China, the fourth-largest country in the world by both area and population, is a mesmerizing land of contrasts, blending over 1.4 billion lives with culture, history, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Every corner of China offers a kaleidoscope of experiences, from its timeless traditions to its visionary innovations.
Hunan Province, located in the south-central part of China, is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse natural landscapes. It is home to many beautiful landscapes, such as Zhangjiajie National Forest.
Wandering through ancient destinations, exploring nature spots, and indulging the diverse flavors of Chinese cuisine. Sounds amazing, right? This one-week itinerary will guide you to all the must-visit places. Dive in and get inspired to create your own personalized journey!
Before traveling to China, make sure to download all the essential apps commonly used there, as China only uses its own apps ( such as Alipay and Didi). Also, don’t forget to get a China eSIM and subscribe to a VPN to ensure a smooth experience during your trip.
As a virtual assistant nomad, travelling, having a dependable data connection while traveling for several days overseas is crucial for managing business tasks and maintaining effective communication with clients.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Tianmen Mountain Adventure
After arriving safely at the airport, you can grab a taxi or bus directly to the mountain or go to a restaurant or cafe first. Start your first day visiting the stunning Tianmen Mountain, it’s a perfect for a half-day adventure and it’s not that far so it will be less overwhelming. This iconic spot offers several exciting ways to explore:
- Cable Car Ride: enjoying the spectacular mountain views with the world’s longest cable car.
- 999 Steps to Heaven’s Gate: climb the 999 stairs to the world’s highest natural cave, known as the “stairway to heaven”.
- Bailong Elevator: Ride this glass elevator that builds in the side of the cliff.
- Glass Skywalk: Test your nerves on thrilling walkways with transparent floors.
You can explore until 5 PM— Tianmen closed time. Afterward, you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant like Wulong Shanzhai Restaurant, which is nearby. Once you’re ready, you can find transportation to Wulingyuan for the hotel. This way, you can start your next day early in National Forest Park and maximize your time there.
Day 2 & 3: Discover Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Spend the next two days exploring the breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a vast natural wonder that needs at least one day to explore it. While the park’s ticket is valid for four days, we’ll focus on the highlights to make the most of our time.
- Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: Covering an area of 4,810 hectares, this iconic site inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.
- Tianzi Mountain (“Monarch of the Peaks”): Known for its stunning views and offering a relaxing way with a cable car to enjoy the view.
- Golden Whip Stream: hiking in tranquil streams that are surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery—perfect activity for immersing yourself in nature.
- Glass Skywalk: For thrill-seekers, this exhilarating walkway offers heart-pumping views straight down to the forest below.
Day 4: Explore Yellow Dragon Cave
Also Called HuangLong, is known as the most beautiful cave in China, is a UNESCO-listed site that features several stunning natural wonders. Among its highlights are the Sea-Calming Needle (Dinghai Shenzhen), the Dragon Palace, Echoing Water River, Celestial Bridge and Waterfall. The cave is famous for its stunning limestone formations, with stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers, all illuminated in vibrant colors.
Tourists typically spend around two hours exploring this vast cave which has been shaped over millions of years. The Yellow Dragon Cave contains both dry and water caves, allowing for a unique experience. Visitors can take a boat ride along the Echoing Water River, offering a chance to admire the magnificent underground landscape from a different perspective in 8 minutes.Whether walking or boating, the cave offers an unforgettable adventure into one of China’s most remarkable natural wonders.
For your information, the cave is open from 7 AM or 8 AM and closes at 4 PM or 5 PM, depending on peak hours. After exploring the cave and taking in its beauty, you can pack up and head to the ancient city of Fenghuang for another spectacular experience. Located in the southwest of the Tujia-Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Xiangxi, Hunan, it takes about 3 hours to reach Fenghuang. Make sure to leave early enough so you don’t arrive too late at night.
Day 5 and 6: Discover the Ancient Town of Fenghuang
Also known as the Phoenix Ancient Town, Fenghuang is regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in China. This 300-year-old town exudes a charming historical vibe, with the remaining traces of its past. The great news is that exploring the town is free, but for a more detailed experience, you may need to pay some fee.
In Fenghuang, you can capture stunning scenic photos and explore the unique architecture of the Tujia minority buildings. The atmosphere here is incredibly serene, offering a peaceful vibe as you stroll through its ancient streets, admire the old architecture, breathe in the fresh air, and savor the moment. Be sure to visit the Tuojiang River and the bridges nearby since it’s one of the iconic landmarks in the town. The river becomes more magical after the rain, and some spots in Fenghuang also become even more enchanting at night, making it worth staying overnight.
Pro Tip: Early mornings in Fenghuang are usually quiet and less crowded, making it the perfect time to take stunning photos without interruptions.
Day 6 and 7: Explore Furong Ancient Town
Furong Ancient Town, also known as the “Thousand-Year Ancient Town Hanging on the Waterfall,” is a breathtaking destination. It features a stunning 40 to 60-meter waterfall with ancient buildings constructed above the cliffs, blending nature and history in a unique setting. The town, with over 2,000 years of history, reflects the Tujia people’s heritage, showcasing intricate and complex Tujia-style architecture.
Some of the must-visit spots in Furong are the Furong Waterfall, Wuli Street, and Tusi Residence. The Tusi Residence, a historic group of buildings perched on the cliffs, was originally built to defend against invasions while also offering breathtaking views of the cascading waterfall.
Stay overnight to experience the magical night of Furong where the entire town lights up and creates a stunning view. Don’t worry about accommodations—there are plenty of hotels nearby. For a truly unforgettable experience, consider staying in one of the local houses at Tusi Residence, where the architecture is thoughtfully designed to let you enjoy views of both the waterfall and the cliffs.
Since the town isn’t very large, you can explore it in 2–3 hours. And don’t miss the chance to walk behind the waterfall with provided trails, giving you a close-up experience watching the waterfall. And make sure to not sleep too late, as the next morning we’ll head back to Zhangjiajie to visit the Seventy-Two Strange Towers.
Day 7: Visit the 72 Strange Building
The last day of your trip—it’s always hard to say goodbye to the breathtaking Zhangjiajie, isn’t it?. But, If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can still make a quick stop at the Seventy-Two Strange Towers. This site holds the Guinness World Record for the Highest Building, standing at an impressive height of 109.9 meters. With its unique and complex architecture, the towers appear like floating in the air.
If your flight is late at night, consider staying until evening when the lights of the towers illuminate the structure, creating a magical and enchanting view. However, if you’re out of time, a quick visit to observe its unusual design is still worth it.
After that, head back to your hotel and then proceed to the airport. The travel time may range from several minutes to a few hours, depending on traffic and your hotel’s location. To avoid any inconveniences, ensure to arrive several hours before your flight to allow for any unexpected delays.
After seven wonderful days together, we’ve reached the end of our journey. I bet you’re feeling both sad and happy. Sad because it’s time to go home, but happy because you’ve spent your days surrounded by such beauty and unforgettable experiences. But like all things in life, moments come and go, so don’t be too sad. There’s always a chance to return again someday. Have a safe trip back home!