Wuling

Day Trips

Rise early to enter the mist-shrouded forest as the first rays of dawn filter through towering sandstone pillars. The crisp mountain air fills your lungs as you hike along winding paths lined with ferns and moss. A chorus of bird calls echoes between the peaks, setting a serene tone for the day.

Descend via the world’s highest and longest Bailong Elevator, taking in panoramic views of the valley below. Enjoy a picnic lunch atop the cliff edge with local rice cakes and smoked bacon wrapped in lotus leaves. Wander through hidden caves and tranquil pools, marveling at ancient inscriptions carved into stone.

Return to the base town and sample Hunan cuisine at a riverside eatery, savoring spicy fish and stir-fried river snails. As dusk falls, explore the local market stalls offering handmade trinkets and Tujia silverware. End the night with a traditional Tujia song performance under lantern-lit pavilions.

Catch the sunrise from Helong Park, where a sea of clouds rolls over jagged peaks like a living ocean. The soft pink and gold hues illuminate the uniquely shaped sandstone spires. Photograph the legendary ‘Emperor of the Peak’ as it emerges from the morning mist.

Traverse the West Sea Canyon on a wooden plank walkway suspended along sheer cliffs, feeling the thrill of vertigo with each step. Pause for a tea ceremony in a mountainside pavilion, sampling locally grown green tea. Observe for rare alpine flora clinging to rocky crevices below.

Settle into a mountaintop teahouse and sip fragrant tea while the sun dips behind distant ridges. Share stories with fellow travelers as lanterns cast warm glows on stone paths. Drift to sleep to the sound of wind whispering through pine forests.

Ride the Bailong Elevator to the Yuanjiajie plateau and step onto the ‘First Bridge under Heaven’ famed for its dizzying height. The cool air envelops you as you walk between two vertical cliffs. Spot the towering Southern Sky Column, which inspired the floating mountains in Avatar.

Hike to the ‘Ape Watching Peak’ and imagine the playful primates that once roamed these summits. Stop at a rustic mountain hut for a bowl of hot rice noodles and mushrooms for lunch. Continue along winding trails interspersed with hidden viewpoints and flocks of wild swans.

Attend a local Tujia cultural show featuring batik workshops and traditional dance in a forest clearing. Feast on freshly grilled river fish and roasted corn around a communal fire pit. Listen to ancient folk tales recited by torchlight as the stars emerge above the pines.

Follow the gentle flow of Golden Whip Stream as sunlight glitters on the crystal-clear water. Towering cliffs flank both sides of the path, draped in emerald ivy and ferns. Pause to photograph the mossy stones and spotted deer that sometimes graze at the water’s edge.

Rest by a shaded pool for a homemade lunch of sticky rice balls and pickled vegetables. Continue along the valley floor, crossing bamboo bridges and stepping stones laid by generations of villagers. Listen for the distant roar of hidden waterfalls echoing through the gorge.

Join a guided night walk to observe fireflies dancing above the stream and listen for owls calling from the forest. Warm up with a cup of local corn wine and charcoal-grilled sweet potatoes. Retreat to your riverside lodge to fall asleep to the sound of flowing water.

Arrive early at the canyon rim to experience crossing the world’s longest glass bridge under clear morning light. Feel your heart race as you look straight down at the verdant chasm hundreds of meters below. Capture sweeping selfies against the dramatic backdrop of sheer cliffs.

Rent a bike or e-scooter to circumnavigate the canyon edge and discover secret overlooks. Enjoy a riverside lunch of cold noodles and spicy tofu while listening to local storytellers recounting canyon legends. Hike down to the canyon floor via a series of stone steps for a closer view of hidden grottoes.

Camp overnight or stay in a glamping tent nestled between the cliffs, listening to the canyon wind. Dine on a barbecue feast of fresh mushrooms, river fish, and skewered meats. Marvel at the Milky Way arching overhead in a sky unpolluted by city lights.

Step into a wooden longboat for a serene glide across Baofeng Lake’s emerald waters at dawn. Surrounding limestone peaks rise like giants draped in morning mist. Photograph inverted reflections of the pinnacles dancing on the placid surface.

Dock at a secluded shore and trek to hidden waterfalls whose cascades plunge into limestone pools. Unpack a bento box of seasoned rice, cold chicken, and pickled radishes for a picnic in a shaded grotto. Swim in the cool mountain stream or relax on sun-warmed rocks.

Return to the lakeside pier as lanterns are lit along the boardwalk. Savor a dinner of stewed river shrimp and bamboo-cooked rice in a floating restaurant. Enjoy a moonlit boat ride while a local musician plays bamboo flute melodies over the water.

Descend into the vast expanse of Yellow Dragon Cave on a guided tour through illuminated chambers. Marvel at towering stalagmites, draperies of flowstone, and underground waterfalls. Listen to the echo of dripping water as you pass through caverns nicknamed the “Underground Palace.”

Drift downstream on a bamboo raft along an underground river, its crystal currents reflecting rainbow-hued lights. Pause to admire natural stone carvings formed over millions of years. Surface at the cave’s terminus for a lakeside lunch of steamed corn and local pork sausage.

Return to Zhangjiajie for a hearty hot pot dinner spiced with local chilies and fragrant Chinese herbs. Wander through the bustling night market sampling sugar-coated hawthorn berries and candied lotus seeds. Cap the night with a cup of jasmine tea under red lanterns strung between ancient pines.

Board the world’s longest cable car from Zhangjiajie city up to Tianmen Mountain, ascending 1,200 meters in half an hour. Feel your heart leap as the cityscape recedes beneath you and cloud banks drift below. Step onto the cliffside glass skywalk and peer into the void.

Hike the winding walkway to the legendary Tianmen Cave, a natural arch known as the “Heaven’s Gate.” Break for lunch at a mountaintop pavilion, feasting on stir-fried bamboo shoots and mountain vegetables. Explore ancient Buddhist temples clinging to sheer rock faces.

Sip fragrant chrysanthemum tea in a rustic tea house while the sun sets over the karst peaks. Take the winding “99 Bends” road back down by bus, marveling at hairpin turns through tunnels carved in the rock. Dine in town on local specialties like blood tofu and sour fish soup.

Drive two hours to Fenghuang and wander along the cobbled streets flanked by timber stilt houses over the Tuojiang River. Watch early risers washing pots in the water and vendors setting up spice stalls. Capture the interplay of sunlight and shadow on ornate eaves and carved railings.

Explore Miao minority workshops where artisans weave intricate silver jewelry and batik clothing. Enjoy a riverside lunch of sour fish hotpot and locally grown rice noodles. Sail on a wooden sampan under arched stone bridges, listening to lullabies sung by the boatman.

Return to the ancient town as lanterns flicker to life, casting warm glows on brick walls. Dine at a riverside terrace while enjoying live performances of local folk songs and dance. Stroll the night market for handmade lanterns, embroidered shawls, and sweet plum wine.

Depart Fenghuang for a remote Tujia village tucked in rolling hills, where rice terraces carve the landscape. Join villagers in planting or harvesting vegetables depending on the season. Learn to thresh rice by hand using traditional wooden tools.

Participate in a batik dye workshop led by a master artisan, creating your own colorful textile souvenir. Feast on a home-cooked lunch of cornbread, smoked pork, and seasonal greens gathered from the garden. Wander narrow alleys lined with wooden houses, peering into communal courtyards.

Gather around a low wooden table for a hearty dinner of clay-pot chicken and cold noodles drizzled with chili oil. Swap stories with your host family as you sip corn wine by a fire pit. Drift to sleep on a bamboo mat, lulled by distant bird calls and the rustle of bamboo groves.