Off the Beaten Path: Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China

Never heard of the Hallelujah Floating Mountains, these mountains are one of the most beautiful in the world. Here was filmed the blockbuster  film “Avatar” and yes, the Pandora world is real and can be found in Zhangjiajie.

The area is surrounded by rocks rocketing to the sky and sandstone pillars scattered across the area. You can walk through the glass bridge, do some proper trekking or take cable cars which connect the town with the mountain range, which is considered to be the longest in the world. 

Zhangjiajie City is located on the northwestern border of Hunan Province. It features a variety of different terrains including: mountainous regions, upland areas, plains, and Karst rock areas.

The world-famous natural heritage site 'Wulingyuan Scenic Area' is located on the base of these great mountains. Areas worth visiting include Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (known as China's first national forest park), Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, and Tianzi Mountain Natural Resource Reserve. The scenic area hosts many natural features including: mountains, forests, caves, lakes and waterfalls and perhaps there are more than three thousand rock ridges and eight hundred ghylls. They enjoy the reputation of 'Original Picture on Mountain and River of China'. This wonderland is covered with dense forests.

One of the most interesting things to do here is the experience of drifting on the Maoyan River. The Maoyan River is the upper reach of the Li River in Yongding District. The length for drifting is about 16 miles and the zigzags in the river offer an exhilarating ride. There are four wonders on the Maoyan River: Bangtou Spring, Jianxie Spring, Yan Spring and Pen Wu Cave. These scenic spots cover the river with a mysterious color. The most renowned scenic spot is the Shui Dongzi Waterfall. On the bank opposite the waterfall there are several huge rocks which provide a perfect natural observation platform. This is an ideal place for visitors to take photos.

Jiuzhaigou Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the valley, you will see many attractions including Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, Shitazhenhai and Zhuanhua (whirling flower) Pond. In the Huanglong Cave, there are three sitting Buddha figures whose bodies are encrusted with calc-sinter crystals. This whole area is filled with breathtaking features, beautiful streams, waterfalls and wildlife.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

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