7 Days Zhangjiajie Adventure
08 - 14 Apr 2018
Day 4 - 7th April 2018
Today we checked out from Jiashiting Hotel and took the subway to Grace Hotel near Hanyang Railway Station. We will join my church group from Kuala Lumpur for the Zhangjiajie ground tour till 14th April 2018.
Day 5 - 8th April 2018
Our 7D Zhangjiajie tour begins today with the group from Kuala Lumpur arriving late last night. After breakfast at the hotel our first stop was at the Yellow Crane Tower.The Yellow Crane Tower was originally built in AD 223 during
the Three Kingdoms Period. It was used to be a watch tower for military
purpose. The original site of the tower was on the Yellow Crane Jetty, a
location situated west of Xiakou.
In Ming and Qing dynasties, the tower was destroyed seven times, and was repaired and rebuilt on ten separate occasions. The last tower, was built in1868 in the Qing dynasty, and was later destroyed in 1884. In 1981, the Wuhan City Government decided to rebuild the tower at a new location, which is 1000 meters from the original historical site. The location and reconstruction started in October, 1981. The current tower was completed in 1985.
In Ming and Qing dynasties, the tower was destroyed seven times, and was repaired and rebuilt on ten separate occasions. The last tower, was built in1868 in the Qing dynasty, and was later destroyed in 1884. In 1981, the Wuhan City Government decided to rebuild the tower at a new location, which is 1000 meters from the original historical site. The location and reconstruction started in October, 1981. The current tower was completed in 1985.
 |
| The entrance to Yellow Crane Tower |
Later we visited the East Lake Tingtao Scenic Area and had our lunch at a restaurant nearby. After lunch we embarked on a 6 hours bus journey to Changde. We arrived Changde at around 6:30pm for dinner.
 |
| East Lake Scenic Area |
Day 6 - 9th April 2018
After breakfast we visited the Changde Poetry Wall.
The Changde Poem Wall is a 3 kilometer-long anti-flood dyke alongside the Yuanjiang River, which is engraved with poems, handwriting and painting and thus is listed as the longest wall with engraved arts in Guinness Record. There are art works from many famous Chinese artists and outstanding figures like Mao Zedong, Qi Baishi and so on
We encountered a huge Siberian husky dog which is friendly and playful. We had a wonderful time playing with the dog.
Later we cross over to the Changde Pedestrian Street, where we did some shopping.
Changde Pedestrian Street (Buxingjie) is the most happening part of the town and a good place to shop for the most fashionable attire that Changde has to offer. Western food is available at both the east and west ends.
 |
| At Changde Pedestrian Street with Lim PC and Dorothy |
Phoenix Ancient Town, aka Fenghuang Ancient Town, is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. 'Fenghuang' is Chinese for 'Phoenix', the mythical bird of good omen and longevity that is consumed by fire to be re-born again from the flames. Phoenix Ancient Town is so called as legend has it that two of these fabulous birds flew over it and found the Fenghuang Town so beautiful that they hovered there, reluctant to leave.
Stretching diagonally from the northwest to southeast of the Fenghuang Ancient Town, Tuo Jiang River is a life force of the local people. Here in its waters women wash their clothes and the men fish with their nets, while on the bank food is prepared in much the same way as it has for centuries. The river also provides a means for boatmen to support their families by ferrying visitors up and down stream for sightseeing.
 |
| Fenghuang Ancient Town narrow street |
 |
| Sample of delicacies sold in Fenghuang Ancient Town |
Beautiful reflection on the Tuo Jiang River
With some of the tour members from Melawati Gospel Centre
After trying out the drum Lili finally bought one from another stall at a cheaper price.
At night Fenghuang is transformed into a Fairy Land
The scenery at night in Fenghuang is more beautiful than at the day time. During my visit to Zhangjiaji in 2013 we stayed one night in Fenghuang.
Day 7 - 10th April 2018
After breakfast we visited the Miao King Tribal Village.
Ladies in their colorful costumes welcoming us with songs and rice wine
We then journey to Zhangjiajie where we had our lunch before we took the cable car to Tianmen Mountain, the ancient name is Yunmengshan. The cable car from Zhangjiajie central transport hub is reputedly the longest in the world. It took 30 minutes to travel a length of 7455 meters to the summit. Along the way we enjoyed some fantastic views.
Tianmen Hole or Tianmen Cave as viewed from the cable car ride
Tianmen ('Heaven's Door' 天门) Cave is a large (30 meters or 100 feet wide) water-eroded hole between two peaks, like a huge doorway in the cliff face. It's the highest hole of its sort in the world.
The 99 turns road below as viewed from the cable car. We traveled down this road to the bus depot later. There are 99 sharp curves on the road up to Tianmen Cave, the famous 99 Bends. The best place to see and take photos of these bends is from the cable car.
 |
The Cliff-Hanging Walkway as viewed from the cable car just before the summit
|
The walkway was built along the edges of this mountain's summits, clinging to the vertical cliffs. It is also known as the Ghost Valley Plank Walk.
 |
| The cable car station at the top of Tianmen Mountain |
 |
| The beginning of the cliff hanging walkway |
 |
| The 99 turns road viewed from the glass skywalk |
Standing on the crystal clear walkway, you can see all the way down to the bottom of the cliff and Tongtian Avenue (Heaven-Linking Avenue), which is the road up the mountain featuring a staggering 99 turns
 |
| Another view of the glass skywalk |
We the took the elevator down to the Tianmen Cave
 |
| The Tianmen Cave |
Instead of taking the elevator down to the bus depot we decided to walk down the 999 steep and narrow steps— "the Stairway to Heaven". It is a hard and tiresome climb (about 30 minutes). It is much worse to climb up the stairs to the Tianmen Cave.
At last we managed to climb down the 999 stairs
 |
| Our group photo at Tianmen Cave
Day 8 - 11th April 2018
After breakfast we visited mattress and pillow factory, one of the 5 shopping stops in the tour itinerary.
Later we visited the Tujia Folk Customs Park which we also visited during our 2013 Zhangjiajie trip. The Zhangjiajie Tujia Folk Customs Park is located in Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City. Built in 2000, the park covers an area of 5 hectares. In this replica of a typical Tujia village, tourists can experience some interesting Tujia people's facts, including folk custom, architecture, food, agriculture, military, and art etc.
|
 |
| Ladies in their colorful costumes welcoming us with songs |
 |
| The village square |
A main attraction in the Zhangjiajie Tujia Folk Custom Park is the village square, where key performances such as the Maogusu Dance, a ceremonial dance that was part of a sacrificial ceremony are performed
Behind is the wooden 9-storied Jiuchongtian Hereditary Hall that was constructed on a steep slope without using a nail was even listed in the Guinness World record. It contains thousands of relics of the Tujia and is the "museum" of all things Tujia.
Later we visited the Zhangjiajie Museum where we learn about the history of Zhangjiajie
Our last stop for the day was at the famous Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. It is the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge. It offers a way to enjoy a panoramic view of the stunning Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon — if you dare to walk on it! It is 430m long, 6m wide and 300m high.
 |
| Our group photo at the Grand Canyon Bridge |
Day 9 - 12th April 2018
After breakfast we visited the tea centre which is our second shopping stop
Next we went to the Bai Long elevator which was not in our 2013 tour itinerary
 |
| Entry to the Bai Long elevator |
Bailong Elevator or Hundred Dragons Elevator is located in Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, which is one of the World Natural Heritage sites in China. The elevator was listed into the Guinness World Records, because it is honored as “the highest, the fastest, largest-loaded outdoor elevator in the world".
A replica of the bird that featured in the film Avatar is built here
Later we visited the Junsheng Gallery which has an exhibition on sand stone painting.
Impressive sand paintings
Day 10 - 13th April 2018
After breakfast we visited the silk outlet which is the third shopping stop in our tour. Later we returned to the Wulingyuan Scenic Area for more natural attractions at Ten-Mile Art Gallery (十里画廊). At first we were wondering how come there is an art gallery in this national park, and it was only till we were at the queue to ride on the train into the gallery that we realised Ten-Mile Art Gallery is actually a 5.8km scenic road located in the Donggou Gorge , Suoxi Valley Natural Reserve . It got its name because along this road, the natural attractions make one feel like you are viewing an exhibition in the gorge.
With a stream flowing through, and the peaks on both sides of the valley shape, it forms natural sculptures. The Herb Collecting Old Man, the Immortals Worshipping Guanyin and The Three Sisters are the most spectacular
Behind us the three peaks standing side by side are called the "Three Sisters". You see, the left is the eldest sister who has great hair carrying a child ready to return to her family. The middle is the younger sister who takes her baby in her arms to look forward to the safe return of her husband. The right peak humps just like a pregnant woman, this is the little sister who is just married.
 |
| Ten Mile Gallery |
 |
| Our group photo at the Ten Mile Gallery |
Our tour include the mini electric to the Ten Mile Gallery
After lunch we visited the silver jewelry outlet supposedly partly owned by the tour guide, which is the 4th shopping stop in our tour. Next and 5th shopping stop is the jade outlet before we journey on to Yueyang and had our dinner
Day 11 - 14th April 2018
After breakfast we went to Dongting for our boat ride. It was drizzling but we had a wonderful time sailing and singing on the boat.
The boat is equipped with karaoke set for the singers in our group to show off their talent.
After lunch we visited the Three Kingdom Red Cliff Battle Field site
We then journey on to Wuhan where the last itinerary for our tour is Jianghan Pedestrian Street. It is here we left the group and continue our stay in Wuhan for three more nights. We took the subway from Jianghan Street Station to Fuxing Road Station which is walking distance to Jinjiang Hotel.
Do click on the Wuhan link to find out more of our travel adventures in Wuhan
No comments:
Post a Comment