Zhangjiajie National Park: Avatar Mountains & Hidden Gems

Don't Visit Zhangjiajie National Park (Our WORST Travel Experience)

Destination:ChinaProvince:HunanCity:Zhangjiajie
Don't Visit Zhangjiajie National Park (Our WORST Travel Experience)
Adam & Yaz2024-12-1324 min

We traveled 5000 miles to Zhangjiajie National Park to see the very place that inspired the Avatar movies... and it wasn't what we expected it to be.Zhangjiajie, in the Hunan province of China has some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the world, but the experience of visiting the park itself left a lot to be desired.Join us as we attempt to navigate this maze, take a ride on the world's tallest outdoor elevator and discover a hidden gem that few tourists coming here know about.

Wulingyuan

Zhangjiajie National Park

Bailong Elevator

The Avatar Mountains

Food at Zhangjiajie National Park

Chaos in Zhangjiajie National Park

Cable Car in Zhangjiajie National Park

Leaving the Park and Thoughts on the Day

Baofeng Lake (Hidden Gem)

Baofeng Waterfall and Walk

Final Thoughts and Outro

--- Adam & Yaz
December 13, 2024, Winter in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Intro
  2. 00:38Wulingyuan
  3. 05:50Zhangjiajie National Park
  4. 08:10Bailong Elevator
  5. 09:51The Avatar Mountains
  6. 12:25Food at Zhangjiajie National Park
  7. 13:13Chaos in Zhangjiajie National Park
  8. 15:17Cable Car in Zhangjiajie National Park
  9. 16:42Leaving the Park and Thoughts on the Day
  10. 17:50Baofeng Lake (Hidden Gem)
  11. 21:32Baofeng Waterfall and Walk
  12. 24:24Final Thoughts and Outro

Adam & Yaz's Zhangjiajie trip: stunning views, but overwhelming crowds and long queues overshadowed the experience. A hidden gem, Baofeng Lake, offered a welcome respite.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Try a unique coffee combination: Americano with orange juice. It's a love-it-or-hate-it experience, but many find it refreshing and delicious. (2:00)
  2. Tip 2In China, you'll find convenient power bank stations throughout tourist areas. While the payment method is primarily via Alipay, the ease and trust it represents is unique. (2:24)
  3. Tip 3In China, your passport often serves as your train and tourist attraction ticket, eliminating the need to carry paper tickets. (5:51)
  4. Tip 4Food and restrooms are readily available throughout Zhangjiajie National Park, making it convenient for visitors. (12:26)
  5. Tip 5Expect high security levels at tourist attractions and transportation hubs in China. While usually efficient, this can sometimes lead to delays. (18:52)
  6. Tip 6Consider visiting Zhangjiajie during the winter for a potentially less crowded and more scenic experience with snow-covered mountains. (24:24)

Adam & Yaz's Zhangjiajie adventure didn't go as planned! While expecting the breathtaking Avatar mountains, they encountered overwhelming crowds and long queues. Their journey, though initially filled with anticipation for the unique landscapes, turned into a chaotic race against time. Despite the challenges, they discovered hidden gems like Baofeng Lake, offering a stark contrast to the crowded park. This unexpected twist highlights the unpredictable nature of travel and the importance of managing expectations.

More about the current video:( 3 / 5 )

Don't Visit Zhangjiajie National Park (Our WORST Travel Experience)

This vlog documents Adam & Yaz's trip to Zhangjiajie National Park in Hunan province, China, a location famous for its stunning Hallelujah mountains, the inspiration for the movie Avatar. Their journey started in the charming town of Wulingyuan, where they received invaluable help from a local receptionist who meticulously planned their itinerary and purchased tickets. Despite the detailed plan, navigating the park proved challenging due to the sheer number of tourists and the complex layout.

The vlog highlights the stark contrast between their expectations and reality. While the landscape's beauty is undeniable, the overwhelming crowds significantly impacted their experience. Long queues for buses, elevators, and attractions became the norm, making it difficult to fully appreciate the scenery. The Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor elevator, offered a thrilling but short-lived escape from the crowds, providing stunning views. However, the sheer volume of people detracted from the awe-inspiring experience.

Despite the initial disappointments, Adam & Yaz discovered a hidden gem: Baofeng Lake. This tranquil location offered a welcome respite from the chaotic national park, showcasing the beauty of Zhangjiajie without the overwhelming crowds. They enjoyed a serene boat ride, unexpected musical performances, and a picturesque waterfall. The contrast between the overcrowded park and the peaceful lake underscores the unpredictable nature of travel and the importance of exploring beyond the well-trodden paths.

The vlog concludes with Adam & Yaz reflecting on their experience. While acknowledging the park's natural beauty, they emphasize the negative impact of overtourism. They suggest that limiting daily ticket sales would significantly improve the visitor experience, allowing tourists to fully appreciate the unique landscapes. Despite the challenges, their journey offered valuable lessons about the unexpected turns travel can take and the importance of flexibility and adapting to unforeseen circumstances. Their experience serves as a reminder that even the most anticipated trips can have unexpected twists, and sometimes, the most memorable moments are found in the unexpected detours.

Zhangjiajie National Park: Avatar Mountains & Hidden Gems

Adam & Yaz's Zhangjiajie trip: stunning landscapes, chaotic crowds, and a hidden lake gem. A memorable, if imperfect, Chinese adventure!

Zhangjiajie National Park: Avatar Mountains & Hidden Gems

Adam and Yaz journeyed 5000 miles to Zhangjiajie National Park in Hunan province, China, expecting an Avatar-like experience. They found the park's beauty undeniable, but the overall experience fell short of expectations. Their adventure included navigating the park's complexities, riding the world's tallest outdoor elevator, and discovering the lesser-known Baofeng Lake. Despite some chaotic moments, they uncovered a hidden gem, leaving with a mixed bag of impressions.

Attractions in this video: Zhangjiajie National Park, Bailong Elevator, Avatar Mountains, Baofeng Lake, Water Curtain Cave, Glass Bridge