Yichang

Yichang sits along the Yangtze River in western Hubei, where the water shifts from wide plains to narrower gorges. This city gives access to the Three Gorges Dam, a concrete structure stretching 2.3 kilometers across the river. Walk through the Gezhouba Dam’s fish-viewing platforms to watch endangered species like the Chinese sturgeon. Take a boat tour through Xiling Gorge, where limestone cliffs rise sharply from the water, or visit the Chinese Sturgeon Park to learn about conservation efforts. As a common stop for Yangtze River cruises, Yichang connects travelers to both engineering projects and forested hillsides dotted with tea farms.

Top Sights and Things to Do

Start at the Three Gorges Dam, 40 kilometers northwest of Yichang. Join a guided tour to stand on the observation deck overlooking the reservoir, then visit the exhibition center explaining how the dam controls floods and generates power. Downstream, the Gezhouba Dam provides a closer look at hydroelectric operations, with glass-bottom walkways above fish migration channels. Book a half-day boat trip to Xiling Gorge, where you’ll pass sections of whitewater rapids and villages built into the hillsides. Wear sturdy shoes if hiking the trails near the gorge’s western end, which wind past small waterfalls and rock formations.

Head 10 kilometers south of downtown to the Three Travelers’ Cave, where poets from the Tang and Song Dynasties carved verses into the walls. The Yichang Museum stores artifacts recovered before the Three Gorges reservoir flooded the area, including jade burial suits and bronze weapons from 2,000 years ago. Drive six kilometers past the dam to Huangling Temple, a Ming Dynasty complex with red pillars and tile roofs facing the river. Time your visit for late afternoon when sunlight reflects off the Yangtze’s surface onto the temple courtyards.

Yangtze River Cruise Details

Multi-day cruises between Chongqing and Yichang typically spend four hours at the Three Gorges Dam, allowing time to explore the ship lift and nearby gardens. Boats dock at Maoping Port, a one-hour bus ride from Yichang’s city center. Upstream routes include stops at Shennong Stream, where smaller wooden boats take you through narrow canyons lined with hanging vines. Onboard guides host talks about the dam’s construction challenges or demonstrate traditional instruments like the guzheng. Most ships schedule evening puppet shows or calligraphy workshops to introduce local customs.

Getting to and Around Yichang

Fly into Yichang Sanxia Airport, which has direct flights from Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. A taxi from the airport to downtown takes 45 minutes and costs around 100 yuan. High-speed trains arrive at Yichang East Station, connected to major hotels by bus routes 1 and 9. Use the BRT system’s orange buses on Dongshan Avenue for quick trips between the railway station and Yiling Square. If traveling to Maoping Port for a cruise, buy shuttle tickets at the terminal near the Three Gorges Tourist Center.

What to Eat and Buy

Sample dry-pot fish at riverside restaurants, where chefs fry carp with Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies. Start your day with luzhui, a savory rice porridge mixed with pickled radish and peanuts, sold at street stalls near Yiling Square. Visit Guomao Shopping Center to buy navel oranges harvested from orchards outside the city, or try Xiaoting Maojian green tea from shops along Yanjiang Avenue. For a unique souvenir, look for hand-painted maps of the Yangtze River sold near Huangling Temple’s entrance.

City Improvements and Green Spaces

Yichang’s BRT system cuts travel times by using elevated stations and prepaid fare cards, moving commuters efficiently between residential zones and the train station. The city added 12 kilometers of bike lanes separated from car traffic by concrete barriers, with rental stations near major hotels. Over 700 ginkgo trees planted along main roads provide shade in summer and yellow foliage in autumn. These upgrades earned Yichang national recognition for reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Where to Stay

Choose hotels near Yiling Square for quick access to buses, night markets, and the Yangtze River waterfront. The Yichang International Hotel has a garden facing the river and rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Budget travelers find affordable options along Dongshan Avenue, steps from BRT stops and noodle shops. For a nature-focused stay, book a guesthouse in Xiling Gorge that arranges guided hikes to Baiyang Shuixie waterfall, a three-hour trek through bamboo groves and past natural springs.