The Wulingyuan Scenic Area is located in the northwest of Hunan Province and is often known as Zhangjiajie among Chinese people. In 1992, it was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Wulingyuan is renowned for its unique natural phenomenon, the sandstone peak forest. This area features over 3,000 sharp sandstone pillars and peaks, with 243 of them towering over 1,000 meters. Most of these pillars are over 200 meters high, including the Yubi Peak, whose summit rises more than 100 meters. These pillars are scattered unevenly across the landscape, creating an extraordinary and fascinating scene known as the peak forest of Wulingyuan.
Since ancient times, Wulingyuan has been called the "Forest of 3,000 Peaks and 800 Waters" due to its numerous peaks and water bodies. There are also 32 streams, each over 2,000 meters long. The most popular tour in this area leads to the 1,048-meter-high plateau called Huangshi Zhai, which can be conveniently reached by cable car. Another attraction is the Golden Whip Stream (Jinbian Xi). Only for those with a head for heights is the "First Bridge Under Heaven," which is 40 meters long and spans a 357-meter-deep chasm between two cliffs. It is the highest natural bridge in the world.
The Suoxiyu Nature Park is ideal for rafting. The Jinbian Stream is a natural watercourse that flows through Jinbian Rock, giving it its name. It flows for 5,700 meters between steep cliffs and bizarre peaks. Its water is crystal clear, and lush vegetation thrives along its banks. The stream is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the Zhangjiajie landscape.
In the 11-kilometer-long "Yellow Dragon Cave," you can take a boat ride on a dammed lake. In the Tianzi Mountain Nature Park, you can visit the "Ten-Mile Gallery," consisting of 10 contiguous valleys. Here, you can also admire the "Immortal Bridge," a 26-meter-long natural bridge that hovers 100 meters above the valley.
