, if you allocate ~2–3 hours for Laowuchang (travel + hike + photo stops) that is realistic.

Is doing Yuanjiajie + Laowuchang + Tianzi in one day possible?

Yes — it is *possible*, especially if you start at opening time (around 7 am) and you’re efficient with time. One suggested itinerary is exactly that: start at Yuanjiajie early, then move on to Laowuchang, then finish at Tianzi.
However — it will be tight, and you’ll likely be moving quickly rather than lingering. You’ll also need to be comfortable with internal bus/shuttle transfer times, possible queues (especially at Yuanjiajie elevator), and possibly skipping some less-important viewpoints to stay on schedule.
You’ll need to ensure your park-entry ticket includes internal transport/shuttles and you know the route well (so you don’t waste time asking or waiting). Also: Laowuchang is slightly off the main tourist trail so things move slower than standard bus-cable-platform combos.
If you find you’re behind schedule (for example lunch takes longer, or weather changes) you may have to skip part of one area (Laowuchang or some viewpoints at Tianzi) to avoid staying too late or missing last bus cable etc.

My recommendation for your day:

Start early at Yuanjiajie (arrive as soon as park opens) and hit the major viewpoints there (Hallelujah mountain, First Bridge, etc) while crowds are smaller.
Mid-morning, transfer to Laowuchang: take shuttle/bus, get off at junction, board small shuttle, walk to viewpoints in Laowuchang (~2–3 hours for this stop including transfer & hike).
Afternoon: transfer to Tianzi Mountain — you’ll have fewer viewpoints but choose one or two of the best ones (Imperial Writing Brush Peaks etc) and then either exit from there or return to your base in Wulingyuan/Wujiayu gate by early evening.

Important tips & caveats:

Wear comfortable walking shoes; parts of the walk to Laowuchang are steep and you’ll be on foot for parts. As one source says: “the path is still a workout.”
Check internal shuttle/bus schedules — some services stop in the late afternoon; you don’t want to be stuck.
Weather conditions matter: fog, rain can slow walking/travel and reduce visibility for the views (especially at Laowuchang).
If you have sufficient energy and start early, you may get good value by doing all three; but if you’d prefer a more relaxed pace or photograph more, consider doing this over two days — for example one day Yuanjiajie + Tianzi, another day Laowuchang (it is less crowded so could benefit from a slower pace).

Bottom line: Go for it — Laowuchang is indeed a beautiful “hidden gem” inside the park, and yes you can realistically combine it with Yuanjiajie and Tianzi in one day — given an early start, efficient transport, and minimal lingering.

Laowuchang in ZJJ forest park

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