Arrival in Changsha, itinerary will be adjusted based on flight schedule, tour guide pickup

If arriving on an early flight (before 12:00 PM), additional visits in Changsha can be included:

Jiandu Museum - Located near Tianxin Pavilion in Changsha, the Jiandu Museum is China’s first specialized museum dedicated to bamboo and wooden slips (ancient writing materials). The museum houses a large collection of excavated bamboo and wooden slips, showcasing the evolution of ancient Chinese writing tools and documents.
Through real artifacts, models, and multimedia displays, visitors can gain deep insight into writing culture and social life before the Han dynasty.

(Closed on Tuesdays – substitute with Hunan Provincial Museum and Mawangdui if necessary.)

Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street - One of the busiest commercial streets in Changsha, it stretches approximately 838 meters from Simenkou in the north to Nanmenkou in the south. Lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, it’s the perfect place to experience the vibrant urban life of Changsha.

Taiping Old Street - Located in the southern part of Changsha’s old town, this street preserves many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is flanked by traditional snack shops and handicraft stores, offering visitors a rich taste of Changsha’s historical and cultural charm.

After dinner, return to the hotel to rest.

After breakfast, check out and begin today’s itinerary:

Baofeng Lake (includes boat ride + electric shuttle)

Located in the Wulingyuan District of Zhangjiajie, Baofeng Lake is a high-altitude lake surrounded by majestic mountains and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy a scenic boat ride across the lake and watch traditional Tujia and Miao ethnic cultural performances, offering an immersive experience of local minority customs.

After the tour, check in at the hotel and rest.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, depart for today’s itinerary:

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – A 5A-rated scenic area. Take the Bailong Elevator up the mountain to explore Yuanjiajie. Walk across the “No.1 Bridge Under Heaven” and along a circular trail that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, including iconic spots such as Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, Mihun Platform, and Houhuayuan (Back Garden). After the tour, take the Bailong Elevator down and exit the park via the Zhangjiajie Scenic Area Main Gate (Biaozhimen).

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (includes Bailong Elevator ascent) - Located within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie is one of the core zones of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It’s famous for its towering sandstone pillars, sea of clouds, and misty peaks. The most iconic feature is the “Southern Sky Pillar” (Qiankun Column), believed to have inspired the “Hallelujah Mountains” in the movie Avatar. Other key attractions include Mihun Platform and the First Bridge Under Heaven. 

Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area (includes down trip via Tianzi Mountain Cable Car) - Located in the northwest of Wulingyuan, Tianzi Mountain is named after Xiang Dakun, a Tujia ethnic leader who proclaimed himself “Son of Heaven” during the early Ming Dynasty. Covering around 67 square kilometers with a peak elevation of 1,262.5 meters, the area is known for its dense forest of stone peaks. Famous spots include Yubi Peak (Imperial Brush Peak), Fairy Offering Flowers, Marshal Platform, Airborne Fields, and Laowuchang. The cable car ride offers sweeping views of this majestic landscape.

Shuiraosimen (Four Streams Around a Gate) - Located in the heart of Wulingyuan, Shuiraosimen is the eastern gate of Zhangjiajie Forest Park and the western gate of the Suoxiyu Scenic Area. Its name comes from the convergence of four mountain streams—Jinbian Stream, Kuangdong Stream, Yuanyang Stream, and Longwei Stream—within a small valley of less than 200 square meters. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, lush bamboo, and chirping birds, this area is ideal for resting, playing in the water, or spotting wild monkeys.

Jinbian Stream - One of the most beautiful streams in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Jinbian Stream stretches about 7.5 kilometers. Its clear, shallow waters are flanked by striking rock formations such as Golden Whip Rock, Divine Eagle Protecting the Whip, and Split Mountain Saving Mother. Walking along the stream, visitors can admire the rich natural landscape and diverse wildlife—a paradise for hikers and photographers.

After dinner, return to the hotel for rest. (Aerial drone footage of Avatar Mountain included)

After breakfast, depart for the following highlights of the day:

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge (includes glass bridge + VR experience) - This is the world’s highest and longest glass bridge, built atop the cliffs of the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Spanning approximately 370 meters with a vertical drop of about 400 meters to the canyon floor, the bridge is fully paved with transparent glass panels. It features the world’s highest bungee jump at its center. From the bridge, visitors enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the canyon below. The glass bridge was built to apply for a Guinness World Record.

(Note: Not recommended in cold winter months due to slippery roads and safety concerns. The attraction may close during heavy snowfall or maintenance periods in February.)

Junsheng Art Academy - Located in Zhangjiajie, this art institute is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese painting. The academy features a large collection of Chinese landscape paintings inspired by the natural scenery of Zhangjiajie, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s beauty through the eyes of local artists.

72 Strange Buildings - Situated in Zhangjiajie City, this cultural and tourist complex blends traditional Tujia architecture with modern design. It consists of 72 uniquely styled buildings, housing museums, handicraft workshops, and specialty restaurants. A popular destination for photography and cultural immersion, it's the perfect place to experience authentic Tujia ethnic culture.

After dinner, return to the hotel for rest.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, depart for today’s itinerary:

Tujia Folk Customs Park - Built upon the historical Tusi castle of western Hunan, this park showcases the mountain village lifestyle and ethnic customs of the Tujia people. Visitors can climb the world's tallest stilted wooden building, known as “Nine Heavens”, and explore a traditional Tujia mountain village to experience its unique architecture and vibrant culture.

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - Located in the southern outskirts of Zhangjiajie City, Tianmen Mountain is the highest peak in the area, with an elevation of 1,518.6 meters. The mountain is named after its natural karst cave, “Tianmen Cave” (Heaven’s Gate Cave), which cuts through the mountain's midsection. Praised as the “No.1 Sacred Mountain in Western Hunan,” it offers spectacular sights. Visitors can take the world’s longest passenger cableway, stretching 7,455 meters, to reach the summit while enjoying aerial views of the legendary 99-bend road. Top attractions include the glass skywalk, Guigu Cliffside Path, and Tianmen Mountain Temple—blending breathtaking natural beauty with rich cultural significance.

After dinner, return to the hotel for rest.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, head to Changde for the following visits:

Poetry Wall - Located on the northern bank of the Yuan River in Changde City, the Changde Poetry Wall is the longest poetry-themed cultural wall in the world, stretching 3 kilometers. It features over a thousand classical and modern Chinese poems, including works by renowned poets such as Qu Yuan, Li Bai, and Du Fu, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage. The wall is not only part of a flood control project but also a cultural art gallery integrating poetry, calligraphy, and painting. It has been listed in the Guinness World Records.

Liuye Lake (boat ride not included) - Liuye Lake is located in the northeastern part of Changde, covering a total area of 170 square kilometers, with a water surface of 21.8 square kilometers, making it one of the largest urban lakes in Hunan Province. The area features a harmonious blend of mountains, water, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and sandbanks, rich in natural and cultural attractions. Visitors can enjoy leisure walks, cycling by the lakeside, or participate in water sports (optional). Within the lake area, Changde River Street is a national-level tourist and leisure street, combining traditional charm with modern amenities, offering a variety of dining and shopping experiences.

Afterward, transfer to the airport to end the trip.