2 days in Zhangjiajie- 10/31/2023-11/1/2023

Day 1-Zhangjiajie National Forest Park-10/31/2023

Stone Peak Forest and Avatar Hallelujah Mountain-10/31/2023

The park is famous for more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks, many of which rise over 656 feet high alongside ravines, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and limestone caves.  The landscape is covered in lust vegetation and providing a stunning contrast to the towering columns of rocks.

The viewing platform which is over 3,280 ft.  above sea level is constructed on the Yellow Stone Camp Mesa formed by cutting and splitting of a sandstone platform.

Amazing view from the viewing platform.

Plaque with history of the Stone peak forest.

We are just in awe at how the force of nature has shaped this area.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s landscape was formed by millions of years of geological processes. The area was originally covered by an ocean, and over time, tectonic movements caused the land to rise above the water level. This process created the sandstone pillars that can be seen throughout the park today.

The park’s unique terrain is the result of a combination of factors, including weathering, erosion, and geological uplift. The sandstone pillars were formed by water erosion, which carved out deep ravines and canyons over thousands of years.

 The tallest pillar, known as the “Southern Sky Column,” stands at an impressive 3,543 feet above sea level.

The sandstone pillars and other rock formations were also shaped by wind and temperature changes, which caused them to crack and erode over time.

Closer view of the top of the two tallest pillars in the park.

We are really having fun here...

Wish sticks wedged between Rock strata (stacked-up layers of sedimentary rock).

  When Chinese visitors come to Zhangjiajie in Wulingyuan in the north of Hunan province they break of branches from nearby trees, reduce them to sticks, and put them vertically in the otherwise vacant areas between rock slabs in the sides of accessible outcrops. But before they wedge the stick in they do something else: they make a wish.

Since Wendy explained to us the reason why there are so many sticks around, Kevin wanted to do the same thing and left a stick there.

The park is really well designed for optical view of the surrounding.

Every where you look the vista is simple incredibly beautiful.

Panoramic view.

There are streams below but it is covered by dense vegetation.

Following our tour guide...

Rock opening at the end of the stairs.

It is closed to tourists as it is too dangerous to go all the way down.

All the hand rails are really well made and they blend in with nature.

WE are now at He long Park with a bronze statue of Marshal He Long standing on a stone at the entrance.  The statue is the largest bronze statue in China for the past century.

He Long Park

All the paths in the park are really nice and fits in with nature.

As you can see the walkway and rails blend perfectly with nature.

On our way to see the Avatar mountains.

We are now at the land of "Avatar".

The view was magical with the center pillar and the natural bridge in the back.

The outstanding sandstone monoliths dressed in the green foliage of Zhangjiajie Forest Park's  known as the "'Avatar' Mountains," was the inspiration for the Pandora scenery and landscape of director James Cameron's mythical blockbuster film "Avatar."

In the center is the rocky Natural bridge also known as the first bridge under the Sun because the natural rock bridge is between two mountain peaks and is simply breath taking.

The bridge is only 6 ft. wide, 16 ft.  thick, and spans 82 ft. in length between the 2 mountains.  The 400ft vertical height is the larges found in the world so far.  The lower rocks have collapsed and the Natural bridge was formed.

View of the ground underneath the majestic sandstone pillars.

The center pillar is 492 ft. high with vegetation and tall trees on the summit.

This area was officially renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain“ in 2010, after the movie was such a big success.

Closer view of the top of the sandstone pillar.

Lookout spot with a great view of the area.

Wendy showing us what to look for in the area...

It is around lunch and Wendy reserved a table for us in a restaurant inside the Tourist Center.

Wendy already ordered everything for us so it was super convenient.

It was a simple Chinese meal but it was perfect because it was perfect for lunch.

Next...Natural Bridge crossing