Last updated: June 2026
The Avatar Mountains were one of the places that impressed me most in all of China. They sit within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan, and became world-famous for inspiring the scenery of the film Avatar. And I can confirm it: in person, the feeling is exactly that, like being inside the movie.
They're thousands of sandstone pillars draped in vegetation rising through the forests. I was lucky enough to get a clear, blue-sky day, and the pillars stood out sharply, which made the experience even more striking.
Are the Avatar Mountains worth visiting?
Yes, very much so; for me it was one of the most remarkable experiences in China. The sandstone pillars create an almost otherworldly setting, and it's one of the very few places in the world with this kind of geological formation. On its own, it justifies including Zhangjiajie in any itinerary.
What are the Avatar Mountains?
The Avatar Mountains are part of a unique geological formation made up of sandstone pillars shaped over millions of years. These vertical structures create a dramatic landscape of hundreds of narrow peaks rising from dense forest, one of the most iconic sceneries in China and the world.
Where are the Avatar Mountains?
The mountains are in the Yuanjiajie area, within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This is the park's most famous zone, home to its main viewpoints, trails and rock formations, including Hallelujah Mountain, the formation most closely associated with the Avatar film.
How to get to the Avatar Mountains
Access is via the national park itself, which is huge and has several entrance gates. I arrived by DiDi and went in through the East Gate, which is the closest to the Bailong Elevator, worth choosing if your focus is getting up to Yuanjiajie quickly. From the entrance, I took the park's internal bus, which runs a route with several stops, and got off at the elevator stop. Inside the park, the ways to get around are:
- Bailong Elevator, a panoramic lift built into the cliff face, one of the tallest in the world and the fastest way to reach the top
- Internal cable cars, connecting different areas of the park with open views along the way
- Hiking trails, for those who prefer to explore at a slower pace
In my case, I went up by Bailong Elevator and, after exploring Yuanjiajie, took another internal bus to see the park from a different angle, came down by cable car and left through a different gate, which saved me from retracing the whole way back.
Tickets
- Main park admission: ¥245 (~$34), includes park entry and internal bus transport between the main areas
- Bailong Elevator: ¥72 return (~$10), charged separately, not included in the main ticket
- Cable cars: prices vary by route, also charged separately
The park ticket and the Bailong Elevator are charged separately; the elevator is not included in the main ticket. The park pass is usually valid for several days with multiple entries, but check this condition and the current prices at the time of purchase, as they vary by season. I bought mine through Trip.com, which made the logistics much easier as a foreigner.
Must-sees
- Hallelujah Mountain, the most famous pillar, directly linked to the Avatar film; it stands out clearly from the others and is easy to identify when you're there
- Yuanjiajie panoramic viewpoints, sweeping views of hundreds of sandstone pillars; with clear skies, they look even sharper
- Suspended walkways, paths that pass close to the formations, offering unique perspectives of the mountains
How long to spend
Plan on 3 to 4 hours to explore Yuanjiajie at a relaxed pace, including walks, photos and the internal transfers. I did this circuit (going up, the viewpoints, the other side of the park and coming down) without rushing. If you want to explore other areas of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park beyond Yuanjiajie, plan for a full day or even two.
Best time to visit
- Early morning, fewer crowds in the park and at the Bailong Elevator
- Clear-sky days, like the one I had, make the pillars sharp and heighten the cinematic feel
- Weekdays and outside national holidays, far fewer visitors; I went in late August/early September, before the heavy holiday week, and the park was peaceful
Practical tips
- Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially at the Bailong Elevator
- Enter through the East Gate if your focus is getting up to Yuanjiajie and the elevator quickly
- Wear comfortable footwear, the park involves a lot of walking and stairs
- Bring water and snacks, food and drink vendors inside the park are limited