Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie, Hunan

Zhangjiajie as a city would be nothing without its jagged slim rocks standing sentinels and jutting out into the sky. Here, the power of Mother Nature's engineering makes jaws drop. Many rocks taper off towards the bottom and seem so precarious you feel they could crumble any minute, but NO! They've been standing there and framing the sky in pleasant patterns for millions upon millions of years. One of the shooting locations for Hollywood's smash hit “Avatar”, Zhangjiajie is any nature bum's delight.

See and Do

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

  It's China's first natural forest park and UNESCO-listed Natural Heritage site and one of the region's showstoppers that fascinate visitors with its cragged rocks standing shoulder to shoulder. Of a number of routes to be selected, Shilihualang, or Corridor of Paintings, comes as highly recommended. Scenic lookouts along the way afford breathtaking vistas.

• Tianmenshan

  Its name, which in Chinese means “celestial gate”, fires imagination. Float onboard the world's longest cableway above hovering clouds. Walk on the glass path that clings to sheer cliffs with everything below your feet – don't look down if you are faint-hearted and prone to shrilly screams. That “gate” is a dream for buccaneering wingsuit flyers and pilots who are always on the lookout for anything that pushes the envelope of safe flight.

• Tusi Cheng

  The walled park provides interesting glimpses of the traditions and customs of the Tusi, an ethnic minority group in Hunan province. It's here that the Tusi celebrate their festivals and hold their religious rituals. Points of interest abound. An 48-meter-high, 12-story tower on stilts is an architectural masterpiece. Watch the folk dance shows.

  
  
  
• Food

  Preserved meats take the center stage in Zhangjiajie's fare. Raw meats are marinated with distinctive local seasonings in vats for half a month and then smoked and baked. They're often served by the locals to regale guests.