Zhangjiajie is a national forest park located in Hunan, south of China. It's part of UNESCO Heritage sites, and, well, you will see how spectacular it is. I don't have any other words for it, and sure by the end of this post, you will agree with me.
I was lucky to visit it while it wasn't famous yet, so firstly there wasn't so many people, and by now it's probably disfigured by touristic "attractions". Do you ask why it is famous?
Well, from the entrance of the park, you get this view:
Does it ring a bell? Not yet? We will get to it!
These pillar-like structures, with trees barely hanging on top of them...
If you haven't find it yet, you will for sure, of course you know it!
The journey begins nicely, with a stream of fresh water, which was quite welcome because it was quite hot, we arrived in the beginning of the afternoon.
Hop, my balding head!
While being at the bottom (yeah yeah, we will climb, to be too eager...), you have these massive structure surrounding you. Go figure you will be on top of them the next day.
Quickly we get a peek on the (peak, sorry I'm a dad) typical panorama of the region: the famous pillars which inspired... Come on, you have it!
Come on , let's go up. Hop, done!
Haha! Yeah, it's cheating: there's an elevator.
Quote: wikipedia
The Bailong Elevator, literally "hundred dragons sky lift", was opened to the public in 2002. At 326 m (1,070 ft), it is the world's tallest outdoor lift. It can transport visitors to the top from its foot in less than two minutes. The structure is composed of three separate glass elevators
> Quote
Don't worry, there will still be plenty of stairs and climbing and cramps and stiffness.
The first day was a short day. Due to the time to go there (it's quite remote), find the accommodation, and so on, we just had a quick peak (ok, I don't do it again). The real journey is for the second day.
And what best way to start the day, other than to get up early to see the run rising over the mountains?
And now we can really start the climbing and the panorama sights!
I really like the way the vegetation just finds a way to grow anywhere. Even trees right on the walls don't seem to have any problem.
Ok, this one, I emphasize if you haven't found yet why Zhangjiajie is famous. Just look at that:
Indeed, it has inspired the floating rocks of the movie Avatar. One mountain has even been renamed "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain", for the sake of... well... money I guess. I wouldn't be surprised if now guides are painted in blue.
One of these peak is named "the dog's head". Find it!
Easier:
Then there was a small part where savage monkeys still lives around. One managed to snap a bag from a lady right before my eyes. Looking for tasty snacks :)
Who wants a sandwich?
Ok, another game, a challenging one: one of these rocks is named "the rooster", find it!
Well, well, was it so obvious?
Now, when I see this kind of stuff, I want to go on top!
An indeed, the view was marvelous.
For once, the pillar-like structure were almost wall-like. Splendid.
Some rice terraces afar.
Anyone has vertigo?
The pathway is typical of Chinese mountains, with steps going up, down, up again. At least it's very convenient to walk, if you except tiredness.
Although I always go by any remote pathway I could find. You never know what you can find. Most of the time: nothing. But it's not about the destination, but about the way.
This one was a good pick :)
Super Tree!! Where does it even put its roots?
Some traces of civilization, hopefully not much.
And it's time to go down. To get another perspective on this spectacular view.
Oh yeah, last game. One of this rock is called "the old man picking mushroom" (not even kidding). Find it!
And that's it. One last pagoda to mark the entrance of the park, but for us, it's the exit.
So what do you think? Do you have any word other than "spectacular"?
It is really a splendid destination. One of my favorite in China.
