Things to Do in Yichang

No.1: Three Gorges Dam

Type: Dams, Bodies of Water

Recommended Length of Visit: 2.5-3 hours

The world-famous Three Gorges Dam is the largest electricity generating facility in the world, providing China with tremendous power generation and flood control services.

The Three Gorges Dam project adds the interest of the area, started in 1995 the Three Gorges Dam near Yichang, began, and controversy has surrounded it ever since. And it was fully commissioned and completed by 2009. Located in the areas of Xiling Gorge, one of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River, the dam controls a drainage area of 1 million square kilometers, with an average annual runoff of 451 billion cubic meters. The Three Gorges Dam boasts three parts: the dam itself, the hydropower stations and the navigation facility. Now, the hydroelectric generators provide 1/9 of China's total power output.

>>Read more details of Three Gorges Dam & Three Gorges Ship Locks

No.2: Three Gorges

Type: Canyons

Sites: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorges, Xiling Gorge

The most impressive section of Yangtze River is the Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge. The Three Gorges stretch from White Emperor City in Fengjie County, Chongqing eastward for 192 kilometers to Nanjinguan in Yichang, Hubei.

Qutang Gorge extends for about 8 kilometers between Chijia and Baiyan mountains facing each other from opposite sides of the Yangtze. The landmark is Kuimen Gate, the upstream entrance to the Three Gorges.

Wu Gorge is 45 kilometers in length. It is renowned for its remote and peaceful landscape beauty and for its changing clouds and rain. The 12 peaks of the Wushan Mountains that flank the Yangtze stand like a continuous screen, a landscape to stir the spirit.

Xiling Gorge is the longest of the Three Gorges.

>> Read more details of Three Gorges

No.3: Tribe of Three Gorges (Sanxia Family Scenic Resort)

Type: Landmarks/ Points of Interest

Recommended Length of Visit: 2-3 hours

Sanxia Family Scenic Resort, located in the ‘Tow Dams, One Gorge’ tourist line (Three Gorges Dam, Gezhouba Dam and Xiling Gorge), is the only large scenic spot that not be influenced by the Three Gorged Dam project.

Tribe of the Three Gorges, praised as the “Protected Center of the Popular Culture and Art of the Three Gorges”, consists of three main parts, which showcase the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture. In these villages, you could see young women dance and sing as old sailboats moor placidly below stilt houses hidden in the bamboo grove. Maidens wash clothes by the brook side with their whirling batons; fishermen cast their nets in the misty distance… Entering the region feels like coming from afar into a dreamland garden.

>> Read more details of Tribe of Three Gorges along Yangtze River

No.4: Shennong Stream

Type: Bodies of Water, Geologic Formations, Mountains, Nature/ Wildlife Areas

Recommended Length of Visit: 3-3.5 hours

A boat trip to Shennong Stream is definitely the highlight of your Yangtze Three Gorges Tour. Like the neighboring Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan County, the ancient plank path runs along the river, mysterious ancient coffins suspended high on the cliff, wild monkeys running under the primitive trees and bushes. Dark green clear water, dark green trees, dark green mountains along the stream stretch and disappear into faraway.

The Shennong Stream fascinates the tourists with its special virtues of serenity, uniqueness. Floating on a peapod boat, you can appreciate not only the natural scenes all the way, but also the joys and excitement in fighting the winds and waves.

>> Read more details of Shennong Stream

No.5: Gezhou Dam

Type: Dams, Bodies of Water

Recommended Length of Visit: 2 hours

Gezhou Dam is the first dam on the Yangtze River which is situated 2 km from Nanjin Pass in the Xiling Gorge narrows. The dam lies on the 2200-meter-wide Yangtze River, and divides the Yangtze River into three lesser stems. The main stem is the most important one among the three stems, while the other two often become cutout during the dry season.

As the completion of Three Gorges Dam, the Gezhouba Dam has become an essential part of the Three Gorges Dam System. The two major dams take charge of the mission of electricity of the eastern China.

No.6: Quyuan Ancestral Hall

Type: Landmarks/ Points of Interest

Recommended Length of Visit: 2-3 hours

Located 1.5km to Zigui County, Quyuan Ancestral Hall, also called Qingliegong Ancestral Hall, was built to commemorate Qu Yuan. The whole building is with style of unique ancient buildings in the area of the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Quyuan Ancestral Hall includes entrance, main hall as well as left and right side hall, etc. The most attracted place in Qu Yuan Ancestral Hall is the bronze statue of Qu Yuan, which stands at the center of the hall. It embodies Qu Yuan’s patriotism of concerning about the destiny of his country and the people, and his perseverance.

No.7: Shennongjia

Type: Forests, Parks

Sites: Banbiyan, Shennong Peak, Yanzidong, Shennongjia Scenic Area

The Shennongjia district in remote northwestern Hubei has the wildest scenery in the province. With heavily forested mountains of fir, pine and hemlock -including something rare in China, old-growth stands -the area is known as a treasure trove of more than 1300 species of medicinal plants.

According to the legend, Shennong (the founder of herbal medicine and agriculture) heard about some special plants growing up high on a precipice, so he cut down a great tree and used it to climb to the site and reach the plants, which he added to his medical collection.Highlights include Banbiyan, Shennong Peak, Yanzidong and Shennongjia Scenic Area.