On June 9, a group of nearly 100 tourists from the United States visited the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to explore the landscape that inspired Pandora's Hallelujah Mountains in the movie Avatar, embarking on an unforgettable journey to explore China's natural wonders. This is the largest overseas tour group Zhangjiajie has received this year and the biggest U.S. tourist group in recent years.
In June, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is adorned with lush green mountains and crystal clear waters, offering breathtaking scenery. The tour group's first stop was Shuiraosimen, where the towering pinnacle landscape left everyone in awe. The fresh air along the Golden Whip Stream further enchanted them, with team members frequently pausing to take photos, captivated by the stunning beauty.
At the Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor elevator, the foreign visitors were overwhelmed with spectacular views again. As the elevator rapidly ascended, the scenery outside the glass windows transformed in a flash—distant peaks rose swiftly beneath their feet, making them feel as if they had stepped into a fairyland. Exclamations of "Wow!" and gasps of amazement filled the air.
In Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, the tourists immersed themselves in Zhangjiajie's unique world-class geological wonders. Their journey was filled with excitement and joy.
"The scenery of Zhangjiajie is absolutely breathtaking. I've never seen such beautiful mountains!" exclaimed a tourist Susan Abrishami. She vowed to share the stunning landscapes of Zhangjiajie with her friends and family, hoping more Americans would learn about the miraculous natural beauty of China.
Another traveler Scott Soifer shared his joy, "Zhangjiajie is our first stop in China, and seeing it firsthand has convinced us that it's an incredible place. Not only are the landscapes uniquely spectacular, but the people are also incredibly warm and hospitable." He added, "I'm so glad we brought our children along to experience and appreciate China's natural wonders."
The tourist group will enjoy a three-day itinerary in Zhangjiajie. In addition to admiring the natural scenery, they will experience a long table banquet of the Tujia ethnic group and will take in folk cultural performances.
With the continuous rollout of favorable inbound tourism policies and the growing global popularity of Zhangjiajie, the destination has become a top choice for overseas visitors traveling to China. According to preliminary statistics, as of June 9, 2025, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has received over 360,000 international tourist arrivals this year, marking a 30% year-on-year increase and hitting a record high compared with the same period of previous years.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Chinese source: hunantoday
