Tianzi Mountain

"King of the peak forests" (Imperial Brush Peak / Fairy Scattering Flowers / Helong Park bronze statue), best spots for sunrise and the sea of clouds (Daguantai, Laowuchang). Named after Xiang Dakun, an early-Ming Tujia leader who styled himself "Xiang Wang Tianzi" and gathered his followers here, this plateau over 1,000 m above sea level overlooks the surrounding peaks and is hailed as the "king of the peak forests." Imperial Brush Peak's slender stone columns slant skyward like brushes on an imperial rack—the signature image of Zhangjiajie; the Fairy Scattering Flowers peak resembles a fairy holding blossoms as she gazes into the deep valley, looking like a celestial maiden descended when mist drifts past. In Helong Park, the bronze statue of Marshal He Long stands backed by the peaks—a tribute to the native son of Sangzhi who rose up "with two kitchen knives"; Daguantai and Laowuchang are the best vantage points for the sea of clouds and sunrise, where the peaks in morning light look like immortal isles at sea—photographers often stake out the spots before dawn.

Getting there: Tianzi Mountain Cableway / hike up via Ten-Mile Gallery