In China, you can find the beautiful and breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The national park sits in China’s Hunan Province. The views you can expect to see there are amazing and have been described as something you wouldn’t expect to see on Earth. The thousands of hundred feet tall pillars are the main attraction to the park, but it was made even more famous when James Cameron based the Hallelujah Mountains from his movie Avatar on Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
However, it can be stressful traveling anywhere, let alone the densely populated and busy country of China. So, to help you out, here are five tips and need to knows when visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
The Weather
Knowing what the weather is going to be like is very important when it comes to visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Firstly, knowing what it is going to be like means you can prepare yourself appropriately. The best time to travel to Zhangjiajie is during April and October, as the temperature is around 20°C (which is comfortable) and the views of the park during these two months are meant to be at their finest. If there is a storm when you are in the mountains, then stop climbing and don’t stand under the trees.
Getting Around
The size of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park shouldn’t be underestimated. Luckily for you, use of the buses within the park is free once you have paid for general admission. Once you get through the gates, there will be bus stops dotted around to take you to different places. To make it easier, destinations are written in both English and Chinese, but it is worth asking for help if you are unsure on which bus to take. It is always worth having the Chinese name of the place you want to go to written down.
Health Insurance
People who suffer from certain health conditions such as asthma, heart problems and high blood pressure, need to make sure they have plenty of medication and water in case there is an emergency. These people should not travel alone and those who have serious health risks need to make sure they have health insurance and the money for the transport options that are available. Even for people with no health conditions, you should definitely get a good plan when it comes to health insurance. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Being Safe on the Mountains
Simple things like walking safely when climbing up all the steps and being responsible with the photos you take is important. If you want to look at the scenery or take a photo, then stop walking to do so. Also, there is plenty of wildlife to see in this park. One of the main animals that like to get up close are monkeys. Be wary of the monkeys as it is common for them to steal things from visitors, and do not touch them as their bites can be nasty and will require a rabies jab at the hospital.
Entry Fees
During peak season (March to November), it costs ¥225 to get into the park. During off peak season, it costs ¥115 to get into the park. This charge allows you to enter and explore the park for 4 days, plus free use of the park’s buses (as mentioned previously). There is an extra fee of around ¥72 if you want a one-way trip on the cable car or elevator to get you up the mountains.
When traveling anywhere, you need to make sure you are organized and well-prepared for the trip ahead. Doing so makes it a much more enjoyable and less stressful experience. It also means you can get the most out of your trip.