Yichang travel guide
宜昌
If you set aside the Neolithic history dating back some 4,000 to 5,000 years, and Yichang's title of “Rafting Capital,” you may still think of this place only in terms of the Yangtze Three Gorges.
9 places · In the guidebook: pages 2057–2068
Yichang, Hubei Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Yichang in 3 days
- Day 1
- Three Gorges Dam→
- Xiling Gorge, Sanxia Renjia
- Day 2
- Xiaoting→
- Chexi Homestay Scenic Area
- Day 3
The feel of the place
- Rafting
- If you set aside the Neolithic history dating back some 4,000 to 5,000 years, and Yichang's title of “Rafting Capital,” you may still think of this place only in terms of the Yangtze Three Gorges.
Setting the Yangtze Three Gorges aside, the mountains and rivers here are more than enough to satisfy a full itinerary. With plenty of mountains and water, the area offers abundant rafting resources. Whether you want the full high-speed course or a mix of calm and fast water, bamboo raft or twin-raft trips, Yichang is the right choice if you want to try different kinds of rafting.
Getting Between the Airport and the City
1. Airport bus: runs between the airport and the Qingjiang Hotel in the city centre, a journey of about 50 minutes, fare ¥20, stopping at major bus stations and piers along the way.
2. Public bus: take Bus 618 or Bus 67 to Xiaoxita in Yiling District, then continue by taxi.
Bus Stations and Waiting Halls
The Wuhan Tianhe Airport route has opened, and there are direct shuttle buses from Yichang to Wuhan Tianhe Airport, so getting to Yichang is now very convenient.
tip: 1. Dagongqiao Bus Station
This is the main departure point for direct buses to Chaibuxi Scenic Area, Mingfeng Mountain Scenic Area in Yuan'an, Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, Jiuwanxi in Zigui County, Ancient Chaoyin Cave in Yidu, Xiaofeng Scenic Area in Yiling District, and Sanxia Qishi Village in Zhijiang.
phone: 0717-6222143
2. Long-Distance Bus Station
Long-distance buses run to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing.
phone: 0717-6445314
3. Haitong Bus Station
Mainly short-distance routes.
phone: 0717-6444123
Preparation and Information
Language
Communicating in Mandarin is no problem.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Although Yichang has a subtropical monsoon humid climate, the mountain barriers of the Xiling Gorge of the Yangtze and the Qingjiang and Xiangxi river basins mean that summer temperatures are noticeably higher than in Wuhan, one of the three “Furnace Cities.” Avoid the scorching summer; spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit.
Things to see
Three Gorges Dam
0.5–1 day
The Three Gorges Dam in Yichang is a massive hydropower complex and water control project. The dam area currently has three sites open to visitors: Tanzi Ridge, the 185 Viewing Platform, and the Diversion Memorial Park. The dam crest is not open to the public.
Three Gorges People's Family Scenic Area
0.5–1 day · ¥210 (round-trip ferry included)
Three Gorges People's Family is located within the enchanting and magnificent Xiling Gorge, where mountains and rivers combine into a picture-perfect landscape. Here you can take in the culture of the Ba and Chu regions, both past and present, along the river. Traditional stilt houses dot the mountains and waters, old-style wooden boats rest quietly on the banks, fishermen cast their nets on the river, and young women wash clothes by the stream. Writers and poets through the ages have visited this place and left countless graceful verses. Step into the Three Gorges stilt houses, where the Three Gorges People's Family performs songs and dances and offers you a cup of Xiazhou green tea, instantly making you feel warm and at ease. Main attractions include Lantern Shadow Cave, Longjin Stream, Yepo Ridge, the “Fourth Spring Under Heaven,” Shipai Ancient Town, and Yangjia Stream rafting.
Chaibuxi Grand Canyon
“Zhangjiajie in the south, Chaibuxi in the north.” Chaibuxi is a karst grand canyon and is also home to the Tujia people. The gorge rafting inside the scenic area is full of wild charm and beautiful views. It is a gentle, easygoing rafting experience that suits almost everyone. Highlights include the 1,000-year-old black-shell oak tree and the dove tree, a relic of the Quaternary Ice Age. The stone forests, gorges, streams and dense forests here are well worth lingering over.
0.5–1 day · ¥100
Xiling Gorge Scenic Area
The Xiling Gorge is the gateway to the Three Gorges and a key passage between Sichuan and Hubei, famous for its dangers. It is the most perilous stretch of the Three Gorges. Main attractions include the Leizu Temple, Peach Blossom Village, White Horse Cave, and the Xiling Gorge Happy Valley, among eight major scenic areas. Peach Blossom Village is especially famous for its “Five Peach Fairies” (Five-Colour Peach, Sun-and-Moon Peach, Scarlet Peach, Jade Peach and Human-Face Peach), ornamental peach trees that stand proudly among the groves. Xiling Gorge Happy Valley focuses on entertainment and adventure, with bungee jumping, rock climbing, zip-lining and rafting.
0.5–1 day · Sanyou Cave ¥60; Three Gorges Monkey Stream ¥45; Shangri-La ¥50; combo ticket ¥260 (three sites plus cable car)
Sanyou Cave Scenic Area
Located at the mouth of the Xiling Gorge, at the foot of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze, the cave is said to have been discovered by poets Bai Juyi, Bai Xingjian and Yuan Zhen when they met here by chance. Each of them inscribed a poem on the cliff wall, and this gave the cave its name, Sanyou (Three Visits) Cave. These three men are known as the “First Three Visitors.” Later, during the Song Dynasty, the father-and-sons trio Su Xun, Su Shi and Su Zhe also visited, and they are known as the “Later Three Visitors.”
¥60
Chexi Folk Culture Scenic Area
This area has clear waters and green hills, with both natural, refreshing countryside scenery and the ancient, rich folk customs of the Ba and Chu peoples. It is a destination for enjoying rural landscapes and experiencing distinctive ethnic culture. Visitors can see venues such as a Northern Song papermaking workshop, earthenware workshop, dyeing workshop and winemaking workshop.
2–4 hours · ¥90
Getting there & around
Getting There and Away
By Air
Yichang Sanxia Airport is the second-largest airport in Hubei Province, with daily flights to and from Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing, and regular flights to and from Guangzhou and Kunming.
By Rail
Yichang has six railway stations. Yichang East Station is the main transport hub for entering and leaving Yichang, mainly serving direct trains to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuxi, Xi'an, Taiyuan and Wuhan. It is also Yichang's high-speed rail station.
High-Speed Rail
High-speed trains from Wuhan Hankou Station to Yichang East Station take under 2 hours.
By Road
Yichang and the rest of the province are mainly connected by the Yihuang Expressway. Within the city, there are three main bus stations: Dagongqiao Bus Station, the Long-Distance Bus Station and Haitong Bus Station.
By Waterway
Perhaps because it is a riverside city, people are used to travelling by boat, followed by bus. The Yichang–Chongqing route is the most important passenger and tourist route on the Yangtze. The completion of the Gezhouba and Geheyan hydro projects greatly improved navigation conditions in Yichang, and passenger cruise ships now run to Chongqing, Wanzhou, Fengjie and other destinations.
Side Trips
The Jingzhou Museum, which preserves the famous Western Han mummy, and the Ancient Ying Capital of Chu (Chu Jinan Ancient City) are also worth a detour.
Getting Around the City
Yichang's buses run on natural gas, which is green and environmentally friendly. Standard bus fare is ¥1; air-conditioned and sightseeing buses are ¥2, and tourist express routes have tiered fares. Yichang taxis start at ¥8 for the first 2 km; each additional km costs ¥1.6, and each additional 500 m costs ¥0.8.
Sanxia Airport Information Desk
By Air- Phone:
- 0717-6532114
Yichang East Railway Station
By Rail- Address:
- Chengdong Avenue, Wujiagang District
- Getting there:
- Take Bus B1, B37, B68 or B80s and get off at Yichang East Railway Station.
Yichang Port Passenger Inquiry Office
By Waterway- Phone:
- 0717-6224354
Changjiang High-Speed Passenger Ship
By Waterway- Phone:
- 0717-6343588
- Yichang wood carving inherits the wood-carving traditions of China since the Ming and Qing dynasties, drawing on the strengths of stone carving, painting and clay sculpture folk arts.
- When taking a taxi, be sure to choose a licensed company and ask for a receipt, as taxi drivers overcharging tourists can occur in Yichang.
- For Yichang Three Gorges routes, see the “Chongqing Three Gorges” section of this guide.
Eat & drink
Yichang cuisine emphasises natural flavours, savoury freshness and a slight spiciness. The main dishes are river fish and home-style local cooking.
Local river fish is best when killed and cooked to order, served in generous portions with great flavour. Choose a spot by the Yangtze so you can enjoy the river view while eating Yangtze fish. For local home cooking, try the “Lao Jiu Wan” (Old Nine Bowls): nine dishes of mixed stew, crispy fried pastries, fried spring rolls, fish-cake meatballs, squid with bamboo shoots, lotus seeds, white pork belly, mushroom chicken and pearl meatballs, served in large bowls, each with a strong rustic character.
Tu Li Ba Ren
Yichang is the birthplace of Ba-Chu culture. The Changyang Bashan Dance won a gold prize at the National Galaxy Award, and “Tu Li Ba Ren” in particular became a nationwide hit.
Yichang Local Specialties
Well-known products include citrus, kiwi, persimmons, Chunmei tea, Xiazhou emerald green tea, jasmine spring-tip tea, Yihong congou tea, cactus tea and dark-red gastrodia. The Tea City wholesale market in Yiling is a good place to buy Yichang tea.
Food Streets
Xiaomian Noodle Street
Food StreetsYichang people love xiaomian noodles, much as Wuhan people love hot dry noodles, Beijing people love luzhu (braised meats) and Shanghai people love shengjian bao (pan-fried buns). Early in the morning, locals gather in noodle shops to eat a bowl of hot, savoury xiaomian, made with a bone broth base and topped with pork intestines, beef, shredded pork and fried egg. It is both good value and filling.
- Address:
- Xiaomian Noodle Street on Huancheng North Road, and Xiaomian Noodle Street on Fusui Road
Xiba Riverside
Food StreetsThis is the best choice for enjoying a drink in the breeze while savouring good food. The river views are magnificent, and the Yangtze fish is large, fresh and cooked to order. A restaurant worth recommending is “Xian,” which gives you the flavour of a fishing-village meal. It is often full, so book your table in advance.
- Address:
- Yichang Xiba Riverside, Yichang
Changjiang Fat Fish Street
Food StreetsBeyond the fame it enjoys with visitors from other places, it is also well known locally. Recommended dishes include Baicha fat fish, Xiangqiu fat fish and Mudan zhenzhu fat fish.
- Getting there:
- Take tourist Bus Route 10 and get off at Taohua Village.
Where to stay
Taohualing Hotel
Recommended AccommodationTaohualing Hotel is located on Yunji Road in the heart of Yichang. This garden-style hotel, built in 1957, is the “old guard” of luxury hotels. Surrounding facilities are complete, transport is convenient, and there is a park opposite.
- Address:
- 29 Yunji Road
- Phone:
- 0717-6089999
Day trips & beyond
Jingzhou Ancient City Historical and Cultural Tourist Area
Legend has it that the city was built by Guan Yu during the Three Kingdoms period. Climbing the city walls gives you a full view of the ancient city's layout. At the east gate, the Jiangling Stele Forest holds ancient inscriptions and calligraphy that will appeal to fans of old stone carvings and Chinese calligraphy.
0.5–1 day
Qingjiang Gallery Tourist Resort
In spring the river is fragrant, in summer mist drifts in rings, in autumn the maples glow redder than fire, and in winter smoke hangs over the river. The Qing River's scenery is varied and changes with the seasons. Peaks line both banks in deep green, mist spreads over the water, and the river runs so clear you can see the bottom. People say the Qing River combines the grandeur of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze, the clarity of the Lijiang River in Guilin, and the grace of West Lake in Hangzhou.
2–5 hours
Qu Yuan's Hometown
The attractions here preserve traces of Qu Yuan's life, and some sites from his birthplace have been recreated, including Incense Burner Flat, Face-Reflecting Well and Three Corn Mounds.
2–3 hours
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2057–2068. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version