Zhangjiajie lies in northwest Hunan Province. It is divided into four regions: Zhangjiajie National Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve, Tianzishan Nature Reserve and Yangjiajie Scenic Area. The whole area is of a primitive limestone landscape, home to more than 500 species of trees and animals.

It is also home to three ethnic groups - Tujia, Bai and Miao, which make up 70% of the local population. These ethnic groups maintain much of their traditional culture, including the language, festivals, clothing and architectural styles.

Chinese Net Friends' Reviews:

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If you have a chance to go to Zhangjiajie downtown area, I suggest you to go to Beizheng Street. Passing Jiefang Road, there are many distinctive little restaurants.

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The landscape of Zhangjiajie is truly beautiful, but you'd better ask an acquaintance who has been there to guide you. The forest park, Tianzi Mountain, Huanglong Cave, Maoyan River, Jiutian Cave should all be seen. You'd better not follow the strangers' advice.

Climate:
Zhangjiajie scenic area has a subtropical damp monsoon climate, characterized by plenty of rainfall and sunshine. The January temperature is around 5C and July reaches about 28C. The best time to visit Zhangjiajie is April or October when the valley is at its best. It is safer to avoid climbing the mountain in the rain, since the pathways can be slippery and the summit is often covered by thick fog.

Average annual temperature:16.8C.

Annual rainfall: About 1,382 mm.

Frost free period: About 268 days.

Local Features: Customs

Marriage Customs Engagement
Before reform in 1735 in Qing Dynasty, Tujia and Miao people had free marriage. They know each other by singing folk songs, joining in the swing hand dances and joining in the local fair. Then under the influence of Han people, the marriage is contracted by parents and a go-between but some tradition still remains. The marriage proceeds in Four steps: First the male's family ask the go-between to go to the female's family to propose marriage. If the female party agree they'll come to the boy's family led by the go-between. If the male party are satisfied they will accept the meal offered by the boy's family. When they are about to leave, the parents will give the future daughter-in-law some money. Some days later the male party ask the go-between to send presents and marriage request to the female party. If the girl's family agrees, they will prepare the marriage furniture.

Martial Arts & Vaudeville
Tujia people worship martial arts, and have done for thousands of years. To consolidate the ruling, the local king possessed an army that could fight in battle and could do farming in peace. After the reform in the Qing Dynasty the weapons were put back in the arsenal, Tujia people began to practice boxing. It's mainly for defending, combining defense with offensive changing in different time, directions placing a person and objective. The most fierce are exercises to benefit the internal organs ,the skills to resolve the dilemma and touching vital points to cause internal injury. After the founding of the P.R.C., Tujia wushu gradually became performances in sports and in theatre.