Well as expected I awoke this morning to find my legs were stiff and sore. No amount of massage was going to help after all the walking yesterday. Headed down for a hearty breakfast only to find that this hotel must serve the worst breakfast in China.....nothing but scraps left and the not so helpful staff wouldn't cook anything else...... thought it was an April Fools day joke for a split second but realise the Chinese sense of humour does not extend that far!! Oh well had to eat something but can't say it was enjoyable....need all the energy I can muster for another day of walking through mountains.

A bit about where we are now......
Wulingyuan is a scenic and historic interest area, noted for its approximately 3,100 tall quartzite sandstone pillars, some of which are over 800 metres in height and are a type of karst formation. It is the national park which provided the scenic inspiration for the movie "Avatar". Wulingyuan consists of four parts- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Natural Resource Reserve, Tianzi (son of heaven) Mountain Natural Resource Reserve and Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. We are visiting all 4 areas so I am gritting my teeth in anticipation of how my legs are going to go for another day.......

Started the day by getting fingerprinted for our entry card to the National Park and other attractions......a bit different I thought.....just got to make sure I dont lose the card as I need it for tomorrow as well.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, set up in 1982, is the first authorized national forest park in China. The area covers 480 thousand square meters. It is located 32 kilometers from urban Zhangjiajie and 28 kilometers from Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park can be described in so many ways...... majestic, eccentric, tranquil, delicate and wild. The park features grotesque peaks, lucid brooks, abundant fauna and floras and hospitable climate. The environment and air quality provide visitors the chance to breathe healthy air which is believed to be rich in negative oxygen. It is also believed that hypertension patient may have their blood pressure lowered if they stay in the park for a period of time. This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88% lower and the air 10% mistier than outside. After the smog of Nanjing I have to say it was very refreshing and believe me I needed every bit of oxygen the area would give me!!

Yuanjiajie is situated in the northwest of Zhangjiajie; covering an area of about 34 sq km. Yuanjiajie is an area that is comprised of peaks, cliffs, waterfalls, streams, gullies and other natural landscapes. Known only since 1991, the area is endowed with all the natural wonders found in the other areas but has more unique characteristics.
This area is home to the world's first bridge. The bridge is located on two 300 meter high peaks with a natural stone linking the two peaks. It is regarded as the No. 1 Bridge under Heaven (Tian Xia Di Yi Qiao). Amazing bit of nature.....

Had lunch up in the mountains amidst the Avatar peaks before we got in a bus and headed to yet another area and yes another mountain to climb!!!

Tianzishan (Tianzi or Heaven's Son Mountain) is situated in the northeast of Wulingyuan scenic area. The Tianzi Mountain Natural Resource Reserve is rich in strange peaks and rocks, and in constant clouds and fog. The reserve lies at a high elevation which makes sightseeing physically challenging unless of course one takes the easier and just as scenic route –the Bailong Elevator- 1040 ft- one of the highest outdoor elevators in the world.

Tianzishan has a cable car that is 2,084 meters long which makes the descent also easier!!. As the cable car runs across the dizzying peaks, you get a full view of the spectacular landscape that cannot be enjoyed any other way. Despite the cableway’s presence, there are still mountain-climbers struggling to reach the top of Tianzishan (absolute fools in my humble opinion!!). Reputed as 'King of Hills and Forests,' the mountain vaunts its many large and high hills, of which Yubi Peak is most well-known.

To finish off yet another exhilarating but exhausting day we headed to Shi Li Hua Tang Gou or the Ten-Mile Picture Gallery. Located at the foot of Mt. Tianzishan, the Ten- Mile Gallery has karst formations of different shapes and sizes, stretching over some 10 miles and forming a natural art corridor. These formations seem to shift shapes as one moves; our perception of them is only limited by our imagination. Luckily for us we could ride along in a little elctric train to view the wondrs of the area and I have to say my leg enjoyed the rest while the rest of me enjoyed the never-ending beauty of this amazing area.

No rest for the wicked.......After a half hour rest at the hotel it was time to head off to see the Zhangjiajie Cultural Show highlighting the minority groups of the area and their traditional customs and stories. To be honest I was exhausted and could have easily gone to bed but am so pleased our guide talked me into attending the show. It was SPECTACULAR, jaw dropping and not to be missed.

I will sleep well tonight as I am utterly exhausted but also so excited by all the wonderful sights I've seen and we have even more tomorrow. Will be such a pity to have to head back into the smog of the city at the end of this wonderful journey......