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Anyone been to Zhangjiajie? Is it worth it?

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  1. #1

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    Anyone been to Zhangjiajie? Is it worth it?

    I'm planning on going to Guilin/Yangshuo in a week or so. I have 5-6 days to spend so was considering tacking on a visit to Zhangjiajie. The pictures I've seen are jaw-dropping. But has anyone been there and can say if it's worth it or not? Would you say 1-2 full days are enough?

    And what order should I do things? Zhangjiajie then Guilin/Yangshuo or the other way around? Keeping in mind I'm returning to HK after and want to avoid flying as much as possible


  2. #2

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    Near Guilin you could visit the Dragon bone rice terraces and also Chengyang Bridge. It does depend on the time of year though - Winter is not such a good time to go.

    Also near Yangshuo are places such as Xingping and Huang Yao.

    Zhangjiajie is worth seeing - you need probably 2 whole days at least, but I would combine with other places in Hunan such as Dehang and Fenghuang.

    Last edited by drumbrake; 30-11-2011 at 07:32 PM.
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  3. #3

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    Thanks. Yeah winter is my only choice unfortunately so hopefully everything works out.

    I was thinking of taking an overnight train from Shenzhen to Guilin. Then at least two full days in Guilin/Yangshuo.

    Is there overnight transport from Guilin/Yangshuo to Zhangjiajie? I've read that there's a morning luxury bus direct from Zhangjiajie to Guilin but not sure if it goes the other way as well. If so, I would spend half of a third day in Guilin and take the bus to ZJJ. Maybe spend 2 whole days then night transport back to Hong Kong.

    The big problem seems to be transport back to HK. A friend of mine took an overnight train from Zhangjiajie to Guangzhou and then a bus back to HK. Is this the best way?


  4. #4

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    This train goes from Zhangjiajie to Shenzhen.

    Train K9063/K9066 from Tongren to ShenZhen West - China train schedule

    I'm not sure about the bus from Guilin to Zhangjiajie - it would be quite a long journey. No direct train.

    Yangshuo is nicer than Gulin. Spend time there.


  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by drumbrake:
    Yangshuo is nicer than Gulin.
    Yangshou is much nicer than Guilin
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  6. #6

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    Just been there recently, like two weeks ago.

    Two nights in Zhangjiajie, then bus it to Guilin - get there very early or book ahead for the Li river cruise - 8am to book and pay up front at CIT, cost 300Y for a bamboo boat - forget the big boat as it costs 400Y and takes all day - 2 hrs on a bamboo plus a short stop is enough. They make a quick stop for loo and drinks and some food. Finish at Xingping - lovely village, but take the bus back - included in tour - to Yangshou, spend two nights, the full day spend hiking, party at night. My travel partner did not want to stay so we ended up goingback to Guilin, so I will defo go back to Yangshou. Google Lonely Planet for hotels as good ones are few.
    You can always take a bus back to Guilin - 30Y, 1 hr.
    note, take the soft sleeper overnight to shenzen - costs 444Y for soft, do not take the hard sleeper - 295Y is not worth it unless you are extremely exhausted that you pass out immediately in a deep sleep, have heavy duty earplugs, and can handle ciggie smoke for 11 hrs in your couchette.

    I am sooo glad I booked at least a day in advance for the soft sleeper, as you have a quieter carriage, bkf is provided for 10Y but after seeing the chef cook eggs with a fag in the other hand, I forwent. Boiling water is avail all night sotake a mug with some teabags or coffee sachets, and pot noodles.
    Night train leaves Guilin about 8:30 - 9pm - times change so always get there no later than 30 mins beforehand.


  7. #7

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    At shenzen, just go through passport control and take the MTR to HK city. Costs no more than 40.50HK$ .
    there is a lovely park in Guilin just over the bridge where you can spend all day for 45Y. just don't get too close to the monkeys.

    also, the street food hawkers - spicy but tasty stuff. I ate no probs although some may have a problem with spicy food.

    Google Wiki travel but I rely on Lonely Planet as they seem to be up to date, and more direct, aka honest in their findings.

    Last edited by Natfixit; 30-11-2011 at 09:51 PM.
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  8. #8

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    How long was the bus from Zhangjiajie to Guilin?


  9. #9

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    Thanks for the great info. I'm assuming you went from HK to Zhangjiajie? Care to share the details of that route too?


  10. #10

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    Bus to Changsha is about 3.5 hrs, cost about 130Y . Then at Changsha take the train - unsure of hours - to Guilin. A bus will take about 5 hrs.

    From HK. Take the MTR to shenzen, and then train to Guangzhou. Guangzhou does a route twice a day, about 23 hrs to Zhangjiajie. Costs vary so check with tix office.

    Last edited by Natfixit; 01-12-2011 at 09:02 AM.

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