Discover the Magic: Top 12 Fun Facts About China's Mystical Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

1. Avatar's Real-Life Inspiration

If Pandora looks a little familiar, it might not be déjà vu but rather something straight out of China: James Cameron was so struck by the dreamy beauty of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park that he modeled Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar after the park's jaw-dropping sandstone pillars. While no Na'vi footprints were actually left in the park, its claim to extraterrestrial fame led to the Southern Sky Column being renamed the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, much to the chagrin of some unamused locals.
Source => faroutmagazine.co.uk

2. World's Tallest Outdoor Elevator

Forget rocketing to the moon, there's a glass elevator that'll make you feel on top of the world without leaving Earth: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park houses the Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor lift, carved into a cliff face and offering awe-inspiring views of the majestic mountains and lush forests below.
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=> Fun Facts about Yellowstone-National-Park

3. Biodiversity Hotspot

Step aside, Noah's Ark, for there's a new biodiversity hotspot in town: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a living, breathing treasure chest of over 5,000 unique plant species and peculiar critters like macaques, civets, and even the camera-shy clouded leopard.
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4. Record-Breaking Glass Elevator

Forget stairway to heaven, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has an express elevator to the sky: Boasting the title of the world's tallest and heaviest outdoor elevator, the Bailong Elevator takes visitors on a dizzying 326-meter (1,070 feet) ascent up a sheer cliff face, all while providing unbeatable views through its glass double-deck. Officially recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2015, this incredible feat of engineering has been safely whisking visitors to breathtaking panoramas since 2002 (discounting a brief 10-month hiatus for safety concerns unrelated to the environment).
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Heart-Stopping Glass Bridge

In an adventure that not even Indiana Jones would pass up, immerse yourself in a heart-stopping walk across a glass bridge, complete with thrilling swings and pulse-racing heights: The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China holds the title for the world's longest and highest glass pedestrian footbridge, spanning 430 meters and suspended 300 meters above the ground, supporting up to 800 brave souls at a time, all while gifting them with jaw-dropping views of the Wulingyuan area.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Ancient Trees & Living Fossils

In a land where trees have seen more history than your great-great-great-grandpa, and some of them still remember being friends with dinosaurs: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park boasts over 500 species of trees, including 7 rare ones like the ancient Ginkgo and the Chinese Dove Tree, which survived the Glacier of the Fourth Period 2.5 million years ago, making them legit living fossils and solid conversation starters at arborist parties.
Source => flickr.com

7. Tujia Ethnic Group's Culture

In the mystical land of Zhangjiajie, where mountains float, and avatars roam: the real stars are the Tujia ethnic group, who've lived there for generations, adding cultural depth and unique traditions to the region's striking natural landscape.
Source => geologyscience.com

8. Death-Defying Road to Tianmen Cave

Brace yourself for a winding joyride only Dominic Toretto would dare: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to Tianmen Cave, a 131.5 meter tall natural hole that you can reach by an 11 km road with 99 death-defying turns, a giant Tang dynasty-style temple, chairlifts, footpaths, and even a vegetarian restaurant.
Source => zhangjiajietourguide.com

9. China's Thrilling "Road to the Sky"

If you're craving a rollercoaster-like experience without the theme park lines, dare to traverse "The Road to the Sky", China's winding, bendy, and oh-so-meandering answer to Lombard Street on steroids: This 6.3-mile journey to Tianmen Mountain boasts 99 thrilling turns, a reference to the lucky number 9 in Chinese culture, taking adrenaline-seekers through steep terrain with jaw-dropping views of magnificent Tianmen Cave.
Source => travelandleisure.com

10. Longest Cable Car Adventure

Hold on to your hats and dust off your mountaineer gear because Zhangjiajie National Forest Park invites you to embark on a sky-high adventure that rivals any magical flying carpet ride: Featuring the longest cable car in the world, this gravity-defying contraption stretches for an impressive 5 miles while ascending to a breathtaking 1,279 meters above ground, guaranteeing to leave visitors with astonishing views and an adrenaline-pumping experience that even Indiana Jones would envy.
Source => mybestplace.com

11. Avian Dynasties & Rare Creatures

Birds of a feather flock together in China's answer to Westeros: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to over 90 species of avian dynasties, including the prestigious red-bellied pheasant, rainbow pheasant, and silver-eared mesia. But wait, there's more: the park also hosts rare, critically-endangered creatures like the elusive clouded leopard and the record-breaking giant salamander, accompanied by 200 types of insects and about 82 species of aquatic acrobats in its verdant, sky-high kingdom.
Source => zhangjiajieguide.com

12. Flora & Fauna Paradise

Move over, Noah's Ark – Zhangjiajie National Forest Park gives you a run for your flora and fauna money: This breathtaking park boasts over 5,000 plant species and an eclectic mix of wildlife including sassy macaques, mysterious civets, and the elusive clouded leopard.
Source => outlookindia.com