Golden Week May Day - A Happy Foodie's Travelogue to Zhangjiajie and Changsha

Zhangjiajie is on my must-visit list, along with Jiuzhaigou. I've been talking about it for nearly 5 years, and finally made my dream come true.

It happened to coincide with the re-release of Avatar, so I watched the movie first to revisit this century classic.

Also, Changsha is so close, it would be a shame not to go and play (eat), right?

The attractions and accommodations recorded in this travelogue are all my personal experiences. The reviews are solely my own opinions.

The photos were taken with effort, please do not use them without permission. Please credit the source if reposting.

2021.4.29 ~ 2021.5.5

This was my first formal trip since the pandemic, and I really brought a ton of masks. I wouldn't have prepared them before. It's quite emotional. I hope that by the time I write my next travelogue, the pandemic will be over.

Sunscreen + Sunglasses: This time, sunscreen and sun-protective clothing were lifesavers. The sun in the mountains is intense and easy to get sunburned.

Digestive tablets: Special mention. They paired perfectly with Changsha.

Earplugs: Essential for those sensitive to noise.

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Day 1: Shanghai > Zhangjiajie, Spring Airlines 9C8983, 20:10~22:35

Evening flight. Since it was close to May Day, airfares were skyrocketing. There weren't many options when buying tickets. My previous experience with Spring Airlines was not great, so I boarded with prejudice.

Emm... except for having to buy luggage allowance separately, the plane seemed a bit better? I used offline payment to buy a bottle of water. Looked at the in-flight meals, the prices were reasonable, and the seats were a bit more spacious. I temporarily decided to drop my prejudice. After all, the ticket price was quite attractive.

Complaint: Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport... its parking lot. So chaotic..

By the time I exited the airport hall, it was past 11 PM. There were illegal taxi drivers calling out to you at the entrance. (I don't know if they were really illegal). Mainly because I had read too many posts about taxi drivers overcharging, I was scared. I didn't dare to take one. Didi calls got canceled. There were airport shuttles, but they didn't go near our hotel. After some trouble, I finally got a kind driver to accept my ride by increasing the fare on Didi.

Accommodation: Ji Hotel (Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Branch)

It was too late. Let me insert a news item about eating duck necks and duck tongues at the hotel.

Quickly went to sleep. Off to Wulingyuan the next day!

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Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

The park ticket is valid for 4 days. I debated for a long time whether to go to Tianmen Mountain or Wulingyuan on the first day. But I thought I would have the most energy on the first day, and since it was still a weekday, there would be fewer people. I most wanted to see the filming location of Avatar.

Since our hotel was near the train station and we were staying there for 3 days, it didn't matter if the forest park itinerary was consecutive. So I put the must-sees first. It turned out that by the third day, the scenery looked similar.

Transportation: Near the bus station, there are direct minibuses to Wulingyuan Scenic Area (very shabby). They come every 10+ minutes. The driver drives like he's taking off. It takes about 40+ minutes to reach the main entrance of Wulingyuan. Ticket price: 12 yuan/one way. Apart from being a bit shabby, no complaints ~ Pfft.

After getting off, you need to walk a bit to reach the scenic area entrance.

Tickets: Buy the main ticket in advance, preferably the one that allows entry from all 5 entrances. Valid for 4 days, swipe ID card for entry. Don't trust people on the street offering cheap combo tickets.

Cable cars: Cable cars inside are extra charge. Everyone's itinerary is different, you can buy tickets on Ctrip half an hour in advance after entering. It's also convenient for last-minute changes.

Bailong Elevator: You can buy a one-way ticket to experience it. The moment you emerge from the ground is indeed stunning. (Whisper: It feels like half of it is underground T T)

▽ Wulingyuan Main Entrance

Can you feel the blazing sun...

This is the entrance on the eve of the holiday. When we came back on May 2nd, this entrance was packed solid...

After entering, head straight to the Bailong Elevator~

It's quite high~

After riding it... Happy~ Snap!~ Gone?

Well, pretty much. It mainly saved a lot of time. Just a one-way experience is enough.

After exiting the Bailong Elevator, there are nice viewing platforms. You can take photos~ But this scorching sun... it's not what I imagined with misty clouds.. The photos also look dry. Sigh...

If it were drizzling, I wonder how beautiful it would be~

Follow the signs to Yuanjiajie, heading to the filming location of Avatar's Floating Hallelujah Mountains: the Southern Sky Column.

On the way, encountered many monkeys (monkey groups). They are not afraid of people. If you have food in your hand, they will follow you.

I'm timid, I don't dare to hold food in my hands.

Little monkeys asking for hugs are very cute~

Little monkeys are smart: they peel fruits, open snack wrappers, and even fight in groups for food.

But there are also these laid-back monkeys sunbathing in a zen style~

This is the filming location for the Floating Mountains. When it's misty, it looks like floating islands in the sky.

Emm... Where are my clouds? Where is my mist? I screamed in my heart and imagined the Avatar wonderland~

Although dry, it still can't stop its beauty~

Following the route, you'll reach the First Bridge Under Heaven. (Today seems to be full of various 'firsts')

▽ First Bridge Under Heaven

The picture is obscured by trees. It's two mountain peaks, with a natural stone bridge in between. Walking on it feels spacious, but from the side it looks cool. (No, actually it's just so-so.)

The red things are various love locks, rusty. The earliest seems to be from 2012. After this peak, you need to take a cable car down the mountain~

Yellow Stone Village seems to be out of time. After descending, take a walk along Golden Whip Stream if it's on the way~

Golden Whip Stream is highly recommended if you have time. Mainly because it's not too sunny, and the air is great.

Of course, there are also many little monkeys~

After a day in the sun, arriving at Golden Whip Stream's oxygen bar really saved us~

Still many monkeys~ They will stare at you if they see you have food.

But if you open your hand to show them nothing, they will walk away disappointedly~

Time was limited, and our energy was drained. The only thing supporting us both was the first authentic Hunan meal of the day!

Oh... The exit was not Wulingyuan, but the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket Station.

▽ Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Ticket Station Main Entrance

From here, it's not convenient to return to Zhangjiajie Bus Station. Still the same shabby minibus, first to Wulingyuan Bus Station, then transfer to the city's bus station.

Exhausted.jpg + don't want to talk.jpg + want to shower.jpg + starving.jpg

---------Hungry----------

After some hassle, we finally arrived at the exciting meal time! Who would have thought it suddenly became 8 PM??

▽ Heyuan Garden Private Kitchen

I cried... It was so delicious. Two people ate 4 dishes. No misses. The stir-fried pork and iron plate cabbage were so tasty!

Such good food deserves good wine, right?

Boss~ Give me two cups of your peach blossom brew.

Boyfriend: This is 35% baijiu... Are you sure?

Me: Sorry... never mind... Please give me a cup of 3% glutinous rice wine.

After eating, it was already 11 PM... Need to get up early tomorrow to conquer Tianmen Mountain.

PS: Along the way into the mountain, there are plenty of food stalls, not very expensive. Why do all the guides say to bring enough food? I was fooled.. There's no need to bring anything. If you insist on bringing something, bring a self-heating hotpot! yyds! It will definitely make you the coolest person on the road!

(Anyway, I don't have to carry it ~ Ho ho ho~~~~)

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Day 3: Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park

Tickets: Buy Route A in advance. It's really perfect! The big cable car goes up from the city, passing over residential areas directly to the summit.

Tickets require choosing a time slot. It's better to choose an earlier time. The cable car queue is long too, since the holiday has started.

Friendly reminder: After buying tickets online, you still need to exchange for paper tickets at the scene. Then you can enter during the time slot.

Not friendly for people with acrophobia. For Route A, just riding the cable car feels like it's worth the ticket price.

For those without acrophobia, it's a perfect experience. Every time you think you've reached the top, it's just passing by~

One peak after another, getting higher and higher. The last section, facing the rock wall, gives you the illusion of becoming an immortal~

Look at the city in the distance~ That's where we started and rode the cable car all the way up. So cool!

After reaching the summit, calm your nervous heart and put it back in your stomach~ Then experience the beauty of Tianmen Mountain~

No surprise! Another scorching day!

Whenever I see such grand mountain scenery, I marvel at the smallness of humanity. Look down the mountain... Forget it, my legs are weak |||

Today's route: West Line - East Line, heading straight to the West Line Glass Walkway~

PS: The glass walkway requires an additional 5 yuan for shoe covers, which can be paid via WeChat scan on site~

Glass walkway.. With lots of people, you can't feel the terror at all. Along the way, a tour group from Northeast China was laughing and chatting, with heavy Dongbei accents. Everyone felt like a stand-up comedian. I tried to look down at the abyss below, but there were so many feet!!!

Alright, just experience the vibe~

To avoid the crowd on the glass walkway, it's not impossible if you can avoid tour groups! (During May Day, don't even think about it...)

After experiencing the 'thrills' of the glass walkway, we parted ways with the tour groups and walked along the Guigu Plank Road, stopping occasionally. The breeze in the shade was very nice. But someone was always hungry? (Someone: Want a Snickers? Want a plum? Want a watermelon? Blah blah..)

I regret not studying harder in school. When seeing beautiful scenery, I can only say Wow~~~ Wow~~~

Viewed horizontally as a range, vertically as a peak

Did someone cut this with a big knife? So neat

Look back at the plank road we walked. Nature's craftsmanship is indeed stunning, but humans are also wise~ How was this built..

If Zhangjiajie has graceful peaks, then Tianmen Mountain is handsome~ A cool guy~

Continue along the path, and you'll reach the suspension bridge~

In the middle, the swaying is quite noticeable. Many aunties were posing for photos with standard poses~ (Imagine for yourself~)

After crossing the suspension bridge, there is another peak accessible by an open-air cable car. Since we're here, why not?

PS: Under the scorching sun, riding the cable car with a chilled cucumber is absolutely amazing! The cucumber must have its moment!

The summit view is nice, but the weather was hazy, not clear~ Quickly take the cable car back down~

After a long day, we still hadn't seen Tianmen Mountain's iconic Tianmen Cave. Hurry and head to the East Line~

PS: The East Line also has a glass walkway, but it's very short. Not recommended. (We went, avoid this pitfall)

Here's a picture of the Xuanwu divine beast! (It looks like whatever you think it looks like~ I'm just making it up anyway)

Past noon, the little pig next to me has asked me countless times if we should eat the self-heating hotpot. Haha

So fragrant, highly recommend the self-heating hotpot. We were so excited that we forgot to take photos when we opened it.

Devoured the hotpot, then chilled in a pavilion for a while~

Follow the path, pass through the mountain-penetrating escalator, and reach Tianmen Cave.

This mountain-penetrating escalator is also awesome————

First step on the escalator: That's it??? Saw another long stretch: Oh... there's more. After several escalator segments: Is there no end?? How many escalators are there???

After descending: The escalator is indeed awesome———— (bleep--)

The escalator, you deserve it!

▽ Tianmen Mountain's 999 steps (Just look, don't climb!)

Makes me dizzy.. Don't be tempted, very steep. Lazy people choose the separate escalator to descend.

Yep, still an escalator. I've lost track of how many escalators I've taken.

Let's just look at Tianmen Cave~ ▽ Tianmen Cave

Today was a day of cable cars and escalators. Haha

Perfect timing~ Go eat the Sanxia Guo we spotted yesterday~

▽ Today's Dinner

Sanxia Guo is a local specialty here. But this place was too spicy; neither of us could eat much. Instead, the stir-fried cured pork was very fragrant~ I won't mention the restaurant name, it was okay.

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Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Today, another sunny day!

Familiar route, arrived at Wulingyuan Main Entrance.. Felt the May Day holiday crowds..

Then silently swore, never want to travel during holidays again..

Today's itinerary is a bit tight~ We need to head to Changsha in the evening. So I plan to ride the Ten Mile Gallery train and visit Tianzi Mountain, which I've always wanted to see. Yellow Stone Village will have to wait for next time~

The Ten Mile Gallery train is separately ticketed, 38 yuan one way.

Friendly reminder: Recommended to take the train on the way in and walk back on foot.

When we walked back, we realized this path has a slope. The way in is uphill, so the train is a good choice.

Along the way, there are many interesting peaks, and the train provides commentary. So on the walk back, you can admire them in detail~

The "Xiangwang Observing a Book" is my favorite peak~ I took photos of it multiple times~ The more I looked, the more it resembled it

You get the idea~

At the end of Ten Mile Gallery is Monkey Mountain, but after two days of monkeys, we didn't want to see caged monkeys anymore. (I even wanted to set them free..)

You can also hike from here to Tianzi Mountain, but we stuck to the plan and took the cable car to Tianzi Mountain~

I'm coming, cable car!

▽ Tianzi Mountain Cable Car View: Absolutely stunning!

Tianzi Mountain tickets are purchased separately. Highly recommended. It feels like traveling through a painting~

A Chao kept pointing out cute little flowers on the mountains to me. I carefully observed each peak, wondering if there was an Earth God living there~ Laugh

After getting off the cable car at Tianzi Mountain, walk a bit to He Long Park and Imperial Writing Brush Peak

We're not here to visit a park! Sorry, Comrade He Long!

We eavesdropped on many tour guides' explanations. According to them, these peaks were formed from the imperial writing brushes discarded by King Xiang when he was defeated.

Then we heard love stories from the guides. Why does every scenic spot have love stories?

This one really looks like a long-haired girl~ Quite cute~

Looking forward, looking forward, it still didn't rain... And still no Earth God found on the distant peaks...

In the distance, we could see the cable car we came from~

Time to head down the mountain~ Then it's time to start Changsha's eating mode!

Before leaving, replenish energy~

Depart for Changsha~

About 3 hours by high-speed train from Zhangjiajie to Changsha. Chose a serviced apartment near Wuyi Square.

Won't mention the name, it was so bad that our mood dropped to -100...

The little one in the family was visibly sulking, about to become a time bomb (laugh). Almost blacklisted Changsha.

Decided to find another hotel quickly and move the next day.

Friendly reminder: Do not choose serviced apartments! Do not choose serviced apartments! Do not choose serviced apartments!

They are rented out by landlords to intermediaries. Photos become deceptive. They won't refund even if you don't stay. Coincidentally, there was a garbage recycling station downstairs, felt like living in a trash heap.. Later I thought of using it as a transit point, but found it was only fit to be a toilet..

End of interlude. Cheered up and moved to Home Inns Plus the next day.

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Day 5: Strolling and Eating at Taiping Old Street

Found a random shop nearby for breakfast~ (It was almost noon by then..)

No misses, all delicious, all delicious, all delicious!

How could a trip to Changsha be without Tea·Yan·Yue·Se!

▽ My first cup of Tea Yan Yue Se~

Very popular. There are many shops on the street, but each one has a queue. And it happened to be May Day holiday. At least 30 minutes wait~

But it's delicious! Delicious! Delicious!

And these two cups cost only 31 yuan! Less of the usual milk tea's cloying sweetness, more refreshing~

Importantly, the service attitude is also great! Someone was standing in line and got 3 samples! Geez! (Whisper: I'm still not queuing)

The receipt printed many words~ Explaining why they don't franchise, why they don't do delivery, and because they just won a lawsuit, they gave customers coupons and such. Lovely~

A great day started with Tea Yan Yue Se~~

After changing hotels, our mood turned from cloudy to sunny~ When we got the room card, there was a snack bag attached~

Opened it, and there was even a tea bag from Tea Yan Yue Se~ So thoughtful~

Both of us sighed deeply, Ah—alive again~ Haha. Charge! Orange Island Head!

Emm... Drums and gongs, a sea of people, finally managed to squeeze to the place...

Oh, no reservation, not allowed in. Not happening... Haha

No worries! Plan B! Sightseeing car! Charge!

Oh, too many people, it started raining... Not happening... Haha

No worries! Plan C! Taiping Old Street! Charge!

Wait! Let's get some hot marinated food!

Okay, continue charging!

First, some skewers!

They were gone after a couple of bites, unsatisfying, continue charging!

The legendary "Black Classic" stinky tofu was ahead. (I was reluctant in my heart... but someone's gaze was determined..)

Sigh... I knew I couldn't escape this ordeal..

▽ Black Classic Stinky Tofu

I ate my second bite of stinky tofu in my life... Oh my god... Give me water!!! Water!!!

Changsha is a paradise for stinky tofu lovers... But it's too unfriendly for me (cry)

Finally, Tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) saved me. I insisted on pronouncing it in the third tone when it's actually first tone. But it's really delicious!

▽ Black Classic's Tangyuan

With a faint osmanthus fragrance~ I didn't count how many I ate, but I got some dirty looks from someone. Hmph, I don't care, the Tangyuan started it!

Tangyuan, delicious! Recommended!

Taiping Old Street was truly shoulder-to-shoulder. Snack streets are all similar, but in this atmosphere, you feel guilty if you don't eat. Continued moving with the crowd~

Arrived at Changsha Stinky Tofu Museum~

▽ Changsha Stinky Tofu Museum

Inevitably, A Chao continued eating stinky tofu, while I reached out for Tangyuan again~

Ah, I tried this stinky tofu. No smell, it's just fried tofu. Still very tasty.

The Black Classic just now was stinky to the point of distortion.. No.. I don't want to recall..

Feel the crowd in the old street~

There was this annoying stall selling whole coconuts. The staff didn't control people cutting in line, making me wait in vain! Won't eat, let's have some ice jelly to cool down.

Then get an authentic fried large sausage!

At this point, I was so full I could barely walk... But I had to save a spot for Tea Yan Yue Se!

Wait, wasn't the plan to go to Wenheyou? Wenheyou?? Not happening, the queue number was over 20,000 ahead... Apparently if you scan the code to get a slot at 10 AM, you'd be able to enter at 8 PM.. Both of us were dumbfounded... So none of today's plans worked out. Before even reaching the trendy restaurant, our stomachs were full...

Then we turned around and saw crayfish!

Hmph, even if we can't get in, we still want to eat the same crayfish! (Aren't we already full? ;;;)

It turns out the human stomach has infinite potential~~

Enough said, time for digestive tablets... See you tomorrow~

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Day 6: Hunan Provincial Museum + Continue eating

Today we have a proper activity! Hunan Provincial Museum!

Before that~ Experience a day in the life of a Hunan person, starting with a bowl of rice noodles~

Skipping all photos of the museum visit here (ashamed.jpg)

Don't ask, didn't take photos... I really went, but really didn't take photos...

When I checked my phone album later, I only found photos of food from Changsha... Nothing else.. (ashamed*2)

Recommendation: Hunan Provincial Museum

Need to make a reservation in advance via WeChat mini-program. Very popular during May Day, we only succeeded after trying late at night.

The highlight is the Mawangdui female corpse.. Layer after layer of coffins down to the corpse itself.. We both watched with great interest, immediately planning to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Sanxingdui.

After seeing the corpse, we felt hungry. (Isn't that weird???)

Anyway, we were hungry..

Passed by Tea Yan Yue Se again, can't miss it!

Don't ask, ask we want to collect all flavors!

Ah, hot and tired, went back to the hotel to rest, then venture out at night (strikethrough) go out!

At night, Wuyi Square was similar to Shanghai's Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street.

Crowds of people...

The light advertisements on the whole building were quite cool~

There was also the trendy Instagram spot, the rooftop of IFS. This pink zebra crossing was really playful. Crossing the street was no less than Shibuya.

The food was similar to Taiping Old Street. We continued with skewers, stinky tofu, and Tangyuan full set.

Finally, inevitably ended with milk tea~

When I got the milk tea, it was already past midnight.. Later we calculated. We drank 10 cups in 2 days...

No regrets on this Changsha trip haha

Dragging our tired bodies, stumbling back to the hotel..

The Changsha trip was very interesting. It seemed like all the trendy spots eluded us~ Haha. Didn't go to Orange Island Head, didn't go to Wenheyou, didn't go to the IFS rooftop, what about Xie Zilong Art Museum? Didn't go (laugh). Finally managed to visit the museum, but no photos. (Haha)

But we gained a belly full of milk tea, stinky tofu, Tangyuan, rice noodles, hot marinated food, little meat skewers (yep, it's definitely grown on our waistline)

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Day 7: Changsha > Shanghai, Head back home

Ah... I need to go pick up my cat!

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Extremely happy trip~ And my super reliable little prince~