2013 - Zhangjiajie

19 Days to Guilin, Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie & Guangzhou

14/10/2013 - 1/11/2013

Day 10 - 23rd Oct 2013

Today we begin our 4 days 3 nights tour to Zhangjiajie.. We checked out from Xidiwan Hotel at about 6 am and walked to Haizhu MRT station to board the train to the Guangzhou South Railway Station to board the high speed train to Changsha. We will be taking the Wuhan Guangzhou High Speed Railway (Wuguang High Speed Railway) line. We were met by the local guide at the station who assigned us the tickets. The train departs Guangzhou at 8:05am and arrived at Changsha at 10:35am with a few stops along the way. The distance is 707km. At speed of 300km/hr we could still enjoy the scenery outside without feeling sick.

 

Waiting at the departure hall of the high speed train station

Our first experience of a high speed train which we found to be very smooth

Upon arrival at Changsha station we were taken to a park near a river to wait for another group to arrive before we go for lunch. After lunch we travelled by coach for 4 hours to Zhangjiajie. We arrived at the hotel at about 6:30pm. We had noodles  and some "Ziao Zi" for dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 11 - 24th Oct 2013

After breakfast at the hotel we journey to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park at 7:30am and arriving at the base at 10am. We were then transferred to the resort bus for a 30 minutes ride to the park entrance where we begin our track of the Yuanjiajie scenic area

One of the scenery on the way up to the park.

We tracked for about 1 hr 15 min and really enjoyed the scenery along the way

This is the natural rocky bridge that connects two mountains. We did not realize we walked across this bridge until we passed through the other side.

The bridge is just a huge boulder hanging in mid air 

It was quite misty at this time of the year and is not good for photography

Part of the scenery in the film Avatar was shot here. A flying bird statue is constructed here for tourists to take photos.

Another statue of the star in Avatar

Lunch was at the restaurant near the entrance to the Yuangjiajie scenic area. After lunch we walk across to visit a tribal village.

Local tribal girls welcoming us with a tribal song

Traditional bridal chamber

Later we were taken for a 40 min ride by bus to the Tianzi Mountan where we had another 2 hr track. This track is more strenuous than the earlier one but the scenery is beautiful

 

Climbing up and down these stones steps is not easy. Good stamina and strong legs are needed

  

Day 12 - 25th Oct 2013

 

After breakfast we travelled to the cable car station to take the cable car up to the Zhangjiajie National Park for another trekking. After the tiring walk yesterday majority of us decided to take the cable car to the top of the mountain to begin our trekking. After the trek we took the cable car down again.

 

This is the gentlemen who discovered Zhangjiajie and painted many beautiful sceneries of the area

Entrance to the Zhangjiajie National Park

View of the mountains form the cable car station

Viewing the beautiful mountains from the cable car is a totally different experience

 

Scenery on the way down

 

After descended to the cable car station we were given 20 minutes to walk to a nearby stream which has crystal clear water

Lili trying her "Kung Fu" stunt

A popular spot for couples to take photos. Unfortunately we were late for our bus and did not mange to take ours.

We had lunch at restaurant near the cable car station. After lunch we continue our journey to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Along the way we stopped to visit the Jiuchongtian Hereditary Hall where relics of the past dynasties are exhibited.

 

The welcoming party

We arrived at the Fenghuang Ancient Town at about 9pm. After checking into the hotel we took a walk along the river bank of the town until past mid night.

Day 13 - 26th Oct 2013

After breakfast we were taken on a tour of some tourist places in Fenghuang by the local guide.

Fenghuang town in the early morning. Big contrast from the scenery at night

The water is icy cold but we can see some elderly men and women swimming in the river

Part od the morning tour includes a boat ride along the river

After lunch we travelled to Sengyang High Speed Train Station to board the 8:01pm high speed train to Guangzhou



 



I managed to capture the highest speed of the train at 308km/hr during the journey to Guangzhou.

 

Upon arrival in Guangzhou we checked into Xidiwan Hotel where we left our luggage. We will be staying just one night as we will be leaving for our tour to Nankunshan tomorrow morning.