Through Mist and Mountains
Our trip began with a train ride from Guangzhou to Changsha, arriving in the early evening. The city greeted us with the usual glow of bright advertising signs and the scent of Chinese street food.
We wandered through the modern inner city for a short while, sipping on a famous local milk tea and snacking on Changsha’s signature stinky tofu. Crunchy, pungent, and surprisingly not as tasty as the Changsha stinky tofu we have near our apartment in Guangzhou.
Then it was off to bed. Just one night in the city before the mountains began calling.
To Zhangjiajie: Entering the World of “Avatar”
The next morning, we boarded another train, this time heading just a bit north to Zhangjiajie. Home to one of China’s most iconic natural wonders. Thanks to David Cameron but also to nature.
As we entered the national park, we first passed through its lower grounds: wide walking paths, ancient trees, and a bold crowd of monkeys confidently watching the flood of mostly elderly Chinese tourists stream by.
Soon after, we headed up into the peaks, toward the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, also known as the “Avatar Mountains.” As we climbed the famous stairway cut into the cliffs and passed through a natural rock arch wrapped in mist, it felt like stepping into a fantasy.
The vertical stone pillars, rising straight into the clouds, gave the landscape a surreal, otherworldly feeling. It was, without question, stunning. Though undeniably touristic, with crowds and cameras at every turn.
We descended back to our hotel and rested for a bit before the evening’s highlight: a grand musical performance showcasing the culture and traditions of the region.
The theater alone was massive, and the production was truly impressive. An energetic, emotional show that brought the myths and folklore of Zhangjiajie to life.
Caves, Villages, and Slowing Down
The following day, we took it easier. First, a visit to the Yellow Dragon Caves. While the caverns were large and well-lit, they lacked the drama and charm of the misty mountains. Still, it was worth the stop.
Nearby, we wandered through a historical village where a giant old water mill still turned beside stone buildings. The pace was slower here, calm. We enjoyed a roadside meal of traditional Hunan cuisine, Spicy, rich, and deeply satisfying, before heading to our next hotel near Tianmen Mountain National Park.
Tianmen Mountain: Walking Through the Clouds
The next morning, we began the climb up Tianmen Mountain. Though every path was paved, stairs, cobblestones, handrails, the journey was no less magical. The weather was perfectly dramatic: misty, cool, and cloud-draped, yet dry.
As we climbed higher, temples appeared, hidden deep within the folds of the mountain, silent and timeless.
Up on the peak, we followed a narrow trail that looped along the mountaintop. The pathway weaved through thick mist, opening very seldom for sweeping views, then closing again into a wall of grey.
The mist danced around the cliffs, making everything feel dreamlike. We walked in silence, letting the mountain speak for itself.
An Experience to Carry
From buzzing Changsha to the mystical heights of Tianmen, this trip was a blend of ancient stories, surreal nature, and everyday moments. Milk tea on busy streets, monkeys in the trees, temples in the clouds.
We left with tired legs and full hearts, and the memory of walking through mist high above the world.
We then had to finish this stunning holiday and took the train back to Guangzhou. But up to this day the walk around the misty peak and the temple right on the mountain keep staying in our minds.
