Zhangjiajie AVATER: The Real Pandora
The movie AVATER hit the whole world in 2010, the Pandora World in the movie is so amazing that every one wants to see it in the real world. Luckly, the real Pandora is just in Zhangjiajie.
Yuanjiajie–world natural heritage site, as a Hollywood photographer spent time shooting there in 2008. ‘Avatar’ Makes Its Mark on China’s Zhangjiajie, Floating Hallelujah Mountains featured in Hollywood blockbuster Avatar” ,the prototypes in Zhangjiajie，grand and tactile forest landscape, it seems vertiginously suspended with sky above and chasms below.
Yuanjiajie is a naturally formed platform mountain, surrounded by higher summits which are divided by deep valleys. Added to this scene is an array of amazing lesser peaks and grotesque rocks. Each one stands in the valley and possesses its own peculiar shape. The foremost attractions in this area include: Back Garden, breathtaking Mihun Stage, and the First Bridge under the Sun.
Yuanjiajie lies between Yellow Stone Village and Tianzi Mountain(Emperor Mountain). From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park there are approaches to the place.
There is a path (3000 steps, 1.5 hours walk) starts in the middle of Golden Whip Stream where there is a scenic spot called couple meeting from afar, when reaching the top, we can see traffic road and buses that transport tourists to Yangjiajie and Tianzi mountain, people usually spend 2 hours to do sightseeing nearby at Mihun tai and No.1 Bridge in the world before taking buses.
Main spots
● The first bridge under the sun: This natural stone bridge, streching across thin air between two mountain peaks, is 3 meters wide, 40 meters long, and 5 meters thick. it rises 357 meters above the valley floor. local people are accustomed to the adage,”walking on this bridge will bring you good health and longevity.” if you make a way along the bridge, your body trembles ,your legs shake. so ,clearly, this natural structure not only tests your pulse and blood preesue, but it also challenges your psychological state.
● Hallelujah Mountain: In the middle of the journey, there is a single, very imposing peak stands erect, seemingly reaching to the sky, and it is the prototype of hallelujah mountain. distinct from its comrades, this one is small at its base and increases in size at the top. standing before it, we can get the sensation of tottering and crumbling. if you ride Leonopteryx(a huge bird in the movie AVTAR) and fly between peaks, you are in the real Pandora world
● Back garden: A poet touring the wonderful Suzhou Gardens once wrote:“Other say I am in a city, but I insist that I am in the mountains.” Now, those gardens are world renowned, but after all, they are produced artificially, restricted by the craftsmen’s skill and limited by the available materials, the dimensions of the land, and the certain style of construction. But the “garden” which lies before us seems unrestrained: remarkable peaks appear to be strewn at random, some lofty and some diminutive; some have the appearance of towers, or pavilions, or chairs, while others resemble bonsais or statuaries. Indeed, some of these peaks have nothing that can be compared with, taking on every conceivable shape!
Tips
If you don’t want to take second time long walk in the Canyon(golden whip stream), you can reserve a taxi to Bailong Elevator to pick you. A taxi from Zhangjiajie National Park to Shuiraoshiman will cost you 100 Yuan; there is still 15 minutes free bus between the entrance and the elevator.