Zhangjiajie or Guilin: Which Should You Visit?

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Two kinds of scenery —at opposite ends

Picture this. You're planning a nature trip to China, you start reading around, and two names keep coming up side by side — Zhangjiajie in Hunan province, land of thousands of towering vertical sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar, with Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, one of the world's tallest glass bridges, cable cars, and the Bailong Elevator that carries you up a cliff face; and Guilin in Guangxi province, the city of the Li River cruise past soft, ink-painting karst, the Yangshuo countryside where you cycle through rice fields, and the Longji rice terraces. The classic question follows: for this trip, which should you choose?

Here's the honest headline first — these two are not close enough to comfortably do both in one trip. Unlike the Guilin-to-Yangshuo pair an hour and a half apart, Zhangjiajie and Guilin are in different provinces, about 900 km apart, linked by one direct high-speed train a day that takes about 7 hours, or by a connecting flight (there are no direct flights between the two cities). So most people visit just one per trip and come back for the other another time. This guide is here to help you choose right the first time.

We'll lay out clearly what each place does differently — the scenery, the vibe, the effort, the activities, the food, the climate, the cost and who each one suits — then help you decide which to do first if you can only pick one, and, if you really do have about 8-10 days, how to plan a trip that catches both. The short version up front: if you love excitement and the Avatar look, pick Zhangjiajie; if you love calm, a cruise and easy photography, pick Guilin — but it's the detail behind that which makes you sure.

Quick verdict

The short answer before the detail

If you had to choose right now

You want to see the Avatar mountains, ride the cable cars, walk glass cliff-side walkways, love excitement, and you're fit enough for stairs Go to Zhangjiajie — vertical pillars straight out of the film, Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, the glass bridge, the Bailong Elevator, sea-of-clouds after rain, a view like nowhere else, traded against a lot of walking and cooler air.

You want to cruise and take in the views easily, photograph soft karst, cycle through rice fields, and you like calm with no climbing Go to Guilin — the Li River cruise, the Yangshuo countryside, the Longji rice terraces, painting-like scenery, warmer and easy almost year-round, ideal for slow travellers and families.

Zhangjiajie · 张家界

The vertical Avatar mountains —cable cars, Heaven's Gate and the glass bridge

Zhangjiajie has something Guilin doesn't — vertical sandstone pillars on an epic scale. More than 3,000 quartzite-sandstone columns shoot straight up out of the subtropical forest, wrapped in cloud until they look like a different planet. This is the scenery that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar, and a view you'll barely find in Guilin or anywhere else in China. If you're chasing the kind of wow that drops your jaw, Zhangjiajie delivers it.

The highlights start with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan), with its cloud-wreathed pillars, reached by the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor glass lift, plus ridge trails like Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. Across town is Tianmen Mountain, where Heaven's Gate is a giant natural arch in the cliff, reached by one of the world's longest cable cars, the 99-bend road, and 999 steps. And the most thrilling of all is the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a clear-glass span so high and long it'll make your legs shake.

And, to be straight with you — Zhangjiajie is sightseeing up in the mountains, at altitude. There are two zones: Wulingyuan as the base for the Forest Park (about 2 days), and Zhangjiajie city, which has the Tianmen cable car base, the DYG airport and the train stations (1 day). Most people split-stay across both to cover it all. See how to choose your area in the where-to-stay guide, and check your options at the top 10 Zhangjiajie hotels.

Pros · good to know

Vertical Avatar-style pillars — a view like nowhere else on Earth

Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, a long cable car, the 99-bend road — pure thrill

The glass bridge + glass cliff-side walkways — adventure-lovers' dream

The Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor glass lift — easy views

Sea-of-clouds after rain — a heaven-on-the-mountain atmosphere

Cooler mountain air — a good escape from the heat

Lots of stairs and up-and-down mountain walking — you need stamina

Activity fees (cable cars, lifts, glass bridge) are paid separately, adding up

On some days the mist is too thick and blocks the views — check the forecast

Sights are spread out, with travel time between them — a two-zone base

Don't-miss highlights · Zhangjiajie

3 things Zhangjiajie does best

🏔️

The Avatar pillars in the National Forest Park

Wulingyuan · Bailong Elevator · 3,000+ pillars

This is Zhangjiajie's signature image — thousands of vertical sandstone pillars shooting up out of the forest, emerging through a sea of cloud like the scene in Avatar. Ride the Bailong Elevator or a cable car up, then walk the viewpoints along the top. It's a vertical view you simply can't find elsewhere.

Read the National Forest Park guide →

🚪

Heaven's Gate at Tianmen Mountain

Long cable car · the 99-bend road · 999 steps

Tianmen Mountain has a giant natural arch in the cliff face called Heaven's Gate. Ride up on one of the world's longest cable cars, wind up the 99-bend road, then climb the 999 steps to the arch. It's the spot that tells you you've really arrived in Zhangjiajie.

Read the Tianmen Mountain guide →

🌉

The Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

Clear glass over the cliff · very high and long · legs shaking

A glass bridge spanning the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, with a clear floor you can see straight through to the deep gorge below. Walking it genuinely sets your legs trembling. It's the most thrilling adventure highlight around — and exactly what Guilin's soft views can't give you.

Read the glass bridge guide →

Zhangjiajie travel guide → Zhangjiajie attractions Zhangjiajie 3-day itinerary Zhangjiajie hotels

Guilin · 桂林

The serene cruise scenery —the Li River, Yangshuo and rice terraces

Guilin has something Zhangjiajie doesn't — soft beauty you can enjoy easily without climbing. This is the city of rounded karst peaks lined along the river, mirrored in clear water like a Chinese ink painting. The highlight isn't a climb but a relaxed cruise from a comfortable seat with panoramic windows. It's nature that's calm and accessible for every age.

The highlights that make Guilin special are the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, about 4-5 hours past rows of karst peaks like the one on the ¥20 note, and, once you reach Yangshuo, the Yulong River bamboo raft and cycling through the rice fields in the quiet countryside, with lively West Street after dark. For terraced scenery, you can detour to the Longji rice terraces, rippling down the hillsides. See everything in the Guilin attractions guide.

The honest caveat is that Guilin doesn't have Zhangjiajie's thrill — no vertical pillars, no glass bridge, no heart-pounding cable cars. If you're chasing an adrenaline kind of wow, Guilin can feel a bit gentle. But its strength is beauty that's easy to reach and light on the legs, ideal for families, older travellers and anyone who wants pretty views without a workout — plus it's warmer and pleasant to visit almost year-round, even in winter.

The Li River cruise at Guilin, with rounded karst peaks lined up and mirrored in the clear water like a Chinese ink painting — Guilin's serene signature view

Pros · good to know

The Li River cruise, taking in the views from your seat — no hard walking

Soft, ink-painting karst peaks — photogenic from every angle

The Yangshuo countryside, Yulong raft, cycling the rice fields — relaxing

The Longji rice terraces — rippling terraces, beautiful in every season

Warmer weather, easy to visit almost year-round, even in winter

Ideal for families, older travellers and slow travel — light on the legs

None of the thrill of vertical pillars or glass bridges — gentler, calmer scenery

The cruise looks best on clear days; on rain/overcast days the views are flat

Highlights are spread out (Yangshuo, the rice terraces); you'll transfer onward

Yangshuo's West Street at night is lively and quite touristy

Don't-miss highlights · Guilin

3 things Guilin does best

🚢

The Li River cruise

Guilin → Yangshuo · about 4-5 hr · sit back and relax

Guilin's number-one highlight. Sit on a boat and float down the Li River past rows of karst peaks like the scene on the ¥20 note, for about 4-5 hours of easy sightseeing with no climbing. It's beauty that's accessible to every age.

Read the Li River cruise guide →

🚲

The Yangshuo countryside: rafting + cycling

Yulong raft · easy bike rental · rice fields + mountains

In Yangshuo, take a bamboo raft down the smaller, clear Yulong River with mountains mirrored on the surface, then rent a bicycle or e-bike and ride through the countryside rice fields. It's a slow, relaxed way to soak up nature that Zhangjiajie can't offer.

See Guilin attractions →

🌾

The Longji rice terraces

Rippling terraced fields · beautiful in every season · about 2 hr from the city

The Longji rice terraces ripple down the hillsides in layers, changing colour with the seasons — green in the rains, gold at harvest. It's calm, beautiful farmland scenery you can visit as a day trip from Guilin, and another face of the Guilin view that's all its own.

Plan your Guilin trip →

Guilin travel guide → Guilin attractions Li River cruise Guilin food

Compare

Every angle in one table

Dimension	Zhangjiajie 张家界	Guilin 桂林
Scenery type	Vertical sandstone pillars, dramatic, cloud-wrapped	Horizontal rounded karst, mirrored in water, ink-painting style
Vibe	Adventure, thrill, excitement — up in the mountains	Calm, relaxed, slow — easy by the river and rice fields
Effort	Lots of stairs and up-and-down climbing — needs stamina	Cruise, cycle, easy strolls — light on the legs
Signature activities	Cable cars, the Bailong Elevator, Heaven's Gate, the glass bridge	Li River cruise, Yulong raft, cycling, rice terraces
Food	Bold, fiery Hunan/Tujia — sanxiaguo, smoked meat	Milder Guangxi — Guilin rice noodles, beer fish
Climate	Cooler in the mountains; winter snow, some routes close	Warmer; easy to visit almost year-round, even in winter
Getting to the city	DYG airport (often a connection via Changsha) + high-speed rail	KWL airport with direct Bangkok flights + high-speed rail
Cost	Higher — park tickets/activities paid as separate items	Better value — the cruise bundles the main event in one ticket
Best for	Adventure-lovers, Avatar fans, fit travellers, thrill	Slow travellers, photographers, families, older travellers, ease
Doing both	Different provinces, about 900 km apart · one direct HSR a day ~7 hr (~¥342-550) · or a connecting flight ~5 hr+ · plan for 8-10 days

If you want both

Different provinces — further than you'd think

Zhangjiajie (Hunan) and Guilin (Guangxi) are about 900 km apart — not the easy hop that Guilin and Yangshuo are. To catch both, budget the time and money for the transfer between the two cities.

High-speed train (one a day, ~7 hours): there's one direct high-speed train a day from Zhangjiajie to Guilin (a morning departure), taking about 7 hours for around ¥342-550 (about ฿1,710-2,750), bookable ahead on Trip.com or 12306. It's about 900 km with several stops along the way — the most direct option, but it takes most of the day, so treat it as a travel day.

Connecting flight (faster, but no direct service): there are no direct flights between DYG (Zhangjiajie) and KWL (Guilin), so you'll connect, usually via Changsha (CSX), for about 5 hours or more all in once you count the layover and check-in. Some travellers prefer to fly in and out of each city separately via Changsha rather than connect the two directly. Check schedules before you plan.

Visit just one per trip (what most people do): because of the distance and travel time, most travellers do Zhangjiajie or Guilin per trip (about 4-6 days each), then come back for the other another time. That way you see each one properly without rushing, and you don't lose a day to a long train. If you can only pick once, use this guide to decide which fits your style better.

If you have 8-10 days and want both: catching both in one trip works if you have the time. The smoothest plan is Zhangjiajie first for 4 days (the Forest Park + Tianmen), then a morning high-speed train to Guilin (budget the whole day), followed by Guilin and Yangshuo for another 3-4 days (the cruise + countryside). Starting with the mountain adventure and ending with the easy cruise lands at just the right rhythm.

The food, head to head

Fiery Hunan —versus Guilin rice noodles

The two cities are in different provinces and the flavours are clearly different. Zhangjiajie leads on bold, fiery Hunan-Tujia food; Guilin leads on rice noodles and milder, easier-to-eat dishes.

Zhangjiajie (fiery Hunan/Tujia) — it's in Hunan province and Tujia country, with bold, fiery food heavy on chilli and smoking. The signatures are Tujia cooking like smoked meat and sanxiaguo (a three-layer hotpot served over a flame), plus seriously spicy Hunan dishes. See the standout plates in the Zhangjiajie food guide.

Guilin (rice noodles + milder flavours) — it's in Guangxi, milder and easier for many palates. The signature is Guilin rice noodles (米粉), soft noodles in fragrant oil topped with crunchy peanuts and crispy pork, eaten for breakfast all over town, and out in Yangshuo there's bold beer fish with rice. It's a rounder, riverside-countryside flavour, gentler than Hunan.

In short: if you love bold, fiery heat the proper Hunan way, Zhangjiajie hits the spot — sanxiaguo and Tujia smoked meat are flavours you won't find in Guilin. If you prefer milder, rounded, easy-to-eat dishes, Guilin is easier, especially those original rice noodles you can have at any meal. The food is one more sign that these two cities are genuinely at opposite ends.

Do both

The "see both cities" plan · 8-10 days

With the time to spare, you can catch both in one trip. The smooth route is Zhangjiajie's adventure first for 4 days, then a high-speed train to Guilin to finish with the easy cruise for 3-4 days — start with the thrill, end with calm.

Day 1-2

Zhangjiajie · the Forest Park

Avatar pillars + Bailong Elevator — stay in Wulingyuan

Fly into Zhangjiajie (usually a connection via Changsha) and stay in Wulingyuan near the park gate. Spend two full days in the National Forest Park: ride the Bailong Elevator, see the Avatar pillars, and walk the Yuanjiajie viewpoints, Tianzi Mountain and the Golden Whip Stream. See how to pick a base in the where-to-stay guide.

Day 3-4

Zhangjiajie · Tianmen + glass bridge

Heaven's Gate + Grand Canyon — move into the city

Move into Zhangjiajie city and ride up Tianmen Mountain by cable car for Heaven's Gate, the 99-bend road and the glass cliff-side walkways; the next day, do the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. See more in Zhangjiajie attractions and the detailed plan in the Zhangjiajie 3-day itinerary. Have fiery Hunan sanxiaguo tonight before you switch cities.

Day 5

Zhangjiajie → Guilin · travel day

High-speed train ~7 hr — budget the whole day

Take the direct morning high-speed train from Zhangjiajie to Guilin, about 7 hours (one a day, an early departure — book ahead). You'll reach Guilin in the late afternoon; check into a city hotel, rest up, and have your first Guilin rice noodles. It's a gear-change day, from mountain adventure to a more relaxed riverside city.

Day 6-8

Guilin + Yangshuo · easy cruise

Li River cruise + the Yangshuo countryside

Take in Guilin's highlights at an easy pace: the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, about 4-5 hours. In Yangshuo, raft the Yulong, cycle the rice fields, and walk West Street at night; with extra time, add the Longji rice terraces. See everything in Guilin attractions. Close the trip with soft, painting-like scenery, then fly home from KWL.

Short on time?

Alternative · just one city

Pick one per trip, about 4-6 days

If you have fewer than 8 days, or you'd rather not lose a day to the long train, do one city per trip and do it properly — Zhangjiajie for 4-5 days (the park + Tianmen + the glass bridge), or Guilin for 4-6 days (the city + cruise + Yangshuo + rice terraces) — then come back for the other another time. Use the verdict below to decide which fits your style better.

Zhangjiajie 3-day plan → Zhangjiajie attractions Li River cruise Guilin attractions

The verdict

Where to go if you're...

If you love excitement, you're an Avatar fan, and you're fit enough not to fear the stairs — go to Zhangjiajie. The vertical pillars, Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, the glass bridge and the glass cliff-side walkways are clearly what Zhangjiajie does better, a view and an experience like nowhere else, well worth the effort and the extra walking.

If you want an easy trip, prefer cruising, photographing pretty views and a calm vibe — go to Guilin. The Li River cruise, the Yangshuo countryside and the Longji rice terraces are beauty that's easy to reach and light on the legs, warmer and visitable almost year-round, ideal for anyone who wants to relax without a workout.

If you're travelling with family, older relatives or young kids — Guilin is far easier to manage, with no mountain climbing, a cruise you can sit back on at any age, and mild, comfortable weather. Zhangjiajie has plenty of stairs and altitude, better suited to fit travellers. If you do take older relatives to Zhangjiajie, lean on the cable cars and lifts and avoid the long stair routes.

If you have 8-10 days and want both sides — catch both with the plan above, starting with Zhangjiajie's adventure and ending with Guilin's easy cruise via the high-speed train. But budget a full day for the transfer between the two cities (different provinces, about 900 km apart). If time is tight, pick one city and do it properly rather than rushing both.

FAQ

FAQ · Zhangjiajie or Guilin

Is Zhangjiajie or Guilin better to visit?

It depends on what you're after, because these are two completely different kinds of scenery. Zhangjiajie is towering vertical sandstone pillars straight out of Avatar, all about the thrill — cable cars, Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, the glass bridge, glass walkways along the cliffs, lots of stair climbing, cooler mountain air and spicy Hunan food. It suits adventure-seekers who want excitement. Guilin is the Li River cruise, the Yangshuo countryside and rice terraces — soft, painting-like karst, all about relaxing with little climbing, warmer weather, easy on every age. It suits slow travellers, photographers and anyone who wants an easy trip. If you love Avatar and want excitement, pick Zhangjiajie; if you want calm and a cruise, pick Guilin.

Are Zhangjiajie and Guilin far apart? Can I do both in one trip?

They're fairly far. The two cities are in different provinces (Zhangjiajie in Hunan, Guilin in Guangxi), about 900 km apart — not an easy hop like Guilin to Yangshuo. There's one direct high-speed train a day from Zhangjiajie to Guilin taking about 7 hours, costing around ¥342-550 (about ฿1,710-2,750), or a connecting flight (there are no direct flights between the two cities, usually via Changsha) of about 5 hours or more all in. Because of that, most people visit just one per trip. If you genuinely want both, plan for about 8-10 days or more, and set aside a full day for the transfer between the two cities.

If I'm short on time and it's my first visit, should I choose Zhangjiajie or Guilin?

If you're travelling with older relatives or young kids, want an easy trip with little walking, prefer cruising and photographing pretty views, and like warm weather year-round — Guilin is clearly easier and less tiring. But if you're fit, love excitement, want to see the Avatar mountains, ride the cable cars and walk glass cliff-side walkways, and don't mind a lot of stairs — Zhangjiajie is more of a wow and a view you won't find anywhere else. For a first-time visitor who wants a relaxed trip, Guilin is the safer pick; for an exciting adventure trip, Zhangjiajie is worth the effort. See more on choosing a stay in the where-to-stay guide.

Is Zhangjiajie really more tiring than Guilin?

Yes. Zhangjiajie is mountains, sightseeing at altitude, with cable cars, the Bailong Elevator and a fair amount of stone-step climbing — like the 999 steps up to Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, or the trails in the National Forest Park that go up and down the ridges. You need decent stamina and comfortable shoes. Guilin is far easier: the highlight is sitting back for the 4-5 hour Li River cruise, cycling through Yangshuo's rice fields, or strolling the city night lights — no mountain climbing. So if you're worried about stamina or travelling with older relatives, Guilin is easier to manage.

When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie and Guilin, and is the weather different?

Both are at their greenest April to October, with April-May and September-October the best overall for mild, comfortable weather. The difference: Zhangjiajie is mountainous and cooler than Guilin, and in winter snow can dust the peaks beautifully, but some trails or cable cars may close in ice, so check before you go. The sea-of-clouds mist that makes Zhangjiajie look like heaven usually comes after rain or on overcast days, not in blazing sun. Guilin is warmer and pleasant to visit almost year-round, even in winter. Both should avoid Chinese New Year and the early-October Golden Week, when crowds swell and prices jump 2-3 times. See more on timing in the best time to visit China.

How is the food different in Zhangjiajie and Guilin?

Clearly different. Zhangjiajie is in Hunan province and Tujia country, with bold, fiery food heavy on chilli and smoking — like sanxiaguo (a three-layer hotpot served over a flame), Tujia smoked meat and fried stinky tofu, proper heavy Hunan flavour. Guilin is in Guangxi, milder and easier for many palates, led by Guilin rice noodles (米粉), soft noodles in fragrant oil topped with crunchy peanuts, eaten for breakfast all over town, plus the spicy beer fish out in Yangshuo. If you love bold, fiery heat, Zhangjiajie hits the spot; if you prefer milder, rounded flavours, Guilin is easier. See the dishes in the Zhangjiajie food guide.

Zhangjiajie travel guide

The Forest Park, Tianmen, the glass bridge · stays · getting around

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Guilin travel guide

The Li River cruise, the Yangshuo countryside, rice terraces — pick the right base

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Zhangjiajie attractions

The Forest Park, Tianmen, the glass bridge, the Bailong Elevator · all the spots

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