Day 1 in Zhangjiajie 张家界

I teamed up with one hostelmate and started touring from 7 am. We walked via several areas by 2 pm, took a break back in hostel, and then ate street food (sizzling steak 铁板牛排) for dinner. I tried a local fruit which turned out to be tasteless, regardless the vendor’s promise of sweetness.

Akebia quinata  bears edible fruit, containing a sweet white flesh. Flavor varies greatly in akebias, even within the same species, with some individuals displaying a complex flavor profile resembling a mixture of banana, passionfruit and lychee, with others being mild, or even insipid (flavorless).

The extremely rare quartz sandstone peak forest landscape in Zhangjiajie. The forest park is connected with the four major nature reserves of Suoxiyu, Tianzi Mountain and Yangjiajie, forming the core scenic area of ​​Wulingyuan. The Zhangjiajie scenic area is usually referred to as the Wulingyuan scenic area. Countless huge isolated peaks are like swords pointing to the sky, which is the general impression of Zhangjiajie. In fact, the entire Wulingyuan scenic area is a basin, like a huge tiankeng, with peaks rising from the bottom of the unfathomable valley, covered with dense primeval forests, and streams winding between thousands of gullies. The landform is peculiar, with stone peaks of various shapes and lush trees; high into the sky, with a wide and flat top and majestic momentum. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park can be divided into six small scenic areas: Huangshizhai, Pipaxi, Jinbianxi, Yaozizhai, Shadaogou, and Yuanjiajie.

Standing on the viewing platform of Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, you can see 3,000 peaks, majestic, beautiful and wild, with different expressions. In the depths of the canyon, thousands of stone peaks and stone pillars stand out. According to legend, after the failure of Huang Chao's uprising in the Later Tang Dynasty, the court posted notices everywhere to capture the rebels in order to completely eliminate the rebels. Huang Chao had a soldier named Yuan, who came to this remote mountain to live in seclusion in order to avoid being hunted down. He built a hut here, reclaimed wasteland and planted crops, and named this place "Yuanjiajie" after his surname. The main attractions include the No. 1 Bridge in the World, the Soul-Station, the Back Garden, the Sheep Village, the Hallelujah Floating Mountain, the Hundred Dragons Ladder, etc.

Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area is located in the north of Wulingyuan, and is adjacent to Zhangjiajie and Suoxiyu. It is named after the ancient Tujia leader Xiang Dakun who called himself the Son of Heaven. It is in the prime of the evolution of peak forests and is known as the "King of Peak Forests". There are stone peaks and gullies on the east, west and south sides. There are six small scenic spots in the area, including Shijiayan, Chapanta, Laowuchang, Yuanyangxi, Huanglongquan and Fengqishan. Shijiayan is located in the north of Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area and is known as "leaning on the railing to see the scenery in the sky". The main attractions in the area include Helong Park, Yubi Peak, Fairy Offering Flowers, Warriors Taming Horses, Dianjiangtai, Shentangwan, and Shangtianzi Temple Ruins.

The Ten-Li Gallery is 5 kilometers long, with lush trees and fragrant wild flowers on both sides of the canyon; strange peaks and rocks in various shapes and forms, like a huge landscape painting, hanging side by side on the tough cliffs, making the beautiful natural wonders melt into the ink and color of the immortal painter. Along the way into the Ten-Li Gallery, there are scenic spots such as the rotating attic, the birthday star welcoming guests, the old man collecting herbs, the couple holding their child, and the Three Sisters Peak.