2-daagse Zhangjiajie privétour met glazen brug, Avatar Hill en Tianmen Mountain

Visually fabulous….practically…exhausting! Entry via the large square in the town….tickets needed, as usual, passports and security at the gate. Take a walking stick, or even two… (30 Yuan) from a vendor..you will need it. Note.. we are 72, and are slowing down muscularly speaking…so we rented, as a trial, the bionic assist belt ( 200 yuan each) which straps to your waist and legs…to assist walking and climbing steps…am still unsure as to if it helped!..but it was fun, and caused much comment! There is the (usual ) long queue for the shuttle up to the first of many viewing areas. Up. A really windy road by the lake, with scenery to die for….but it gets much better! The first transit area, with the usual stalls and shops has some views and pathways. On every level or area you go to , there are numerous walkways and viewing areas…all with steps and ramps and interconnecting view areas, all crowded and busy. After this, long walk along and shuttle to another mountain, to be honest it all got confusing, walk, climb descend shuttle, and repeat many times, weaving through crowds most of the time, and continually fighting for a balcony front view, of some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. The rock columns are, like the movie, almost anti gravity, and should not exist in this world….amazing…. More shuttles, more long queues, to the elevator…well worth it, but try to get in the lift first, as otherwise you won’t get much of a view except for mobile fones being held up! Again..wow what a view from the top. More shuttle and queues stairs and , did I say, queues?…another shuttle, and DO NOT MISS THE GONDOLA RIDE…this was the highlight for us, gliding down between unbelievable rock columns and vegetation . We were lucky ish and went straight in, …don’t be fooled.. the tunnel inside is 100 m long! (nearly, don’t believe the 30/20/10 min signs for queue time!) The ride is majestic…..unbelievable…..fabulous…. Note.. we had good weather, the guide said I rain and cloud it is really different and about of this world! BUT At the bottom, there must be 200 -300 descending steps to exit…no way out! There are plenty of eating areas, stalls and shops. Overall I was really glad we had a guide, as there are several areas and shuttles over this huge park. Our guide, aware of our mobility and energy restrictions took us only to the highlights, and we were still totally exhausted with walking, steps, ramps, and, did I mention, crowds and queues….but I would not have missed it for the world. The vegetation, sub tropical, the rocks…no words…..little monkeys in some areas..very cute…. We had a fairly quiet day according to our guide, but it was still crowded. Once thru the main entrance security, the other gates use facial recognition ….creepy!… Summation…don’t miss this unique experience but it is hard work. Go early or late..and never on a Chinese holiday, and maybe weekend. Take walking stick/s Be ready for queues and bumpy shuttles! There are hundreds of stairs..up and down..all thru, no escape, be aware. Overalll it really needs some alternative system to move huge numbers of people around more efficiently , as there are a lot of older people in the narrow walkways, even slowing me down!…and, personally speaking,…….. some escalators, please!