Chongqing Zhangjiajie Tour Itinerary: 5 7 and 10 Days Packages

A Chongqing–Zhangjiajie combined itinerary, connected by a 2-hour high-speed train, seamlessly links the “magical mountain city” with the “fairyland of peaks.” Experience an extraordinary transition from cyberpunk nightscapes to the Avatar-like karst forest, while immersing yourself in the bold flavors of Chongqing hotpot culture and the mystical Tujia-Miao heritage of western Hunan. A journey that balances efficiency and depth, offering a dual-world wonder in one trip.

The Most Worthwhile Experiences

Zhangjiajie's Avatar Mountains

The "Avatar Floating Mountain" in Zhangjiajie is the inspiration behind the Hallelujah Mountains in the movie Avatar. This towering stone pillar stands at an elevation of 1,074 meters, with a vertical height of around 150 meters. In 2008, Hollywood photographer Hanson captured real-life images of the area, which director James Cameron later used to create the floating mountains of Pandora. In 2010, the scenic area officially renamed the site “Hallelujah Mountain,” sparking worldwide fascination with this natural wonder.

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge (Yuntian Du) is the world’s highest and longest fully transparent pedestrian glass bridge. Spanning 430 meters across the canyon and suspended 300 meters above the ground, it combines walking, bungee jumping, and sightseeing in one breathtaking experience.

Traditional Miao Silver Jewelry Making

Traditional Miao silver jewelry making is a remarkable example of Chinese ethnic craftsmanship. The Miao people, an ethnic minority mainly living in southwestern China, are renowned for their intricate and symbolic silver ornaments. These handcrafted pieces are not only accessories but also carry deep cultural significance.

Chinese Giant Salamander

One of Zhangjiajie’s culinary specialties is the Chinese giant salamander, a rare delicacy from the mountains known as the “ginseng of the water.” Its tender meat and rich nutritional value make it a prized ingredient, often prepared in clear soup, braised, or as part of medicinal cuisine. It is considered a premium local delicacy with distinctive regional character.

Hongya Cave

Warm yellow lights outline the 11-story stilt house complex, resembling a real-life dream straight out of Spirited Away. On Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, special lighting effects are added. From the viewing platform at the grand theater across the river, you can capture panoramic shots along with the glowing cruise boats

Teahouse Culture: Enjoying Tea and Learning Chongqing Dialect

In the steamy, down-to-earth atmosphere of an old teahouse, the aroma of gaiwan tea mingles with the lively chatter of local tales. The gritty charm of Chongqing dialect brews right in the tea, just waiting for you to join the conversation!

Learning How to Make Hot Pot Soup Base

Chongqing hot pot base is made with beef tallow as its foundation, featuring a rich, spicy, and aromatic flavor at its core. It is crafted using carefully selected ingredients such as Shizhu red chili peppers, Maoxian Sichuan peppercorns, and Pixian broad bean paste. Through traditional stir-frying or innovative cave fermentation techniques, the base achieves a bright red, glossy appearance and a deep, full-bodied authentic taste.

Yangtze River Cableway

Take a night ride on the Yangtze River Cableway, gliding through the glittering mountain city in a glowing pink cabin. In just 8 slow-paced minutes, enjoy a breathtaking view as the lights of the two rivers pour down like a river of stars.

5-Day Highlights Tour Itinerary to Chongqing and Zhangjiajie

Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing · First Impressions of the Mountain City

Check in at the Niccolo Chongqing, ideally located near Jiefangbei and Hongyadong.

Lunch: Enjoy premium beef hotpot at Luxi Fat Beef.

Dinner: Dine at Yonghe Club Private Cuisine for refined Sichuan-Chongqing flavors.

Evening: Ride the Yangtze River Cableway for a night view of the city skyline.

Day 2: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Hotpot Culture

Stroll through Ciqikou Ancient Town in the morning to sample traditional street snacks.

In the afternoon, join a Hotpot Base DIY workshop and learn to make authentic chili broth.

Lunch: Traditional Sichuan cuisine at Taoranju (Ciqikou).

Dinner: Enjoy a classic Chongqing hotpot at the beloved Peijie Hotpot (Flagship Branch).

Day 3: Train to Zhangjiajie · Tianmen Mountain Adventure

Train to Zhangjiajie(less than 3 hours) and explore Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, known for its longest cable car and thrilling glass skywalk.

Check in at the Zhangjiajie Crowne Plaza (city center).

Lunch: Mountain-style meal inside the scenic area.

Dinner: Local Hunan cuisine at Xibu Street Xiang Cuisine Restaurant.

Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park · Avatar Mountain

Full-day visit to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, including the stunning Yuanjiajie (Avatar Mountains) and majestic Tianzishan (Emperor Mountain).

Lunch: Simple set meal at a mountaintop canteen.

Dinner: Hetianju Eco Restaurant, known for organic Hunan ingredients and countryside atmosphere.

Day 5: Yellow Dragon Cave & Miao Minority Culture · Departure

Morning visit to the breathtaking Yellow Dragon Cave, followed by a cultural stroll through Xibu Street’s Miao ethnic district for optional silver jewelry DIY or dance experience.

Lunch: Impression Chinese Giant Salamander Banquet, featuring local specialties.

Dinner: Light Western meal before transfer to airport/train station for departure.

7-Day Chongqing & Zhangjiajie Cultural & Scenic Highlights Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing · Night Cruise on Two Rivers

Stay at Niccolo Chongqing (Jiefangbei, prime location); lunch at Yonghe Club Private Dining with Sichuan-Chongqing fusion flavors.

Visit Jiefangbei & Hongyadong, enjoy dinner at Niccolo Kitchen, and take a Yangtze & Jialing River night cruise.

Day 2: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Hotpot Culture

Morning stroll through Ciqikou Ancient Town, lunch at Taoranju, then enjoy a hands-on hotpot base-making class.

Dinner at the famous Peijie Hotpot (Hongyadong branch); evening tea time with storytelling at a traditional teahouse.

Day 3: Wulong Karst Wonders & Riverside Dining

Day trip to Wulong Karst Park (Three Natural Bridges & Longshuixia Gorge), with a local farmhouse lunch.

Return to Chongqing; riverside stay and dinner at Wangjianglou Jianghu Cuisine, unwind with drinks at your hotel’s lounge.

Day 4: Fly to Zhangjiajie · Cultural Stroll

Fly to Zhangjiajie, check in at Country Garden Phoenix Hotel (city center, with pool).

Lunch at a Tujia Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant, afternoon stroll through Xibu Street, dinner at Xibu Folk Restaurant, and watch the Charming Xiangxi cultural show at night.

Day 5: Tianmen Mountain & Glass Skywalk

Full-day exploration of Tianmen Mountain & Glass Skywalk, with a scenic lunch on the mountain.

Dinner at Old Courtyard Hunan Cuisine, and enjoy a stroll through the local night market.

Day 6: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Highlights

Explore the classic sites of Yuanjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, and Ten-Mile Gallery, with a rustic lunch in the forest.

Dinner at Xibu Street Private Kitchen, and relax for a free evening in the charming old town.

Day 7: Yellow Dragon Cave & Departure

Morning visit to the magnificent Yellow Dragon Cave, with lunch at the cave-side restaurant.

Transfer to the airport for your departure, completing your journey through mountain wonders and vibrant city life.

10 Days Leisure and Panoramic Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing & Night Cruise on the Two Rivers

Check in at Niccolo Chongqing (in the heart of Jiefangbei). Enjoy lunch at Yonghe Club Private Cuisine, dinner at Niccolo Kitchen, and take a night cruise along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers to admire Chongqing’s illuminated skyline.

Day 2: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Hotpot Feast

Spend the morning strolling through Ciqikou Ancient Town, have lunch at the traditional Taoranju Restaurant, and stop at the Liziba Monorail. In the evening, savor authentic spicy flavors at Peijie Hotpot, followed by a night walk through the lively Hongyadong.

Day 3: Wulong Karst Wonders & Leisure Time

Take a full-day trip to Wulong's Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Fissure Gorge, enjoy a local farmhouse lunch, return to Chongqing for dinner at Wangjianglou Jianghu Cuisine, and spend a relaxing evening in the hotel’s Executive Lounge.

Day 4: Teahouse Culture & Night Theater

In the morning, take the Yangtze Cableway, then enjoy tea and a short Chongqing dialect lesson at Huguang Guild Hall Teahouse. Have lunch at Shancheng Xiao Tangyuan, dinner at Guobin No.1 Sichuan Cuisine, and end the day with a local Chongqing dialect theater performance.

Day 5: Cultural Exploration in Youyang Taohuayuan

Head to Youyang Taohuayuan Scenic Area to explore ancient villages and karst caves, enjoy a local specialty lunch, return to Chongqing for a light dinner at the hotel, and enjoy a free evening.

Day 6: To Zhangjiajie & Forest Town by Night

Take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie, explore Tianmen Mountain Glass Walkway and Guigu Cliff Trail, have lunch at Tianmen Restaurant, stroll around the pedestrian street in the afternoon, dine at Xiang’e Renjia, and stay overnight at Qinghe Jinjiang Hotel or Zhangjiajie Nabeli Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 7: Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie & Tianzi Mountain

Full day at Wulingyuan Scenic Area: explore the "Avatar Mountains" in Yuanjiajie, the peaks of Yangjiajie, and the cloud sea of Tianzi Mountain. Enjoy a simple lunch in the park, dinner with farmhouse flavors at Rock House Restaurant, and stay at the Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel.

Day 8: Huangshizhai & Golden Whip Stream Hike

In the morning, hike Huangshizhai, followed by a relaxing afternoon stroll along Golden Whip Stream. Have lunch inside the scenic area, dinner at Benwei Hunan Cuisine Restaurant back in town, and enjoy an optional local ethnic song and dance show at night.

Day 9: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge

Explore Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and walk on the world’s longest Glass Bridge. Have lunch at a local farmhouse in the canyon area, relax in the afternoon, and enjoy dinner at Xibu Street Private Kitchen, followed by a night stroll through Xibu Street.

Day 10: Yellow Dragon Cave & Baofeng Lake · Departure

In the morning, explore the spectacular Yellow Dragon Cave, followed by a boat tour of the picturesque Baofeng Lake. Enjoy lunch at Baofeng Lake Restaurant, then transfer to the train station or airport for your departure.

Fine Dinning

Chongqing Cuisine: Bold, Spicy, and Full of Heat

Chongqing cuisine, part of the Sichuan culinary family, is famous for its bold, numbing, and spicy flavors, with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns at its core. Hotpot is the soul of the city’s food culture, offering fiery broths and rich beef tallow bases. Beyond hotpot, the streets of Chongqing offer a wide variety of flavorful dishes like Chongqing noodles, spicy grilled skewers (chuanchuan), and stir-fried dishes, all known for their intense heat and deep aroma. Every bite of Chongqing food brings a balance of spice, saltiness, and umami, leaving diners craving more.

Chongqing Hot Pot

Mao Xue Wang

Chongqing Dan Dan Noodle

Zhangjiajie Cuisine: Rustic Flavors of the Mountains

Zhangjiajie cuisine, part of western Hunan’s Xiangxi food tradition, is known for its bold, spicy, and earthy flavors that reflect the mountain region’s natural bounty. Local dishes often feature wild vegetables, cured meats, and river fish, seasoned with chili, garlic, and local spices. The cuisine emphasizes freshness and simplicity, creating hearty, comforting meals that are perfect after a day of outdoor adventures.

Signature dishes include sour-spicy fish stew (Suan La Yu), braised wild mushrooms, smoked bacon (La Rou), and local Tujia-style hotpot.

Braised Wild Mushrooms

Rock Fungus Stewed Chicken

Three Ingredients Hotpot(Sanxaiguo/三下锅)

Baked Meat/Smoked Bacon 腊肉

Luxury Hotel with a Swimming Pool, Excellent Location, and Great Service

Niccolo Chongqing

Niccolo Chongqing is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Jiefangbei, Chongqing's most vibrant commercial and entertainment district. Rising high above the city, the hotel offers stunning views of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Known for its elegant design, world-class service, and refined dining, Niccolo Chongqing is a preferred choice for travelers seeking contemporary sophistication and unbeatable location in the mountain city.

The Niccolo Chongqing Exterior

Niccolo Chongqing: Swimming Pool

Niccolo Chongqing: Room

Neodalle Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan

Neodalle Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan is a stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, offering modern design blended with local cultural elements. Surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the hotel provides easy access to Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, and the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. With elegant rooms, warm service, and serene natural surroundings, it is an ideal base for travelers seeking both comfort and adventure in Zhangjiajie.

The Exterior of the Neodalle/Crowne Plaza

The Swimming Pool of the Neodalle

King Bed Room of the Neodalle