Included in the spectacular Wulingyuan Scenic Area near the city of Zhangjiajie, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was the first area to be protected as a national park in China. Famed for its sandstone karst pillars stretching skywards which are draped in sub-tropical rainforest, the park was initially founded as a state-run tree farm in 1958 before being officially protected in 1982. The park’s famous sandstone pillars are the result of thousands of years of erosion by water draining through crevices. This water becomes acidic when it comes in contact with the carbon dioxide in the surrounding soil and atmosphere. Over time, this water drains through the fractures in the rock, gradually dissolving it away into the unique and iconic karst landscape seen today in Zhangjiajie. This process is further assisted by the expansion of ice within the crevices over Zhiangjiajie's chilly winter months, creating ever-wider spaces between the karst pillars.

Tianzi means Son of Heaven. The Mountain was named after a minority leader who led a revolution around 900 years ago. What amazes travelers here is the various grotesque peaks. Each one has a story behind, which is quite typical in China as Chinese people love to combine imaginary legends with sceneries. Tianzi Mountain is known as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest'. At the top of the mountain, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Beautiful scenes of the mountain greet visitors in different seasons. Scenic spots here include: Yubi Peak (Imperial Brush Peak), Fairy Spreading Flowers Peak, Warrior Taming a Horse and Devine Troops.

Yuanjiajie is the place that was used as the backdrop in the James Cameron movie “Avatar”. Huge rocks with unique shapes rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. It offers a breathtaking sight and looks like a painting. Scenic spots here at Yuanjiajie include: Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, the First Bridge under the Heaven, Back Garden and Enchanting Stage. Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, named Southern Sky Column before the movie Avatar, is an independent and giant pillar rising abruptly from the valley. The Avator Hallelujah mountain has a vertical height of about 150 meters (165 yards) and has lush vegetation on the top.

The Bailong (Hundred Dragons) Elevator is a 335 m tall glass elevator built onto the side of a huge cliff in the Yuanjiajie scenic area. The construction started in October 1999, and it was opened to the public in 2002. There are three lift rooms that can take 48 passengers at a time, with a speed of 3 minutes per second. It is the world’s tallest outdoor sightseeing elevator and the fastest passenger elevator with the biggest capacity.

The Golden Whip Stream is one of the best hiking routes with the most amazing views. One-way trip is around 7.5km (4.7 miles) and needs around 2.5 to 3 hours to finish. It is worth every single minute of your hike. The murmuring stream is all along the hiking route with clear water, verdant forests, various wild flowers, and singing birds. Be careful of the naughty monkeys here that are always ready to rob travelers’ food. What’s especially wonderful here is the fresh air. You will walk about 40 minutes along the stream to enjoy an eyeful of green plants and listen to the gurgle of streams and singing of birds.