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Private route · 7 days
Changsha and Zhangjiajie: 7-Day Private Tour (2027)
Riverside walks and ancient treasures in Changsha give way to sandstone pillars, lifts and cable cars in Zhangjiajie.
- Duration
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Pace
- Moderate (2 of 4)
- Cities
- Changsha → Zhangjiajie
- Best for
- Families with children seeking easy mountain walks
Who it's for
This route is designed for families with children who want mountain scenery without strenuous hiking. Changsha provides an easy introduction to local culture before high-speed rail brings you to Zhangjiajie, where lifts and cable cars take on the climbs. Built-in downtime and a dedicated rest day keep the schedule gentle on young legs. Children under 2 travel free; ages 2-11 pay 70% of the adult price; ages 12 and over pay the adult price.
The route
- 1. Changsha2 nights
- 2. Zhangjiajie4 nights
- Days 1–2Changsha2 nightsHigh-speed rail
- Days 3–7Zhangjiajie4 nights
Highlights
- The Mawangdui archaeological collection at Hunan Museum
- The glass Bailong Elevator ascending beside sandstone pillars in Wulingyuan
- A flat family walk along the shaded banks of Golden Whip Stream
- Tianmen Mountain's cliff-side paths, reached by express cableway and mountain escalators
Day by day
- Morning
Arrive at Changsha Huanghua International Airport and meet your driver for a transfer by private car with age-appropriate child seats included to your hotel.
AfternoonSettle into your room and let the children rest to recover from the journey.
EveningTake an easy riverside walk along Orange Isle to stretch your legs as city lights appear.
- Morning
Visit Hunan Museum to see the Mawangdui Han Dynasty exhibition. The museum normally closes on Mondays except statutory holidays, with Yuelu Mountain as an alternative when closed.
AfternoonReturn to the hotel for a quiet afternoon rest during the warmest hours.
EveningStroll down pedestrian Taiping Street at a relaxed pace, stopping for local snacks and tea.
- Morning
Transfer by private car with age-appropriate child seats included to Changsha South station and board a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie West station.
AfternoonMeet your driver at Zhangjiajie West and travel by private car with age-appropriate child seats included to your Wulingyuan hotel, followed by rest time for the children.
EveningEnjoy an unhurried dinner near your accommodation and rest up for park exploration tomorrow.
- Morning
Enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to ride the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie viewpoints, subject to operation and weather.
AfternoonFollow short paved paths between viewpoints, using the park shuttle buses between areas, then descend on the Tianzi Mountain cable car, subject to operation and weather. It is a full park day, with breaks built in for the children.
EveningHave a relaxed family dinner in Wulingyuan and spend a quiet evening at the hotel.
- Morning
Take a late start and enjoy an easy, flat walk along Golden Whip Stream beside clear water if energy allows.
AfternoonKeep the afternoon clear at the hotel for the children to recharge without scheduled sightseeing.
EveningEat a casual meal nearby with time for an early bedtime.
- Morning
Travel by private car with age-appropriate child seats included to Tianmen Mountain's mountain-gate entrance. Take the Tianmen Cave Express cableway, then the mountain escalators to the summit, subject to operation and weather.
AfternoonWalk short cliff-side sections with breaks, then return by escalators to the Tianmen Cave area and descend by the express cableway, subject to operation and weather. Some stairs remain.
EveningReturn by private car with age-appropriate child seats included to your hotel for your final evening meal.
- Morning
Pack at your own pace and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
AfternoonTransfer by private car with age-appropriate child seats included to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport or Zhangjiajie West station, timed to your onward connection.
EveningDepart on your onward travel.
When to go
Spring and autumn provide comfortable temperatures and clearer days for mountain viewpoints. Summer is green but humid, while winter can bring frost to the upper trails.
“I keep the Golden Whip Stream walk optional between the mountain days, so children have time to recharge before Tianmen Mountain.”
Two ways to take this route
Same route. Travel on your own, or with a guide every day.
Independent
From $1,900 per person
We book hotels, high-speed trains and tickets, and you travel on your own with the LocalKey app. Add a private guide for the days you choose.
- Guide
- No full-time guide; add a guide for set times or sights
- Car
- On request
Private Guided
From $3,000 per person
Your own guide and private car throughout, so sights, meals and transfers are handled with you.
- Guide
- English-speaking private guide throughout
- Car
- Private car throughout
Included on both
- Hotels selected by us, confirmed by you, usually with breakfast
- Transport inside China: high-speed rail, domestic flights and transfers, including 12306 handling
- Entrance tickets for the sights in your itinerary
- Restaurant bookings made ahead where China requires it
- 24h WhatsApp / WeChat support while you travel, plus the LocalKey app
Not included
- International flights — we can book them on request, quoted separately
- Visa fees — many passports can enter China visa-free. Check your passport
- Personal spending and shopping
- Travel insurance
Make it yours
Keep the shape. Change the details.
Shorter or longer
Drop a stop for a shorter trip, or add a city or extra nights where you want more time.
Different hotels
Boutique, international brand or family rooms, in the area that suits your days.
Slower pace
An extra night in a city and fewer early starts.
Your interests
Food, photography, museums or kung fu, swapped into the free time.
Related itineraries
A few more starting points.
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- Independent
- from $1,400 per person
- Private Guided
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9 daysBeijing · Xi'an · ShanghaiFirst Time China: 9 Days, Beijing + Xi'an + Shanghai
- Independent
- from $2,400 per person
- Private Guided
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7 daysShanghai · Hangzhou · SuzhouModern + Poetic: 7 Days, Shanghai + Hangzhou + Suzhou
- Independent
- from $1,800 per person
- Private Guided
- from $2,900 per person
Per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included. Upgraded hotels, extra car or guide time and special requests can raise the price. Your consultant sends a written quote before you pay anything. Reference prices for 2027 trips.
Start planning
Where would you like to begin in China?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A specialist replies within 24 hours with questions, then a written proposal; nothing is booked until you approve it.