Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Chinese name: 张家界大峡谷) is located in Cili County, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China. It is quite closed to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Wulingyuang Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a recently-developed natural wonderland that is famous for beautiful natural landscape and cultural sites. It incorporates green mountains, mild streams, intrigued caves, steep cliffs, and thick forest. Here is the museum of landform of Zhangjiajie. You can see the unique Karst topography scenery of the North Temperate Zone.
The Glass Bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
The glass-bottom bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is the longest and highest glass-bottom bridge in the world. The bridge spans two cliffs in the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon area. It stretches 430 meters (1,410 feet) long and 6 meters (20 feet) wide, hovering over a 300-meter (984-foot) vertical drop. The thrilling bridge is an architecture wonder designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan. The bridge floor is all made up of transparent glass. Standing on the bridge, travelers can get a panoramic view of the majestic Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon under your feet. In the middle of the bridge, there is a bungee jump platform, where you can try the highest bungee jumping in the world. What an exciting experience.
The Glass Bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Hiking Route in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
In the bottom of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a clear and beautiful stream. Beside and along the stream are wooden trails for tourists to walk and hike. Visitor need to hike in the bottom of the Grand Canyon to admire its beauty. The hike for the start point to the end in the canyon usually takes 3 to 4 hours. It is a long walking time and requests good physical condition.
Hiking Route in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
The hike in the canyon start with a long and narrow vertical gap between two mountain cliffs known as a Strip of Sky (一线天), with the sunlight shining through the gap. You need to walk a 700-meter-long trail with steep stairs lined with the iron railings leading down the Canyon. The elevation difference between the gap on the top and the canyon on the bottom is over 300 meters. As you descend, some stairs are so steep that they look nearly vertical. However, you will find it is most rewarding when passing through the beautiful, tranquil sceneries, despite the wobbly legs.
Hiking Route in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Pass through the Strip of Sky, you will reach a trestle road between cliff. The trestle has a steep slope like a high ladder. You need to walk up along the stair steps. Travelers who walk for about 3 minutes will get to the point where they can have a panoramic view of the Strip of Sky. Continue to hike in the canyon. In the halfway, there is a 600-meter-long marble slide, winding its way down to the bottom of the valley. It is optional and may be a funny trip for kids or young people. You can also choose to hike down. After that, continue you hiking trip along the plank road or mountain trail.
In the last portion of the canyon is a small reservoir used for hydropower station. So you need to take a short boat ride from the Upper Pier of the Cruise to the Down Pier. After you get off the boat, the hiking tour ends.
Travel Guide
【Best time to visit】 April, May, September and October is the best time to visit, when is cool and comfortable. It is a little cold in winter.
【How to get there】
If you travel from Wulingyuan, the most convenient way to get to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is to take bus at Wulingyuan Bus Station to Cili(慈利). It is about 15 kilometers and take about 30 minutes. Upon your arrival in Cili, it would be very convenient to reach the entrance of Grand Canyon.
If you travel from Zhangjiajie downtown, it is suggested to take bus at Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to Wulingyuan first, then transfer to the bus that leaves for Cili. It is about 50 kilometers and takes more than 1 hour to get there.
It is recommended to spend 4 to 5 hours to visit inside the scenic area.
