10 Days Wuhan, Wudangshan, Yichang Yangtze Cruise Tour

This tour contains the only World Heritage site in Hubei Provice-Wudang Mountain, and the classic Yangtze River Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing. You can also know Wuhan’s history and culture by visiting Hubei Provincial Museum etc.

Day 1 Wuhan Arrival

Welcome to Wuhan, the capital of China Hubei Province! Your guide and driver will meet you at airport or train station and pick you up at your hotel. The rest of day is free for you to explore this city.

Day 2 Wuhan (B)

After breakfast, your will begin your whole day Wuhan visit

You first stop is Guiyuan Temple. First built in the early Qing Dynasty, Guiyuan Temple is one of the four biggest temples for Buddhist meditation in Hubei as well as an important Buddhist temple in China.

Later, head to the Heptachord Terrace (Guqin Tai), located on the south bank of Moon Lake, near the western foot of Tortoise Hill. It is the beautiful site with great layout where you could appreciate the sincere friendship between Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi in Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.).

Lastly, transfer to Hubei Provincial Museum. Founded in 1953, it has 6.5 hectares with 200,000 exquisite items include bronze, jade and lacquer work, porcelain and paintings. You can enjoy a performance of chime bells, stone chimes and other ancient instruments. The museum is a window to explore Chinese history.

Stay overnight in Wuhan.

 

Day 3 Wuhan & High Speed Train to Wudangshan (B)

 

In this morning, you will enjoy a relaxing visit to Yellow Crane Tower, one of the most renowned towers south of the Yangtze River. It enjoys the fame of “The First Scenery under Heaven”. And its cultural significance led to its being made the symbol of Wuhan City. Climb up the 5-story tower and have a panoramic view of Wuhan City and Yangtze River.

After the tour, you will be escorted to the train station for a 4-hour high speed train to Shiyan City where Wudang Mountian is located. Upon arrival, the local guide will meet you at Shiyan Train Station and take you to your hotel in Wudangshan. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this mysterious place.

 

 

Day 4 Wudang Mountain (B)

 

After breakfast, your full day Wudang Mountain Taoism exploration starts. First, take a visit to Wudang Museum to get a basic understanding about Taoism before visiting the sacred mountain. Walking through the eight halls, you can learn about the history of Taoism, architecture, celebrities, Taoist statues, folk customs, music and martial arts.

Then take a tourist bus to Prince Slope (Fuzhen Guan) which was built in 1412 AD in Ming Dynasty. According to the legend, the prince of Jingle State came to Wudang Mountain to cultivate himself and lived here on the slope, so it was called Taizi Po. Then head to Purple Cloud Palace, one of the best preserved palaces with 9 buildings and 182 rooms on Wudang Mountain. Looking from the axle wire, the constructions locate there symmetrically along the mountain, splendid and gorgeous. After that, continue your visit to Nanyan Temple to explore this stunning palace on the cliff and visit various Taoist temples, stylish architectures and cliff inscriptions.

Optional activities: (1) If you are interested in Tai Chi or other Kung Fu learning, you can take 1 or 2 hours Kung Fu experience course under the guidance of professional Taoist masters. (2) In this evening, you can enjoy an optional show “Fantasy Wudang” at Wudangshan Theater (pay on your own at the spot)

 

 

Day 5 Wudangshan & Train to Yichang (B, L)

 

On this day, you’ll first take tourist bus to Qiongtai Palace with 14 temples preserved where is the starting point of cable car. Then take a cable car to the highest peak in Wudang – Tianzhu Peak at 1613 meters and explore Golden Palace (Peace of Harmony), the symbol of Wudang Mountain, for a panoramic view of the Taoist mountain and temples. With the impressive natural sea of clouds, sunrise and sunset, lush forests and rocks, the Palace of Harmony is like a heaven on earth. After have a wonderful time on the summit, enjoy a walk to admire Taihe Temple if your energy permits.

Later, take a cable car to get down and transfer to Carefree Valley (Xiaoyao Valley) to enjoy a light walk in this fairyland with many macaques . After the tour, you will free until be escorted to Wudangshan Railway Station for a train to Yichang (about 5 hours). Stay overnight in Yichang.

 

Day 6 Yichang & Embark your Yangtze Cruise (B, L)

 

After breakfast, you’ll first enjoy a trip to Sanyou Cave – “Cave of Three Travelers”. Highlights at the sight are seeing the cave itself, appreciating the Yangtze scenery, walking up the path from the cave to the Zhixin Pavilion, and the ancient inscriptions.

Then, take a delightful visit to Yiling Square with friendly atmosphere to enjoy the music fountain, watch pigeons flying over the square, enjoy dances and performances by all ages and styles on the huge square…Later, head to Yichang Museum with a collection of more than 30,000 pieces cultural relics. Built in 1990, Yichang Museum is three-story building in the style of ancients. Here, you could have in-depth understanding of Yangtze local culture like Changyang People’s fossils, Chengbeixi Culture, Daxi Culture etc.

In the late afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal for a bus arranged by the cruise company heading to Maoping Port for embarkation. Your lifetime Yangtze River cruise starts!

Embarkation Tips: (1) All the cruise companies will arrange free transfer service at Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal or Yichang East Railway Station during 16:00~21:00. You could choose either one to take the tourist bus to Maoping Port. If you take a train arriving at Yichang East Railway Station, you can take the bus at the exit directly. (2) The boarding time and departure piers may change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. Please pay attention to the important info your travel consultants sent to you before your boarding.

 

Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

In the morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil and beautiful Yangtze River. It will be colorful and interesting whether you decide to stay onboard or go ashore at river stops.

Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of activities, like practicing Tai Chi on the boat’s sundeck, drinking a relaxing morning coffee, attending a Yangtze River history and culture lecture, or taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party and evening shows.

Today’s highlight is an afternoon excursion to Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project, located at the middle of Xiling Gorge near Yichang. You will marvel at this gigantic dam from different angles, learn more of the background history of the Three Gorges Dam Project and enjoy the surrounding beautiful landscape and scenery. If you like, you can take optional experience to sail through Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the largest and the most sophisticated ship lift in the world, which takes only 40 minutes with fresh insight into the dam project.

Optional excursion: take shore excursion to the Tribe of Three Gorges in the Xiling Gorge which charges extra fee. It has lovely scenes everywhere – waterfalls, boats, fishermen, laundry girls washing in the stream, a mock wedding ceremony…Take an easy boardwalk in the valley to enjoy impressive scenery and explore the life and customs of Bai people of this region.

Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Today you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges! You will relax on the sun deck and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively.

In Wu Gorge you will take an enjoyable adventure to primitive Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream). You’ll be switched to a smaller boat to sail down this beautiful stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of high mountain peaks and hanging coffins on the steep cliff faces. During this side trip you will be entertained with local music and dance offered by the Tujia ethnic minority.

Optional excursion: Take a shore excursion to White Emperor City for an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursion offers the best viewing spot to appreciate the magnificent Kuimen Gate.

 

Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

In this morning, you will follow a local guide and make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, one of the “Pearls” of the Yangtze River. A gem of Chinese  architecture, this 12-story, 18th century red wooden temple on the northern bank of Yangtze River is an architectural delight full of legends and beautiful stories. (Note: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be lots of stairs to climb up!)

Optional excursion: Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City for an extra fee. Called the “City of Ghosts”, it is endowed with mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. Entering this ghost city, you will find many statues of demons and vivid scenes of their perfidious activities. (Note: Once again, the visit to Fengdu Ghost City requires much walking and comfortable shoes are again highly recommended!)

In this evening, enjoy Captain’s Farewell Party with all the mates onboard and cherish your last night on the relaxing Yangtze River cruise.

Day 10 Chongqing (B)

You will disembark in Chongqing at around 9:00, and your local tour guide will meet and escort you to the Chongqing airport from the cruise pier. Take the flight to your next destination or back home. (Note: You could also have day tour in Chongqing to visit the stunning attractions before you leave.)