Explore Zhangjiajie, China: Now Discover Sandstone Pillars, Ancient Villages, and Nature’s Wonders with China’s New Visa Waiver Program

Published on July 14, 2025

China’s new visa waiver program is making travel to this immense and diverse country easier than ever, and what a perfect time as any to explore unforeseen natural marvels. While China is no stranger to international metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an, the new visa program facilitates tourists in experiencing the wonderful biological diversity, scenic countryside, and ancient villages of the country in depth. One of the most beautiful locations that needs to be on every traveler’s list is Zhangjiajie, in Hunan Province.
Zhangjiajie is home to one of China’s most beautiful landscapes a destination famous for sandstone pillars reaching high toward the sky, lush canopy, unique vegetation, and clear-running streams. The region is not only a nature lovers’ paradise but was also the inspiration behind the floating mountains in the hit movie Avatar. The serene landscapes of Zhangjiajie, ancient villages, and untouched nature offer a pace of life directly in opposition to the metropolis cities most people are accustomed to thinking about when considering China.

Zhangjiajie: A Natural Wonderland

Zhangjiajie’s unique scenery is characterized by sandstone pillars which shoot upwards vertically from the ground of the forest in a spectacular, otherworldly way. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s pillar mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage site and are now one of mainland China’s most well known natural attractions. Its unusual mountains and valleys have made the region famous as a nature enthusiasts’ destination as well as for photographers seeking to capture such beautiful scenery.
The pillars in Zhangjiajie are formed as a result of erosion, which lasted for millions of years, and accordingly took on the pointed, rugged summits typical for the terrain. The tallest pillar in the park, the Southern Sky Column, is easily over 1,000 feet in height and was said to be the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. The natural spires are very stunning when illuminated in the soft light seen at sunrise or sunset, making them perhaps the most photogenic place in China.

Aside from the alien scenery, Zhangjiajie is also home to a mind-boggling array of flora and fauna. The green forests that surround the pillars are home to bizarre plant life, and the region is marked by great biodiversity, supporting a few endangered species of fauna. As a birdwatcher, Zhangjiajie’s diverse ecosystems are heaven for you, and nature lovers can enjoy serene walks along its numerous hiking trails that weave through the forests and alongside icy-clear streams.

Discovering Ancient Villages Amidst Natural Beauty

Apart from natural sights, Zhangjiajie offers tourists a chance to be treated to the area’s cultural heritage. As you visit the picturesque sceneries, ancient Tujia villages are waiting for you, where life is considerably slower, far removed from the cosmopolitan cities of China. The villages give you a flavor of vintage life for the Tujia people, an aboriginal ethnic community in China.
The Tujia people are well known for their vibrant customs, like their old buildings, songs, and unique handicrafts. Visitors can experience their ancient buildings constructed from wood, commonly on stilts, which are the normal buildings on the inclined streets in their scenic villages. The people are courteous and friendly, always happy to introduce their cultures and offer tourists a taste of their specialties, which are local dishes made from rural local products.

Aside from its attractions related to culture, Zhangjiajie also boasts a number of historic and cultural attractions, like the Yellow Dragon Cave, which is a very big and intricate cave system that is home to spectacular rock structures, underground rivers, and old stalactites. For tourists interested in experiencing the spiritual side of the region, all sorts of temples and shrines are located amidst mountains, which provide serene spots for quiet reflection and meditation.

Zhangjiajie’s Scenic Attractions and Adventure Opportunities

Whilst natural attraction at Zhangjiajie is justification in itself for visiting, the region is also endowed with all manner of adventure activities for the adventurous traveler. Most in demand perhaps is an excursion to the Glass Bridge spanning the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The glass suspended bridge, all glass in construction, provides stunning views down the canyon below and is one of the globe’s longest and tallest glass bridges. Walking on the bridge is an adrenalin-inducing experience, but with stunning views in all directions down the forested mountains and down the canyon’s sheer ravine.

As an alternative for sightseers wanting to experience the area from afar, the Zhangjiajie Cable Car offers a panoramic view down on the sandstone pillars and fir forest below. Riding the cable car is an excellent way to experience the terrain from a strange vantage point, as tourists are treated to an overhead view on the area’s magnificent scenery.

In order to relax on a slower vacation, tourists are able to pass through the Laojun Mountain region on a boat, in which case tourists can gently cruise on clear streams between mountains. The quietThe quiet and peaceful atmosphere provide an uninterrupted medium for tourists to appreciate the scenery without hustle and background noises.

Embrace the Slower Pace of Life in Zhangjiajie

The rollout of the new visa waiver policy in China has made it convenient for tourists to visit Zhangjiajie and the rest of China, which is an avenue to discover the country’s natural wonder and cultural heritage outside the mainstream tourist attractions. The visa waiver is extended for tourists arriving from qualified countries, making visiting locations like Zhangjiajie less strenuous without facing the application for a visa.

Zhangjiajie offers an experience of natural wonder, heritage, and adventure all in one, which is unusual for most sites in the world. Whether trekking through pillar giants, visiting ancient Tujia villages, or venturing through hidden caves and shrines, Zhangjiajie is a place that makes you pause and stay amidst such great beauty and ancient culture.

Plan Your Visit to Zhangjiajie

Recently, with this new visa waiver policy, it is a good time to visit Zhangjiajie, one of the most breath-taking and culturally rich places in China. With its distinctive features that include looming sandstone pillars and dense woods, Zhangjiajie provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. It also home to unique plant-life, attracting nature enthusiasts and photographers. Visitors can be found wandering in ancient Tujia villages where times seems to have stopped, and where people can take part in local traditions and experience the serene side of China. There’s natural drama, and then there’s the magnificent Zhangjiajie a totally unique destination that thankfully most of the tourist hordes visiting China have yet to discover.