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Zhangjiajie Introduction

Wulingyuan scenic area, better known as Zhangjiajie after a neighbouring city, lies in northwest Hunan Province. China's "Yellow Stone Park" can be divided into four regions: Zhangjiajie National Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, Tianzishan Nature Reserve and Yangjiajie Scenic Area. The whole area is a primitive limestone landscape, home to more than 500 species of trees and animals. Rare trees include the gingko, dove tree and dawn redwood; fauna ranges from civet cats and monkeys to gamebirds and salamanders. It is also home to three ethnic minorities - Tujia, Bai and Miao, which together make up 70% of the local population. Though influenced by China's dominant Han culture, these groups maintain much of their traditional culture, including the language, festivals, clothing and architectural styles.

These days, the area has been extensively developed as a tourist destination; witness the cap-wearing tour groups that swarm the more popular sites. However, if you want to escape the crowds, there are still plenty of less-travelled paths to follow.

The scenic area is listed with UNESCO World Heritage.