YiChang Travel Guide

1. Three Gorges Dam: As the world’s largest hydropower station, the Three Gorges Dam is not only a symbol of modern Chinese engineering but also a magnificent landmark along the Yangtze River. From the Tanziling Observation Deck, you can overlook the dam’s entirety and feel the awe of “a flat lake emerging from high gorges.” The Flow Interception Memorial Park displays actual construction relics, offering insight into the arduous journey of this monumental project.

2. Tribe of the Three Gorges：Located on the banks of Xiling Gorge, Tribe of the Three Gorges perfectly showcases traditional life along the Yangtze. Cruising into Longjin Stream, Tujia stilt houses line the mountains, fisherwomen sing folk songs, and boatmen pull wooden boats, as if time has rewound. The scenic area features cultural performances like the Bawang Palace show and shadow puppetry, ideal for those interested in humanistic photography and cultural

3. Qingjiang Gallery: Known as “800 miles of Qingjiang is beautiful as a painting,” a boat tour through Yingyang Gorge and Xianren Village reveals emerald waters mirroring peculiar peaks, resembling a flowing landscape scroll. Wuluo Zhongli Mountain, the birthplace of Ba culture, offers a panoramic view of Qingjiang from its summit.

4. Qu Yuan’s Hometown: In Zigui, Yichang, the birthplace of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, the Qu Yuan Memorial Hall displays his life story against the majestic backdrop of the Three Gorges Dam. During the Dragon Boat Festival, grand dragon boat races and poetry ceremonies are held, where visitors can participate in traditional activities like wrapping zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and hanging mugwort, immersing themselves in rich Chu culture.

5. Three Gorges Waterfall: Standing 102 meters tall, the Three Gorges Waterfall is awe-inspiring. Visitors can walk along trails to approach the cascade or pass through the Water Curtain Cave, feeling the refreshing mist. After heavy rain, the waterfall is even more spectacular, often adorned with rainbows.

6. Xiling Gorge: The longest and most perilous of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge is famous for Sanyou Cave, visited by poets like Bai Juyi and Su Shi, with cliffside inscriptions bearing witness to a thousand years of literary tradition. For thrill-seekers, Xiling Gorge Happy Valley offers bungee jumping and zip-lining, providing breathtaking views of the roaring Yangtze.

7. Chexi Folk Scenic Area: Chexi is known for its waterwheel culture and Tujia traditions. Visitors can observe ancient papermaking and pottery techniques and experience rural life. The lively Tujia bonfire party at night is a highlight, perfect for families and folk culture enthusiasts.

8. Chaibuxi Grand Canyon: Renowned for its rugged peaks and deep valleys, Chaibuxi features a glass walkway perched on cliffs and a cable car gliding through mist, ideal for hiking and adventure lovers. In autumn, the valley’s red foliage creates a picturesque scene.

9. Bailihuang Alpine Grassland: Popularized by the film "Under the Hawthorn Tree" , Bailihuang boasts vast alpine meadows, cool and pleasant in summer for camping and horseback riding, and a skiing destination in winter. Far from urban hustle, it’s a serene retreat.

10. Yichang Museum: For a deep dive into Yichang’s history and culture, the Yichang Museum is the perfect choice. Its exhibits, ranging from ancient Ba-Chu artifacts to Three Gorges Project memorabilia, comprehensively showcase the city’s evolution and development.

1. Radish Dumplings: A traditional Yichang street food, featuring a golden, crispy rice batter skin filled with spicy and refreshing pickled radish strips, a winter favorite.（Recommended：North Jiefang Road Market）

2. Cool Shrimp：A Yichang specialty dessert, made from rice slurry shaped into small shrimp-like rice jellies, served with brown sugar and ginger syrup, cool and refreshing.（Recommended：Zheng Xin Ji Liang Xia in Taozhu Road）

3. Spicy Oil Noodles：Yichang’s version of hot dry noodles, featuring alkaline noodles tossed in a secret spicy red oil sauce, topped with soybeans and pickled long beans, savory and appetizing.（Recommend：Fusui Road "Old Brand Spicy Oil Noodles 老字号红油小面"）

4. Sanyou Immortal Chicken(三游神仙鸡)：A famous Yichang dish, made with slow-stewed free-range chicken, yielding tender meat and a rich, flavorful broth.（Recommend：Yanjiang Avenue "Weng Restaurant"）

5. Yangtze Fat Fish: A unique Yangtze River fish species, with tender and delicious meat, suitable for steaming or braising. (Recommended: Fish restaurants near Binjiang Park)

6. Grilled Potatoes: A Yichang specialty snack, small potatoes grilled until crispy outside and tender inside, sprinkled with chili powder. (Recommended: Stalls at CBD Snack Street)

7. Yichang Cold Noodles: A summer staple for beating the heat, featuring chewy noodles mixed with sesame paste, cucumber shreds, and more. (Recommended: “Wang Ji Cold Noodles” on Jiefang Road)

8. Tujia Cured Meat: A traditional delicacy of the Tujia people in western Hubei, known for its distinctive smoky flavor. (Recommended: Specialty shops or farmhouse restaurants)

9. Osmanthus Sticky Rice Wine: A traditional Yichang drink, blending rice wine with osmanthus flowers for a sweet and fragrant taste. (Recommended: Available at various breakfast shops)

10. Yichang Honey Tangerines: A local specialty fruit, with thin skin, juicy flesh, and high sweetness. (Recommended: Widely available at markets in autumn)

1. Three Gorges Misty Cloud Tea

Yichang’s most iconic tea, grown in high-altitude tea gardens (800-1,200 meters) in the Three Gorges region. The year-round misty climate and significant day-night temperature differences create its unique quality. The tea leaves are tender and uniform, yielding a bright green infusion with a fresh orchid aroma, subtle chestnut notes, and a lasting sweet aftertaste.

• Address: Specialty tea shops at Yiling Chacheng  (Yiling Avenue, Xiling District)

2. Zigui Navel Oranges

Zigui navel oranges are thin-skinned, easy to peel, with delicate, residue-free flesh and a sugar content of 14-16 degrees. The “Lunwan” variety (available March-May) and red-fleshed navel oranges are the most famous. Elliptical in shape, with a vibrant orange-red hue, they are juicy with a unique honey aroma and three times the vitamin C of regular citrus.

• Address: Direct sales at orchards in Guojiaba Town, Zigui County

3. Yichang Three Gorges Sweet Potato Pastry (三峡苕酥)

A century-old traditional snack made from premium Three Gorges sweet potato, combined with sesame, osmanthus, and other ingredients through 18 processes, including steaming, pounding, slicing, and frying. The golden, crispy result melts in the mouth, sweet but not cloying, available in original, sesame, and pepper-salt flavors.

• Address : “Dehechang 德和昌”

4. Yichang Cool Shrimp Powder

Fine, white powder that, when mixed with warm water and strained into ice water, instantly forms cute shrimp-shaped jellies. Paired with traditionally brewed brown sugar and ginger syrup, it’s chewy, refreshing, sweet with a hint of spice, and perfect for cooling off.

• Address: Zheng Xin Ji Liang Xia in Taozhu Road

5. Three Gorges Cliff Honey

Rare honey harvested from wild beehives on Three Gorges cliffs, derived from nectar of various precious medicinal herbs. Amber in color, thick in texture, with a distinctive herbal fragrance, it’s rich in active enzymes and minerals, ideal for lung health in autumn and winter.

• Address: Specialty store at Three Gorges Visitor Center

6. Tujia Embroidered Shoe Insoles

A Tujia intangible cultural heritage craft from western Hubei, made with 48 traditional processes. Multi-layered cotton fabric serves as the base, embroidered with colorful silk threads in auspicious patterns like “magpie on plum” or “pomegranate with many seeds.”

• Address: Tujia Cultural Park at Changyang Qingjiang Gallery Scenic Area

7. Three Gorges Stone Tea Pet

Crafted from unique textured stones from the Three Gorges region, polished by artisans to resemble miniature Three Gorges landscapes. The smooth, jade-like stones reveal vibrant natural patterns when doused with tea, offering both aesthetic and collectible value.

• Address : Sanxia Qishi Village, Yiling District

8. Zigui Navel Orange Cake

Made from whole Zigui navel orange pulp and natural ingredients like kudzu root powder, preserving the fruit’s vitamin C and dietary fiber. Soft, chewy, with a balanced sweet-tart flavor.

• Address: “Quxiang” Navel Orange Cake (specialty store in Zigui County)

9. Qingjiang Fish Sauce

Made from wild Qingjiang fish, blended with over 20 ingredients like fermented soybean paste and Sichuan peppercorns, naturally fermented for three months. The dark brown sauce, with fully softened fish bones, is perfect for mixing with rice, noodles, or as a hotpot dipping sauce, with a rich, lingering aroma.

• Address: “Qingjiang Fish Flavor” specialty store in Changyang

10. Three Gorges Bamboo Weaving Crafts

Made from high-altitude (above 800 meters) Nan bamboo by intangible heritage artisans. From practical tea sets and food boxes to intricate decorative pieces, each item showcases bamboo threads “fine as hair, soft as silk.” The natural bamboo fragrance persists, and items develop an amber sheen with use.

• Address: Bamboo Art Museum, Wufeng County

Spring (March to May):

Temperatures range from approximately 10-22°C, cooler in March (8-15°C) and warmer in May (15-25°C). The weather is mild and humid, with rapeseed flowers blooming in late March, followed by peach and cherry blossoms in April, and willow catkins drifting along the riverbanks. Spring rains are frequent (monthly rainfall around 120-180mm), with light mist often veiling the river, adding a poetic charm.

• Suggestions: Visit Three Gorges People to admire flowers or stroll along Binjiang Park to view willows. Wear a windproof jacket with a light sweater and carry a foldable umbrella. Attend the Tea Culture Festival during the Qingming Festival.

Summer (June to August):

Temperatures range from about 25-35°C, with July being the hottest (up to 38°C). June marks the start of the rainy season, with humid and muggy conditions (monthly rainfall around 200-300mm). July and August bring frequent thunderstorms, rising Yangtze River water levels, and occasional heavy rain.

• Suggestions: Visit indoor exhibits at the Three Gorges Dam during the day and enjoy a cooling Yangtze River night cruise in the evening. Wear quick-dry clothing, bring sunscreen, a sunhat, and rain gear. Join the Dragon Boat Festival in June and savor cool shrimp dessert to beat the heat.

Autumn (September to November):

Temperatures range from about 18-28°C, with lingering warmth in September (25-30°C) and cooler weather by November (10-20°C). Crisp and clear, the season features misty river views and vibrant Three Gorges red foliage (mainly sumac and maple) starting in late October, making it a prime time for photography.

• Suggestions: Visit the Three Gorges Dam observation deck to enjoy autumn scenery. Wear long-sleeve shirts with a windproof jacket, adding a light down jacket for early mornings and evenings in November. Participate in the citrus picking festival and explore the Jiefang Road night market to taste seasonal, plump river delicacies.

Winter (December to February):

Temperatures range from about 3-10°C, with January being the coldest (0-8°C). The damp cold feels more intense without heating (monthly rainfall around 60-100mm), with occasional light frost along the riverbanks and rare light snow in higher elevations. The festive atmosphere builds in the lunar month of December with lanterns and decorations.

• Suggestions: Soak in Changyang Yanchi Hot Springs to ward off the chill and shop at the Taozhu Road New Year’s market. Wear thermal undergarments, a down jacket, scarf, and gloves. Around the winter solstice, experience Tujia traditions like slaughtering New Year pigs and curing preserved meats.