Wulingyuan Scenic Area, lying to the north of Zhangjiajie City, is a charming tourist attraction. It is one of the 40 famous scenic spots in China. It is said to be 'The ampliative miniascape and the contractible fairyland' and was admitted to the 'World Heritage List' in 1992. The spot boasts of natural beauty where mountains, valleys, forests, caves, lakes and waterfalls exist in total harmony. Over 560 scenic sights can be found here. The strangely-shaped peaks, the absurd stones, the hidden valleys, the wonderful waters and the limestone caves form the 'Five Wonders' of Wulingyuan and they are really worth seeing. Covering an area of 690 square kilometers (266 square miles), Wulingyuan consists of four parts- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, Tianzi (son of heaven) Mountain Natural Resource Reserve and the newly added Yangjiajie Scenic Area. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first state-level forest park in China. Over ninety-seven percent of the park is covered with varieties of trees and other valuable plants. The park is a real treasure house. The Lobster Flower (Long Xia Flower), a sort of flower that can change color five times in a day, is unique in the park. The views in this area include the Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Fort and Yuanjiajie. The Golden Whip Stream is a poetic stream, with crystal clear water running quietly between strangely-shaped peaks. The Huangshi Fort and Yuanjiajie are both classic spots that can not be missed in the park. The Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve is the center of the scenic zone and is the largest among the four areas of the park. About 200 scenic spots can be found here. Suoxiyu is transliterated from the language of the Tu Minority Group, and it means 'a mountainous village with dense fog'. This area includes the Ten-mile Gallery (Gan Xi Gou), where vivid pictures formed by its peaks are rather impressive. The West Sea, also called the sea of stone forests, is amazing. Bao Feng Lake is also an excellent place to visit to gain an understanding of the local customs of West Hunan Province. The Tianzi Mountain Natural Resource Reserve is rich in strange peaks and rocks, and in constant clouds and fog. The reserve lies at a high elevation which makes sightseeing physically challenging. The Yellow Dragon Spring, Teaboard Tower and Lao Wu Chang are areas which have been developed for visitors. This reserve is renowned for four marvelous spectacles-the cloud and mist, the night with shining moon, the winter snow and the morning and evening rosy clouds. It wasn't until the 1990s that the Yangjiajie Scenic Area was preserved. Legends had it that in order to suppress rebellion, the famous Yang Family (a family quite loyal to the court and contributed to the fighting against Qi Dan in the Song Dynasty) camped and settled here later because of the continuous war. And as a result, Yangjiajie emerged. So far, the pedigree of the Yang Family is still well kept in this area which also contains the Tian Bo Mansion, Liu Lang Bay and Qi Lang Bay. Together with the natural scenery of the four sections of the park, the life and customs of several Chinese minority groups (Tu, Miao, Bai) are also of interest. Their houses, farms and their singing and dancing undoubtedly add an element of happiness and beauty to Wulingyuan.

Honglong cave

It has another name--Huanglong spring, situated in east part of Suoxiyu County and 7km far away from the county. The whole length of it is about 12km, and 4 stories. There are dry caves and watery caves including 2 palaces, 8 halls and 96 corridors. Various stalactites fill the whole cave. The most amazing spectacle is that when you knock the stalactites in the Shiqing Mountain of the cave, you will hear the wonderful sound made by the stalactites. Moreover there is an 11km long cave and a 50m high waterfall which are rare in the other caves.

Baofeng Lake Scenic Area

Baofeng Lake Scenic Area is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, one of the world's natural heritages. It is situated at the back of Mount Baofeng, with an area of 274 hectares. It is composed of Baofeng Lake and the Yingwo Stockaded Village. The natural beauty of the lake and the mountain and the human culture and landscape complement each other. Baofeng Lake features beautiful natural scenery. It is located in the mountains, with abundant water and fresh air. Green trees and stone peaks of various shapes surround the lake. There are also marvelous running waterfalls, pouring out like troops from heaven descending to the world. Yixiantian Valley, which is less than 4 meters wide on average, is another wonderful scenic spot. Only a line of the sky can be seen from the bottom of the valley, which resembles a silk thread, seemingly long and thin. The length, narrowness, and depth here are rare in national scenic spots. Mount Baofeng, nearby, with a height of 1,212.8 meters, points straight up to the sky. The Yingwo Stockaded Village is strategically located in terrain with difficult access. Reaching the top of the mountain, you can look down upon many smaller peaks. Within the green background is Baofeng Temple, in graceful ancient color and style, half hidden, half visible, and radiating the ethos of religious culture. The calm Lake Baofeng lies as a goddess, outstanding and pure, projecting a sense of peace. If you boat in the lake, you will see the reflection of the marvelous stone peaks and green trees, in symmetric display. It is a great pleasure.

Zhangjiajie Scenic Spot

Brief Introduction Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, set up in 1982, is the first authorized national forest park in China. The area covers 480 thousand square meters (185 square miles). This park, together with Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, Tianzishan Natural Resource Reserve and Yaozizhai makes up the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, also known as Zhangjiajie Scenic Spot. It is located 32 kilometers (19 miles) from urban Zhangjiajie and 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has been described differently, such as, majestic, eccentric, tranquil, delicate and wild. The park features grotesque peaks, lucid brooks, abundant fauna and floras and hospitable climate. There are six main scenic spots and over 90 smaller ones in the park to date. Climate It belongs to the sub-tropical climate of Central Asia. Splendid mountains and luxuriant trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and cool in summer. The average temperature is 13C (55F), the highest 17C (62F ) while the lowest is 10C (50F) on average in winter. The charm of the park varies with the alternation of seasons; therefore, it attracts visitors all year round. Besides its pleasant climate, the environment and air quality also provide visitors a chance to breathe healthy air which is believed to be rich in negative oxygen. It is also believed that hypertension patient may have their blood pressure lowered if they stay in the park for a period of time. This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88% lower and the air 10% mistier than outside. Foliage About 98% of the area is covered with vegetation. There are 720 species of the 102 families, including all the five most important floras, namely, the rose family, pulse family, grass family, composite family and orchid family. Some of these trees are rare and regarded as national treasure. For example, the Dove tree, known as living fossil, can be traced back as early as the Fourth Ice Age. The great variety of plants in the park takes up 82% of all the flora families in Hunan Province. Animals Zhangjiajie National Forest Park also boasts a variety of animals. Exuberant forests offer them ideal habitats to live in and procreate their own species. There are more than 149 kinds of chordate animals inhabitants in this park. Among them, 28 kinds are under national protection, amongst which, are the Golden Pheasant, Rhesus Monkey, Giant Salamander and Musk Deer. Visitors will be able to hear birds singing and see monkeys playing in the tree. Main scenic spots Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is endowed with many scenic spots, such as the Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai, Yuanjiajie and the Golden Whip Stream. Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai) Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai is located west of the park. It is named after a story whereby Huang Shi saved Zhang Liang from misfortune when the latter isolated himself from society in this forest. Occupying an area of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, this stronghold is the largest observing spot of the forest park. One cannot claim to have visited Zhangjiajie without visiting Yellow Stone Stronghold. The main scenic spots include Tranquil Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak, the Southern Gate to Heaven, Five-Finger Peak and so on.

Golden whip stream

Golden Whip Stream: Golden Whip Stream is located in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it extends 5.7 km from north to south, winding across mountains and valleys. The brook is limpid through the year, with stone peaks standing erect on both banks. In Golden Whip Stream you can enjoy the dense forest and grotesque-shaped peaks on either of its bank. If you get tired, you can rest on a rock by the stream and watch fish swimming in the water. The park is a place for one to escape from the summer heat, and is a natural oxygen bar.

Tianzi Mountain in Zhangjiajie

Located in the northwest of Wulingyuan scenic and historic interest area, Tianzi Mountain, also the provincial nature reserve, encompasses over 5,400 hectares. Its former name was Qingyan Mountain. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the leader of Tujia nationality Xiang Dakun launched the uprising here and was called "Xiang King Tianzi" , and so some sights' names were related to the legend . Tianzi apex is the highest peak with an elevation of 1260 meters standing and facing the north. The entire area is covered with montains, waterfalls, forests, gorges and streams. The spectacular Tianzi mountain features towering, large and quite a few mountains.

Yellow Lion Village

The Yellow Lion Village (Huangshi zhai) is the highest village in the Zhangjiajie area. At its peak, the village is actually a 1,200 metre high plateau. Stone steps lead to the top, a quiet area relatively free of tourists from which you can witness the beautiful karst formations of the local crags. Below lie the waters of Jinbian Creek and the primitive forest of Heizongnao.

Laowuchang

Laowuchang scenic area is densely covered with bizarre peaks. The major scenic sights include Fairy Lock, Supernautral Army Gathering, Aerial Field Garden , Yuanyang Waterfall, ect. Shipshape field terraces, clear water and green mountains make it with strong rural landscape.