World Natural Heritage World Geopark The First National Forest Park of China
Name: Zhangjiajie City
Literal meaning: “Zhang family homeland”
Previous name: Dayong City
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
1、Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Zhangjiajie National Park, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Suoxi Valley), Yellow Dragon Cave, Dragon Emperor Cave, Baofeng Lake, Tianmen Mountain Nature Reserve, Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie Nature Reserve, etc.
2、Most popular souvenirs and local products: ethnic souvenirs (such as the Zhangjiajie Tortoise Figure Stone, the Tujia Brocade, Zhangjiajie Batik (Laran), Zhangjiajie Duzhong Tea or the Anhui ink stick found in Tunxi)), Chinese gooseberry fruit, chestnuts, hazelnuts, local green teas (Qingyan, Mingcui, Maofeng), Chinese painting and calligraphy
3、Most popular local food: ethnic food such as Sanxiaguo (Tujia hotpot) and local fruits and nuts.
LOCATION INFORMATION
1、Municipality location: Northwestern Hunan Province, central southern China
2、Municipality population: 1,650,000 (About 77% of the population are Tujia, Bai, Miao ethnic minorities)
3、Municipality area: 9,516 sq km (3,674 sq mi)
4、Municipality population density: 173/sq km (500/sq mi)
5、North to south distance of main urban area:4.2 km(2.6 mi)
6、East to west distance of main urban area:11.8 km(7.3 mi)
7、City Center: People’s Square (29.12N, 110.48E)
8、Time Zone: (UTC+8)
TRANSPORTATION
Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) is a domestic airport about4 km(2.5 miles) from the city’s center. There are daily non-stop flights to Zhangjiajie from Beijing (PEK) (2.5 hours), Shanghai (PVG) (2.3 hours) and Guangzhou (CAN) (1.5 hours)
The Zhangjiajie Railway Station is the main station and is12 km(7 miles) from the city’s center. There are direct trains to Zhangjiajie fromBeijing(approximately 18 hours),Shanghai(about 20 hours),Guangzhou(about 12 hours), andChangsha(about 11 hours).
ACCOMMODATIONS
Descriptions of select accommodations in Zhangjiajie.
854 hotels (55,300 beds), among which 53 are star-rated (7,215 beds)
3 five-star hotels
8 four-star hotels
37 three-star hotels
CURRENCY & PAYMENTS
1、As throughout China, the currency in Zhangjiajie is the Yuan Renminbi (CNY), which is currently exchanged at the rate of 6.15 to one U.S. dollar
2、Major credit cards accepted at hotels and most shops and restaurants
TOURISM STATISTICS, 2011
Total visitation: 30,410,000
Overnight tourists: 13,310,000
Overseas tourists: 1,820,000
Total tourism receipts: 16,700,000,000RMB (2,650,793,650 USD)
GEOGRAPHY
The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of sandstone of quartz and dense unspoiled forests that conceal fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. The quartzite sandstone hills in Wulingyuan are unique for their large number and fairly pure composition (being 75-95% quartz).
1、Significance of the city: The municipal area of the city includes scenic wonders, caves, and large natural parks. The city is also a coal mining, industrial, and agricultural city.
2、Municipality terrain: The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of sandstone of quartz and dense unspoiled forests that conceal fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, which are very rare in the world. The city is higher on the northwest, and tilts along Li River to the south.
3、Elevation:183 m(600 ft)
4、Main rivers: Lishui River
CLIMATE
Zhangjiajie belongs to the sub-tropical humid monsoon climate. Splendid mountains and thick trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and cool in summer.
1、Annual average sunshine: 1,440 hours
2、Annual average temperature:16°C(60.8°F)
3、Annual average low temperature in January:1.5 °C(34.7 °F)
4、Annual average high temperature in July:32.6 °C(90.7 °F)
5、Humid subtropical climate; annual precipitation:1,400 mm(55 inches)
FLORA AND FAUNA
1、3,000 species of plant, including 600 species of woody plant
2、A number of faunal species are globally threatened with extinction: Chinese giant salamander, Asiatic wild dog, Asiatic black bear, clouded leopard, leopard and Chinese water deer, etc.
ECONOMY
Industry: 62.3% tourist industry & services, 24.8% heavy & light industry, 12.9% coal mining & agriculture
Shopping area: Renmin SquareCommercial Walking Street, Tianzi Commercial Street
HISTORY
1369: DayongCitywas founded in the Ming Empire
1982: The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was recognized as the first forest parkin China
1992: Wulingyuan Scenic Area was officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
1994: The city’s name was changed from Dayong to Zhangjiajie
2004: Zhangjiajie Geopark was listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark
