Hunan

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan) · Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0

Cities in Hunan

2–3 daysZhangjiajie张家界The sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan, the landscape that inspired Avatar.best Apr–Oct

1–2 daysChangsha长沙Spicy Hunan food, night markets and the gateway to Zhangjiajie.best Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Top sights

张家界国家森林公园Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan)The World Heritage park of thousands of sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in “Avatar”. One ticket covers Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Golden Whip Stream and more.ZhangjiajieBooking required袁家界YuanjiajieThe clifftop area with the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” pillar and the First Bridge Under Heaven, a natural stone bridge.ZhangjiajieBooking required百龙天梯Bailong ElevatorA glass outdoor lift built into a 326 m cliff, linking Golden Whip Stream to Yuanjiajie in about two minutes.Zhangjiajie湖南博物院Hunan MuseumHome of the Mawangdui Han tombs: the 2,100-year-old body of Lady Xin Zhui, a silk robe lighter than 50 grams, lacquerware and silk paintings.ChangshaBooking required橘子洲Orange IsleA 5 km-long island in the Xiang River, with parkland and a 32-metre granite head of the young Mao Zedong at its southern tip.ChangshaBooking required岳麓山Yuelu MountainA forested hill on the west bank with temples, the Aiwan Pavilion famous for autumn maples, and views over the city and river.ChangshaBooking required