Suggested day-by-day flow
The full seven-day flow below gives Chongqing three unhurried days before the rail transfer to Zhangjiajie's mountains. A compact five-day version runs the same route; we fit the split to your dates and pace.
Arrive in Chongqing
Your guide and driver meet you at Jiangbei airport and see you into your hotel in the heart of the mountain city. Settle in and take the evening at your own pace - the 8D city starts tomorrow.
A slow city day, ending gold at Hongya Cave
Chongqing on foot and unhurried: the Shancheng Trail's hillside walkways, the old lanes of Shibati, and river views along the way. As the light drops, Hongya Cave switches on - eleven storeys of stilt-houses glowing gold above the water.
The icons: river cableway, Liziba and hot pot
Ride the Yangtze River Cableway across the water for the classic skyline crossing, stand at Liziba as the monorail threads straight through a residential tower, then end with a boiling Chongqing hot pot - the city's signature table.
Pandas in the morning, mountains by evening
Start at Chongqing Zoo with the giant pandas at close range - all bamboo and no hurry - then board the afternoon high-speed rail. About two hours through the hills, and your local guide is waiting in Zhangjiajie.
Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain: the Avatar pillars
A full day in Wulingyuan's sandstone-pillar country: Yuanjiajie's wide viewing platforms - the peaks that helped inspire Avatar - and Tianzi Mountain's ridgeline panoramas, with cloud seas drifting through on the right mornings.
Huangshizhai and the Golden Whip Stream
Huangshizhai's plateau loop for the long views, then down along the Golden Whip Stream - a quiet valley walk beneath the pillars, all slow water and birdsong.
Tianmen Mountain and Heaven's Gate
The long cable car climbs through the clouds to Tianmen Mountain: cliff-hugging walkways and the vast natural arch of Heaven's Gate. We shape your exit around your onward plans - an evening rail or flight, or one more night before you fly.
Who this guide is for
Travellers who want to combine Chongqing with Zhangjiajie without managing tickets, transfers, hotels and regional guides alone.
Planning notes
- Best sequence: 3 nights Chongqing, rail to Zhangjiajie, 3 nights Zhangjiajie, then exit by rail or flight.
- What we handle: rail tickets, station transfers, private guides in both regions, hotel location and daily pacing.
- Best for: photographers, couples and first-time China travellers who want two visually unforgettable regions in one trip.
What's included
Included
- Private English-speaking guides in both Chongqing and Zhangjiajie
- Private vehicle with driver and all station or airport transfers
- High-speed rail seat booking service (ticket cost quoted separately) and station meet-and-greet at both ends
- Core sightseeing planning and daily pacing across both regions
- One point of contact with 24-hour in-trip support
Not included
- Inter-city rail or flight tickets - we can arrange and quote these for you
- Hotels unless your package states accommodation is included
- Meals, personal spending and gratuities
- Travel insurance and China visa
See how our pricing works — typical private tours from $580 per person →
Want this turned into a private itinerary?
Tell us your dates, group size and comfort level. Anjia will turn this guide into a private Chongqing route with guide, vehicle, hotels and practical timing.
Questions travellers ask
The two cities are now joined by a direct high-speed rail link of about two hours, city centre to city centre. Private transfers and flights are alternatives. On our plan we reserve the rail seats and meet you with a private car and guide at each station, so the transfer is seamless.
For most travellers, yes. Stations sit centrally, there is far less waiting than at an airport, and the ride is scenic and relaxed. Flights exist and can suit certain schedules, but with a direct rail link of around two hours the train is usually the more central, lower-stress choice. We advise honestly for your dates.
Seven days is the comfortable shape: three days in Chongqing for the neon city and the pandas, the short rail transfer, then Zhangjiajie's pillars, Huangshizhai and Tianmen Mountain. A compact five-day version covers the same route at a brisker pace. We tailor the exact split to your interests.
Yes. It is just your party throughout, with private guides and a private car in both regions and no forced shopping. The Zhangjiajie ground programme is delivered in partnership with China Fantasy Travel, so the mountain half stays as private and seamless as the city half.
Yes, these are the headline sights. You will see the Avatar-style quartz-sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain with its cliff-side walkways and Heaven's Gate. The Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is included as an option for those who want to walk on glass high above the gorge.
Send us your travel dates, group size and preferred hotel level, and we will prepare a free custom itinerary with a clear price range. A deposit confirms your dates and the balance is settled in person in China after you arrive and sign your written tour contract, with the details set out in writing.