Zhangjiajie National Forest Park changes access from 1 October
Published on 10/04/2026 at 03:23 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park announced National Day access changes on 29 September 2026, covering visitors in Zhangjiajie, China, from 1 to 7 October. The park is part of the wider Wulingyuan landscape, where the sandstone pillars rise above forested valleys.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park changes access from 1 October
The park’s notice requires individual visitors and tour groups to make real-name reservations in advance for a time slot and a designated entrance. Visitors without a reservation cannot enter, while cable cars and the Bailong Elevator operate with controls on the direction of travel.
From 1 to 7 October 2026, entry checks start at 6.30am and stop at 5pm. The same period brings live visitor information on LED displays at ticket gates, cable-car and elevator stations, scenic areas and shuttle-bus points. The park has also identified walking routes around Tianzi Pavilion, Yellow Stone Village, Yangjiajie and the route between the Back Garden and Golden Whip Stream.
The notice was issued by Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and published by Hunan Rednet. Its National Day visitor notice also recommends the Yangjiajie entrance in the west and the Tianzi Mountain entrance in the north for some visitors. It says that travellers who cannot secure a reservation should choose another available date or consider other attractions in the region.
The access changes meet a landscape of sandstone pillars
The park lies in Wulingyuan District within Zhangjiajie and forms one component of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area. The official regional tourism site describes the forest park as China’s first national forest park, established in 1982, with areas including Yellow Stone Village, Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie.
UNESCO inscribed Wulingyuan on the World Heritage List in 1992. The listed landscape covers more than 26,000 hectares and contains more than 3,000 narrow quartz-sandstone pillars and peaks, many higher than 200 metres. Ravines, streams, waterfalls, about 40 caves and two large natural bridges occupy the spaces between the formations.
That geography explains why the October arrangements affect more than a single gate. The reservation system covers the park’s entrances, while directional controls also apply to the transport links that connect forested valleys with elevated viewpoints. The park’s named walking diversions offer an alternative to relying on those links during the 1 to 7 October period.
The park’s official tourism profile lists six areas and identifies the site’s location within the larger scenic region. UNESCO’s World Heritage description records the wider geological and ecological setting.
National Day reservations shape routes through the park
The notice connects entry control with route management rather than announcing a general closure. It names displays for live visitor information and recommends that private vehicles and tour groups use the western or northern entrances during the holiday. It also says that residents of Zhangjiajie must follow the normal ticket rules during the same period.
For travellers from Western Europe, the practical difference is that an unplanned arrival at a gate may not provide access. A passport is listed among the identity documents accepted for ticketing, and the reservation must match the selected entrance and time slot. The park also advises visitors to follow staff instructions, avoid climbing barriers and keep away from wild macaques.
Visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- National Day access runs from 1 to 7 October 2026, with entry checks from 6.30am to 5pm.
- Real-name, timed reservations are required for visitors and groups, and visitors without a reservation cannot enter.
- The park is in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie. From Zhangjiajie West railway station, the official notice directs travellers towards Wulingyuan by city sightseeing bus, ride-hailing vehicle or taxi.
- Named walking routes include sections around Yellow Stone Village, Yangjiajie, Tianzi Pavilion and Golden Whip Stream; the terrain includes steep slopes, ravines and mountain paths.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
What changes at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park from 1 October?
From 1 to 7 October 2026, visitors need a real-name reservation for a time slot and entrance. Entry checks run from 6.30am to 5pm.
Where is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and how do you get there?
The park is in Wulingyuan District within Zhangjiajie, China. The official notice lists city buses, taxis and ride-hailing vehicles from Zhangjiajie West railway station to Wulingyuan.
What is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
It is China’s first national forest park and part of the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan landscape. Wulingyuan contains more than 3,000 sandstone pillars and peaks, many higher than 200 metres.
