Zhangjiajie
Encyclopedia
Zhangjiajie is a prefecture-level city
in the northwestern part of Hunan
province in China
. It comprises the district of Yongding
(永定) and counties of Cili (慈利) and Sangzhi
(桑植). Within it is located Wulingyuan Scenic Area
which was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
in 1992.
(武陵源) in order to give it more prominence and after this site had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The National Forest Park had been given the name of Zhangjiajie after the name of a small village located within its bounds, and now a popular tourist attraction within the park. The three-character name (张家界) can be interpreted as follows: "Zhang
" (张) is a common surname in China; "jia" (家) can be translated as "family"; and "jie" (界) can be translated as "homeland", giving the completed translation of "Zhang family homeland." It has been reported that at least one tourist guide has said that the name may have been chosen to convey the idea or impression of "Open the family door to welcome the world" (张开家门引进世界), but this is not the locally-accepted and directly translated meaning of the name.
, the Tianzishan (天子山) mountain ranges, BaoFengHu (宝峰湖) and the Suoxi Valley
(索溪峪), and is a very popular filming and tourist destination.
Also in the Zhangjiajie area, Huanglongdong (黄龙洞) and Longwangdong (龙王洞) are caves known for many natural rock formations (much like Wulingyuan) and its underground cataract.
The Bailong Elevator
is also located in the area.
Each year, Zhangjiajie hosts the International Country Music Week Festival , which has featured international acts such as American Country Music group Lucy Angel
.
Prefecture-level city
A prefectural level city , prefectural city or prefectural level municipality is an administrative division of the People's Republic of China, ranking below a province and above a county in China's administrative structure. Prefectural level cities form the second level of the administrative...
in the northwestern part of Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
province in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It comprises the district of Yongding
Yongding District
Yongding District is a district in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province of China....
(永定) and counties of Cili (慈利) and Sangzhi
Sangzhi County
Sangzhi County is a county in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province of China....
(桑植). Within it is located Wulingyuan Scenic Area
Wulingyuan
Wulingyuan is a scenic and historic interest area in Hunan Province, China, noted for its approximately 3,100 tall quartzite sandstone pillars, some of which are over in height and are a type of karst formation. The site is in the Zhangjiajie City and lies about from Changsha, the capital of...
which was designated a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1992.
History
The city itself used to be named Dayong (大庸), and has a recorded history dating back to 221 BC.Origin of the name
The new name of Zhangjiajie City was adopted in 1994, after the National Forest Park in the Wulingyuan Scenic AreaWulingyuan
Wulingyuan is a scenic and historic interest area in Hunan Province, China, noted for its approximately 3,100 tall quartzite sandstone pillars, some of which are over in height and are a type of karst formation. The site is in the Zhangjiajie City and lies about from Changsha, the capital of...
(武陵源) in order to give it more prominence and after this site had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The National Forest Park had been given the name of Zhangjiajie after the name of a small village located within its bounds, and now a popular tourist attraction within the park. The three-character name (张家界) can be interpreted as follows: "Zhang
Zhang
Zhang may refer to:* Zhang , common Chinese surname* Zhang County , of Dingxi, Gansu* Zhang River , a river flowing mainly in Henan* Zhang, Beijing , town in Shunyi District, Beijing...
" (张) is a common surname in China; "jia" (家) can be translated as "family"; and "jie" (界) can be translated as "homeland", giving the completed translation of "Zhang family homeland." It has been reported that at least one tourist guide has said that the name may have been chosen to convey the idea or impression of "Open the family door to welcome the world" (张开家门引进世界), but this is not the locally-accepted and directly translated meaning of the name.
Economy
The prefecture is mainly a tourist area. It attracts visitors from all over China and other Asian countries such as Korea.Tourist Attractions
The Wulinyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area comprises the Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkZhangjiajie National Forest Park
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a unique national forest park located in Zhangjiajie City in northern Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China. It is one of several national parks within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.- History :...
, the Tianzishan (天子山) mountain ranges, BaoFengHu (宝峰湖) and the Suoxi Valley
Suoxi Valley
Suoxi Valley is located in Zhangjiajie which is in Northeastern Hunan province of China.The meaning of the name is: 'fog laden village' in the dialect of the local Tujia people....
(索溪峪), and is a very popular filming and tourist destination.
Also in the Zhangjiajie area, Huanglongdong (黄龙洞) and Longwangdong (龙王洞) are caves known for many natural rock formations (much like Wulingyuan) and its underground cataract.
The Bailong Elevator
Bailong Elevator
The Bailong Elevator is a glass elevator built onto the side of a huge cliff in the Wulingyuan area of Zhangjiajie, China that is high. It is claimed to be the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world....
is also located in the area.
Each year, Zhangjiajie hosts the International Country Music Week Festival , which has featured international acts such as American Country Music group Lucy Angel
Lucy Angel
Lucy Angel is an American country music family trio consisting of mother Kate Anderton and her two daughters, Lindsay and Emily. They have released an eponymous EP as well as two singles, “Only Woman Left” and “Serious." The group has released a holiday single, "Mr...
.