How to Get from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie? 4 Ways to Travel

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By Lily

August 28, 2026

How to Get from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie? 4 Ways to Travel

Have you ever had a chance to visit the Avatar Mountains in China? Known for its misty landscapes and incredible sandstone pillars, Zhangjiajie is receiving increasing attention worldwide.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park welcomes visitors from all over the world. People come from different places. How can you start your journey in Zhangjiajie after visiting Shanghai, an iconic modern city in China?

In this ultimate guide, you'll get to know how to transfer by air and road, and beyond that, with a travel itinerary curated for your journey. Keep reading to discover more useful ideas!

What's the Distance between Shanghai and Zhangjiajie?

Shanghai and Zhangjiajie are roughly 1,200 km (746 miles).

Option 1: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie by Air

Flying from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie is generally the most direct and fastest way, taking about 2.5 hours.

Most travelers fly from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). It's the main international airport, handling more direct flights to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG), but with farther distance from the city center (about 30-50 km).

  • Cost: about $110 (one-way)
  • Best for: tight schedules

Currently, you can find several flights per day, from early morning at 6 am to late evening at around 8:25 pm.

👍 Recommended airlines: Juneyao Airlines (better price), China Eastern Airlines (large airline), Shanghai Airlines (also reliable), etc.

Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport

Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport | From China Discovery

💡 Click here to get local transportation guide for Shanghai airports and Zhangjiajie airport.

Option 2: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie by High-Speed Train

Reminder: there are now direct high-speed trains from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie (fastest around 7 hours 15 minutes), though some connections still require a transfer at Changsha or Wuhan.

If you choose a good connection, it can take you about 7-9 hours usually.

  • Cost: about $110 (one-way, 2nd class)
  • Best for: travelers with aerophobia

The most common railway station is at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, where most "G" and "D" train depart from here.

🚉 Do you change stations

Usually no. That’s the key relief. You will:

  • Arrive at Changsha South Railway Station
  • Depart again from the same station

🧳 What about baggage

China high-speed rail is pretty relaxed compared to airports:

  • No strict weight check for normal luggage
  • You just carry it with you
  • Overhead racks + luggage areas at train ends
👉 Read more about how to buy train tickets as a foreigner / China high speed rail seat.

Option 3: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie by Overnight Train

An overnight train is quite a different experience from high-speed rail. It's slower but more nostalgic.

  • Cost: $35-$110 (differ in time, demand, and class)
  • Train types: Hard sleeper (6 hard sleeper bunks) / soft sleeper (4-person private, more space, quieter)

It usually takes you about 12-18 hours. It also goes through Changsha or other major hubs and finally arrives at Zhangjiajie Railway Station.

Option 4: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie by Long-Distance Bus

While this is the cheapest option, the experience is the most uncomfortable and time-consuming (taking you about 18 hours and more).

  • Cost: about $40-$55 USD
  • Best for: who really want a road trip experience

Planning a Shanghai Zhangjiajie Tour

Misty landscapes at Zhangjiajie National Park

Misty landscapes at Zhangjiajie National Park

If you only get 6 days for both Shanghai and Zhangjiajie, I'd honestly treat it for two parts: a short city trip in Shanghai & a real natural experience in Zhangjiajie. 🙂

From Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, I'd suggest flying, which is the fastest and time-saving. Once you land in Zhangjiajie, choose hotels near Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO heritage site with all of the mountains, those misty views, the cables cars, and so much more to expect.

Then use one day for Tianmen Mountain. That’s the one with the long cable car ride and the big mountain cave you’ve probably seen in photos. It feels more dramatic and structured compared to the forest park.

If you’ve got a sixth day, you can either slow down, or add something like the glass bridge canyon if you still have energy. Otherwise, just fly back to Shanghai and spend your last evening eating, walking around the Bund, and recovering a bit.

Travel with Trip.com

Zhangjiajie is a beautiful place in China and is well worth your visit. Travel with Trip.com and you'll get everything all in one place, from cheap flights to best hotels, and your connection or airport transfer packages.

There’s also a small but nice thing called rewards (Trip Coins). You earn points every time you book, and you can use them later for discounts on hotels or flights. Best wishes for your next adventure!

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🔥 Hotel Recommendations in Zhangjiajie

Hotels in Zhangjiajie

5 star

Pullman Zhangjiajie

9.2/10Very Good1400 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie|25.94km from city center
The quality of Pullman hotels is consistently good – quiet and clean. The service is also quite professional and international. The pool is very clean. The hotel's location is excellent, offering a peaceful retreat within the bustling commercial street. It's only about a 10-minute walk to the east entrance of the scenic area, near the iconic gate. I'd like to extend special thanks to Ivan Zhu from the concierge department this time. He not only patiently answered all my pre-arrival phone inquiries but also provided many itinerary suggestions and helped pre-book tickets for Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain, even hand-writing a tour route guide for me. Zhangjiajie is beautiful, and the people of Western Hunan are very kind. Best wishes!
From$66

Harmona Resort & Spa Zhangjiajie

8.9/10770 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Cili|48.36km from city center
We had such a wonderful stay here! The staff are incredibly kind, welcoming and always ready to help. A special thank you to Cherry, who was always available via WhatsApp and helped us with everything we needed throughout our stay. The restaurant staff were also amazing. A very special mention to Ms. H.Q. Du at the breakfast restaurant — she is honestly the sweetest! She went above and beyond every single day and helped us with literally everything. She made our mornings even better. ❤️ The rooms are very clean, the swimming pool is beautiful, and the surroundings are absolutely stunning. The location is also perfect for exploring Zhangjiajie, with easy access to the main attractions. We stayed here with so much pleasure and would definitely recommend this hotel. Thank you to the entire team for making our stay so special!
From$90

Huatian Hotel

9.3/10Very Good3274 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|0.36km from city center
Overall, my stay was fantastic. Check-in was efficient and the front desk staff were very friendly, even offering us a room upgrade. The room was clean and tidy, the bedding was soft, and the soundproofing was good, so I had a really peaceful night's sleep. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, strong water pressure, and a full range of amenities. Breakfast had a wide variety of options, including hot dishes, fruits, and local specialties, all of which tasted great. The hotel's location is convenient, with plenty of amenities nearby. The service was attentive, it's close to Tianmen Mountain, and there's parking available. I would definitely choose to stay here again.
From$55

Forest Homestay at Sunrise Resort

9.6/10Excellent656 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie|28.51km from city center
We had a fantastic stay at Forest Homestay at Sunrise and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The room was spacious, comfortable and spotlessly clean, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Waking up to the scenery each morning was a real highlight of our stay. The food in the restaurant was excellent. We ate there multiple times and everything we ordered was fresh, delicious and very reasonably priced. It was a lovely place to relax after a long day exploring the park. What really made our stay exceptional, however, was the staff. They were incredibly kind, patient and helpful from start to finish. Before we arrived, they helped organise our transfers to and from the hotel, making the journey completely stress-free. They also took the time to plan our itinerary for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, explaining the different routes and helping us make the most of our time there. Thanks to their advice, we managed to avoid the long queues and see all of the major highlights efficiently, making our visit far more enjoyable. The genuine warmth and hospitality of everyone at the hotel made us feel very welcome. We would happily stay here again and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
From$169

Country Garden Phoenix Hotel

9.4/10Outstanding2378 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie|15.74km from city center
This is by far the best hotel I've stayed at in Zhangjiajie, no contest! Absolutely delightful. The pool water was super clean, and there were several lifeguards – it's the most responsible setup I've ever seen. The room was spacious with a balcony, which I loved. Before this, we'd been hopping from hotel to hotel. The ones near the scenic spots were either ridiculously expensive if they were decent, or felt like we were fleeing for our lives rather than vacationing if they were cheap. Not a single one made us feel at ease until this place. Before we even checked in, the hotel called to confirm our arrival time. When we got there, a butler even opened our car door and helped with our luggage – truly five-star service! And we only paid around 400 yuan. The lobby decor is incredibly luxurious and grand, and the rooms are beautifully decorated too. The service is top-notch! The breakfast is simply unbeatable – great ambiance, excellent hygiene, and a wide variety of dishes. In short, this is a hotel that genuinely cares about hospitality. They put a lot of effort into everything, and I highly recommend them. We'll definitely be back. Don't let the distance from the scenic area deter you; it's only about a 10-minute taxi ride. We used to think booking hotels close to the attractions was better, but that's what made our trips feel like an escape. It wasn't until we stayed here that we truly understood what a Zhangjiajie vacation should be like!
From$54

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Family friendly

Fulan Tehe·Hotel (Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain)

9.2/10Very Good1882 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|0.75km from city center
The hotel's location is absolutely fantastic, right below the Tianmen Mountain cable car! 😍 It's super convenient for getting up and down the mountain. Plus, the room facilities are very new, making for a really comfortable stay. The hotel staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. There are tons of great restaurants within walking distance, and you can even enjoy distant views of Tianmen Mountain. Overall, a fantastic experience!
From$28

Yunmei Bieyuan Hotel

9.6/10Excellent6480 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|0.44km from city center
An exceptional stay from start to finish. The room featured the largest, most comfortable bed I have ever experienced — the quality of rest alone made this hotel stand out. Breakfast was outstanding, with an extensive range of options to suit every preference. The hospitality was truly first-class; the hosts were attentive and gracious, going so far as to launder my clothes without hesitation. I was generously upgraded to the largest room, and while it did not offer a view, every other aspect of the experience was faultless. My only minor observation — offered as feedback rather than criticism — is that the in-room Bluetooth was not functional; had it been, the room would have been flawless. A remarkable stay overall, and one I will not hesitate to book again.
From$29

the Mansion Inn Dream Mansion

9.6/10Excellent2386 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|0.6km from city center
I had such a lovely stay here! It’s a shame that I only stayed for one night. I was able to check in early, which was great after an early train ride and was greeted by friendly staff and a welcome package of snacks, toiletries and homemade glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves! It was so thoughtful and kind of them. The location is perfect with the lower cable way station for Tianmen Mountain just a couple minutes walk away. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. The room was perfectly clean and had everything I needed. I would absolutely recommend staying here!
From$28

Sunshine Hotel & Resort Zhangjiajie

9.5/10Outstanding1277 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|6.38km from city center
I had an outstanding stay, and Alex truly made the difference. From the moment I arrived, Alex was welcoming, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Whether it was a local tip or a small request, Alex handled it with warmth and efficiency. Thanks to Alex, my experience was seamless and memorable. Five stars all the way!
From$56

THOUSAND HOTEL

9.5/10Outstanding6342 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|1.42km from city center
The room felt fantastic, and the breakfast spread was incredibly rich. I had a wonderful stay and enjoyed the food thoroughly – truly delightful! This hotel is absolutely amazing; Zhangjiajie Tianmen Qian Hotel is top-notch! Highly recommend it!!! The outdoor areas were also great, and the transportation was convenient too.
From$39

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Breakfast

Hampton by Hilton Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain

9.7/10Excellent22953 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|0.84km from city center
Our stay at Hilton Garden Inn for this trip to Zhangjiajie was excellent. The location is superb, very close to Tianmen Mountain, just a 5-minute walk to the cable car station, which made getting to the scenic area incredibly convenient. The room was clean and well-equipped with all sorts of amenities, making for a very comfortable stay. The hotel staff were friendly and patient, whether during check-in or when answering our questions. They even brought us snacks like oatmeal in the evening. The buffet breakfast offered a wide variety, including both Western and Chinese options, as well as local rice noodles, ensuring we were well-fed before heading out to explore. Overall, the value for money is great, and staying here made our trip worry-free. I would definitely consider staying here again on my next visit to Zhangjiajie.
From$68

PURESPACE ---2nights 1pick-up&book tickets&5mins to park gate

9.2/10Very Good278 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie|21.56km from city center
I had a wonderful stay at this hotel and would definitely recommend it. The host was incredibly kind and helpful. Always available on WhatsApp and even upgraded my room to a better one, which I really appreciated. He also helped plan my visit to the national forest park and personally drove me to the entrance. The hotel offers a free pickup and drop-off service, which made everything very convenient. My room had an amazing view, and I honestly had the best sleep there. The pillows were so comfortable. Waking up to that view the nextmorning made my stay even more special.
From$80

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Nvue Resorts

8.9/10196 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie|21.45km from city center
We stayed for 4 days , our room was clean and very comfortable. We had not organised ourselves very well , but Tim organised and book our tickets for the Forest park , the Tianamen mts and the Canyon. We were given good advice when to start our day . The hotel has a great breakfast and laundry . We had a sl problem with a Didi payment and Robert immediately sorted the payment . It was great to have so many English speaking staff. Chelsea from the front desk was helpful with everything right down to providing umbrellas. The proximity to the park and peaceful surrounds makes this hotel feel like a home away from home . A phone call to the hotel was answered by Tim and my request to book my tickets was done even before we arrived. Service at that level is priceless. We thank the team for making our stay soo comfortable. The score I give is 20 out of ten .we requested a tour guide for the day and Sasa was the English speaking guide excellent knowledge .
From$58

Qiquan Homestay

9.6/10Excellent1110 Reviews
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie|20.64km from city center
If you want a quiet place with exceptional service, this is the place to stay. We spent 5 nights here. They provide personalised trip planning, discount ticket booking for all attractions in the Zhangjiajie area, and a free shuttle to the South gate entrance. The shuttle is free back and forth (up to 3km one way) for any reason - dinners near the gate, for example. The breakfast is served to you and was delicious, they also accommodated my vegetarian requests. This is a small hotel - but with a homestay or B&B vibe. A lot of care and detail has been put into the design of the entire facility. There is an elevator. There is a natural spring with a dipper in the lower level - excellent drinking water! We refilled our water bottles there several times. Our room had the forest view with a terrace. It was great to have the extra space to relax in. This comes up as a Didi location, so it was easy to schedule our rides to and from the airport and train station. We took a Didi back from the east gate one day - so crazy there and noisy in that area! If you like huge hotels and a party atmosphere, stay there. Otherwise, choose the Qiquan.
From$56

Jiuqi Zhangjiajie Shanyin Art Hotel (Tianmenshan National Forest Park)

9.1/10Good399 Reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park Zhangjiajie|1.13km from city center
Fantastic, family run small hotel. The lovely couple that owns the place is super friendly. They checked us in early with no problem. Great value for money, the bed was extremely comfy and the pillows too. Honestly all you need from a hotel. And well communicated too, close to all amenities and only a short cab drive from the airport. Well recommended.
From$17

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FAQs about Shanghai to Zhangjiajie

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Lily

Lily

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Hey, I'm Lily from Chengdu. I'll constantly post my travel blogs here. I focus on sharing insights from living tips, transfer tricks, to how to get the best price for your international flights & hotels. You'll get the quick & valuable hints for your journey in the future. Stay tuned! Love u all!

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