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Zhangjiajie is located in northwestern Hunan. It is a popular destination for Chinese tourists, who visit its 3 parks best known for towering pseudo-karst pinnacles of sandstone. In addition to the sandstone there are several areas of limestone. To the south of the city, the limestone peak of Tian Men Shan rises to 1500m elevation. Near its summit there is a 2.5km square plateau ringed with sheer cliffs in which several cave entrances have been seen. To the north of the city near the farming village of Bai Jia Yu Cun there is a large, well decorated river cave and reports of other entrances. In addition, several showcaves have been developed in the county: Jiu Tian Dong and Huang Long Dong.

Expeditions

• Hong Meigui CES : Zhangjiajie 2003 Project, 1 December 2003 - 16 December 2003
• Hong Meigui CES : Zhangjiajie 2004 Project, 17 March 2004 - 10 April 2004
• Hong Meigui CES : CRF-HMG Hunan 2005, 1 March 2005 - 16 March 2005

Speleotourism

Huang Long Dong (Yellow Dragon Cave)

Showcave surveyed by Zhang Hai and designed by the Institute. It features a 4,000 square metre chamber, which while quite large, is definitely not the largest in Asia as reported by the LP.

Zhangjiajie Park

World Heritage site with stunning pillars of sandstone. Not actually karst, but you can't tell that from the photos.

Tian Men Shan (Heavenly Gate Mountain)

Cliff-ringed valley features a 99-curve road up to a 999 step staircase to a huge eyehole through the mountain side. From there a 700 year old path gains a further 300m of elevation to reach a high plateau which was home to a famous temple in the Tang Dynasty. Currently under development by the Tian Men Shan Tourism Company, in 3-5 years the plateau will be accessible by Asia's longest cable way, 7200m+ long, with 800m of elevation gain and amazing views of the sheer cliffs and landscape that drops away 1,200m in only a few kilometers.

Surveys

• Da Dong

Maps

• Hunan maps

Facilities

Accommodation

Reasonably priced accommodation is available in the centre of town.

Currency Exchange

Big Bank of China in the centre of town.

Internet Cafe

Plenty of net bars in Zhangjiajie City. None in Bai Jia Yu Cun or Tian Men Shan.

Transportation

Long Distance