Yichang, Hubei Province

Xiling Gorge Scenic Area

西陵峡风景名胜区Photography · Mountains & Adventure · Nature

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.…

Xiling Gorge Scenic Area, Yichang

Key facts

Admission
Sanyou Cave ¥60; Three Gorges Monkey Stream ¥45; Shangri-La ¥50; combo ticket ¥260 (three sites plus cable car)
Opening hours
2026.01.01-2026.12.31 08:30-17:30
Time needed
0.5–1 day
Getting there
Near Sanyou Cave (bus stop)
Guidebook rating
4 / 5

From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 2065. Open in Google Maps

About 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.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Xiling Gorge Scenic Area cost?

Admission to Xiling Gorge Scenic Area is Sanyou Cave ¥60; Three Gorges Monkey Stream ¥45; Shangri-La ¥50; combo ticket ¥260 (three sites plus cable car), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.

What are the opening hours of Xiling Gorge Scenic Area?

Xiling Gorge Scenic Area is open 2026.01.01-2026.12.31 08:30-17:30.

How do I get to Xiling Gorge Scenic Area?

Near Sanyou Cave (bus stop)

How long should I spend at Xiling Gorge Scenic Area?

Plan on 0.5–1 day for Xiling Gorge Scenic Area.

Where is Xiling Gorge Scenic Area?

Xiling Gorge Scenic Area is in Yichang, Hubei Province, in the Central China of China. Within Yiling District, Yichang City

More places in Yichang

Three Gorges People's Family Scenic Area — illustration

Three Gorges People's Family Scenic Area

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.

¥210 (round-trip ferry included) · 0.5–1 day

Three Gorges Dam — illustration

Three Gorges Dam

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.

Free (park shuttle bus fee of about ¥35 must be paid) · 0.5–1 day

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.

¥100 · 0.5–1 day

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.

City-wall combo ticket ¥90; museums free · 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.

¥145 (boat ride included) · 2–5 hours

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 · 2-3 hours