Yichang + Three Gorges Dam + Three Gorges Folklife Area + Wuhan + Yellow Crane Tower · 5 days

independent sightseeing options

Recommendations: Binjiang Park, CBD Central Street, Yichang Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

Culinary delights to savor: Sanyou Immortal Chicken, Spicy Oil Noodles, Radish Dumplings, Dingding Cake, Liangxia (a refreshing summer dessert), Yiling Spring Rolls.

The Three Gorges Folklife Area scenic spot is located in Shipai Village, Sandouping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province. It is a natural scenic area that combines natural landscapes and regional culture, covering an area of 14 square kilometers. The scenic spot officially opened in 2003. It is located in the Yangtze River Basin, in the Dengying Gorge section of Xiling Gorge, between two dams and one gorge. Planning note: Cultural performances follow the scenic area’s current programme. They are staged visitor experiences, not guaranteed observations of everyday village life; allow for boat/access arrangements and weather.

The Three Gorges Folklife Area has a long history and a rich cultural heritage, including ancient Ba and Chu cultures, the Tujia ethnic group, and the culture of the Three Gorges people. It also features 11 intangible cultural heritage performance items such as Yichang silk and bamboo music, shadow puppetry, and Sanbang Drum, among which there are 5 national-level intangible cultural heritage projects, including the Yangtze Gorge Hauler’s Chant, Yichang Silk and Bamboo Music, Nan Qu, Sanyin Song (Xingshan Folk Song), and Haocao Luogu. Poets such as Li Daoyuan, Li Bai, Lu You, and Guo Moruo have also left many poems here. The scenic spot is mainly divided into the Stone Tablet Fortress, the Age of Chaos, the Charm of Longxi, and the Three Gorges Folklife Area, which includes attractions such as the Stone Tablet Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall, Ba King Village, Tai Chi Cat Cave, and Longjin Stream. The scenic area has a humid subtropical monsoon climate and belongs to the limestone weathering area, with the terrain being high in the northwest and low in the southeast. This part of Xiling Gorge is valued for its river and cliff scenery; water levels and navigation conditions still vary.

The Three Gorges Folklife Area scenic spot has also been awarded the title of “China’s Most Internationally Influential Tourist Destination,” the first batch of “Civilized Scenic Tourist Areas” in Hubei Province, “Top Ten Scenic Spots in Hubei Province,” “Hubei Province Ecological Civilization Construction Demonstration Base,” and “Hubei Province Advanced Unit for External Opening,” attracting friends from all over the world to visit.

In 2011, the Three Gorges Folklife Area in Yichang City was rated as a 5A-level tourist attraction by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China.

The Three Gorges Dam (simplified Chinese: 三峡大坝; traditional Chinese: 三峽大壩; pinyin: Sānxiá Dàbà) is a hydroelectric gravity dam that spans the Yangtze River near Sandouping in Yiling District, Yichang, Hubei province, central China, downstream of the Three Gorges. The world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW), the Three Gorges Dam has annual generation that varies with water conditions. After the extensive monsoon rainfalls of 2020, the dam’s annual production reached nearly 112 TWh, breaking the previous world record of ~103 TWh set by Itaipu Dam in 2016. Planning note: Choose a confirmed cruise or dam visit and check the actual reporting point, passport procedure and security rules. Neither lock passage nor access onto the dam is guaranteed. Moving to Wuhan after the programme may require an extra overnight stay.

The dam’s body was completed in 2006; the power plant was completed and fully operational by 2012, when the last of the main water turbines in the underground plant began production. Each of the main water turbines has a capacity of 700 MWCombining the capacity of the dam’s 32 main turbines with the two smaller generators (50 MW each) that provide power to the plant itself, the total electric generating capacity of the Three Gorges Dam is 22,500 MW. The last major component of the project, the ship lift, was completed in 2015.

In addition to generating electricity, the dam was designed to increase the Yangtze River’s shipping capacity. By providing flood storage space, the dam reduces the potential for flooding downstream, which historically plagued the Yangtze Plain. In 1931, floods on the river caused the deaths of up to 4 million people. As a result, China regards the project as a monumental social and economical success, with the design of state-of-the-art large turbines and a move toward limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

• East Lake Tingtao Scenic Area: Enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of East Lake, known for its picturesque landscapes and the gentle waves lapping the shores, offering a serene setting for relaxation and reflection.
• Hubei Provincial Museum / Hubei Art Museum: Delve into the region’s rich history and cultural heritage at the Hubei Provincial Museum, home to a vast collection of artifacts and historical exhibits. For art enthusiasts, the Hubei Art Museum showcases a variety of artistic expressions and collections.
• Hubu Alley: Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Hubu Alley, a popular food street where you can sample a wide array of local delicacies and experience the local food culture.

• Yellow Crane Tower: Ascend the iconic Yellow Crane Tower, one of the most famous pavilions in Jiangnan, offering panoramic views of the Yangtze River and the cityscape. This historic site is also a great spot to appreciate the engineering feat of the Yangtze River Bridge.

Wuhan is a paradise for food lovers, famous for its diverse range of snacks and traditional dishes. On your last day, you can indulge in some of Wuhan’s signature culinary delights:

1. Hot and Dry Noodles: One of Wuhan’s most famous snacks, known for its unique texture and seasoning, it is one of the four great noodles of China.
2. Bean Skin: A specialty snack made from mung bean and rice batter wrapped around a meat filling, offering a crispy exterior and soft interior, savory and delicious.
3. Duck Necks: Popular throughout the country for their distinctive spicy flavor, duck necks are another signature snack from Wuhan.
4. Pork Rib and Lotus Root Soup: A well-known dish from Hubei that combines the sweetness of lotus root with the rich flavor of pork ribs, a delicious soup for autumn and winter seasons.
5. Wuchang Fish: Steamed Wuchang fish is a famous dish from Hubei, made with fresh Wuchang fish, known for its smooth and delicate taste, and fresh fragrance.
6. Braised Prawns in Oil: Qianjiang-style braised prawns are known for their spiciness, rich oil, and strong flavor, a popular dish in Wuhan during the summer.
7. Fresh Fish Porridge Noodles: A historic Wuhan snack made with a soup simmered from small crucian carp paired with smooth rice noodles, full of fresh flavor and thick sauce.
8. Noodle Nest: A unique snack from Wuhan, typically served for breakfast, characterized by a thick edge and a thin center, shaped like a concave nest.
9. Soup Dumplings: Wuhan’s soup dumplings, improved based on the style from Suzhou, are known for their thin skin filled with rich soup and tender meat filling, one of the four great snacks of Wuhan.
10. Stewed Soup: Wuhan residents place great importance on stewed soup, which is an essential dish for festivals, celebrations, or when honoring guests.
11. Fish Balls: A traditional dish in Hubei folk culture, the making of fish balls dates back to the time of King Chu Wen and is a common dish on festive occasions.
12. Huangpi Sanxian: A traditional delicacy from Huangpi District, consisting of a combination of fish balls, meatballs, and meat cake, an essential dish for the New Year or special celebrations.

A: Wuhan has many remarkable attractions. The Yellow Crane Tower is a famous historical landmark with a long history and offers a great view of the city. The East Lake is extremely large and beautiful, and taking a boat tour on it is a wonderful experience. The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge is an iconic structure that allows you to enjoy the view of the Yangtze River. The Hankou Riverfront is the commercial heart of Wuhan with modern skyscrapers and a bustling shopping area. The Hubei Provincial Museum houses a rich collection of cultural relics and artworks that reflect the history and culture of the region.