Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
1. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Home to the famous Avatar Mountains and diverse wildlife such as macaques and golden monkeys.
- Unique Flora: Features a rich variety of bamboo, conifers, and broad-leaved trees.
- Hiking Trails: Offers numerous hiking trails for visitors to explore the rugged landscapes.
- Photography Opportunities: Ideal location for capturing stunning sunrises and sunsets over the mountains.
2. Tianmen Mountain National Park
Famous for its sheer cliffs, Tianmen Cave, and diverse wildlife including golden snub-nosed monkeys.
- Cable Car Ride: Experience the world's longest cable car ride with breathtaking views.
- Tianmen Cave Hike: Hiking trail that leads to a naturally formed archway high above the valley.
- Rare Wildlife Spotting: Chance to see the elusive golden snub-nosed monkey in its natural habitat.
3. Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with towering sandstone pillars and diverse wildlife like the clouded leopard.
- Unique Rock Formations: Features thousands of sandstone pillars and karst landforms.
- Hiking Trails: Provides numerous hiking trails for exploring the scenic area.
- Biodiversity: Home to a rich variety of plant and animal species, including the endangered clouded leopard.
4. Yuanjiajie Scenic Area
Inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie 'Avatar' and home to various wildlife like macaques.
- Unique Landscapes: Famous for its towering sandstone pillars and natural arches.
- Hiking Trails: Offers multiple hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
- Photography Opportunities: Ideal location for capturing stunning photos of the unique landscapes.
5. Tongliang National Nature Reserve
Protected area dedicated to the giant panda and other endangered species like the clouded leopard.
- Giant Panda Protection: An important habitat for the protection of the endangered giant pandas.
- Wildlife Observation: Opportunities to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about the conservation of endangered species.
6. Taohuayuan National Nature Reserve
Known for its lush broadleaf and conifer forests, home to the golden monkey.
- Golden Monkey Protection: An important habitat for the protection of the endangered golden monkeys.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails through lush forests and mountains.
- Photography Opportunities: Ideal location for capturing photos of the golden monkeys in their natural habitat.
7. Shennongjia Forest Park
Largest subtropical forest in China, home to the giant panda and other rare species.
- Giant Panda Protection: An important habitat for the protection of the endangered giant pandas.
- Biodiversity: Home to a rich variety of plant and animal species, including the giant panda.
- Mountainous Terrain: Features high-altitude mountains, valleys, and lush forests.
8. Sandong County National Nature Reserve
Protects the rarest species of giant salamander in China.
- Giant Salamander Protection: A crucial habitat for the protection and study of the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander.
- Wildlife Observation: Opportunities to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about the conservation of the Chinese giant salamander.
9. Xiangjiangling National Nature Reserve
Protects the rarest primate in China, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.
- Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey Protection: An important habitat for the protection of the critically endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.
- Wildlife Observation: Opportunities to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about the conservation of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.
10. Jishou City National Nature Reserve
Protects the endemic Jishou turtle, one of the rarest species in China.
- Jishou Turtle Protection: An important habitat for the protection and study of the critically endangered Jishou turtle.
- Wildlife Observation: Opportunities to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs about the conservation of the Jishou turtle.
11. Tuzigou Scenic Area
Features unique landscape formations and diverse wildlife like the macaque.
- Unique Landscapes: Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, natural arches, and karst landscapes.
- Hiking Trails: Offers multiple hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
- Photography Opportunities: Ideal location for capturing stunning photos of the unique landscapes and wildlife.
12. Yuanlong Cave
Known for its large population of bats and other wildlife.
- Bat Protection: An important habitat for the protection of various bat species.
- Wildlife Observation: Opportunities to observe various wildlife species in their natural habitat.
- Cave Exploration: Allows exploration of large, underground cave systems.
13. Yangjiajie Scenic Area
Features unique landscape formations and diverse wildlife like the macaque.
- Unique Landscapes: Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, natural arches, and karst landscapes.
- Hiking Trails: Offers multiple hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
- Photography Opportunities: Ideal location for capturing stunning photos of the unique landscapes and wildlife.
14. Tianzi Mountain National Forest Park
Known for its towering sandstone pillars and diverse wildlife like the macaque.
- Unique Landscapes: Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, natural arches, and karst landscapes.
- Hiking Trails: Offers multiple hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
- Photography Opportunities: Ideal location for capturing stunning photos of the unique landscapes and wildlife.
15. Tianmen Fox Fairyland
Known for its population of foxes and diverse plant life.
- Fox Protection: An important habitat for the protection of various fox species.
- Plant Life Observation: Opportunities to observe diverse plant life in this protected area.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through lush forests and mountains.