My Trip to China: A Country of Tomorrow (Part 3)

By Collins Ajibola (Wang Jian)

I am overwhelmed by your encouraging comments about my articles on my trip to China. Some have suggested I put all in a book, with the assurance that it will be worth reading and can also serve as resource material for researchers. I will consider that.
Let me say that this narration of my travel experience to China is borne out of pricking the conscience of Africa and Africans, especially our leaders. We can attain that position of China. I so strongly believe.
Our initial stay in Beijing has to be paused. Hunan Province is the next destination. A place word will fail me to describe, but I will weave around words to bring you a pictorial imagination. Hunan Province is historical. Like every other place province in China, Hunan has it unique attributes and alluring image. Hilly, Mountainous, clean, beautiful environment, night and day awesomeness, secured, accommodating, welcoming, just roll out the description and it perfectly fits Hunan.

As usual, Mr. Peng Sen, has adequately briefed us all on our next trip. We are going to Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province.
As it has also been highlighted in our schedule plan, we will be visiting iconic places such as Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Oxygen Bar Square, Golden Whip Brook and Hiking), Hongyanling Outdoor Sports Park, Zhangjiajie Museum, Zhangjiajie Ice Snow World, Helong Stadium, Yang Jiaxi Sports Park, Zhangjiajie Cultural-Tourism Innovation Park, Wulingyuan Scenic Area (Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, and Beilong Elevator.

Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province is one of China’s most spectacular natural wonders, renowned for its dramatic landscapes, lush forests, and towering sandstone pillars. Here’s an overview of what makes Zhangjiajie so unique:
Key Highlights of Zhangjiajie are the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which has part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is also famous for its quartz-sandstone pillars, some over 200 meters tall. It has inspiration for the floating mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar.
Another key highlight of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the Tianmen Mountain, known as “Heaven’s Gate Mountain, which has features as Tianmen Cave: A massive natural arch (a 999-step stairway leads up to it), World’s Longest Cable Car Ride which is 7.5 km from the city to the mountaintop, and Glass Skywalks, Cliff-hugging walkways with transparent floors.
It also has the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge, one of the longest and highest in the world, suspended over a deep canyon with breathtaking views. Not forgetting the Baofeng Lake, a peaceful setting with boat tours offering views of surrounding cliffs and waterfalls.

Zhangjiajie is blessed with Cultural and Geographic Context, a place located in northern Hunan Province, central China, home to the Tujia and Miao ethnic minorities, adding rich cultural flavor to the area. The region has a subtropical monsoon climate: lush, green, and often misty adding to its mystical vibe.
I have failed to mention the very self serving and diligent Bus Drivers who also contributed immensely to the success of our stay in China. They are dutiful and always right on time.

We had assembled our major belongings at the lobby of the Hotel, as instructed by Mr. Peng. Our flight to Zhangjiajie has been booked for 14.00 local time. It was going to be a two-hour flight from the Daxing Airport to Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province. We arrived at the airport and all check-in process completed and done seamlessly. Off we flew to Zhangjiajie. After more than two hours cruising at an altitude of 30,000 feet, we arrived at the Hua International Airport on board flight CA8609 via the Gate B27.

There was a cultural troop on ground to herald our rousing welcome to the City. We all felt happy and joyous. A feeling better experienced than imagined. Our buses were waiting. We drove to the Hotel. We were treated to a sumptuous meal and soon we all retired to our various rooms to have our rest for the next day activities.
Let me quickly share the uniqueness of the various places we visited as I had earlier listed out at Zhangjiajie.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a breathtaking natural reserve located in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. It is the first national forest park in China, established in 1982, and is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.

One breathtaking feature of this place is the Iconic Sandstone Pillars, that has over 3,000 vertical rock formations, some more than 200 meters (660 feet) tall. Formed over millions of years by erosion, they appear like natural skyscrapers. One of the most famous formations: “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”, renamed after the movie Avatar, which used Zhangjiajie’s scenery as inspiration for Pandora. To say a few.

The Oxygen Bar Square also known as Dayangba Square is the bustling central hub of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, located within the Wulingyuan area of Hunan Province.
There is a Central Gathering Point, positioned at the heart of the park. It’s the most densely populated area inside the forest reserve, serving as a tourist distribution center where paths diverge to major attractions. The square is lush with trees and boasts exceptionally fresh air, with remarkably high levels of negative oxygen ions, making it a favoured spot to pause, breathe deeply, and soak in the mountain environment. There are also group of monkeys and a large copper concentric lock sculpture, key visual markers signalling you’ve arrived. Near the edge stands the Welcoming Rock, a cliff formation resembling a smiling host beside a doorway like gap.
Zhangjiajie Ice & Snow World is an immersive indoor winter-themed entertainment complex located in Yanghe Township, Cili County, about 16 km from Zhangjiajie city center and 20 km from Wulingyuan Scenic Area. It is a fun, weather-proof indoor alternative offering snow-themed entertainment and basic skiing experiences, especially appealing for families or visitors looking to balance nature with novelty.

The Bailong Elevator is a one-of-a-kind combination of engineering, convenience, and scenery. Rising over 326 meters in under 100 seconds, its panoramic glass cabins deliver breathtaking views while sparing you a long trail. Whether you’re short on time, traveling with family, or just craving spectacular vistas with minimal effort, it’s a memorable highlight within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is also known as the Hundred Dragons Elevator.

This edifice is a remarkable glass-sky lift built into a cliff. The Engineering Marvel is no doubt the World’s Tallest Outdoor Elevator ascending 326 m (1,070 ft), with approximately 154 m embedded inside the cliff and 172 m of exposed steel structure. Recognized by Guinness in 2015 for being the tallest outdoor elevator, the fastest high-load passenger elevator, and the tallest double-deck sightseeing lift, the Bailong Elevator, covers the elevation in around 66 to 92 seconds (1 min 32 s after a speed upgrade in 2015) at a rate up to 5 m/s.

We had great fun at Zhangjiajie. It was a great experience. After wrapping up our stay, we were bound to leave for Beijing. But before then, we were again treated to a great lunch at the Jensheng Gallery. By evening we hit the airport and boarded flight CA8610 through the GATE A5.
Safely we landed in Beijing and head straight to our hotel. At this time, our stay in China was gradually winding down. I never wanted it anyway. But it has to come.

The next day after our arrival in Beijing, the sight seeing continued, this time the visit to the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass Gate. We did climb, but not all and not round the Great Wall.
The Great Wall of China is a vast network of fortifications built over two millennia, stretching roughly 20,000 km from east to west, from Shanhaiguan in Hebei to Jiayuguan in Gansu. Originating in the 5th century BC with early defense walls, the project was unified by Emperor Qin Shi Huang around 220 BC to protect against northern nomads. Its most iconic stretches were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), featuring extensive stonework, crenellated parapets, watchtowers, and signal stations.

In 1987, the Great Wall was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as a masterpiece of military architecture and national symbolism. It’s one of human history’s most impressive feats of engineering, embodying China’s centuries of strategic, political, and cultural legacy. Stunning mountain vistas, architectural elegance, and atmospheric ruins evoke both grandeur and human toil. Multiple sections offer contrasting experiences—from restored leisure paths to wild untamed stretches.

On our return from the Great Wall, we had a summary meeting and exchange that evening. The goodbyes gradually building momentum, but the next day was final. The closing ceremony and farewell banquet was held. Bonds became stronger. Contacts were exchanged, hugs spread like wildfire, emotions filled the air. We had photographs for memories and airport drop off for delegates sum up the day. Different flights, different terminals, we gradually separated. For us, it was the Ethiopian Airways back to Africa. Another 11 and half hour flight to Addis Ababa aboard flight ET605, before connecting to Abuja via flight ET951 in another four hours flight.

I strongly believe that for other participants like Cheboi Jacquiline Janet, Kaara Jacqueline Wanja, Mugoh Lameck Kinyua, Mwitia Nancy Makena, Asman Manasseh Rakki, Kimani Charles Kariuki, Kariuki Francis Ngugi, Malema Dipolelo Rossly, Secka Baboucarr, Gaye Omar, Secka Ebrima, Saidykhan Yaya, Mark Shamari Jadon, Martin David Carleon Suadon, Lett Terona Zenais, Djumaniyazova Jamila, Solieva Khurshida, Karimov Sharofiddin, Odilkhujaeva Maftuna, Rustamov Muhammadjon, Bekmatov Bekzodsultan, Arakelyan Zhirayr, Khudoyberdieva Makhliyokhon, Jamolova Mokhira, Mokhira Mansurjon, Salokhiddinova Sitora, Bello Aminu, Uba Abubakar, Onyenka Chinonye Peter, Daniel Ehizefua Marris, Olorunsola Kudirat Omotayo, Oyinloye Isaac Oluwatosin, Ibrahim Maryam Bako, Musa Fatima Binta, Astghik Khachatryan, Ashkhen Hakobyan, Nina Petrosyan, Davit Nadiryan, Ida Margarova, Maraka Lefera, Keikantse Dithuto Motlhageng, Loise Wairimu Nderi, Beatrice Ndunge Malombe, Hawa Abdi Sahal, Natale Kon Justin Goi, Dominic Majak Deng Adol, Pamasanneh Korta, Lamarana S. Jallow, Musa Foon, Mariama Saine, Saikou M. Jobe, Alassan Jawo, Esther Namiro Mwanyama, Amel Jalal Mohammed, Faisal Sadeq Tofiq, Ibrahim Abdulmajid Ibrahim, Denis Tayebwa, Juliet Timbitwire, Kennedy Oyet, Sylvia Bamusiime, Hadiza Abubakar Ali, Musa Muhammad Lawal, Abdulhameed Muhammad Kolo, Muqanna Nazrullozoda, Bobokhon Saidumarzoda, Shaikhkhusrav Ayubov and I, this journey was more than just a change of scenery; it was a refreshing shift in perspective.

From the awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural landmarks to the small, serendipitous moments along the way, every experience left an imprint. Whether it was standing atop ancient walls, breathing in forest air, or simply soaking in the unfamiliar, the trip reminded me that travel isn’t just about the places you visit, but the memories you carry back. Until the next adventure, this one will stay close to the heart.

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