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Zhangjiajie Railway Station (or Zhangjiajie Station), formerly known as Dayong North Railway Station, is a first-class national railway station located in Yongding District, the urban core of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. Unlike the high-speed rail-focused West Station, this station primarily serves conventional train routes. Its central location offers easy access to downtown attractions and transportation networks, making it particularly suitable for tourists who plan to stay in the urban area.
Station Overview & Latest Facilities
The station boasts five main waiting halls with a total area of 18,783 square meters, capable of accommodating up to 3,000 passengers at once—five times the capacity of the original station. A standout feature is its 33,800-square-meter pillarless platform canopy, supported by 48 steel columns and constructed with large-span steel truss light steel roofing. This design ensures unobstructed views across the platforms, creating a spacious and bright atmosphere for travelers. The station is equipped with three platforms, each 550 meters long and 12 meters wide, serving five train lines.
In recent years, the station has upgraded its passenger services to cater to the growing number of foreign visitors. It now houses 14 ticket windows and two consultation desks, doubling the ticket-processing capacity compared to the old station. Advanced automated management systems have been implemented, including synchronized CCTV monitoring, electronic guidance signs, real-time announcement systems, and passenger inquiry services. For international travelers, the station has added multilingual signage (Chinese-English) in key areas such as ticket offices, security checkpoints, and waiting halls to facilitate easy navigation.
Transportation Connections
- Bus Routes: No. 5, No. 6, and No. 9 buses operate from the station square, covering downtown areas, Zhangjiajie Bus Station, and nearby scenic spots. Note that local buses do not have English announcements, so it’s recommended to inform the driver of your destination in advance or use a translation app.
- Taxi/Ride-Hailing: Taxis are readily available at the station exit. It’s advisable to use official ride-hailing apps (such as Didi) or insist on the driver using the meter to avoid overcharging.
Basic Information of Zhangjiajie Railway Station:
Opened in December 2019, Zhangjiajie West Railway Station is a modern extra-class station under the jurisdiction of Guangzhou Railway Group. As the core high-speed rail hub in Zhangjiajie, it connects to major cities such as Changsha, Chongqing, and Chengdu etc. In 2025, during peak travel seasons like the National Day Holiday and Summer Vacation, the station handled an average of over 47,000 passengers daily, with tourist arrivals accounting for 85% of the total and a significant increase in foreign visitors compared to previous years.
Architectural Features & Scale
Designed with the concept of "Rolling Peaks and Miles of Corridors," the station’s exterior mimics the undulating skyline of Zhangjiajie’s sandstone pillars, integrating Tujia ethnic elements with natural aesthetics. The station covers a total area of 35,000 square meters, with a 210,000-square-meter square in front of it. It features 7 platforms and 17 tracks, capable of handling a large number of high-speed trains simultaneously. The platform canopies adopt a continuous folded-line roof design, resembling distant mountains, creating a harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
The station’s waiting area is divided into two floors, with bright and spacious interiors designed to resemble Tujia stilted buildings, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for travelers. The second floor serves as the main waiting and boarding area, with clear sightlines to the platforms, while the first floor is currently reserved for future expansion. A 24-hour night waiting room is available for early-arriving or late-departing passengers, providing a comfortable resting space.
International-Friendly Services
- Hedysarum Service Team: A dedicated team of staff trained in English and Korean, focusing on high-frequency needs such as passport verification, scenic spot transfers, and self-service machine operation. The team is on duty full-time at the "Hedysarum Service Desk," where trilingual brochures (Chinese-English-Korean) and first-aid kits are available.
- Multilingual Support: Real-time translation devices are provided at ticket windows, security checkpoints, and information desks, supporting English, Korean, Japanese, and other languages to eliminate communication barriers. All key signs in the station are bilingual (Chinese-English), ensuring easy navigation.
- Self-Service Verification: The station has upgraded its turnstile system to support self-service verification of four types of documents, including passports and Hong Kong/Macao Travel Permits, allowing foreign visitors to "scan and pass in seconds" and reducing waiting times at manual channels.
- Convenient Amenities: Luggage storage is available at the tourist information desk on the basement floor, with automatic pricing. For dining, there is a KFC inside the station and a staff canteen (open to tourists) outside the station.
Key Basic Information
Transportation to Scenic Spots (Most Popular for Tourists)
To Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (Cableway Station): Distance is 8-10 km, with a travel time of 15-20 minutes. Options include:
- Taxi/Ride-Hailing: Cost is 20-30 CNY, the most convenient choice for families or travelers with luggage.
- Bus: Take Bus No. 6 or 17 from the station square to the city center, then transfer to Bus No. 10 to the cableway station. Total travel time is approximately 40 minutes.
To Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan Gate): Distance is 25-30 km, with a travel time of 30-40 minutes. Options include:
- Official Tourist Shuttle: The most cost-effective option (20 CNY per person), with frequent departures from the station’s bus terminal. Suitable for backpackers with light luggage.
- Charter Car/Group Tour: Recommended for travelers visiting multiple scattered attractions (e.g., Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Huanglong Cave) or those traveling with the elderly and children.
To Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: Distance is approximately 50 km, with a travel time of 1-1.5 hours. It is recommended to book a charter car or join a guide tour, as public transport options are limited.
Accommodation & Itinerary Suggestions Based on Arrival Time
- Morning/Midday Arrival: It is recommended to stay near Wulingyuan Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In the afternoon, you can take a leisurely walk along Jinbian Stream or visit Shili Gallery (taking the sightseeing train for a relaxed experience) to acclimate to the environment before exploring the mountain the next day.
- Afternoon/Evening Arrival: Stay in downtown Zhangjiajie (Yongding District). In the evening, visit Dayong Ancient City or Qishier Qilou (a popular Internet-famous spot with stunning night views) and taste local Tujia cuisine. The next day, you can head to Tianmen Mountain or Wulingyuan early to avoid crowds.
Related Information:
More Transportation Tips: Zhangjiajie Transportation
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