Zhangjiajie

Yes — it is in the Yuanjiajie section of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The pillar was officially renamed in 2010 after the film's art director confirmed the pillars inspired the floating mountains. You can see it from the main viewing platform. However, for fewer crowds, walk 200 meters further to the Bridge Viewing Terrace for an equally stunning view.

They are two separate scenic areas about 30 minutes apart. Wulingyuan is the UNESCO World Heritage park that covers a vast area with multiple scenic zones: Yuanjiajie (the famous Avatar pillars), Tianzi Mountain (panoramic peak forest views), Golden Whip Stream (a peaceful 7.5km valley walk with wild macaques), Yangjiajie (rugged, crowd-free trails with the Natural Great Wall), and the newly reopened Yaozizhai (wild cliff-edge paths for adventurous hikers). Tianmen Mountain, on the other hand, is a different peak right near the city, famous for its 7.5-kilometer cable car, glass cliffside walkway, and the natural Heaven's Gate arch. Tianmen Mountain deserves a full day on its own. For Wulingyuan, you'll need at least one full day — but if you want to explore it properly, two days is the way to go.

Most visitors choose a smart combo: ride the Bailong Elevator one way (up or down) and take the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car the other. This covers both highlights efficiently while saving your legs for the summit trails where you'll spend most of your time. The Bailong Elevator is a fantastic time-saver, but be aware that during peak season (summer holidays, national holidays) queues can exceed an hour — arrive early or go mid-week to minimize waiting. That said, if you have the fitness and love adventure, hiking the full route is deeply rewarding. The trails offer a rare sense of solitude among the peak forests — the feeling of having towering sandstone columns all to yourself, far from the cable car crowds, is something no shortcut can replicate.

The macaques at Golden Whip Stream and other trails are wild and can be aggressive if they spot food. Therefore, keep backpacks zipped, avoid feeding them, and do not make direct eye contact. They are a fascinating part of the park's ecosystem. In short, respect their space and you will have memorable encounters without any problems.

Our recommended two-day plan covers the park's highlights without backtracking. On Day 1, head to Yaozizhai — a trail that closed for over a decade and recently reopened to the public. Most tourists don't even know it exists. You'll walk through primal forest as sandstone pillars rise from the earth around you — the same dramatic views as the famous spots but a fraction of the people. Choose the 8km easy route or push for the 12km loop through Jinbian Stream. On Day 2, ride the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie to see the iconic Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, then continue to Tianzi Mountain for sweeping summit views before descending by cable car. Two days, one hidden secret, all the icons.