Yichang

Set along the Yangtze River, Yichang brings together the Three Gorges project, river-gorge scenery and Tujia traditions in a single trip. You can combine visits to major waterworks with sightseeing cruises and walks around the city.

• Three Gorges Dam: This world-class water engineering project is free to visit. Head up to Tanziling for views over the reservoir between the steep gorge walls, then visit Platform 185 for a closer look at the dam and a sense of its scale.

• Tribe of the Three Gorges: Located in Xiling Gorge, this scenic area features white-walled stilt houses, black-canopied boats and Tujia folk performances. Consider a package ticket that includes bus and ferry transport, and arrive early, as the morning offers a fuller performance schedule.

• Qingjiang Gallery: Clear waters and chains of peaks line the roughly 400-kilometer Qingjiang River. Visits are mainly by boat, giving you time to enjoy the scenery on both banks as you cruise.

• Three Gorges Waterfall: Ranked among China's ten most famous waterfalls, it lets visitors get close to the falls and walk behind the curtain of water. The mountain air is filled with spray, making this a cool summer outing and a good option for families with children.

• Two Dams and One Gorge Cruise: Departing from the Three Gorges Tourist Center, this cruise lets you experience the boat rising with the water inside the Gezhouba Dam ship lock. You can also enjoy views of Xiling Gorge and the riverbanks around Tribe of the Three Gorges, with relatively little walking required.

• G348 Riverside Highway: This road follows the river, with viewpoints such as Tingfeng Valley and Mingyue Terrace offering places to park and look out over a sweeping bend in the Yangtze. Driving yourself or hiring a car makes it easy to stop and take photos along the way.

• Binjiang Park: This leafy riverside park is a popular place for locals to walk and relax. Visit toward evening for the sunset, then stay to enjoy the city lights and river views after dark.

• Three Gorges Migration Museum: Hubei's only museum dedicated to Three Gorges resettlement offers free admission. Holographic projections recreate the submerged ancient town of Guizhou, which had a history spanning a thousand years. It is a good place to introduce children to this history.

Classic Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Yichang and Explore the City
  • Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Yichang and check into your hotel. Consider staying near Wanda Plaza or Binjiang Park.
  • Early Evening: Walk along the paths in Binjiang Park, watch the sunset over the Yangtze as the city lights gradually come on, and visit Zhenjiang Pavilion.

• Evening: Have dinner on Tieluba Snack Street or in the Ermalu Historic and Cultural District. Try local snacks such as fried radish dumplings, liangxia rice jelly and pan-roasted potatoes.

• Day 2: Visit the Three Gorges Project and Cruise the Gorge
  • Morning: Take the Two Dams and One Gorge Cruise, experience passage through the Gezhouba Dam ship lock and enjoy the scenery of Xiling Gorge along the way.
  • Afternoon: After arriving at Sandouping Wharf, head to the Three Gorges Dam. Visit Tanziling, Platform 185 and the River Closure Memorial Park in turn for views of the dam and the reservoir framed by steep gorge walls.
  • Evening: Return to the city for a dinner of Yichang feiyu fish hot pot.
• Day 3: Choose Scenery or Local Traditions, Then Head Home
  • Option A (Nature): Visit the Three Gorges Waterfall, walk through the hundred-meter passage behind the curtain of water and cool off in the spray. Return to the city in the afternoon to rest.
  • Option B (Culture and Traditions): Visit Tribe of the Three Gorges to see stilt houses, black-canopied boats and a Tujia wedding performance, and learn about local life and traditions along the gorge.
  • Early Evening: If your departure time allows, visit the Three Gorges Migration Museum to learn about resettlement and people's ties to home and country, then begin your journey home.

Yichang Specialties

Yichang's food reflects life along the river gorges, with fish dishes and street snacks both worth including in your meals.

• Yichang Feiyu Fish Hot Pot: Feiyu is celebrated as the finest fresh fish of the Three Gorges, with tender flesh and a rich, milky-white broth. Try it at a long-established riverside restaurant with local vegetables for a warming autumn meal.
• Fried Radish Dumplings: This street snack has a shell made from ground rice and soybeans, filled with seasoned shredded radish and deep-fried until golden. The outside is crisp, while the filling has the gentle sweetness of radish.

• Liangxia Rice Jelly: Rice flour is cooked into a thick paste, then pressed through a slotted spoon to form small, shrimp-shaped strips. Served with brown sugar syrup or sour plum drink, it has a springy, cooling texture. This common local summer drink also makes a refreshing finish to a rich meal.

• Noodles in Chili Oil: A common breakfast in Yichang, this dish combines chewy alkaline noodles with seasoned chili oil. Garlic, scallions and sesame add fragrance, with flavors that are numbing, spicy and savory.

• Pan-Roasted Potatoes: An easy snack to pick up while exploring the shops, these potatoes have a browned, fragrant exterior and a soft, fluffy center. Cumin and chili add a savory, spicy finish.

• Dingding Rice Cakes: These rice cakes hold childhood memories for generations of Yichang residents. Rice is ground and prepared into a loose flour mixture, then steamed in cylindrical molds and topped with osmanthus syrup or crumbled brown sugar. The finished cakes are soft, sweet and fragrant.

Recommended Areas to Stay

• Wanda Plaza / Three Gorges Tourist Center: Close to the Yangtze, this area offers river and city views and easy access to riverside walks. Many upscale hotels are clustered here, with food streets and cruise piers just downstairs and convenient transport links.

• CBD Shopping Center: This area has plenty of snack stalls and food streets, along with the night market in the long-established commercial district. Consider staying here if you want convenient dining and good-value accommodation.

• Binjiang Park: Nearby accommodation includes rooms with river views, making it easy to enjoy sunsets and the river after dark. The area also suits travelers who prefer a quiet setting for walks.

• Yichang East Railway Station: There are plenty of hotels nearby, generally at lower prices than around Wanda Plaza. This area suits travelers catching a train, making a connection or watching their budget. Transport is convenient, with plenty of direct services to scenic attractions.

Practical Travel Tips

• When to Visit: March–May and September–November generally offer comfortable weather. In summer, visit waterfalls and enjoy water activities to cool off, and use sun protection.
• Attraction Reservations: Free attractions, including the Three Gorges Dam and Three Gorges Migration Museum, also require advance reservations through official channels. Book early for public holidays.
• Getting Around: Yichang's attractions are spread far apart. Use buses or taxis within the city. For more distant places such as Tribe of the Three Gorges and Qingjiang Gallery, consider hiring a car, joining a day tour or driving yourself. The G348 highway is well suited to a road trip.
• Clothing and Gear: Many scenic areas have steps and boardwalks, so wear comfortable trainers with good grip. Carry a jacket and umbrella when visiting waterfalls or taking a cruise.
• Where to Eat: Look through the lanes of the old town for local flavors, rather than limiting your search to popular restaurants near attraction entrances. If a snack shop has a wait of more than 30 minutes, consider another one.