Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Established in 1982 as China first national forest park, Zhangjiajie covers 43 sq km in Hunan Province and is famous for its 3,000-plus towering sandstone pillar formations, some rising over 200 metres, that inspired the floating mountains in the film Avatar. The park protects a rare subtropical forest ecosystem with over 3,000 plant species and 116 endangered animals including the Chinese giant salamander. It attracts more than 30 million visitors annually and is part of the larger Wulingyuan UNESCO World Heritage Area.