Yichang Travel Guide 2025
Yichang called Yiling (夷陵) in ancient times, got its name for “water flowing here is smooth, while mountain here is high”. Yichang is regarded as the “Gateway to Three Gorges” and “Pearl of Xiling Gorge”. It is located at the junction of the upper reaches and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, west of Hubei Province, about 320 kilometers from Wuhan City. Upstream, travelers can sail through Three Gorges up to Chongqing; downstream, travelers can sail along the Yangtze River down to Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai, reaching the mouth of the Yangtze River delta.
Plan a Yichang Yangtze River Cruise Tour
To best explore essences of Yangtze River, it is highly recommended to take a 4 ~ 5 days Yangtze River cruise trip sailing between Chongqing and Yichang through the awe-inspiring Three Gorges and world-famous Three Gorges Dam. 11 ~ 12 days cruises between Chongqing and Shanghai and 10 ~ 11 days cruises between Chongqing and Nanjing also pass through Yichang. Not just these highlights in Yichang as well as in Chongqing, splendors along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River are also included in these long-line cruises.
Start planning your tailor-made cruise/trip by contacting our cruise experts or calling at +86-28-85223685
Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yichang
Yichang boasts breathtaking natural beauty and many profound cultural heritages. The Yangtze Three Gorges cruises between Yichang and Chongqing include highlights such as the Three Gorges Dam, Tribe of Three Gorges, and Xiling Gorge..., all in Yichang. To further enrich your trip, consider exploring top attractions within Yichang City as well, before or after your cruise.
Three Gorges Dam
- Type: Dam, Engineering Marvel
- Length: 2.5 - 3 hours
Three Gorges Dam, the world-class engineering marvel and the largest hydroelectric plant globally with 2335m long and 185 high, is a big reason why so many tourists come to cruise the Yangtze River. A visit to this site offers you the chance to marvel at the huge dam, the hydropower station, the world's largest and most technologically advanced Ship Lift and the largest ship locks globally Five-Stages Ship Locks.
Tribe of Three Gorges
- Type: Tujia Village; Natural Riverside Beauty
- Length: 2 - 3 hours
Tribe of Three Gorges is a serene and traditional Tujia village in Xiling Gorge along the Yangtze River. Here, ancient buildings and bridges are well preserved, and natives continue their ancient lifestyle. Visitors can admire traditional dances and ceremonies while taking in the breathtaking painting-like scenery of mountains and water.
Xiling Gorge
- Type: Natural Scenery
- Length: 4 - 5 days (Three Gorges) by Yangtze River Cruise
Xiling Gorge is about 120km which is the longest gorge of the Three Gorges as well as the most breathtaking section, reputed as the “painting gallery of mountains and waterscape”. Some famous sights including Three Gorges Dam, Tribe of Three Gorges, Quyuan Temple... are dotted along this beautiful gorge.
Gezhou Dam
- Type: Dam, Engineering Marvel
- Length: 2 hours
Gezhou Dam is the Yangtze River's first hydroelectric power station and one of the world's largest run-of-the-river dams. It consists of ship locks, a powerhouse, water release gate, sand-sluicing gate, and earth rockfill dam. Here, you can witness this pioneering achievement up close as its impressive lock gates operate, opening and closing.
Quyuan Temple
- Type: Cultural & Historic Site
- Length: 2 - 3 hours
Quyuan Temple was built in 820 AD to honor Quyuan, a patriotic poet and great statesman in ancient China who was honored as one of the World Famous Cultural People in 1953 by UNESCO. Located about 600m from Three Gorges Dam, the temple also offers the best view of the dam and the “high hills and flat lake” scene.
Yichang Museum
- Type: Specialty Museum
- Length: 1 - 2 hours
Yichang Museum in Yichang City is a national first-class comprehensive museum. It focuses on the evolution of Xiling in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, Ba, Chu, and Three Gorges cultures... Among its about 58,732 cultural relics, there are many valuable ones like the Chuji Bell with Bronze Handles, Gold Bronze Bear, Qin-Emperor Beiming Bell...
Sanyou Cave
- Type: Cultural Site; Geology
- Length: 2 hours
Sanyou Cave (Cave of Three Travelers) is a famed limestone cave by the Yangtze River. Named after three famous poets Bai Juyi, Bai Xingjian, and Yuan Zhen's visit in the Tang Dynasty (705 - 907 AD), it also welcomed the Su family in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD). Inside, 40 inscriptions can be found. It is also a good place to overlook the beautiful Xiling Gorge.
Three Gorges Waterfall
- Type: Waterfalls; Nature Beauty
- Length: 2 - 3 hours
Three Gorges Waterfall boasts the fourth largest waterfall in China, standing 103m high and 80m wide, as well as over 30 smaller waterfalls. The top highlight here is the thrilling “waterfall pass-through” experience. Visitors can walk right through the curtain of water, feeling the powerful rush and mist.
Get to Yichang
By Air - Yichang Sanxia International Airport
Yichang Sanxia International Airport (YIN) links about 40 cities including international destinations including Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, and over 30 domestic ones like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming, Guiyang, Hangzhou, etc.
By Train - Yichang East Railway Station
Yichang East Railway Station operates G, D and C trains to / from about 30 cities including Beijing (6 - 8.5 hrs), Shanghai (6 - 8 hrs), Guangzhou (7 hrs), Shenzhen (8 hrs), Chengdu (6.5 - 7.5 hrs), Chongqing (5 hrs), Wuhan (2 - 3 hrs), Changsha (4.5 hrs), and by K trains from Zhangjiajie (4.5 hrs), etc.
▶ Check more to know
① Get from Shanghai to
Yichang;
② Get from Guilin to Yichang;
③ Get from Zhangjiajie to
Yichang.
Yichang Yangtze Cruise Travel Tips:
1. Yichang to Chongqing
upstream cruise travelers are suggested to book a train
arriving in Yichang BEFORE
16:00, or a flight arriving in Yichang BEFORE 15:00 since the upstream Yangtze
cruises to Chongqing board in Yichang at about 18:00;
2. Chongqing to Yichang
downstream cruise travelers are suggested to book a train leaving Yichang AFTER
14:30, or a flight leaving Yichang AFTER 16:00
since the downstream Yangtze cruises from Chongqing arrive in Yichang at about 12:30 - 13:30.
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Yichang East Railway Station
Get around Yichang
By Private Transfer of Our Tour Package
There's convenient public transportation in Yichang, so the most convenient way to transfer is by taking a private vehicle. At yangtze-river-cruises.com, we offer safe, clean, non-smoking, air-conditioned private vehicles with experienced drivers and English-speaking guides as part of our tour packages to help you have a better Yichang Yangtze River cruise trip.
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Travel with yangtze-river-cruise.com
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Non-smoking Licensed Private Vehicle of Our Tour Package
By Taxi
There's no subway in Yichang, so to get to Yichang ports, airport and railway station, travelers can choose to take a taxi. The flag-fall price of a taxi in Yichang is CNY 8 (2km).
Get to Yichang Ports
In 2025, most Yangtze River cruise ships use Maoping Port, while Yangtze 1 uses Yichang No. 9 Dock, and Yangzi Explorer uses Huanglingmiao Port (transfer provided by the cruise company).
‣ Yichang Maoping Port:
It's about 59km (1 - 1.5 hrs by car) from Yichang Sanxia International Airport and 43km (1 hr by car) from Yichang East Railway Station, and 32 km (1 hr by car) from the downtown area. To get there, travelers can take the shuttle bus provided by cruise companies by gathering at Yichang East Railway Station (for train travelers) or the downtown Visitor Center of Three Gorges Resort (for flight travelers and travelers who stay in Yichang city; 23km / 40 mins by car from Yichang airport). Travelers can also take a taxi or a private car to get there directly.
‣ Yichang No. 9 Dock:
The dock at the downtown Visitor Center of Three Gorges Tourist Resort is about 23km (40 mins by car) from Yichang Sanxia International Airport and 7 km (25 mins) from Yichang East Railway Station. Travelers can take a taxi or private car to get there.
▶ Check more about
① Get from Yichang
Airport to Yichang Ports;
② Yichang Ports.
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Yichang Maoping Port
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Visitor Center of Three Gorges Tourist Resort
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Yichang, at the junction of the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, enjoys the humid subtropical monsoon climate. Rainy seasons and hot seasons appear together, while the dry seasons meet cold periods together. This city also has four distinct seasons during the whole year, among which spring and autumn are comparatively longer.
According to the records in the past years, Yichang has an annual average temperature of about 16.9℃, with the highest temperature of 41.4℃ in the hottest month around July and August, and the lowest one of about 9.8℃ below 0℃ in about January. It is pleasant and comfortable to visit Yichang and Yangtze River in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
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Yichang Xiling Gorge in June
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Yichang Tribe of Three Gorges in September
Accommodation & Where to Stay
If you want to stay one night in Yichang before or after your Yangtze River cruise, there are some choices for you! From luxury 5-star hotels to budget 3-star ones, you are guaranteed a comfortable stay. All the selected hotels are located in Yichang downtown, close to shopping malls, food shops, and lively squares. You can enjoy the night view when you live here.
Recommended 5-Star Hotels: Yichang WanDa Crowne Hotel, Hilton Garden Hotel
Recommended 4-Star Hotels: Yichang Ramada Hotel, Yichang Great Wall Hotel, Yichang Yiling
Hotel
Useful Yichang Maps
To have a clearer understanding about the location of Yichang airport, railway station, attractions, Maoping Port, Three Gorges Dam and Yangtze River, you can take a look at the following latest Yichang maps for your Yichang Yangtze River cruise planning and visiting!
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Yichang Yangtze River Map
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Yichang Transportation Map
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Yichang Tourist Attraction Map
Our Suggested Yichang & Yangtze Cruise Tours
Yichang is served as the port city mostly for Yangtze River Cruise. You can have a short city tour in Yichang before or after cruise voyage. Moreover, Yichang is well linked with Zhangjiajie, Wuhan, Shanghai and Xian, you can extend your amazing tours for more discovery. Since we are local Yangtze cruise agency with many years' experience, we are here offering you good Yichang & Yangtze Cruise trips at the most reasonable price. View all Yichang Tours >>
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No.1 Short Tour4 Days Chongqing Yangtze Cruise Tour
Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / YichangThis is the No.1 short cruise tour chosen by numerous travelers. If you want a short break with a cruise, take this classic tour with both a fantastic exploration of Chongqing City and a relaxing 3-night cruise vacation from Chongqing to Yichang!
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Best Seller6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour
Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / ZhangjiajieThis is the real NATURE tour to Yangtze River and Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In 6 days, take a relaxing 4-day cruise ship down from Chongqing to Yichang and spend 2 days getting into the surreal AVATAR world!
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15 Days China Yangtze Tour with Zhangjiajie Landscape & Guilin Karst
Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Xian / BeijingIf you are planning a two-week vacation in China, this 15 days China tour will be perfect for you. You can fully explore traditional culture and modernity in the megacities such as Beijing and Shanghai; throw yourselves into the Avatar world, enjoy Karst landscape in Guilin and Yangshuo, take a Yangtze River cruise sailing through the beautiful Three Gorges, feel profound history in the ancient capital of 13 dynasties...All the best highlights of China are offered in 15 days!
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12 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / ShanghaiThis is one of our best-selling China Yangtze tours for first timers to China. It covers the BIG THREE cities called the Golden Triangle Cities (Beijing, Xian and Shanghai) and a Yangtze River cruise sailing from Chongqing to Yichang along the famous Three Gorges in Central China. This tour takes you to meet the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE of China. You won’t leave any regrets when taking this 12 days tour with 6 destinations and amazing experience!
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No.1 China Tour13 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / ShanghaiWhat is your impression about the vast China? What do you want to see and explore in this beautiful country? This tour is No.1 best selling tour taking travelers to Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai and enjoying a luxury cruise experience for 4 days along the Three Gorges of the longest river in China. You will get a clear overview about China’s past, present and rapid growth in the golden triangle cities. Also immerse yourselves in a world of natural beauty in Guilin and Yangshuo.
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14 Days Enchanting China Tour with Avatar Zhangjiajie & Yangtze Cruise
Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie / ShanghaiIn recent years, Zhangjiajie was thrust into travelers’ eyes after the movie Avatar. The Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is a wise choice to put Zhangjiajie into your China tour. This 14 days China tour covers Beijing, Xian, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai with a cruise along the Three Gorges which becomes one of the best selling tours for first timers.
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Top Yangtze Cruises
Popular Yangtze Cruise Lines
In 2025/2026, Yangtze River Cruises offer lines between Chongqing and Yichang with different duration.
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Chongqing Yichang Yangtze Cruises
The golden cruise line, downstream sailing takes 4 days and 3 nights
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Yichang Chongqing Yangtze Cruises
Most popular upstream cruise line, takes 5 days and 4 nights
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Chongqing Shanghai Yangtze Cruise
Brand-new 11 days downstream cruise running 2644km from west to east
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Shanghai Chongqing Yangtze Cruise
The most relaxing cruise line for 11 days and 10 nights on Yangtze
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Chongqing Wuhan Yangtze Cruises
Two ways to cruise on the section between Chongqing and Wuhan
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New to Cruising?
Do you have questions about planning or booking a Yangtze cruise? The following articles introduce you to what makes cruising such a unique and memorable way to travel the Yangtze River, when is the best time to cruise Yangtze, how to choose your best route, how to choose a Yangtze ship, how to choose a cabin, where to board & disembark your ships, what you can do onboard and ashore...To know more detailed information about Yangtze River and its cruises, please take a visit to our latest Yangtze River Cruise Guide.
Not easy to find the right cruise ship/itinerary for you? Please contact one of our Yangtze cruise specialists to save your time and money. Click the right button to send an online inquiry and we will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hours.
Karen
Wonder
Jack
Rita
Johnson
Vivien
Wing
Ariel
Tracy
Leo
Evelyn
April
Phoebe
Kelly
Shirley
Reya
Juliet
Elk
Felix
Sean
