The Rise Of Zhangjiajie Scenic Area

It is a bit of a mouthful, but we have noticed that Zhangjiajie (pronounced Jang-Jia-Jeh-uh) is an increasingly popular place to visit on our tours of China. These mountains, located in China's Hunan Province, gradually eroded to create an unearthly landscape of huge rock columns towering above the lush subtropical forest. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the area is often shrouded in fog, adding to the otherworldly air of mystery.

Zhangjiajie's recent claim to fame is the inspiration for James Cameron's 'Avatar', but this natural wonder had been inspiring artists in China for centuries. The Wuilingyuan Scenic Area deserves three full days to explore Tianzi Mountain, the highest area in the park at 3,450 ft; the Golden Whip Stream hike; and the less crowded Yaozizai area. The area is also home to Tianmen Mountain - a tall table-top mountain where the intrepid can brave the highest and longest glass walkway in the world - a thing of nightmares for any vertigo sufferers!

Our 'Natural Wonders of China' tour combines Zhangjiajie with some of China's other natural wonders including Huangshan and Jiuzhaigou.