Golden Whip Stream

Golden Whip Stream - the iconic tourist attraction in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan), is famous for its numerous pass-by attractions like Golden Whip Rock, Drunk Arhat Peak, and Lover Peaks, hence this 7-km-long (4.3 mi) stream is also reputed as “Landscape Gallery” and “Fairyland on Earth”. Hiking along it, you can not only appreciate peaks and valleys winding up and down, but also see fish swimming in clear water, hear birds singing, and watch monkeys having fun.

Golden Whip Rock is one of the 10 superb scenes in Zhangjiajie. It is a 380-meter-high (415 yards) columnar rock with 4 distinct edges, looking thin in the upper part, while thick in the lower part. Covered with many stripes, the Rock is like a long whip standing on the land. The best time to watch the Rock is at sunset. As the sun shines on the Rock, it looks like being coated with dazzling gold, turning the “rock whip” into “golden whip”, hence the name. 

Beside it, there is another peak shaped like an eagle trying to protect its cubs. The “eagle” stands by the Rock day and night, creating a majestic scene “Eagle Guardian Peak”.

This Rock is split in the middle and local people gave it a romantic name “Cleave Mountain to Save Mother” Rock based on an ancient Chinese story. Legend has it that a boy wanted to save his mother who violated the holy rule and then was imprisoned under a mountain. Through hard practice, the son finally cleaved that mountain by an axe, thus saving his mother.

 

Tianzi Sandbar is surrounded by Golden Whip Stream and other 3 streams: Dragon Tail Stream, Tianzi Stream, and Mine Hole Stream. They intersect with each other at Tianzi Sandbar and then flow in 4 directions. The Sandbar is also a historical site. In history, a kingdom was established here. Apart from seeing the scenic sandbar, you can also visit the Tomb of Zhangliang built on the mountain on the left, who was an important politician in the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD).

Drunk Arhat is on the opposite of Golden Whip Stream. It got the name from its shape like a drunk Arhat - a Buddhist character. Standing on the slope, this 200-meter-high (655 feet) round and red peak leans to Golden Whip Stream at an angle of 70 degrees, seeming to fall down on the ground. While, if watching from the back, it looks like a sword pointing to the sky.

These two Peaks are very close to each other, just like a couple gazing at each other and talking about something. The higher and thicker one symbolizes the “husband”, and the smaller and thinner one is the “wife”.

 

Huaguo Hill and Shulian Cave are the shooting locations for the Chinese TV series - “Journey to the West”. It’s interesting to take photos by imitating the movements of the characters in the series. Here, there are many monkeys having fun. It’s good to watch them, but note that keep away from them for the sake of your safety.

 

Along this 7-km-long (4.3 mi) stream, there are no obstacles, so it is suitable even for children and elderly people to hike. It starts from Oxygen Bar Square near the south gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and ends at Shuirao Simen (Tianzi Sandbar) by the east gate. The best part is from the Square to Lover Peaks as it passes by many famous attractions. 

Oxygen Bar Square → Golden Whip Rock → shooting location of “Journey to the West” → Eagle Guardian Peak → Wenxing Rock → Zicao Pool → Jumping Fish Pool → Shuirao Simen

 2-3 hours

Enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park from the main entrance (South Gate), and then follow the direction boards to walk for about 5 minutes to get there.

 

1. From Shuirao Simen, take a shuttle bus to visit other scenic spots in Zhangjiajie or to reach Wulingyuan (Wujiayu) Ticket Office to exit.

2. It is not recommended to hike from Shuirao Simen to the exit, as the road is less scenic and takes nearly 3 hours to walk. The last shuttle bus is at 19:00.

7:00 – 18:00 

The ticket fee is included in the admission fee of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: CNY 165 from March to November and CNY84 from December to next February.