Suggested day-by-day flow
A typical shape pairs two to three days in Chongqing with three to four in Zhangjiajie; we tailor the exact split to your dates and pace.
Chongqing: the neon 8D city
Meet your private guide and car and settle into the mountain megacity. Explore stacked cliffside streets, the monorail threading through buildings, and end with river night views over Hongya Cave.
Chongqing essentials, then high-speed rail
Finish the city highlights at a relaxed pace, then transfer by direct high-speed rail - a calm ride of around two hours, city centre to city centre. We reserve the seats and meet you with a private car in Zhangjiajie.
Zhangjiajie: the Avatar mountains
A full day among the towering quartz-sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan that helped inspire the floating peaks of Avatar, taking in the high viewing platforms and valley trails.
Tianmen Mountain and Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
Ride the long cable car up Tianmen Mountain to its cliff-hugging walkways and the natural arch of Heaven's Gate, with the option of the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge for a walk on glass high above the gorge.
Departure or extension
Exit by rail or flight with a private station or airport transfer, or extend with more mountain time or a Wulong Karst nature day before you leave. We shape the ending around your onward plans.
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: 2 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 seats reserved 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
Two private tour price levels
Private guide and vehicle, practical routing, reliable local support, and comfort hotel planning if accommodation is included.
Premium hotels, senior guide matching, upgraded transfers, stronger dining support, slower pacing and more bespoke daily design.
What changes the quote: travel dates, group size, hotel level, route length, Wulong/Dazu/Zhangjiajie extensions, cruise or rail tickets, and special food or accessibility needs.
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.
Around a week is comfortable for both. A common shape is two to three days in Chongqing for the neon 8D city, the short rail transfer, then three to four days in Zhangjiajie for the pillars, Tianmen and the glass bridge. We tailor the exact split to your interests and pace.
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 later, with the details set out in writing.