Private Zhangjiajie 2-Day Tour with Glass Bridge

Bailong Elevator and Yuanjiajie

Your first day begins at the foot of the Bailong Elevator, a lift built into a cliff that rises about 326 metres in under two minutes, partly inside the rock and partly in glass cabins with views of the peak forest. At the top lies Yuanjiajie, the most famous corner of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and part of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

Over about two hours on cliff-top paths, our guide leads you to the Pillar of the Southern Sky, the column that made the floating-mountain pillars famous, then to the Platform of Forgetfulness and across the First Bridge Under Heaven, a natural rock span between two peaks. On a private tour you can wait for the mist to shift or the light to change without holding anyone up.

Tianzi Mountain and the cable car

In the afternoon the park bus brings you to Tianzi Mountain, at about 1,260 metres the highest area of the park. The terraces here look over the Imperial Brush Peaks and the West Sea stone forest, a sea of pillars that often fills with cloud. Locals say the mountain has four wonders: the sea of clouds, moonlight, sunshine after rain and winter snow.

The day ends with the Tianzi Mountain cable car down to the valley, a short ride past cliffs and pine-topped towers, and our driver waiting to take you to your hotel. If you are planning a Zhangjiajie trip with children, this day is very manageable: the elevator and cable car do the climbing, leaving mostly level paths on top.

Golden Whip Stream

Day two starts in the valley at Golden Whip Stream, a clear stream that runs about seven kilometres through the forest at the foot of the pillars. A flat, shaded path follows its banks past the tall Golden Whip Rock and quiet pools, and it is the gentlest way to experience the scale of the park from below. Macaque monkeys live along the stream; watch them, but do not feed them.

You walk for about two hours at an easy pace, which is why this is one of the best walks in Zhangjiajie for all ages. The air is cool even in summer. With a private guide you can turn back early or continue further, and our vehicle meets you at the end of the walk.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

After lunch, we drive to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The Glass Bridge, opened in 2016, spans about 430 metres between the canyon rims and hangs roughly 300 metres above the floor, with a deck of layered glass panels that lets you look straight down into the gorge. It was built as the longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge of its kind.

Is the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge safe? Yes: the glass is thick, visitor numbers are controlled and everyone wears shoe covers. Allow about an hour to cross and take photos. Large bags and selfie sticks usually go into lockers at the entrance, and our guide will show you where to leave them.

The canyon walk

After the bridge, you descend into the canyon by stairs, or by the zip line or slides if you wish to pay for them on site, and then hike for about two hours along the canyon floor. The path passes waterfalls, caves, colourful pools and sheer cliffs covered in ferns, and it is a lovely contrast to the open views of the day before.

At the end, a boat crosses a small lake near the exit, and our driver collects you for the return to your hotel, the railway station or the airport. Many travellers schedule an evening train or flight after this day; tell us your departure time and we will plan the timing so you arrive relaxed.