6 DAYS · ZHANGJIAJIE · FURONG · DEHANG MIAO VILLAGE · FENGHUANG

Hunan: Avatar mountains and Phoenix town

Bailong Elevator to the Avatar pillars, then a rowboat through Phoenix Ancient Town.

6 days

Zhangjiajie to Tongren

5 nights

Two carefully selected hotels

Year round

Best in spring and autumn

Minimum 2

Privately guided throughout

Introduction

A journey shaped by soaring rock pillars, ethnic villages and a riverside old town.

The mountainous province of Hunan is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. This trip starts in the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area, anchored by the undulating rock pillars immortalised in the blockbuster movie Avatar. We also visit lesser-known gems: virginal rice fields and the serene Jinbianxi stream with its rich wildlife.

From there we head further south, passing through authentic villages such as the waterfall-cradled Furong Tujia folk village and Dehang Miao Village with its marvellous sky bridge, before concluding at the romantic Phoenix Ancient Town for a relaxing rowboat cruise.

Why advisors choose this journey.

The Avatar mountain pillars
Marvel at the undulating UNESCO mountain pillars of blockbuster Avatar fame.
Rowboat through Phoenix Ancient Town
A rowboat trip past the quaint wooden stilt houses of Phoenix Ancient Town.
Tujia and Miao village life
Authentic immersion in Furong Tujia village beside its waterfall, and Dehang Miao Village with its gravity-defying suspension bridge.
Yuanjiajie's hidden rice field
Discover Yuanjiajie's little-known back garden of virginal rice field.

Day by day

Full Itinerary.

ZhangjiajieD1–4
FurongD5
Dehang Miao VillageD5
FenghuangD5–6

Airport to hotel

Arriving into Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (UNESCO).

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge suspended between misty cliffs

Overnight: Zhangjiajie
Meals: No meals included

Stand amid the Avatar mountains

Let us whisk you to Yuanjiajie. Board the Bailong Elevator to the iconic Hallelujah Mountain Pillars as featured in Avatar. Thereafter, we visit the virginal rice field and back garden of Yuanjiajie. Continue to Tianzi Mountains, known for its wall-like peaks. Visit exclusive spots like Shentang Bay with its stunning views and Nod-to-the-General Platform with its curling clouds engulfing the rock pillars. Board the cable car down and transfer back to the hotel.

Sunlit rock pillars of Yuanjiajie rising through morning mist

Overnight: Zhangjiajie
Meals: Breakfast included

Walking tour of Jinbianxi stream

Explore Jinbianxi (Golden Whip Stream Valley) on foot (7km / 3h) across mountain cliffs and verdant valleys, interrupted only by rippling water, quick-witted monkeys and wildlife. This afternoon, ascend Huangshizhai (Yellow Stone Stronghold), looking out onto thousands of undulating mountain peaks.

Thousands of undulating mountain peaks seen from Huangshizhai

Overnight: Zhangjiajie
Meals: Breakfast included

Choose your experience2 ways to spend the day — pick one, or mix and match.

Option 01

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge

Visit Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge (430m long and 300m high), followed by a Baofeng Lake cruise at the south of Suoxiyu village.

Stone stairway leading up to Tianmen Cave through the mountain

Option 02

Tianmen Mountain National Park

Visit Tianmen Mountain National Park (4-5h) by the world's longest cable car (7,455m), with the stunning 99 hairpin road up to Tianmen Cave (the world's highest natural water-eroded cave) and Tianmen Temple.

Evening show

After returning to the hotel to refresh and unwind, enjoy the evening Meili Xiangxi Show (VVIP ticket).

Overnight: Zhangjiajie
Meals: Breakfast included

Ethnic minority culture and customs

Visit Furong Tujia village with its charming houses set on a dramatic waterfall which flows down into the You River. En route to Dehang Miao village (2h) for its engineering-defying Aizhai Suspension Bridge and a rice field walk. Thereafter, continue driving 1.5h to Fenghuang.

Furong Tujia village perched above its cascading waterfall at sunset

Overnight: Fenghuang
Meals: Breakfast included

Half day Fenghuang tour

Today's half day Fenghuang tour takes us to the Former Residence of Shen Congwen and Yang Family Ancestral Hall. Enjoy a Diaojiao Lou rowboat trip to see traditional wooden stilt houses up close, and the Ming Dynasty-era Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge). Stroll along the riverside to admire Tiaoyan (Leaping Stones), Beimen Matou (North Gate Pier) and Gucheng Qiangcheng (Ancient Town Wall). Afterward, transfer to the airport for your evening flight.

Fenghuang Ancient Town lit at night along the Tuo River

Meals: Breakfast included

Hotel information

Where you will stay.

In Zhangjiajie

One recommended stay

Zhangjiajie Nabali Howard Johnson Resort

Selected hotels · Deluxe Room

A 2025 resort near the Wulingyuan gate and the Meilixiangxi Grand Theatre

We use the Nabali Howard Johnson as our Zhangjiajie base because it sits close to the Wulingyuan Nature Reserve, the Meilixiangxi Grand Theatre and the downtown, which keeps both the early starts on the pillars and the evening show within easy reach. Opened in 2025, the rooms are new and generously sized, and the fitness center and massage parlour are welcome after long days on the elevators and cable cars. We recommend a higher floor for a quieter outlook towards the reserve.

Good to know

Opened in 2025, so rooms and facilities are among the newest in Wulingyuan.
Walkable to the Meilixiangxi Grand Theatre for the evening show on Day 4.
Modern fitness center and massage parlour for recovery between mountain days.

Visit hotel website →

Zhangjiajie Nabali Howard Johnson Resort at dusk beneath the Wulingyuan peaks

The high-ceilinged lobby lounge at Zhangjiajie Nabali Howard Johnson Resort

Deluxe twin room at Zhangjiajie Nabali Howard Johnson Resort

In Fenghuang

One recommended stay

Sulv Lianhua Hotel

Selected hotels · Deluxe River View Room with Balcony

A quiet riverfront balcony over the Tuo River, away from the party lanes

We choose Sulv Lianhua because it sits directly on the riverfront yet just far enough from the noisy holidaymaker strip that dominates the rest of Fenghuang's old town. Its boutique scale and Chinese design accents make it feel like part of the town rather than a chain hotel dropped into it. We recommend the Deluxe River View Room with Balcony, ideal for watching the lantern-lit stilt houses after your rowboat cruise.

Good to know

Positioned downstream for peace while remaining a short walk from Fenghuang old town.
Signature balconies overlook the Tuo River and traditional wooden stilt houses.
Interiors feature hand-carved local timber and authentic Tujia minority artwork.

Sulv Lianhua Hotel lit up on the Tuo River at dusk

Carved timber entrance gate of Sulv Lianhua Hotel at night

Deluxe river view room with balcony and Chinese timber detailing

Official quotation

Rates & what is included.

The indicative cost covers the full journey for the party size shown. The single supplement applies only when one guest occupies a room alone. All rates in CNY.

Hotel selection

Indicative cost per person

Single supplement

Zhangjiajie Nabali Howard Johnson Resort · Zhangjiajie · Deluxe Room
Sulv Lianhua Hotel · Fenghuang · Deluxe River View Room with Balcony

Indicative cost per person

CNY 17,500

Single supplement

CNY 4,500

Based on 2 guests sharing twin rooms. Minimum 2 guests to operate. Single supplement added only for single-room occupancy. All rates in CNY.

What's included

Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotel as stated on bed & breakfast basis
All transportation & transfer on an air-conditioned minivan; shared shuttle buses in national parks area
Local English-speaking expert guide in each city
All entrance fees in sights stated

What's not included

International airfare
Lunches & dinners
Beverages in restaurants where meals are included
Gratuities
Personal expenses, e.g. telephone bill & laundry
Visa
Travel insurance

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