Guigu Moat in Zhangjiajie
Guigu Moat, also known as Guigu Tianqian (鬼谷天坠), is located in the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (天门山国家森林公园) of Zhangjiajie (张家界). This narrow, deep crevice looks as if it was cleaved open by a knife, offering a thrilling and dramatic sight. Standing on the Guigu Plank Road (鬼谷栈道), visitors can watch the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car (天门山索道) pass overhead, making one feel like they are in a natural deep ravine. The Guigu Plank Road is “bottomless,” and the famous “Wildly Swept Treasure” (野拂藏宝) of the Six Mysteries of Tianmen Mountain lies next to the path. According to local legends, this was the site where treasures were hidden by the Ming Dynasty rebel army during the late Ming period. Historical studies suggest that after the rebel leader Li Zicheng (李自成) fled Beijing, he and his general, Li Guo (李过), hid treasure in Tianmen Mountain, though the exact location remains a mystery to this day.
Wildly Swept Treasure
The Guigu Plank Road is suspended above sheer cliffs, with the Guigu Moat, Guigu Military Disk (鬼谷兵盘), Wildly Swept Treasure, and Yi Hong Pass (倚虹关) scattered along the path.
Yi Hong Pass is a great vantage point to view the geological wonder known as the “Broken Mountain Rainbow Bridge” (断山虹桥). From this spot, visitors can gaze upon towering, jagged peaks that pierce the sky, while the nearby Red Pine Peak (赤松峰) is said to be where the ancient rain god Chisongzi (赤松子) of Shennong resided and practiced. On the opposite side, a peak shaped like a monk’s hat is called “Monk’s Brain” by locals. Between these peaks lies a massive fissure, which is bridged by a giant stone, forming a natural rainbow-like arch, hence the name “Broken Rainbow Bridge,” one of the ten scenic spots of Tianmen Mountain (天门山十景).
Features of the Scenic Area:
- Photography: This area, with its stunning natural beauty, is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
- Scenic Viewing: Standing on the plank road, visitors can overlook the surrounding mountains, embodying the spirit of the ancient poet who said, “I shall stand atop the highest peak and view the rest of the mountains as mere hills.”
- Mountain Climbing: For those who enjoy a challenge, this spot offers a great opportunity to hike.
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Located within the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park (天门山国家森林公园) in the Yongding District (永定区) of Zhangjiajie (张家界).
Opening Hours:
- Peak Season (March 1 – November 30): 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Tickets stop being sold at 4:30 PM)
- Off-Season (December 1 – February 28): 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Tickets stop being sold at 4:00 PM)
Best Time to Visit:
- April to June
- September to November
Ticket Information:
The ticket price is 258 RMB. Zhangjiajie (张家界) has multiple famous attractions, each requiring a separate ticket.
Recommended Self-Drive Route:
From Zhangjiajie, travel through Jinbianxi (金鞭溪), Yuanjiajie (袁家界), and finally reach Tianzi Mountain (天子山) and the Zhangjiajie Yellow Dragon Cave (张家界黄龙洞).
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Located in the northwest of Hunan Province (湖南省), this is a must-visit spot for travelers in Zhangjiajie (张家界).
Zhangjiajie Main Scenic Areas:
Typically, a visit to the main scenic areas of Zhangjiajie, such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (张家界国家森林公园), Jinbianxi Scenic Area (金鞭溪景区), Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (袁家界景区), Zhangjiajie Yellow Dragon Cave (张家界黄龙洞), Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area (天子山景区), and Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊景区), requires 2 to 3 days.
