Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hunan, China, that covers a mountainous landscape with thousands of sandstone pillars. The city consists of two urban districts and two rural counties that together encompass forests, river valleys, and limestone formations.

Stone tools and pottery from excavations in Cili County show that people lived in this region at least 100,000 years ago. The administrative boundaries were redrawn several times under the Qing and Ming dynasties before the modern city was established in 1994.

Traditional Tujia, Bai, and Miao kitchens cook with wild mushrooms, smoked meat, and fermented vegetables sold at local markets. Artisans in the villages still weave cloth with centuries-old patterns and craft silver jewelry using inherited techniques.

Hehua Airport sits about 3 miles (5 kilometers) south of the city center and offers connections to major Chinese cities and some international destinations. High-speed trains run regularly from Zhangjiajie West Railway Station to other provinces, with the journey to Changsha taking around two hours.

A glass bridge in the Grand Canyon spans 430 meters and hangs 300 meters above the valley floor, making it the world's highest pedestrian crossing. The bridge sways slightly when crossed, giving many visitors an uneasy feeling even though it is designed to hold thousands of people.