Zhangjiajie without its misty clouds seems to have lost its soul

Itinerary Planning - Day 1: Arrive in Zhangjiajie city center. Choose to stay in the downtown core or near the Tianmen Mountain Cableway. Enjoy free time in the afternoon, stroll along the pedestrian street, and try local snacks like Sanxiaguo (three-ingredient hotpot) and kudzu root powder. - Day 2: Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Explore Yellow Stone Village, hike to the "Six Wonders Pavilion" for panoramic views of "Five-Finger Peak" and "Natural Great Wall". Enjoy a mountain-style lunch, then head to Yuanjiajie to see "Hallelujah Mountain", "Enchanted Terrace", and "World's First Bridge". Continue to Yangjiajie to explore the primitive plank roads of "Black Dragon Village". - Day 3: Morning walk along Golden Whip Stream, admiring legendary rock formations like "Splitting the Mountain to Rescue Mother" and "Divine Eagle Protecting the Whip". Take the cableway down at the end. In the afternoon, conquer Tianmen Mountain via the alpine cable car, experience the glass walkway, and visit "Heaven's Gate Cave" and "Ghost Valley Plank Road". - Day 4: Morning visit to Tusi Castle to learn about Tujia culture, see stilted buildings, and participate in intangible cultural heritage experiences. Enjoy a Tujia banquet for lunch, then travel to Furong Town to wander its flagstone streets and admire the waterfall running through town. Enjoy spectacular night views in the evening. - Day 5: Visit Phoenix Ancient Town for a boat ride on Tuo River, experiencing the romance of "Border Town". Have lunch in a Miao village featuring sour fish soup and glutinous rice wine. Afternoon visit to a Western Hunan Miao village for cultural experiences before returning in the evening. Food Recommendations - Tujia Sanxiaguo: A hearty stew of cured pork, tofu, and wild vegetables with spicy flavors. - Blood Cake Duck: Duck stewed with glutinous rice blood cakes, rich and fragrant. - Sour Fish Soup: Appetizingly sour and spicy with tender fish. - Kudzu Root Powder: Can be made into desserts or dishes, known for its heat-clearing properties. Accommodation Options - Downtown: Convenient options like Qian Hotel Tianmen Mountain and Wyndham Garden Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain. - Wulingyuan District: Resorts like Tianchong Yunhai Resort Hotel and Manyuan Resort Hotel, close to the national park. Transportation Guide - External: Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is close to downtown, accessible by airport shuttle or taxi. High-speed rail to Zhangjiajie West Station connects to buses/taxis for city and scenic areas. - Internal: Eco-friendly shuttles connect scenic spots. Tourist buses or taxis available from downtown to attractions. Travel Tips - Summer temperatures are high - visit outdoor sites in early morning/evening, avoid midday sun, bring sunscreen, light jackets, and rain gear. - Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for long walks in scenic areas. - Tianmen Mountain Cableway has long queues in peak season - arrive early. - Respect ethnic minority customs - ask permission before taking photos in Miao villages.