How to Get from Guilin to Zhangjiajie 2024

Discover the magic of Guilin's breathtaking karst landscapes and Zhangjiajie's stunning sandstone pillars—two of China's most iconic natural wonders. In Guilin, you'll be captivated by the serene beauty of the Li River and the surreal karst formations that have inspired poets and artists for centuries. Meanwhile, Zhangjiajie's towering, mist-shrouded peaks, famously reminiscent of the floating mountains in Avatar, offer an otherworldly experience like no other.

Traveling between these two destinations is a breeze, with direct high-speed trains and those connecting Guilin to Changsha, followed by a quick and easy transfer to Zhangjiajie. This route offers the perfect blend of natural splendor and convenience, making your journey through China's most picturesque landscapes both effortless and unforgettable.

Guilin Zhangjiajie Transfer Map (Click to Enlarge)

Option 1. Guilin to Zhangjiajie Direct Train - Most Convenient

Taking a high-speed train from Guilin to Zhangjiajie is an excellent choice for a comfortable journey. There are two daily high-speed trains: one departs from Guilin Railway Station (桂林站) and the other from Guilinbei/Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站), both arriving at Zhangjiajiexi/Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (张家界西站) after about 7.5 hours. The second-class ticket costs around ¥350. We recommend booking a train from Guilin Railway Station, as it's closer to the city center and offers convenient public transportation options. Check the detailed Guilin to Zhangjiajie train schedule here.

From Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station to Downtown and Major Attractions

▶ To Wulingyuan District (National Forest Park & Grand Canyon): Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station is approximately 50km from Wulingyuan scenic area. Coming out of the station, you'll find the intercity bus terminal on your right. From there, you can take a coach to Wulingyuan (武陵源)/National Forest Park and the Grand Canyon (大峡谷). Note that coaches to Wulingyuan stop operating early evening. For late-night arrivals needing accommodation near the National Forest Park, taxis are available from the B1 parking lot at Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station.

▶ To Zhangjiajie Downtown (Tianmen Mountain): Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station is approximately 10km from downtown. After exiting the station, simply turn left and walk to the bus stop. You can take bus 4 or 17 to Wuling Delicious Restaurant Stop (武陵山珍馆), which is conveniently located near the Tianmen Mountain Cableway Station.

▶ To Furong & Fenghuang Ancient Towns: Zhangjiajiexi Railway Station operates multiple high-speed trains daily to Furong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town, offering fast and comfortable travel options for travelers to choose from. The journey to Furongzhen Station takes about 25 minutes, while to Fenghuanggucheng Station it takes approximately 1 hour.

⋙ More Details: Zhangjiajie Railway Station to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
⋙ More Details: How to Get Around Zhangjiajie

Option 2. Guilin to Zhangjiajie via Changsha - Great Alternative

If direct high-speed train tickets to Zhangjiajie are sold out or if you prefer not to arrive late at night, you can opt to transfer via Changsha. This route is faster and allows you to arrive in the afternoon.

Step 1: Guilin to Changsha High-Speed Trains

There are multiple daily high-speed trains from Guilin to Changsha. The journey typically takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with second-class tickets costing around ¥180. Although both of Guilin's railway stations offer trains to Changsha, it's recommended to book your train from Guilinbei/Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站) to Changshanan/Changsha South Railway Station (长沙南站) for a smoother transfer.

⋙ More Details: Guilin to Changsha Train Schedules

Step 2: Transfer from Changsha South Railway Station to Changsha Railway Station

The most recommended transfer routes involve moving from Changsha South Railway Station to Changsha Railway Station. You can conveniently take Metro Line 2 from South Railway Station (长沙火车南站) to Railway Station (长沙火车站), which usually takes about 25 minutes.

Step 3: Changsha to Zhangjiajie High-Speed Trains

Changsha offers many high-speed trains to Zhangjiajie daily, with travel times ranging from approximately 2 to 3.5 hours. Second-class tickets typically cost less than ¥300. If you arrive in Changsha in the afternoon, there are still trains available to Zhangjiajiexi/Zhangjiajie West Station (张家界西站) for your selection.

⋙ More Details: Changsha to Zhangjiajie Train Schedules

How to Plan a Guilin–Zhangjiajie Tour

Experience the serene beauty of Guilin's karst landscapes and the towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie. Together, these two destinations offer a perfect blend of tranquility and awe-inspiring natural wonders, making for an unforgettable journey through China's most iconic scenery.

How to Plan a Guilin Tour

How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour

Travel Zhangjiajie with China Discovery

To help you enjoy a worry-free trip to Zhangjiajie and the whole China, we suggest you travel with China Discovery. Our experienced travel expert will help you arrange the transportation and everything well to let you spend all your effort and time on the sightseeing. If you have any other ideas or questions about your Zhangjiajie tour, please feel free to contact us. We are specialized in tailor-made tours that fit you best according to your own interests, requirement, traveling time, etc.