Zhangjiajie was not called Zhangjiajie before, but called Dayong, which is the seat of Gu Yong County. In 1980s, a strange and rare natural wonder of sandstone peak forest was discovered in Dayong County, which caused a sensation in the world. 1982, Dayong County established the first national forest park in China. 1985, the State Council approved the construction of Dayong City (county level). 1988, the State Council approved Dayong City to be upgraded to a prefecture-level city, with jurisdiction over Yongding County, Wulingyuan District, Sangzhi County and Cili County.