The Most Beautiful Gorge

Jinbian Stream constitutes the prime tourist zone of Zhangjiajie, stretching 5,700 meters in total length. Originating from Tudiya, the stream winds tortuously from the headquarters of Zhangjiajie Forest Farm to Shuirao Simen. Extremely serene, it meanders along mountain contours, threading through valleys shrouded in cloud and mist, and stretches on amid birdsong and blooming flowers.

Jinbian Stream derives its name from Jinbian Rock that stands beside its course. Running 6.5 kilometers from west to east across the forest park, it is flanked by rows of fantastic peaks that form a picturesque landscape. Playful wild animals, ancient grotesque trees and leisurely swimming fish lend the valley an extraordinary tranquil atmosphere. The entire stretch of Jinbian Stream is reputed as "the most beautiful gorge in the world".

Its major scenic spots include Drunken Arhat, Divine Eagle Guarding the Golden Whip, Golden Whip Rock, Flower and Fruit Mountain, Water Curtain Cave, Splitting the Mountain to Rescue Mother, Thousand-Mile Reunion, Nanmu Flatland and Shuirao Simen.

Golden Whip Rock rises abruptly over 380 meters from the ground. Formed entirely of quartz sandstone, the monolith glows brilliant golden under sunlight, hence the prefix "golden" attached to this stone whip. Beside it stands a peak shaped like a majestic eagle guarding its young, keeping watch over the golden whip day and night; this combined landscape is named Divine Eagle Guarding the Golden Whip.

A massive rock split right down the middle bears the name Splitting the Mountain to Rescue Mother, originating from an ancient legend. A boy named Chenxiang’s mother was imprisoned beneath the mountain for violating celestial rules. To save her, Chenxiang trained tirelessly and finally cleaved the mountain with an axe to free his mother.

Flower and Fruit Mountain and Water Curtain Cave, the domain of the Monkey King Sun Wukong, are household names thanks to the classic novel Journey to the West. All in all, this stretch of scenery resembles an earthly paradise that makes visitors linger on, reluctant to leave.

Shuirao Simen marks the confluence of Jinbian Stream, Kuangdong Stream and Longwei Stream. The valley broadens here, with the elegant Yuping Peak standing gracefully and the mysterious legend of the Longevity Tablet handed down through generations.

Winding through mountain peaks and deep valleys, Jinbian Stream showcases Zhangjiajie’s natural beauty to the fullest. The clear stream tumbles over undulating terrain, dotted with small fish swimming freely. Fresh flowers and plants line the banks, filled with warbling birds. Walking along the crystal brook feels like wandering inside a painting.

Jinbian Stream boasts the well-known praise: "Its current never dries through thousand-year droughts, and its waters stay emerald green even after ten thousand years of continuous rain." The renowned literary giant Shen Congwen praised it as "the maiden of Zhangjiajie", while celebrated painter Wu Guanzhong described it as "a world full of fairy tales".

Boasting an original ecological environment, Jinbian Stream hosts diverse flora and fauna. Evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests dominate the area, with nanmu trees as the primary species. Rare national Class-I protected plants, dove trees (Davidia involucrata) and metasequoias, also grow here.

A peculiar flower shaped exactly like a lobster lines the stream banks, known as the lobster flower. This precious herb comes in varying sizes and hues of red, blue, yellow and more. The stream is also home to giant salamanders, the world’s largest and rarest living amphibians and national Class-II protected wild animals.

Take the special shuttle bus bound for the Forest Park at Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (50 meters beside the railway station).

Entry via the Forest Park Ticket Gate: Walk into Jinbian Stream from Laomowan Square.

A full hike along the entire Jinbian Stream takes no less than 3 hours.

Jinbian Stream is a low-mountain sightseeing route. Recommended one-day itinerary: Downtown → Forest Park Ticket Gate → Hike Jinbian Stream → Shuirao Simen → Scenic Area Eco-shuttle → Ten-Mile Gallery → Eco-shuttle → Wujiayu Ticket Gate → Wulingyuan District. The whole trip requires at least 6 hours.

Admission: Included in the Wulingyuan Core Scenic Area ticket (248 RMB, valid for 4 consecutive days) Address: Jinbian Stream Scenic Area, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City