Shadaogou

Shadaogou

Shadaogou is located within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, where the valley boasts a collection of spectacular scenery, abundant wilderness charm, ancient trees and wild vines, strange rocks lining the path, and steep cliffs standing in layers.

Shadaogou is a “U”-shaped deep valley, with its eastern and western entrances situated at “A Thousand Miles Reunion” by Jinbian Stream and Zicaotan, respectively. The area features towering peaks and dense forests with slippery moss. Viewing the scenery from within the valley, you’ll see high peaks against a distant sky, deep valleys with clear waters, all filled with a mythical ambiance, earning it the nickname “Labyrinth of the Human World.”

Major attractions include Five Maidens Worshipping Their Master, Dragon Palace Dancers, Golden Turtle Ascending to Heaven, Boy Worshipping Guanyin, Leaning Tower, and more. Xiaotianmen Gully is home to the second-largest bird kingdom in Wulingyuan. The round-trip distance is approximately 14 kilometers.

Not far past “Thunder Striking Rock,” you’ll be greeted by the “Five Maidens Worshipping Their Marshal.” These five peaks stand side by side, resembling five heroic women ready for battle: the eldest lifts her head, gazing forward; the second strides forward, closely following; the third and fourth ride horses and raise spears, poised for combat; only the youngest lags slightly, head slightly lowered, body slightly bent, as if adjusting her armor...

Xitianmen, one of the five “Heavenly Gates” of Zhangjiajie, is exquisitely embedded like a mirror on the mountainside of Shadaogou’s front peak, resembling a gateway leading directly to the heavens. Legend has it that this was where Xiang Dakun, the leader of the Tujia peasant uprising, was defeated and forced to flee. When he reached the cliff edge with no way out, Guanyin came to his rescue. The bodhisattva poked a hole through the cliff with her umbrella handle, allowing King Xiang to escape his peril and vanish into the mist.

Monkey Cave Waterfall is the tallest among the many waterfalls in Wulingyuan, dropping vertically 130 meters. Its waters cascade down from Moon Rock like a long white silk ribbon hanging in the mountains. The waterfall usually has a modest flow, but during summer floods, it roars like thunder, splashing water droplets that can spray dozens of meters away, turning into mist in the sunlight and creating a hazy, beautiful spectacle. If you’re lucky enough to witness it, it’s truly a visual feast.

Just below Monkey Cave Waterfall lies Bailongtan (White Dragon Pool). Due to inaccessible paths and extremely treacherous terrain, few have ventured here. Entering the area feels like stepping into another world. Standing by Bailongtan, you’ll see concentric ripples on the deep pool’s surface, with waves stretching out in dark blue-black hues, the depth immeasurable. According to local villagers, even throwing a stone yields no splash. Legend says the Jade Emperor resides in the heavens, while a Dragon King dwells in the pool. Normally, thrown stones are seized by the Dragon King. Only when ancient villagers knelt to pray for rain, tossing 100 stones, did the Dragon King emerge amid the splashing water to shower rain before retreating into the depths to meditate. Thus, Bailongtan remains shrouded in mystery.

The First Bridge Under Heaven is situated outside Zhongping on Yuanjiajie. Its height, span, and level of thrill are truly rare, earning it the title “The First Bridge Under Heaven.” It consists of two massive cliffs, each over 300 meters tall, naturally connected by a huge stone slab, resembling a prefabricated concrete slab. The bridge is about 2 meters wide and 20 meters long. Towering pines grow atop the bridge, ancient vines hang from its edges, and a bottomless abyss lies beneath. My notes from crossing it read: “Standing on the bridge is soul-stirring; looking down, the depth is unfathomable; glancing around, sheer cliffs surround you; water droplets splash, glistening like snow; tossing a stone yields no sound. After circling the bridge, I felt dizzy, my eyes blurred, hands trembling, and feet numb. I kept telling myself to stay calm and careful, but my heart still raced. Only back at my lodging in Zhongping did the lingering fear slowly fade.”

On the steep cliffs of The First Bridge Under Heaven, I also spotted the summer-blooming “Slender Azalea” (commonly known as “Mountain Fire” or “Cliffside Red”). The bushes are small, the flowers not large, but their colors are extraordinarily vivid, making them a remarkable sight on the cliffs.

Time Needed

4–5 hours

Transportation

Within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, accessible on foot

Ticket

Included in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket

Location

West side of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park