Zhangjiajie: The Avatar Mountains

Synopsis

The towering quartzite sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie inspired the floating mountains in James Camerons Avatar. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hunan Province.

Overview

Zhangjiajie (张家界) is a prefecture-level city in Hunan Province, China, famous for the Wulingyuan Scenic Area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The area features over 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks, many rising over 200 meters tall. These dramatic formations inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in James Camerons 2009 film Avatar.

Key Attractions

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The first national forest park in China, established in 1982. Highlights include Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie (where the Avatar mountain is located), and Tianzi Mountain.

Tianmen Mountain

Famous for Tianmen Cave (Heavens Gate), a natural arch in the mountain, and the worlds longest cable car ride at 7,455 meters. The glass skywalk clinging to the cliff edge is not for the faint-hearted.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

The worlds highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge, spanning 430 meters across the canyon at a height of 300 meters.

Practical Information

Cultural Context

The area is home to the Tujia (土家族), Miao (苗族), and Bai (白族) ethnic minorities. Traditional Tujia culture includes hand-woven brocade (Xilankapu), stilted wooden houses (Diaojiaolou), and the Baishou Dance.

References

1. UNESCO: Wulingyuan Scenic Area
2. Wikipedia: Zhangjiajie
3. Baidu Baike: 张家界