Zhangjiajie Overview
Zhangjiajie is a newly developed tourism city located in the south of China. It is a prefecture city of Hunan Province, in the northwest. It is about 400 kilometers (249 miles) from Changsha, the provincial capital of Hunan. Zhangjiajie was formerly named Dayong City. As the fame of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is much bigger than the city itself, so the whole city changed its name to Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie inhabits tujia, bai, miao and other 30 ethnic groups, 264 square kilometres of quartz sand. It has formally named “Zhangjiajie landscape” by the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization. Zhangjiajie has clear four seasons(check the best time to travel Zhangjiajie), the core scenic area has 98% forest coverage and more than 100000 per cubic centimeter of pure air negative oxygen ion, let here have more attraction. Zhangjiajie is famous for its grotesque peaks, limpid water and streams, dense forests and odd karst caves. In 1982, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park became China’s first national forest park. Zhangjiajie is a natural zoo and green treasure trove. The forest coverage rate is over 95%, with more than 1,000 plant species. There are also rare animals such as the red-billed Leiothrix (“Peking Nightinggale”), macaques, South China tigers, giant salamanders and rhesus monkeys.
Zhangjiajie Tourism Resources
Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie National Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxi Valley), Yellow Dragon Cave, Dragon Emperor Cave, Baofeng Lake, Tianmen Mountain Nature Reserve, Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie Nature Reserve, etc. Most popular souvenirs and local products: ethnic souvenirs (such as the Zhangjiajie Tortoise Figure Stone, the Tujia Brocade, Zhangjiajie Batik (Laran), Zhangjiajie Duzhong Tea or the Anhui ink stick found in Tunxi)), Chinese gooseberry fruit, chestnuts, hazelnuts, local green teas (Qingyan, Mingcui, Maofeng), Chinese painting and calligraphy.Most popular local food: ethnic food such as Sanxiaguo (Tujia hotpot) and local fruits and nuts. Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) is a domestic airport about4 km(2.5 miles) from the city’s center. There are daily non-stop flights to Zhangjiajie from Beijing (PEK) (2.5 hours), Shanghai (PVG) (2.3 hours) and Guangzhou (CAN) (1.5 hours). The Zhangjiajie Railway Station is the main station and is 12 km(7 miles) from the center of the city. There are direct trains to Zhangjiajie from Beijing(approximately 23 hours), Shanghai(about 20 hours), Guangzhou(about 12 hours), and Changsha(about 5 hours). The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of sandstone of quartz and dense unspoiled forests that conceal fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. The quartzite sandstone hills in Wulingyuan are unique for their large number and fairly pure composition (being 75-95% quartz).
Zhangjiajie History & Culture
In ancient times, Zhangjiajie was regarded as remote and inaccessible. The history of Zhangjiajie can be traced back to the Neolithic Age when it was still named “Dayong”. The first human traces in this area have been registered about 100,000 years ago. Like other places inChina, a legend has been developed by ancient people. It said that Zhang Liang-a famed strategist of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD), lived here after leaving the imperial court. He lived in fear he would be killed by Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty who had ordered some of his subjects executed out of suspicion they might rebel against him. Zhang found Qingyan (now Zhangjiajie) Mountain is an ideal refuge due to its haunting beauty and tranquility. He became a hermit. It is said he planted seven ginkgo trees here. He was buried below Qingyan (now Zhangjiajie) Mountain. Zhang’s descendants also are believed to have lived here, which is how the name Zhangjiajie originated. Zhang refers to Zhang Liang’s surname, while Jia means family and Jie represents homeland or border.
Zhangjiajie Custom & Feeling
As we all know, Zhangjiajie possesses abundant minorities and is famous for its rich local flavor.The national song and dances in Zhangjiajie show a unique style, extremely splendid. Some local dance like festival lanterns, drum dance in which the Bai nationality takes pride as well as the most affective large-scale dance of Tujia nationality—— hand-shaking dance and bud goose dance. In addition, sprightly Sangzhi folk song can also wake up your ears.Zhangjiajie marriage customs is full of temperament and interest. Various Tujia marriage habits will attract your attention easily. Besides, the Bai nationality’s marriage custom tends to stick to convention.Surprisingly, Zhangjiajie’s national martial arts also has a bit of reputation, especially of Tujia nationality. The hometown of Marshal Ho lung——Hongjiaguan, Sangzhi County is called “the land of martial arts”. Over here, a wide range of local martial arts reveals Tujia people’s valiantness, vigor and simplicity.
Zhangjiajie Geography & Geology
The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of sandstone of quartz and dense unspoiled forests that conceal fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. The quartzite sandstone hills in Wulingyuan are unique for their large number and fairly pure composition (being 75-95% quartz).
1.Significance of the city: The municipal area of the city includes scenic wonders, caves, and large natural parks. The city is also a coal mining, industrial, and agricultural city.
2.Municipality terrain: The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of sandstone of quartz and dense unspoiled forests that conceal fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, which are very rare in the world. The city is higher on the northwest, and tilts along Li River to the south.
3.Elevation:183 m(600 ft)
4.Main rivers: Lishui River