Zhangjiajie's diverse ecosystems support over 500 animal species, including several endangered ones. The park is home to the Chinese giant salamander, clouded leopard, and various monkey species, including the rare golden monkey. Bird enthusiasts can spot numerous species, including the Chinese babax and the yellow-throated laughingthrush. The park also harbors various endemic insects and amphibians that have adapted to the unique environmental conditions. The giant salamander, in particular, is considered a living fossil and can be found in the park's clean mountain streams.
The park hosts over 3,000 plant species, including numerous endemic and endangered varieties. The vegetation varies significantly with elevation, featuring subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests at lower levels and coniferous forests at higher altitudes. Notable species include the Chinese dove tree, ginkgo biloba, and various orchids. The park's diverse plant life creates distinct ecological zones, with moss and ferns thriving in the humid microclimate around the rock formations. Many plants have adapted to grow directly on the sandstone pillars, contributing to the continued erosion and shaping of these formations.
The park's distinctive landscape features thousands of sandstone pillars and peaks formed over millions of years through physical and chemical weathering. These quartzite sandstone formations, some reaching heights over 1,000 meters, were created when the area was once a vast ocean. As the sea receded, the exposed rocks were eroded by wind and water, creating the current karst landscape. The geological composition consists primarily of quartz sandstone from the Devonian period, approximately 380 million years ago. The area continues to evolve through ongoing erosion processes, creating one of the world's most unique examples of sandstone karst topography.
The area was originally known as Dayong and was renamed Zhangjiajie in 1994 after its first recorded inhabitant. The park gained international recognition when it was designated China's first National Forest Park in 1982 and was later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 as part of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The region has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Tujia, Miao, and other ethnic minorities. The park gained global attention after allegedly inspiring the floating mountains in James Cameron's 2009 film 'Avatar', leading to one of its peaks being officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain' in 2010.
The park's most famous attractions include the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, home to the 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain' and the world's longest cable car system. The Tianmen Mountain features the famous 'Heaven's Gate', a natural arch in the mountain, accessed by a road with 99 hairpin turns. The Golden Whip Stream offers a peaceful walking trail along crystal-clear waters between towering peaks. The Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor lift at 326 meters, provides spectacular views of the sandstone pillars. The Ten Mile Gallery, a narrow valley flanked by unique rock formations, can be explored by mini-train or on foot.
Zhangjiajie experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are considered the best times to visit, with comfortable temperatures averaging 20-25°C (68-77°F). Summers (June-August) are hot and humid with frequent rainfall, while winters (December-February) are cool and occasionally snowy. The park's unique microclimate creates frequent mists and clouds around the peaks, particularly in the early mornings, offering ethereal views but occasionally limiting visibility. Annual rainfall averages 1,400mm, with the majority falling during the summer monsoon season.
China
29.3270°, 110.5460°
1982
480
Zhangjiajie is known for its towering sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and dense forests that inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. The park features thousands of peaks and columns, many rising over 200 meters high, formed through physical erosion. The area also includes caves, streams, waterfalls, and supports diverse wildlife including macaques and salamanders.