Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is located in Sanguansi Township, Cili County, Zhangjiajie City, adjacent to the world natural heritage and global geopark — Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is a newly developed tourist attraction. Originally, it had two names: one was called "Lan Chuan Xia" (Rotten Boat Gorge), named after Shenquan Stream. The water of the entire canyon and the Southern Red Flag Canal both originates here. Legend has it that many rotten boat planks once surged out from the spring eye, and locals couldn't figure out where they came from, hence the name “Rotten Boat Gorge.” The other name was "Luan Quan Xia" (Chaotic Spring Gorge), referring to the many springs and streams cascading down the steep cliffs on both sides of the canyon.

Waterfalls and divine springs abound throughout the canyon, offering visitors a feast for the eyes along the way. The canyon is covered with lush vegetation, fresh air, and a cool, comfortable atmosphere. A thin mist hovers over the stream, creating a paradise-like scene that instantly washes away worries. A tranquil stream meanders through Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, with wooden walkways built along its banks. In addition to its classic natural beauty, the canyon also features historical and cultural sites spanning several dynasties, such as the “Thousand-People Tomb” ancient battlefield that records the fierce battle between Li Zicheng and Wu Sangui, the bandit caves reflecting the unique history of western Hunan, and the “Southern Red Flag Canal,” carved into the cliffs by local people in the early days of liberation, showcasing their hard work against the odds.

The canyon is covered with lush vegetation, fresh air, and a cool, comfortable atmosphere. A thin mist hovers over the stream, creating a paradise-like scene that instantly washes away worries. At the end of the canyon is a small reservoir formed by a downstream hydroelectric dam. Visitors must take a boat to exit. While on the boat, you can see wild ducks playing in the water and egrets occasionally skimming the surface… Before you know it, the canyon journey is over, and the exit is actually right beneath the road you entered from. The tour of the grand canyon takes over two hours. The canyon is quite narrow, and the hike is long, requiring good physical fitness.

One-Line Sky is located at the entrance of the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon trail and is a cliff within the canyon. Also called the “West Heavenly Gate,” One-Line Sky resembles a grand gate opening up the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to welcome all visitors. However, although this gate is large and tall, it is very narrow, giving visitors the chance to experience the canyon cliffs up close. “Three thousand emerald peaks, eight hundred crystal-clear waters” — this is a poetic praise for Zhangjiajie’s wondrous mountains and waters. In other scenic areas of Zhangjiajie, visitors often only view these wonders from afar or afar. Here, at One-Line Sky, you can get up close and personal with Zhangjiajie’s magical landscapes. From the location of One-Line Sky, a vertical descent leads all the way to the bottom of the canyon. The walking trail spans over 700 meters, with a vertical drop of more than 300 meters.

Sky Ladder Plank Walk After One-Line Sky comes the Sky Ladder Plank Walk. This section of the trail has a steep slope and narrow wooden boards that extend downwards one after another, resembling a ladder leading to a fascinating wonderland. We call it the Sky Ladder Plank Walk. Dear visitors, the stairs are steep and the area crowded, so please take your time and stay safe. About three minutes along the Sky Ladder Plank Walk, you will reach a viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of One-Line Sky. Standing here and looking down, you’ll have a perfect view of One-Line Sky.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon originally had two names: one was called "Lan Chuan Xia" (Rotten Boat Gorge), where the water comes from Shenquan Stream. The water of the entire canyon and the Southern Red Flag Canal both originates here. Legend has it that many rotten boat planks once surged out from the spring eye, and locals couldn't figure out where they came from, hence the name “Rotten Boat Gorge”; the other name was "Luan Quan Xia" (Chaotic Spring Gorge), referring to the many springs and streams cascading down the steep cliffs on both sides of the canyon. Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is full of waterfalls and divine springs, offering visitors a feast for the eyes along the way.

Among the Tujia people, there is a legend passed down through generations about Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Long, long ago, the youngest daughter of the Dragon King secretly sneaked out of the dragon palace to play and accidentally arrived here. She was greeted by fragrant flowers, buzzing bees and butterflies, and the murmuring of flowing water... Immediately captivated by the stunning beauty of the canyon, she no longer wished to return to the dragon palace. She devoted herself to spiritual practice here and eventually attained enlightenment, becoming immortal. After the Dragon Maiden became immortal, the Tujia people settled along this stream and have thrived here ever since. To commemorate her blessing, the locals named the grand canyon the touching name “Dragon Maiden River.”

Time Needed

3–4 hours

Transportation

1. The most convenient bus from Wulingyuan is the route to Cili (a 15 km trip, taking just 20 minutes max);

2. From Zhangjiajie, you can take a city bus to Wulingyuan, then transfer to the bus to Cili (approximately 50 km, just over 1 hour without waiting for transfers);

3. The most convenient option from downtown Zhangjiajie is to take the bus from in front of Guanghe Shopping Mall to Jiangya Hot Springs (1 hour, non-stop direct route).

Ticket Price

118 RMB

Location

Sanguansi Township, Cili County, Zhangjiajie City