China Train Ride Experience during Lunar New Year Week

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour last part; Tianmen Mountain's other Scenic Area

I booked and paid all my train rides during this 7-days trip via walked-in only because online booking has additional commission plus requirement of hotel address where it has be delivered. Moreover, my ultimate reason was all of my preferred schedule was fully booked/not available on just a month preparation before the flight date. Even so, this was also what I did on my 1st visit last January 2013, booking directly in ticket office.

DESTINATION: Beijing to Harbin Train #2265 285CNY($46) 18hr30min overnight ride (Feb20, hard sleeper)
REMARKS: booked during Beijing Airport Terminal 3 transit. No wifi, no electric outlet, with central toilet, personal pillow and comforter.

DESTINATION: Changsha to Zhangjiajie 54.5CNY($9) Train #536 5hr30min morning ride (Feb23, ordinary seat)
REMARKS: booked during the day and time of departure. No wifi, no electric outlet, with central toilet, crowdy, lots of baggage in aisle. 

DESTINATION: Zhangjiajie to Beijing Train #536 229CNY($37) 26hr overnight ride (Feb24, standing no seat)

REMARKS: booked in Beijing Railway Station before Harbin departure. No wifi, no electric outlet, with central toilet, crowdy, lots of baggage in aisle.

China Train Ride Experience during Lunar New Year Week (Beijing to Harbin)

Zhangjiajie Tour last part; Tianmen Mountain's other Scenic Area

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour 5th part; Tianmen Mountain Glass Sky Walk

Tianmen Mountain, has been called “one of the most beautiful mountains in the world”. The stunning views, vertical cliffs, the fascinating cliff-hanging walkway, the glass sky walk, and the longest cable car ride, make it unquestionably one of the best national parks to visit in China.

How to go to Tianmen Mountain;
Tianmen Mountain Cable Car is just above the Zhangjiajie train station. From Zhangjiajie train station, follow the cable above which is around less than 1km away from Exit. Entrance fee is 228CNY ($37) (Off-peak season rate). This admission fee includes entrance ticket, Cable car round trip, tourist bus and insurance. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

Tianmen Mountain elevation is 4,980 feet (the highest in Zhangjiajie); people be amazed that about 40 peaks inside the mountain area are over 3,200 feet. The mountain is famous for its unique natural miracle - the Tianmen Cave; it was authorized as a national forest park in July, 1992. The door-alike cave was created after the cliff collapsing in ancient time. 

http://www.zhangjiajietourism.us/what-scenic.html

Zhangjiajie Tour last part; Tianmen Mountain's other Scenic Area

Zhangjiajie Tour 5th part; Foggy Tianmen Mountain Glass Sky Walk

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour 4th part; Cable Car to Tianmen Mountain

How to go to Tianmen Mountain Glass Sky Walk;
Tianmen Mountain Car is just above the Zhangjiajie train station. From Zhangjiajie train station, follow the cable above which is around less than 1km away from Exit. Entrance fee is 228CNY ($37) (Off-peak season rate). This admission fee includes entrance ticket, Cable car round trip, tourist bus and insurance. Separate admission of 5CNY for glass skywalk. Photography and video taking is permitted, tripod not allowed. 

Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway is part of the cliff-hanging walkway, and is the highest section. The “sky walk” is 60 meters long, with a width of 1.6 meters. It gives a thrilling feeling like walking in the sky. It is definitely not suitable for the fainted heart. It is interesting to see people (scared of the height) leaning against the cliff as they cross it. On foggy days, it is easier to walk across as you can see nothing below, however the thrilling feature of the walkway is lost. If it rains the day before, there is usually heavy fog at the mountain top.

http://www.chinahighlights.com/zhangjiajie/attraction/tianmen-mountain.htm

Zhangjiajie Tour 5th part; Tianmen Mountain Glass Sky Walk

Zhangjiajie Tour 4th part; Cable Car to Tianmen Mountain

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour 3rd part; above the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

Tianmen Mountain Cableway is the longest mountain cableway in the world. Its cableway length of 24,459 feet (more than 4.5 miles) with travel time of around 25mins, starting from the city center of Zhangjiajie to the 'Hanging Garden' on the peak. Important; It is highly recommended to buy ticket early in the morning (0700H) because massive volume of tourist group is about to unfold everyday, taking note that winter is supposedly an off-peak season, much more if its summer or spring. I arrived on ticket queuing around 0800H and begun my cable ride around 1330H, that was 5hr30mins.

How to go to Tianmen Mountain Cable Car;
Tianmen Mountain Car is just above the Zhangjiajie train station. From Zhangjiajie train station, follow the cable above which is around less than 1km away from Exit. Entrance fee is 228CNY ($37) (Off-peak season rate). This admission fee includes entrance ticket, Cable car round trip, tourist bus and insurance. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

Tianmen Mountain Cablecar was constructed by the French company Poma from nearby Zhangjiajie railway station to the top of the mountain. Tianmen Mountain Cableway is claimed in tourist publications as the "longest passenger cableway of high mountains in the world", with 98 cars and a total length of 7,455 metres (24,459 ft) and ascent of 1,279 metres (4,196 ft).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianmen_Mountain

Zhangjiajie Tour 4th part; Cable Car to Tianmen Mountain (99 Bends)

Zhangjiajie Tour 3rd part; above the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour 2nd part; walking to Golden Whip Stream

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area becomes more popular as the Southern Heavenly Pillar inspired the floating mountains (called Avatar Hallelujah Mountain) in the Hollywood blockbuster movie "Avatar" which features some of the top section.

How to go to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area;
This place is the third park to visit inside the Zhangjiajie National Park after Golden Whip Stream and the highlight scenic area. From Zhangjiajie Bus Terminal, ride an ordinary bus bound to "Znhajiajie". the bus has no number posted, so asking locals for direction and the proper bus before going aboard is important. Travel time is around 45mins for a fare of 10CNY ($1.6). Zhangjiajie National Park entrance fee is 139CNY ($23) (Off-peak season rate) and valid for 4-days consecutive (non-transferable). Trek the 4km Golden Whip Stream trail until you reach the upward stairways with map meters away from the base. No extra admission fee and no cable car available. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is a natural platform that faces giant rocks rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. Unique in their shapes and covered with pine trees, these rocks resemble a vivid Chinese painting. Main scenic spots include: Back Garden, breath taking Mihun Stage and the First Bridge under the Sun. The foremost attractions in this area include: Back Garden, breathtaking Mihun Stage, the First Bridge under the Sun, etc. Yuanjiajie lies between Huangshi Village (yellow stone stronghold) and Tianzi Mountain (Emperor Mountain). 

http://www.zhangjiajietourism.us/what-scenic.html

Zhangjiajie Tour 3rd part; above the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area

Zhangjiajie Tour 2nd part; walking to Golden Whip Stream

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour 1st part; at the Yellow Stone Mountain

The main attraction in Zhangjiajie is the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage that includes the Zhangjiajie Forest Park.

How to go to Golden Whip Stream;
This place is the second park to visit inside the Zhangjiajie National Park after Yellow Stone Mountain. From Zhangjiajie Bus Terminal, ride an ordinary bus bound to "Znhajiajie". the bus has no number posted, so asking locals for direction and the proper bus before going aboard is important. Travel time is around 45mins for a fare of 10CNY ($1.6). Zhangjiajie National Park entrance fee is 139CNY ($23) (Off-peak season rate) and valid for 4-days consecutive (non-transferable). This 4km whip stream path at the base of the mountains is the route going to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. No extra admission fee. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

Golden Whip Brook is located inside the Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie and several places of interest can be found nearby. The brook meanders its way through 3.5 miles of mountains and valleys, from north to south. Nearby places of interest include Golden Whip Rock, Purple Grass Pond, Jumping Fish Pond and Zhangliang Tomb, the park's premier man-made attraction.

http://www.zhangjiajietourism.us/what-scenic.html

Zhangjiajie Tour 2nd part; walking to Golden Whip Stream

Zhangjiajie Tour 1st part; at the Yellow Stone Mountain

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Harbin Tour last part; Inside the Siberia Tiger Park

The main attraction in Zhangjiajie is the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage that includes the Zhangjiajie Forest Park.

How to go to Yellow Stone Mountain (Huangshizhai);
This place is the first park to visit inside the Zhangjiajie National Park. From Zhangjiajie Bus Terminal, ride an ordinary bus bound to "Znhajiajie". the bus has no number posted, so asking locals for direction and the proper bus before going aboard is important. Travel time is around 45mins for a fare of 10CNY ($1.6). Zhangjiajie National Park entrance fee is 139CNY ($23) (Off-peak season rate) and valid for 4-days consecutive (non-transferable). Cable car ride is paid separately at 118CNY ($20) roundtrip. Photography and video taking with monopod/tripod is permitted. 

The Huangshizhai Village, also called Yellow Lion Village or Yellow Stone Village, refers to a huge mountain land in the middle part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. With an elevation of 1,080 masl, Huangshi Village is a high, magnificent and vast sightseeing platform, a high-south, low-north terrace composed of many cliffs. This place is a The top consists of more than 20 hectares, with over 10 scene viewing platforms from where one can enjoy majestic sandstone peak forests. People even say that not visiting Huangshizhai is equivalent to not visiting Zhangjiajie. Major Attractions are Treasure Box with Sealedbook, Devine Needle, Great Southern Pillar, Left Piers.

http://www.zhangjiajietourism.us/what-scenic.html

Zhangjiajie Tour 1st part; at the Yellow Stone Mountain