In my traditional way of thinking, Zhangjiajie has always been shrouded in an air of mystery. This sense of mystery has always driven me to visit Zhangjiajie to satisfy my curiosity. This wish finally came true this year.
After returning from Zhangjiajie, what I realized the most is that the beautiful scenery seen in photos is only part of the real beauty, and the beauty described in words is even more limited compared to the photos. So if you truly long to go somewhere, do it when work is not busy—treat your eyes, clear your lungs that have endured too much smog, and relax your mind that has been tense from working non-stop.
I chose mid-October for this trip to Zhangjiajie. First, it’s not a public holiday so there definitely weren’t many people, and second, the weather in October is neither too cold nor too hot, making it just right for traveling.
Upon first arriving in Zhangjiajie, my first impression was that the air here is really amazing. As someone used to breathing smog in the big city, suddenly inhaling such fresh air made me feel an unprecedented sense of relaxation. Plus, the temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius was perfect for traveling.
After spending a day exploring downtown Zhangjiajie, I felt that this small mountain city in western Hunan is quite nice. The urban infrastructure is well-equipped—you can buy any daily necessities you need. The cost of living is also about on par with the national average. When I asked locals for directions on the street, they were all very friendly, smiling and pointing me in the right way. So in every aspect, this city gave me a very relaxing feeling.
On the first night in Zhangjiajie, I ate various local Hunan snacks: sour and spicy noodles, stinky tofu, straw hat noodles, and blood tofu. As someone who is obsessed with spicy food, coming to Hunan felt like coming to my own paradise. All the spicy dishes had me eating non-stop. Here’s a little tip: if you’re going to try snacks, choose places that are bigger and look cleaner. Just imagine: getting diarrhea while traveling would definitely be a miserable experience.
Also, in downtown Zhangjiajie, there are plenty of delicious places to eat. The first one worth recommending is Zhangjiajie’s signature dish—San Xia Guo. San Xia Guo is actually a convenient type of dry pot, consisting of three main ingredients and cooked as a stew without broth. I personally think “Hu Shifu San Xia Guo” near Sanjiaoping and “Chen Dajie San Xia Guo” on Shizijie are both quite good. One serving of San Xia Guo is 25 yuan, which is quite a generous portion—two or three people only need to order 50 to 75 yuan worth and you’re guaranteed to eat your fill. I recommend a mix of stir-fried intestines, stir-fried walnuts, and western Hunan cured meat, all stewed together. You can also order a side of pickled radish, which is crispy and tangy. It’s absolutely top-notch.
(Ten-Mile Gallery)
Why did I set the tone for the third day as a nostalgic journey? Because during the third day’s exploration of Zhangjiajie, I was given ample opportunity to cherish the visual feast before me and to take a full day to truly say goodbye to Zhangjiajie.
Conclusion
In this travelogue, I wanted to use many, many words to describe the beauty of Zhangjiajie, but more often than not, I found myself feeling at a loss for words—not because I lack cultural refinement or haven’t read enough books, but because I feel that to truly appreciate Zhangjiajie, you have to experience it in person to understand how different it is from other scenic spots in China.
Another important thing is, everyone visiting Zhangjiajie must understand one principle in order to experience its essence: Yuanjiajie is the heart of Zhangjiajie, and the Bailong Elevator is the essential route through the area. Therefore, I suggest focusing your visit on Yuanjiajie and make sure to take the Bailong Elevator at least once.
I hope this guide will be of some help to those planning to visit Zhangjiajie. At the end of this article, I want to share with you this truth: only beautiful scenery and love are not to be missed. Bring the person you love and go have an amazing time in Zhangjiajie.