Zhangjiajie Seventy-Two Wonders Tower

Half day

Rising 109.9 metres in Zhangjiajie's Yongding District, the Seventy-Two Wonders Tower is the world's tallest stilt-house-shaped building, a Guinness World Records-certified landmark inspired by Tujia and Miao architecture, with 18 original-style Xiangxi stilt houses hung along its sides. Its vast central arch frames distant Tianmen Cave in a "two caves facing each other" effect, while inside, three themed zones—Sky Palace Tower, Fireworks Old Street and Seventy-Two Wonders Village—host immersive performances, guochao photo streets, intangible-heritage craft workshops, Xiangxi street food and a lively bar street. Easily reached by taxi or bus within the city, it stands as Zhangjiajie's cultural landmark and night-economy hub.

Overview

The Basics

The Zhangjiajie Seventy-Two Wonders Tower (张家界七十二奇楼) is a cultural landmark in Zhangjiajie city. It holds the Guinness World Record, certified in 2021, as the world's tallest building shaped like a stilt house (diaojiaolou). It stands 109.9 metres high, with a total floor area of about 110,000 square metres. This is not a mountain viewpoint. It is an urban tower in the city, and it comes alive at night.

Where It Is

The tower sits in Yongding District, in the built-up area of Zhangjiajie on Wuling Mountain Avenue. It is not inside the Wulingyuan or National Forest Park scenic area, so don't confuse it with the famous mountain sights. It is easy to reach by taxi, ride-hailing app or city bus. Zhangjiajie is served by Hehua International Airport and Zhangjiajie West high-speed rail station, so you can fit the tower into your trip on arrival or before you leave.

History & Design

The design draws on the traditional stilt-house architecture of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups. Eighteen original-style Xiangxi stilt houses are hung along the sides of the main tower, which gives the whole structure its stacked, village-like look. The most striking feature is a large central arch opening, about 38 metres high and 28 metres wide. From the right angle, this arch lines up with Tianmen Cave in the distance, creating a "two caves facing each other" effect. It is a clever piece of design and a favourite photo spot.

Main Highlights

The complex is divided into three themed zones:

Sky Palace Tower (天宫奇楼) — the main tower itself, with its record-breaking stilt-house form and the great arch.
Fireworks Old Street (烟火老街) — a lively street zone for food, strolling and the buzz of everyday city life.
Seventy-Two Wonders Village (七十二奇寨) — a village-style area that rounds out the complex.

What to See and Do

Come for the evening. The night lighting transforms the tower, and the tower-lighting ceremony is one of the signature moments. There are immersive live performances, including a bonfire party, so check what is on during your visit. Wander the guochao (China-chic) photo streets if you like dressing up your pictures. Try the intangible-cultural-heritage craft workshops to see local skills up close. And eat: the Xiangxi street food is a big part of the draw, and there is a bar street for a drink afterwards. Between the shows, the food and the lights, it is an easy place to spend a whole evening.

Practical Tips

The tower is in the city, so a taxi or ride-hailing car is the simplest way to get there; local buses also serve the area. Reference opening hours are roughly 08:00–22:00, with night-session entry after 16:30. Hours can change, so confirm on the official channel before you go. Day and night tickets are priced separately; check the current prices when you book. If you want the full atmosphere, plan for the night session and give yourself a few hours.

Highlights

✓ A 109.9-metre tower rising from the Zhangjiajie landscape

✓ Built around the classic film Avatar and its floating mountains

✓ Authentic stilt houses of western Hunan

Travel tips

💡

Visit in the late afternoon when the light softens and the crowds thin, and allow around two hours to walk the full route to the top. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, since the stairs and viewing platforms can be slippery, and bring a light jacket for the wind at the upper levels. Stay behind the railings on the viewing platforms, keep hold of your ticket, and avoid the tower during heavy rain or thunderstorms.