Zhangjiajie’s Natural Beauty
张家界的自然美景
Zhangjiajie is one of China’s natural treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Hunan Province, this region is famous for its stunning quartz sandstone pillars and misty valleys that make you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet—or maybe the movie Avatar, which is said to have been inspired by this otherworldly landscape.
Before we start our walk through Zhangjiajie, let's address the name. For those unfamiliar with Mandarin, "Zhangjiajie" can seem a bit tricky to pronounce. It’s pronounced “Jahng-jyah-jyeh”, and though it may take a little practice, the effort is well worth it once you experience the stunning scenery this place has to offer.
For the geologically challenged (like me) who are wondering how Zhangjiajie’s surreal rock formations were created, it happened over millions of years through erosion and natural weathering. Basically, water and wind worked their magic, carving out this surreal landscape of jagged pillars, cliffs, and ravines. What’s left today is a massive playground of towering rock formations, lush greenery, and swirling mist that may make you wonder if you’ve somehow stepped into a Chinese scroll painting.
张家界是中国的自然瑰宝之一，同时也是联合国教科文组织认定的世界遗产地。位于湖南省，这片地区以其壮观的石英砂岩柱和云雾缭绕的山谷闻名，使人仿佛置身于另一个星球——或是《阿凡达》电影中，据说电影中的外星风景正是受这里的奇幻地貌启发。
在我们开始畅游张家界之前，先来聊聊这个名字。对于不熟悉普通话的人来说，“张家界”这个名字可能有点难发音。它的发音是“Jahng-jyah-jyeh”，虽然需要稍加练习，但一旦你亲眼见证这里的绝美景色，你会觉得这点努力是非常值得的。
对于像我一样对地质不太了解的人来说，可能会好奇张家界这些超现实的岩石形成是如何诞生的。答案是：经过数百万年的侵蚀和自然风化。简单来说，水和风的作用在这片土地上创造了奇迹，雕刻出了这些形态各异的石柱、悬崖和峡谷。如今呈现在我们眼前的是一片庞大的天然乐园，耸立的岩石、茂密的植被和飘渺的云雾交织在一起，仿佛让你穿越进了一幅中国山水画。
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: A Surreal Dreamscape
张家界国家森林公园：超现实的梦幻景观
When I first heard of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, I had no idea what to expect. Before coming to China, this place was unfamiliar to me, but now it’s etched in my memory as one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes I’ve ever encountered. The park is famous for its towering stone pillars, some of which rise over 200 meters into the air, seemingly suspended between earth and sky. As you explore the park, you'll find yourself surrounded by thick greenery that clings to the sides of the rock formations, waterfalls that cascade from the cliffs, and mist that adds an ethereal touch (if you’re lucky enough to visit after a rain).
There are a number of ways to experience the park. For those looking to immerse themselves in the heart of the park, hiking along the base is a great option. The trails meander alongside a peaceful stream, and walking among the massive pillars gives you a true sense of scale. One of the most popular routes is the Golden Whip Stream, a gentle, picturesque path that takes you past some of the park's most iconic rock formations. The tranquility of the stream, the chirping of birds, and the towering cliffs overhead make this nature walk feel like a journey through a different world. The photos directly above and below were taken there.
当我第一次听到张家界国家森林公园时，我完全不知道该期待什么。来中国之前，我对这个地方并不熟悉，但现在，它已经深深印在我的记忆中，成为我所见过的最令人叹为观止的景观之一。公园以其高耸的石柱而闻名，其中一些石柱高达200多米，仿佛悬浮在天地之间。当你在公园中漫步时，周围是茂密的绿色植被，紧贴着岩石的侧面生长，瀑布从悬崖上飞流直下，偶尔一场雨后，雾气缭绕，更增添了一丝梦幻般的氛围。
体验公园的方式有很多种。对于那些希望深入公园核心的人来说，沿着公园底部徒步是一个很好的选择。小径蜿蜒在一条宁静的溪流旁，走在这些巨大石柱之间，你会真正感受到它们的规模。最受欢迎的路线之一是金鞭溪，这是一条风景如画的平缓小道，沿途经过公园中最具标志性的岩石。溪流的宁静、鸟儿的啁啾声以及头顶高耸的悬崖，使得这次自然徒步宛如一场穿越到另一个世界的旅行。上方和下方的照片就是在这里拍摄的。
If you’re feeling more adventurous and ready for a workout, you can also ascend to the higher elevations of the park via several hiking trails or opt for a cable car ride. From the top, the views are nothing short of spectacular. You can gaze out over the sea of stone pillars stretching out in every direction, disappearing into the horizon. The Yuanjiajie Scenic Area is one of the park’s most famous spots, offering panoramic views that are absolutely breathtaking. It’s here you’ll find the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”, which has become one of the most photographed spots in the park, drawing visitors from around the world. Because of its popularity, be prepared to wait in line for your chance to snap the perfect photo though! The photos below were taken while hiking around the various paths at the top.
如果你渴望更多冒险并准备好迎接一场锻炼，那么你也可以通过几条徒步路线攀登到公园的更高处，或者选择乘坐缆车。从山顶俯瞰，眼前的景色无与伦比。你可以眺望到一片石柱海洋，延绵不绝，直至消失在地平线尽头。袁家界景区是公园中最著名的景点之一，这里提供的全景视野令人叹为观止。在这里，你会看到著名的“阿凡达哈利路亚山”，这是公园中拍摄最多的景点之一，吸引了来自世界各地的游客。不过，由于它的受欢迎程度，想要拍出完美照片的你可能需要排队等待一段时间！下方的照片是在山顶徒步时拍摄的。
How to Get There
如何到达
Getting to Zhangjiajie is a lot easier than you might think, despite its remote, mystical vibes. The most common way is to fly into Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport, which has flights from several major cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, as well as some international flights. Once you land, it's a short ride into the city. If flying isn’t your style, you can take a train to Zhangjiajie Railway Station, with direct routes from cities like Changsha or Yichang.
前往张家界比你想象的要容易得多，尽管它给人一种神秘遥远的感觉。最常见的方式是飞往张家界荷花国际机场，这里有来自中国多个主要城市（如北京、上海、广州）的航班，也有部分国际航班。到达后，乘车很快就可以进入市区。如果你不喜欢飞行，还可以乘坐火车前往张家界火车站，从长沙或宜昌等城市都有直达列车。
A Must-See Destination (But Plan Wisely)
必看目的地（但需合理规划）
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one of those rare places that truly has to be seen to be believed. The sheer scale and beauty of this landscape make it feel like something out of a dream. Every turn offers a new perspective of this unique natural wonder, and it’s easy to see why visitors from all over the world are drawn to its extraordinary beauty.
But a word to the wise: avoid visiting during the major Chinese holiday periods—unless you’re into large crowds and long lines. Also, consider skipping the hot summer months. I went in autumn, and I highly recommend it. The weather was cooler and the air was crisp. Plus, fewer people means more space to take in the beauty without feeling like you're part of a human traffic jam.
So, when you’re ready for an adventure that feels like stepping into another world, Zhangjiajie is waiting for you. Just make sure you practice saying the name a few times before you go!
张家界国家森林公园是一个真正需要亲眼目睹才能相信的地方。其规模之大、景色之美，如梦如幻。每走一步，你都会发现这个独特自然奇观的不同面貌，难怪来自世界各地的游客都被它非凡的美景所吸引。
但在此给个小建议：尽量避免在中国的主要节假日期间前往，除非你喜欢人山人海和长时间排队。另外，最好也避开炎热的夏季。我是在秋天去的，强烈推荐这个时间段。天气凉爽，空气清新。而且，游客较少，这意味着你可以有更多的空间欣赏美景，而不会觉得自己置身于“人潮拥堵”之中。
所以，当你准备好踏上如同进入另一个世界的冒险旅程时，张家界在等着你。不过，出发前不妨多练习几次这个名字的发音！