Begin your adventure with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Zhangjiajie. Head to Zhangjiajie National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the filming backdrop for the film Avatar.

Start your tour with a visit to Tianzi Mountain, also known as Mt. Emperor. Take a cable car to the top, saving you hours of climbing. Enjoy a 1–1.5-hour walking tour on the summit, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the sandstone pillar forest. Learn about the area’s rich history and legends from your guide.

Next, head to Yuanjiajie, the most famous region in Zhangjiajie National Park and the primary inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. Take the Bailong Lift, the world’s highest outdoor sightseeing lift, to the top. Spend 1–1.5 hours exploring the area, where hundreds of towering pillars rise from the mist.

Continue to Golden Whip Stream, regarded as one of the most beautiful streams in China. Enjoy a leisurely 2-hour walk along a well-paved, flat walkway at the bottom of a canyon. Take in the stunning views of the uniquely shaped sandstone peaks and keep an eye out for playful wild monkeys along the way.