Taking Zhangjihuai High-speed Railway to Explore Western Hunan

The Zhangjiajie-Jishou-Huaihua (Zhangjihuai) High-speed Railway opened to traffic on December 6th, 2021. Hence, the travel time between Zhangjiajie and Changsha has been shortened to 2.5 hours.

The railway connects several well-known scenic areas, such as Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, Furong Town, Aizhai Bridge, and Fenghuang Ancient Town, and is thus reputed as the “most beautiful high-speed railway in Western Hunan”.

The 245-kilometer line is designed for trains running 350 kilometers per hour. There are seven passenger train stations along the line –Zhangjiajie West; Furong Town; Guzhang West; Jishou East; Fenghuang Ancient Town; Mayang West; and Huaihua South stations.

1.Recommended places to go along the railway

Wulingyuan

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area spread out among Wulingyuan mountains in Zhangjiajie City, southwest of Hunan Province. It is about 400 kilometers (248.56miles) away from Changsha, the provincial capital. The whole area includes four parts: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yangjiajie Scenic Spot, Suoxi Valley, and Mount Tianzi Nature Reserves with 500 square kilometers (193 square miles). It presents a unique landscape of high mountains, grotesque peaks, beautiful waters, deep gorges, marvelous caves, and exuberant forest.

In 1992, UNESCO added Wulingyuan to the World Heritage List. In addition, the mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park were the inspiration behind the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” in the award-winning movie, “Avatar”.

Tianmen Mountain

Mount Tianmen, a famous mountain first recorded in the history of Zhangjiajie, has an elevation of 1518.6 meters. It is a little cool at the top of the hill, and long-sleeved clothing is recommended even in the summertime. It is only 8 kilometers from the downtown area and is one of the most representative natural sceneries of Zhangjiajie. There are a variety of plants, such as the Davidia involucrata, Metasequoia glyptostroboides which are under state-level protection. For a long time, Mount Tianmen has attracted attention because of its miraculous and unique geographic landform and remarkable natural landscape. Moreover, it has become well-known for its profound culture.

Furong Town

Furong Town is located halfway between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang. It is known as a Thousand-year Old Town Hanging on the Waterfall because it has a long history of over 2,000 years, and there is a majestic waterfall winding through it. Few tourists knew until a renowned film of the same name became a big hit. And now, an increasing number of tourists come to visit.

Aizhai Bridge

Aizhai Bridge is a suspension bridge on the Baotou-Maoming Expressway in Jishou, Hunan Province. With a main span of 1,176 meters and a deck height of 355 meters, the bridge crosses the Dehang Grand Canyon. It is also the world's highest and longest tunnel-to-tunnel bridge.

Fenghuang Ancient Town

Situated in the western border area of Hunan Province, Fenghuang Ancient Town is a famous historical and cultural city. It was praised as "the most beautiful small city in China" by Rewi Alley, a renowned author in New Zealand. The old town is famous for its time-honored buildings and cultural relics, attracting many visitors each year from China and abroad.

2.Enjoy the following travel routes and discover the beauty of the great Xiangxi region

Explore Tujia Ethnic Culture