First, Get This Straight: The Two "Reservations" Are Not the Same Thing
Many friends visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for the first time get confused by the two "reservations": what exactly is the relationship between this "first paid reservation for entry" and the "second free QR code reservation for entry"? Why do I need a reservation after I've already bought a ticket? Don't worry — below we explain it clearly in one go, so you'll never misunderstand again.
Simply put, the first entry is "buy a ticket + make a reservation," and the second entry and later are "reservation only, no money." The two functions are completely different, explained separately below.
First Entry: Paid Reservation, Buy the Ticket First
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park implements real-name, time-slot, and gate-specific reservations for entry. On your first entry, you must first buy a ticket (online); when buying, you choose your entry gate and time slot. This step has a price because what you're buying is the "ticket" itself.
In other words, the first reservation is tied to ticket purchase: what you pay is the ticket price, and the reservation simply confirms "which day, what time, and from which gate you enter." So there is no situation of "paying an extra reservation fee" on your first entry.
Second Entry: Free Reservation, Not a Penny More
Your ticket is valid for multiple entries and exits within 4 days. But! To spread out and control visitor flow and for safety, even if you've already bought a ticket, for the second entry and every entry after, you must "reserve" again — note that this reservation is completely free; it just tells the scenic area "what time today and from which gate I'm coming in again."
Key point: the first time is "buy a ticket + reserve," the second time is "reserve only, no money." Many people mistakenly think the second QR code scan requires paying the ticket price again — we apologize here, it was our unclear explanation — the second reservation is free; you don't need to pay a single cent more!
For visitors, this means that over four days you can enter the mountains repeatedly at your own pace: today walk Yuanjiajie, tomorrow go to Tianzi Mountain, the day after make an extra trip to Jinbian Stream — just spend one minute before each outing to freely reserve a time slot and gate, and you won't have to agonize over "do I need to buy another ticket to go in again."
How to Do It: Steps for First and Second Entry
First Entry:
- Buy your ticket through the ticketing platform, choosing your gate and time slot;
- Arrive at the corresponding gate at your reserved time and enter by swiping your ID card + face scan;
- Remember to bring your original valid ID (ID card, passport, Hong Kong and Macao travel permit, etc.).
Second Entry:
- Within the ticket's validity period, use your phone to scan the QR code below to reserve for free (or reserve in the mini-program) for your next entry time and gate;
- Likewise, arrive at the gate at your reserved time and enter by swiping your ID card + face scan;
- The whole process is free; no further payment is required.
Friendly Reminders: These Two Points Are the Easiest to Get Wrong
Whichever entry it is, you must follow the reserved gate and time slot, otherwise the turnstile will stop you. That is, if you reserved the East Gate, don't enter from the South Gate; if you reserved the morning, don't put it off until the afternoon — if your plans change, please reserve again.
Be sure to carry your ID card with you; it is your proof for entry. The ticket is valid for multiple entries and exits within 4 days; the second, third time… each time you must make a new free reservation.
Today, please scan the QR code above and reserve your second entry for free! We wish you a happy time in Zhangjiajie!
Practical Tips
- Choose the right gate when you first buy your ticket: for a first visit or if bringing elderly people or children, the East Gate (Wulingyuan Landmark Gate) is recommended, with the most complete facilities; for hiking Jinbian Stream, choose the South Gate; to avoid crowds, choose the West Gate; to save effort and go straight to the mountaintop, choose the North Gate.
- Complete your reservation before setting out each time, arrive at the gate at your reserved time slot, and enter by swiping your ID card + face scan, to avoid handling things on the spot at the turnstile.
- Carry the original of your ID card, passport, Hong Kong and Macao travel permit, etc.; bring whichever document you used for the booking.
- Transport within the park — cableways, elevators, shuttle buses, etc. — requires separate tickets, to be prepared separately from the main gate ticket; private cars cannot be driven into the scenic area and must be parked in the parking lot outside the gate, where you transfer to shuttle buses.
- With a four-day validity period, there's no need to rush your itinerary; schedule the most physically demanding day for when you're at your best — early morning after rain clearing is when you're more likely to encounter a sea of clouds.
Current Implementation Standards
From January 1, 2025, the Wulingyuan core scenic area cancels the peak/off-peak difference, with a unified ticket of 165 yuan per person, valid for 4 consecutive days. Transport within the scenic area (shuttle buses, etc.) is 71 yuan, and personal accident insurance is 3 yuan, totaling 239 yuan for the three items. This site includes the 3 yuan insurance as a gift, so visitors actually pay 236 yuan. It should be noted: 165 yuan is only the price of the ticket itself, excluding scenic area transport and insurance, so there's no need to be puzzled by the three figures 165, 236, and 239 — they refer to different scopes.