Located in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Golden Whip Stream is recognized as a gallery of natural landscapes and a paradise for hikers. As the stream flows through Golden Whip Rock, hence the name. It traverses mountains and forests and stretches 7.5 kilometers, with peculiar peaks on two sides. Besides, Golden Whip Stream in Zhangjiajie is also home to rare plants and wild animals.
Golden Whip Stream Facts
- Location: At the southern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, near Zhonghu Town, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City
- Chinese name: 金鞭溪
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:00
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Best time to visit: March to November
- Suited to: Hikers and nature lovers
- Ticket: Covered in the ticket of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with CNY 248
What to See and Do in Golden Whip Stream
1. Hike the Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Stream stretches 7.5 kilometers and is a great place for hiking. It must be a wonderful experience for you to hike through the serene mountains and valleys, listen to the birds chanting, and watch the fish swimming in the stream. With the blossoming flowers and green grass by the sides of the stream, it’s like touring in a picture. By the way, the trails of Golden Whip Stream are easy to hike, and the journey takes about 2-3 hours.
2. Admire the Peaks and Rocks
As a part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Golden Whip Stream is a place that features peaks and rocks with different appearances. It is a place full of imagination, as the scenic sites are mostly named after their shapes and appearances. Visiting there, you can find Golden Whip Rock, which is an iconic rock formation that resembles a whip and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the area of Golden Whip Stream of Hunan.
Except for Golden Whip Rock, there are many other scenic spots to explore in Golden Whip Stream, including Rock of Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip, Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother, Chupajie Carries His Wife, and Getting Together from Far Away. Don’t hesitate to release your imagination and visualize the appearance of the peaks and rocks.
3. Marvel at the Crystal-Clear Waters
The Golden Whip Stream itself is a stream meandering through a canyon. It flows from Laomo Bay to Shui Rao Si Men and then to Suoxi Stream, and it finally empties into Li River. Due to the vegetation filtration, the stream is crystal-clear throughout the year, even in a stormy or rainy season. Take a stroll along the Golden Whip Stream, and enjoy the beautiful views of Purple Grass Pond and Fish Jumping Pool.
4. Explore Lush Forests and Rare Plants
Owing to its wide range of plants and dense forests, Golden Whip Stream is like a natural oxygen bar. Walking along the stream, you will see Liriodendron trees pointing to the sky, phoebe zhennan with twisted roots and gnarled branches, and blossoming lobster flowers. In a word, Golden Whip Stream in China is indeed a paradise for plants, and you can explore the landscapes by yourself on your travel to Zhangjiajie.
5. Interact with Wild Monkeys
Golden Whip Stream is a world of wild animals, and the most commonly seen there are the wild monkeys. When touring this scenic area, you will encounter many wild monkeys alongside. You can interact with them and feed them food like bananas. Just keep a certain distance in case some naughty monkeys play a trick with you.
Golden Whip Stream Scenic Routes
Route 1: East Entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – Ten-Mile Gallery – Golden Whip Stream – Huangshi Village – South Entrance
Reason for recommendation: This route takes you to see the most picturesque landscapes of the area. By the way, a shuttle bus and cable car might be required to explore Ten Miles Gallery and Huangshi Village.
Route 2: East Entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – Shui Rao Si Men – Golden Whip Stream – Yuanjiajie
Reason for recommendation: This route is less crowded with enchanting views. Besides, it’s a wonderful route for hiking.
Best Time to Visit Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Stream offers stunning scenery throughout the year, and the best to visit there is from March to November. During this period, the climate is good for hiking. You can hike the area and enjoy the charm of nature.
How to Get to Golden Whip Stream
As Golen Whip Stream is located in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, 30 km from Zhangjiajie City, you can take a direct bus from Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to the forest park. Then, walk for about 300 meters, and you will arrive at the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream of Zhangjiajie.
Attractions nearby Golden Whip Stream
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Located on the south side of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, this is the first forest park in China. It’s a must-visit attraction on your Zhangjiajie tours.
- Yuanjiajie: Located close to Golden Whip Stream, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area offers beautiful views of mountains and waterfalls. You can take the Bailong Lift to explore this area.
- Huangshi Village: It’s the largest and best viewing spot for the sandstone karst landscapes. Also, it’s a great place for viewing sunrise.
- Baofeng Lake: Situated near Golden Whip Stream, Boafeng Lake Scenic Area is a combination of natural wonders and cultural heritage. It’s the shooting location of the Shuilian Cave in the TV series named “Journey to the West.”
