Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Type: Forests, Scenic/ Historic Walking Areas
Sites: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area , lying to the north of Zhangjiajie City, is a enchanting tourist attraction. It is one of the 40 famous scenic spots in China. It is said to be "The ampliative miniascape and the contractible fairylan" and was admitted to the "World Heritage List" by UNESCO in 1992.
The Wulingyuan Scenic Area famous for natural beauty where mountains, valleys, forests, caves, lakes and waterfalls exist in total harmony. Over 560 attraction sights can be found here. The strangely-shaped peaks, the absurd stones, the hidden valleys, the wonderful waters and the limestone caves form the "Five Wonders"of Wulingyuan and they are really worth seeing.
Covering an area of 690 square kilometers (266 square miles), Wulingyuan Scenic Area consists of four parts: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and the newly added Yangjiajie Scenic Area.
▶Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first state-level forest park in China. Over ninety-seven percent of the park is covered with varieties of trees and other valuable plants. The park is a real treasure house. The Lobster Flower (Long Xia Flower), a kind of flower that can change color five times in a day, is unique in the park. The views in this area include the Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Fort and Yuanjiajie. The Golden Whip Stream is a poetic stream, with crystal clear water running quietly between strangely shaped peaks. The Huangshi Fort and Yuanjiajie are both classic spots that can not be missed in the park.
▶Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve
The Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve is the center of the scenic zone and is the largest among the four areas of the park. About 200 attraction spots can be found here. The name of Suoxi Valley is transliterated from the language of the Tu Minority Group, and it means "a mountainous village with dense fog". This area includes the Ten-mile Gallery (Gan Xi Gou), where vivid pictures formed by its peaks are rather impressive. The West Sea, also called the sea of stone forests, is fantastic and amazing. Bao Feng Lake is also an excellent place to visit to experience and gain an understanding of the local customs of West Hunan Province.
▶Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve
The Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve is rich in strange peaks and rocks, and in constant clouds and fog. The reserve lies at a high elevation which makes sightseeing physically challenging. The Yellow Dragon Spring, Teaboard Tower and Lao Wu Chang are areas which have been developed for visitors. This reserve is renowned for four marvelous spectacles-the cloud and mist, the night with shining moon, the winter snow and the morning and evening rosy clouds.
▶Yangjiajie Scenic Area
It wasn't until the 1990s that the Yangjiajie Scenic Area was preserved. Legends had it that in order to suppress rebellion, the famous Yang Family (a family quite loyal to the court and contributed to the fighting against Qi Dan in the Song Dynasty) camped and settled here later because of the continuous war. And as a result, Yangjiajie emerged. So far, the pedigree of the Yang Family is still well kept in this area which also contains the Tian Bo Mansion, Liu Lang Bay and Qi Lang Bay.
Together with the natural scenery of the four sections of the park, the life and customs of several Chinese minority groups (Tu, Miao, Bai) are also of interest. Their houses, farms and their singing and dancing undoubtedly add an element of happiness and beauty to Wulingyuan.
Get to Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (near Zhangjiajie Railway Station) has regular tourist buses to Wulingyuan every a few minutes and the bus journey takes about 40 minutes. Bus fare is around CNY 12.
Entrance Fee:
March to November:¥ 225 for adults and ¥160 for children between 1.3 - 1.5 meters (4.3 - 4.9 feet)
December to February: ¥115 for adults and ¥85 for children between 1.3 - 1.5 meters
Free entry for children below 1.3 meters but they need to pay ¥ 65 for the battery car.
Note:
1. With the validity of three consecutive days from March to November and four consecutive days from December to next February, the admission fee includes Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Yangjiajie Scenic Area and the battery car.
2. Tourists can pay ¥ 3 to buy the insurance.
Fees for elevator, cable car and tourist train
Bailong Sightseeing Elevator (Single Trip)：¥ 65; ¥ 43 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m.
Yellow Stone Stronghold Cable Car：
Single Trip: ¥ 65; ¥ 40 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m.
Round Trip: ¥118; ¥70 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m.
Tianzi Mountain Cable Car (Single Trip)：¥ 72; ¥ 43 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m.
Yangjiajie Cable Car (Single Trip)： ¥76; ¥ 46 for children between 1.3 - 1.5m.
Ten-mile Gallery Tourist Train (Single Trip)：¥ 38; ¥ 24 for children between 1.2 (3.9 ft) and 1.5m.
Nearby Attraction: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
