Maoyanhe Grand Canyon in Zhangjiajie
Maoyanhe Grand Canyon is a scenic area located in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China. It is situated at the junction of Yongding District and Sangzhi County, approximately 28 kilometers from Zhangjiajie city center and 17 kilometers from the Sangzhi County government seat. The entire scenic area spans 100 kilometers, starting from the Jiutian Cave (九天洞) in Sangzhi County, passing through the Kuzhu Village (苦竹寨), Kuzhu River Grand Canyon (苦竹河大峡谷), and the Maoyanhe River (茅岩河) for rafting, and ending at the Yuhuang Cave (玉皇石窟) in the city of Zhangjiajie. Along the way, visitors can enjoy stunning views of lush mountains, clear waters, towering cliffs, ancient caves, primitive forests, and fascinating local customs.
Scenic Overview
The Maoyanhe Grand Canyon is a popular tourist attraction and part of the Karst landscape. The Jiutian Cave, known as “Asia’s Largest Cave,” and Maoyanhe River, dubbed “A Hundred-Mile Gallery,” are the two main highlights of the region. Maoyanhe Grand Canyon is a National 4A-level tourist area. The Jiutian Cave, a giant Karst cave, is one of the most significant attractions here, while Maoyanhe River offers a combination of sightseeing and rafting experiences.
Geographical Location
- Location: Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China
- Climate: Subtropical mountain monsoon humid climate
- Opening Hours: Year-round, Monday to Sunday, 08:00-18:00
- Scenic Area Level: AAAA-level (4A)
Scenic Features
The Jiutian Cave (九天洞) is a massive Karst cave with a total area of over 2.5 million square meters, making it the largest cave in Asia. The cave is rich in formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, stone curtains, underground rivers, waterfalls, natural bridges, and crystal-clear lakes. The cave consists of three main levels—upper, middle, and lower—with the lowest level being 470 meters below the ground. Visitors can explore around 250,000 square meters of the cave, with a journey that takes around two hours and covers 8 kilometers (4 miles).
Key Scenic Spots
Jiutian Cave (九天洞)
This cave, part of the Karst landscape, is known for its extensive and complex structure. It is composed of over 30 notable spots, including the Tujia Mountain Village (土家山寨), Underground Forest (地下森林), Crystal Palace (水晶宫), and more. The cave has been investigated by international cave experts and is open to the public for exploration. The cave’s formations, including over ten natural bridges, twelve waterfalls, and numerous underground lakes, create a mesmerizing environment.
First Skylight (第一个天窗)
The first skylight is the largest and closest skylight to the surface, situated 54 meters from the ground. The hole’s entrance creates a significant drop of 18 meters to the ground below, opening into the cave’s first hall, which spans approximately 250 square meters.
Huabiao (华表)
Inside the cave, there is a unique stone formation resembling the Huabiao, the stone columns that symbolize Chinese culture. This stone pillar reminds visitors of the hope for safe returns, much like those placed in ancient Chinese imperial journeys.
Lotus Hall and Avalokiteshvara Statue (莲花厅、观音坐莲台)
The Lotus Hall (莲花厅) is the second-largest hall in the cave, where a hanging lotus flower is observed. The water droplets from the flower form a pool beneath. In the same area, visitors can spot the statue of Avalokiteshvara (观音), who is meditating.
Tujia Mountain Village (土家山寨)
This scenic spot features stunning lighting, resembling a prosperous village. It is one of the cave’s “three wonders,” bringing to mind the bustling urban scenes in places like Chongqing.
Lucky Stone (幸运石)
There is a red stone, resembling agate, found in the cave. This stone is said to be a “lucky stone” due to the iron oxide it contains. It is believed that touching this stone brings good luck, especially for first-time visitors.
Underground Zhangjiajie (地下张家界)
Visitors can witness the “Underground Forest,” also known as the “small Zhangjiajie,” with towering stone pillars that resemble the picturesque formations of the Tianzi Mountain (天子山) in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (张家界国家森林公园).
Crystal Palace and Crystal Mountain (水晶宫、水晶山)
The Crystal Mountain (水晶山), known as the origin of the Crystal Palace (水晶宫), is a site formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate deposits. The mountain’s shimmering surface is caused by a special phosphorus-containing calcite crystal. These glistening crystals are most visible during the dry winter months, adding to the beauty of the underground world.
Main Attractions
Maoyanhe Lake Cruise and Maoyanhe Drift (茅岩河平湖游与茅岩河漂流)
The Maoyanhe Grand Canyon (茅岩河峡谷) is a geological wonder formed by limestone, dolomite, and low mountain karst basins from the Permian and Triassic periods. Over millions of years, erosion by the Li River (澧水) has carved out this dramatic gorge. The cliff faces feature patterns created by the erosion and fossil evolution of ancient organisms. The scenic area has introduced various tourist transport options such as rubber boats, wooden boats, sailing boats, and large luxury cruise ships. Visitors can enjoy the rustic Tujia (土家族) ethnic culture with landmarks like the Beacon Wall (烽火墙), stilted houses (吊脚楼), and stone streets (石板街), and experience cultural performances such as the Maogusi (茅古斯) dance, Baishou dance (摆手舞), Dongdongkui (咚咚喹) songs, and the April 8th Cow King Worship (四月八拜牛王) and June 6th Tanhou (覃垕) rituals. The main attractions include Kuzhu Village (苦竹寨), Xuemengou (血门沟), Qinian Village (七年寨), Tanhou Wang Garden (覃垕王园林), Black Snake Bay (黑蛇湾), Huoshao Yugui Gate (火烧鱼鬼门关), Mandarin Duck Island (鸳鸯洲), Fairy Bathing (仙女沐浴), and the Shui Dongzi Waterfall (水洞子瀑布), among others, totaling over 40 scenic spots.
Crystal Mountain (水晶山)
Located within the Jiutian Cave Crystal Palace (九天洞水晶宫), Crystal Mountain (水晶山) is a natural wonder where surface water collects into streams and leaks through cracks in the cave ceiling. The deposits of calcite and secondary calcium carbonate form “flowstone.” The mountain glitters when dry, and when water flows over it, it creates a spectacular “stone waterfall” display.
Patterned Wall (印花墙)
The Patterned Wall (印花墙) in Maoyanhe Lake Cruise (茅岩河平湖游) is a breathtaking display of natural art. The rich organic matter carried by water erodes the uneven rock walls along the banks, resulting in intricate patterns that resemble wall paintings, board paintings, watercolors, and ink paintings. These formations are mesmerizing and diverse.
Shui Dongzi Waterfall (水洞子瀑布)
Situated downstream of Maoyanhe Drift (茅岩河漂流), the Shui Dongzi Waterfall (水洞子瀑布) emerges from a large cave in the rock face. The waterfall is approximately 70 meters high and 45 meters wide. It does not flow directly down the cliff face; instead, it emerges from crevices, intermittently opening and closing like a living entity.
Transportation Information
- By Train or Plane: Arrive in Zhangjiajie (张家界) and take Bus 13 (13路公交车) to reach the scenic area.
Local Cuisine
The local cuisine of Xiang (湘味) in Zhangjiajie (张家界) is known for its distinctive spicy, sour, and fragrant flavors. Local specialties include:
- Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)
- Spring Rolls (春卷)
- Dragon Pig’s Blood (龙脂猪血)
- Braised Pork Trotters (红烧猪蹄)
- Spicy Chicken (麻辣子鸡)
- Hairy Cow Tripe (发丝牛百叶)
- Tujia Smoked Meat (土家腊肉)
- Stone Frog (石蛙)
- Roasted Chicken with Wild Mushrooms (岩耳烧鸡)
- Dongjia Pickled Fish (侗家腌鱼)
- Zhijiang Duck (芷江鸭)
- Hongjiang Duck Blood Cake (洪江鸭血粑)
- Linwu Duck (临武鸭)
- Xianghuang Chicken (湘黄鸡)
Tujia cured meats (土家腊味) are also famous, including cured pork, lamb, beef, dog meat, pig’s trotters, sausages, and blood tofu. The sour and spicy dishes like wild garlic shoots, sour vegetables, and spicy corn paste are traditional, while Tujia home-style meals such as pumpkin soup, rice tofu, and stewed meat are a must-try. The region is also known for its pickled vegetables and wild herbs.
In Zhangjiajie (张家界) scenic areas, food can be quite expensive, with meat dishes starting at 30 RMB, wild game at 80 RMB or more, and vegetables around 15 RMB per dish. However, dining outside the scenic areas is more affordable, and street food stalls offer delicious, inexpensive snacks, with Tujia hotpot being a local favorite.
Travel Tips
- Operating Hours: The scenic area is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Special Group Booking Policy:
- Free Admission: Children under 1.2 meters, seniors aged 70 or above with ID or senior citizen card.
- Discount Admission: Children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters get a half-price ticket.
Free Admission for Healthcare Workers
In February 2020, the scenic area offered free admission to healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic from the opening of the season until December 31, 2020, as a gesture of gratitude for their hard work.
