With China still being somewhat of a white spot on Google Maps due to restricted usability, I thought I would help the cause and add a little more color to it by sharing a bit about one (and perhaps more in the future) of China’s natural marvels: Zhang Jia Jie (张家界) in Hunan Province.
This magical landscape is one of two areas (the other being Guilin, also in China) which reportedly served James Cameron as inspiration when designing the alien world of Pandora for his motion-picture masterpiece Avatar. Already in 1992 the Wulingyuan Scenic Area was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting there is fairly easy with Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport being only 30 km away from Wulingyuan. As any major tourist attraction in China, Zhang Jia Jie is the destination of millions of mostly domestic tourists every year. Despite the crowds it is still worth visiting. Due to its considerable size you will always find a quiet spot where you can be in awe of the scenery and dream away.
In addition, the local government is continuously expanding the local infrastructure and attractions, such as the giant Glass Bridge (see last photo), which lets you cross a canyon while staring down 300 m (as high as the Eiffel Tower!) below you through a glass floor. Have a look at the other photos as well, and perhaps one day you’ll visit it yourself. If so, hopefully this post served you as inspiration.
