Zhang Jia Jie or better known as The Avatar Mountains. This is one of the locations that Director James Cameron decided to film scenes from the blockbuster movie Avatar. It is in Zhang Jia Jie that you can find the location used to shoot the floating mountains scene, which is one of the most breath-taking places that you’ll ever visit. This is also the location that some of the old Journey to the West T.V. series was shoot as well.
Zhang Jia Jie is divided into two parts. The left entrance and the right entrance (if you look at the mountain from the outside). There are only two entrances to the mountain, so, it can be said simply by calling one the left and the other the right. Of course, technically speaking the mountain is connected by the trail on top of the mountains, but for laments terms lets just divide the mountain into the two sides.
The Right Side
The right side of the mountain is where most of the guesthouses, hostels and hotels are located. This area has the most affordable options for lodging without sacrificing the close proximity to the entrance. This is the recommended area that you book your stay. It is a small town close to the right side entrance of Zhang Jia Jie and there are restaurants, stores and supermarkets in the area to make your stay a little more comfortable.
There is also a bus service run that transports visitors to the left side entrance as well. The price of the bus fare is included in the entrance ticket.
You can spend either 1 full day or 1 1/2 days visiting and viewing the right side of the mountain. It is on the right side of the mountain that you will find the spot that has the floating mountains from Avatar. You’ll know it when you see it, it is marked with a statue of one of those big flying prehistoric birds.
Surprise, surprise… the floating island does not actually float in mid-air. If you have a problem with that or feel disappointed take it up with Sir Issac Newton. The reason that this is known as the floating island and was chosen as the location for filming in Avatar is because when there is a thick fog in the area it covers the bottom part of this mountain and all you can see is the greenery at the top. This gives it the appearance that the island is floating. If, you are lucky enough to go to Zhang Jia Jie on one of these days where the fog is just right you can see the floating island phenomenon.
The floating island location is right next to the elevator. Yes, I said elevator. They have an elevator that can take you up the mountain for about 70 RMB (more or less). The elevator has been built into the outside of the mountain and has a glass window that allows passengers to look out at the beautiful scenery in the area. It is also a bit unnerving, so if you are afraid of heights, brace yourself.
From the floating island there is quite a bit of hiking that can be done, both on the tops of the mountains and going down to ground level. The hike will take a full day. You will be hard pressed to find a more picturesque place than this. There isn’t a lot of wildlife that will be seen on this hike but the scenery is to die for.
The Longevity Spring
It is said that the water from this spring can make you healthy and live longer. It is also very cold and refreshing. Normally, visitors should stay away from the water in China, unless it is bottled or boiled. However, the water from the Longevity Spring is perfectly safe to drink.
Be advised that you will not be allowed to take water from the Longevity Spring on a plane, no matter how much you tell security how “special” the water is.
(Right Side) Once you get off the elevator on the on the mountains…
(The Right Side) On Ground Level
The ground level of Zhang Jia Jie is very forrest-y. There are trees, rivers and small waterfalls in every direction. Between the scenery on top of the mountains and at ground level there is hardly anywhere that you could look and not be impressed by the natural beauty that Zhang Jia Jie has to offer.
Snake Liquor 蛇酒
This is exactly what it sounds like. The snake if I am not mistaken is drowned in the liquor and then the snake is meant to soak in the liquor for a certain amount of time. I haven’t a clue how it tastes. For those of you with a taste for adventure in your diet give it a try.
Journey to the West
The above pictures are places that were used to film the Chinese series Journey to the West in the 80’s.
The Left Side (黄石寨）Huáng Shí Zhài
黄石寨应该把名字改成花果山。They should rename Huang Shi Zhai the home of the monkey king. There are more monkeys in this section of Zhang Jia Jie than anywhere else I have ever seen or been. I wasn’t sure that this many monkeys existed as were there. The monkeys are very docile (for the most part). They are small, energetic seem nice enough. However, if you eat something in front of these monkey (and they are literally everywhere) you very well be mugged by a group of them for your food. These monkeys have absolutely no fear of people. I wouldn’t advise getting tough with them either, because they have strength in numbers. The last thing that you want is to contract so rare monkey disease because you didn’t want to get shown up by some little monkey.
Have you ever been volun-told by your boss that you have to work overtime. Do you remember the face that you made… That’s kind of how I felt when I was asked (forced) to surrender my ice cream to the monkeys that crowded around me as soon as I bought it. Well, at least someone enjoyed it.
So, the moral of the story here is don’t eat in front of the monkeys in Zhang Jia Jie (or anywhere for the matter).
The left side of Zhang Jia Jie is also known as Huang Shi Zhai. There is a saying (and a sign, see picture below) that those who come to Zhang Jia Jie and do not visit the summit Huang Shi Zhai can’t say that they’ve been to Zhang Jia Jie. There has never been a more true statement. Huang Shi Zhai will take a couple hours of hiking to get to the top but stick with it and enjoy the fruits of your labor when you reach the top and get to see the jaw dropping scenery.
Hiking Huang Shi Zhai is a bit strenuous but with all of the distraction from the scenery and wildlife (monkeys) around, you may feel like the time just flew by.
The Entrance Ticket
At Zhang Jia Jie the entrance ticket is relatively expensive. It is somewhere in the ballpark of 250RMB. Although if you have a Student ID and look of age you may be able to use it to buy a ticket for half price. There is one great benefit about the entrance ticket at Zhang Jia Jie and it is that the ticket is good for 3 days (provided you don’t lose it).
Tian Men Mountain 天门山 （Tiān Mén Shān）
The main attraction to Tian Men Mountain (besides the incredible scenery is the glass bottom walkway that is there.
Truth be told I haven’t been to Tian Men Mountain before, but several people have told me that it is worth a visit. Time permitting Tian Men Mountain would be time well spent. Some have even said that Tian Men Mountain was the highlight of the trip.
Ticket Price:
Expect the ticket price to be very slightly cheaper than Zhang Jia Jie. Somewhere between 200-225RMB.
How long should you plan to spend in Zhang Jia Jie?
I would recommend staying in Zhang Jia Jie for a total of 4 days. 3 days in the Zhang Jia Jie Prefecture and 1 day at Tian Men Shan. It is also possible to see all that there is to see in 3 days as well, nevertheless the trip might be a bit rushed if you only spend 3 days there.
How to Get to Zhang Jia Jie
Getting to Zhang Jia Jie is a bit of a pickle depending on your starting destination. From Beijing its a bit of a headache. From Beijing there are no direct trains that go to Zhang Jia Jie. There may be train tickets available from Beijing to Zhang Jia Jie but it will say the ETA is 24-26 hours. The flights are also inexcusably expensive. However, there is always a way around it.
One way around this problem is to first take a train or flight to a city within the area that does have access to Zhang Jia Jie via train. The city that I choose was Luo Yang 洛阳. I recommend this city because there is a lot to do and see in Luo Yang and it is approximately a 4-5 hour train ride. Once you’re in the city spend the day there, find something that interests you. That way the time will pass in a fun way of seeing and experiencing a new city instead of spending the entire time stuck on a train.
This is the recommended method for traveling to Zhang Jia Jie, transfer from another city that can access Zhang Jia Jie directly. This will be a fine option if you have the extra day to spare. This way you won’t break the bank with an airline ticket or taking a train that won’t arrive in Zhang Jia Jie for 26 hours.
Leaving Zhang Jia Jie is the same way, if you have the time and would like to say some money, take a train ride to another city close by and then either a train or plane from there. If you can’t be bothered to go to another city and are ready to end your trip, then pay a little extra and fly out.
International Kev 