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Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China
A picture scroll of natural landscape
Zhangjiajie Ten-mile Natural Gallery is located in the northwestern part of Suoxigu Natural Reserve, at the foot of Tianzi Mountain. It is about 5.8 kilometers in length. With a stream flowing through, and the peaks on both sides of the valley shape, it forms natural sculptures. The Herb Collecting Old Man and Immortals Worshipping Guanyin are the most spectacular.
Ten-mile Natural Gallery has picturesque scenery, beautiful flowers and a hundred birds contend in singing. The sceneries in this scenic area have strange shapes. The quartz sandstone peaks hidden in the clouds changes a lot which look like people, God, immortal, forest, birds or beasts. As early as the Ming dynasty, someone had written beautiful lines "people swimming in the gorge like drawing the picture" . As a sculpture master, the nature, has created the world's rarities, fairy-tale world and mysterious world in Ten-mile Natural Gallery which takes the cake for Chinese and foreign tourists.
Herb Collecting Old Man: In the middle of the peaks across the stream, there is a high of about 80 meters stone peak. No matter who watched it will say it like an old man collecting herb. This old man is thin; his head is twined silk handkerchiefs and his shoulder carries a basket of herbs, looking like Li Shih-Chen (famous medical scientist in Ming Dynasty) or Sun Simiao (famous medical scientist in Tang Dynasty). This attraction is the landmark sights in Ten-mile Natural Gallery, and also is one of the ten superb view of the city Zhangjiajie.
Xiangwang Read Book: There is a stone peak which is divided into two peaks in the gorge. The left stone peak is large and the right is small, specially looking like a reader who is reading a book with keen pleasure. Local people thought it is the incarnation of the Emperor Xiangwang, hence, this attraction got its name.
Monkey Slope: At the end of the gallery, there are jagged rocks of grotesque shapes, green and luxuriant forest, and small groups of hundreds of monkeys gathering here, so called "Monkey Slope".
In end point of the Ten-mile Natural Gallery, the right front mountain is called "Wolong Ridge" which is the link of the essence tour connecting Tianzishan and Ten-mile Natural Gallery. Right ahead there are three peaks standing side by side are called the "Three Sisters". You see, the left is the eldest sister who has great hair carrying a child ready to return to her family. The middle is the younger sister who takes her baby in her arms to look forward to the safe return of her husband. The right peak humps just like a pregnant woman, this is the little sister who is just married.
Ten-mile Natural Gallery is easily accessible from different parts of Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Visitors usually enter from the Tianzi Mountain cable car station or from the Suoxigu valley area. From Zhangjiajie city center, it takes about 40 minutes by car or shuttle bus to reach the scenic spot.
Inside the gallery, there are two ways to explore: by foot or by sightseeing train. The sightseeing train, often called a “mini train,” runs along the valley floor and is a convenient option for travelers with children or elderly people. Walking, however, allows you to stop at different viewpoints, enjoy the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers, and take photos at your own pace.
The mini train in Zhangjiajie's Ten-mile Natural Gallery is the core mode of transportation for the tour. It features the world's first zodiac-themed sightseeing train. Riding on it allows visitors to effortlessly enjoy the beautiful scenery while experiencing a unique tour. The train carriages are designed to be spacious and comfortable, equipped with a complimentary Chinese audio guide system. During the ride, passengers can admire iconic landscapes such as "Longevity Star Welcoming Guests" and "Herb Collecting Old Man."
A recommended approach is to take the train in and walk out: first, take the train deep into the scenic area, listening to geological stories and legends along the way. After reaching the endpoint, return on foot. This method allows for easily visiting spots like the "Three Sisters Peak" and appreciating the detailed beauty of the stream valley and peculiar peaks up close. For those with elderly companions or young children, a round trip on the mini train is advisable, saving time and energy.
Basic Information about the Mini Train:
Combining a visit to the Ten-mile Natural Gallery with other core attractions within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park perfectly showcases the essence of its "Three Thousand Peculiar Peaks."
Option 1: Two-Day Essence Tour (Ideal for limited time)
Day 1: Golden Whip Stream & Ten-mile Natural Gallery (Valley Perspective)
Morning: Arrive at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Take the scenic eco-car to the Ten-mile Natural Gallery. Ride the mini train to appreciate iconic formations like the Three Sisters Peak, Herb Collecting Old Man, and Longevity Star Welcoming Guests, immersing yourself in the landscape painting-like scenery.
Afternoon: Walk from the Ten-mile Natural Gallery to the entrance of Golden Whip Stream. Stroll along the stream, enjoying sights like Golden Whip Rock and Divine Eagle Protecting the Whip, and experience the natural beauty of babbling brooks, birds singing, and flowers blooming. The Golden Whip Stream trail is about 7.5 km long; allocate 2-3 hours for the walk.
Day 2: Yuanjiajie & Tianzi Mountain (Plateau Perspective)
Morning: Take the eco-car to Yuanjiajie. Visit attractions like the Enchanted Terrace, First Bridge Under Heaven, and Hallelujah Mountain (the filming location for the floating mountains in Avatar), overlooking the spectacular forest of peaks.
Afternoon: From Yuanjiajie, take the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car to the Tianzi Mountain scenic area. Explore sites like the Imperial Writing Brushes Peak, Fairy Scattering Flowers, and West Sea Stone Forest, admiring the stunning views often described as "an enlarged bonsai, a miniaturized fairyland." Tianzi Mountain is the largest viewing platform in Zhangjiajie and is suitable for sunset photography.
Option 2: Three-Day In-Depth Tour (Covers most major attractions)
Day 1: Ten-mile Natural Gallery - Golden Whip Stream (As described in Day 1 above)
Day 2: Yuanjiajie - Tianzi Mountain (As described in Day 2 above)
Day 3: Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshi Zhai) - Yangjiajie
Morning: Take the Yellow Stone Stronghold cable car up the mountain. Visit attractions such as the Heavenly Book Treasure Casket, Star Picking Platform, and Natural Fresco, overlooking the entire Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Yellow Stone Stronghold concentrates some of the most spectacular scenery and is the largest aerial viewing platform.
Afternoon: Walk from Yellow Stone Stronghold to Yangjiajie. Visit sites like One Step to Heaven, Black Dragon Stronghold (Wulongzhai), and Sky Corridor to experience the unique landscapes of Yangjiajie. Yangjiajie represents the "childhood" stage of peak forest evolution, featuring rugged terrain and dense vegetation.
Important Tips:
Planning: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is vast, with significant distances between attractions. Plan your itinerary carefully and allocate sufficient time for visiting.
Transportation within Park: Reaching some attractions requires using the included eco-cars or optional cable cars/lifts. Consider purchasing relevant passes in advance to save time and money.
Footwear and Gear: The terrain is complex with many mountain paths. Wear comfortable sports shoes or flat-soled walking shoes. Carry a lightweight backpack and sufficient drinking water.
Pacing: The three-day itinerary covers almost all major sights within the forest park. If time is limited, focus on key attractions like the Ten-mile Natural Gallery, Yuanjiajie, and Tianzi Mountain to avoid an overly rushed schedule.
Weather: The weather in Zhangjiajie can change rapidly, with significant temperature differences between morning/evening and midday. It is advisable to carry a light jacket to prevent catching a cold.
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