Hubei
Hubei is a province in Central China. It has the seventh-largest economy among Chinese provinces, the second-largest within Central China, and the third-largest among inland provinces. Its provincial capital at Wuhan serves as a major political, cultural, and economic hub for the region. Hubei is associated with the historical state of E that existed during the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1045 – 771 BCE). Its name means 'north of the lake', referring to Dongting Lake. It borders Henan to the north, Anhui and Jiangxi to the east, Hunan to the south, and Chongqing and Shaanxi to the west. The high-profile Three Gorges Dam is located at Yichang in the west of the province.
One-Day Hubei Tour Itinerary Recommendations
Theme:
River-Lake Grandeur + Chu Culture + Culinary Extravaganza
Suitable for:
Short trips to Wuhan/Yichang/Xiangyang, flexible with high-speed rail + metro/ferry options
Practical Tips
Transport Notes:
Wuhan ferry ¥1.5 (transit card) | Yichang cruises require 1-day advance booking
Ticket Prices:
Yellow Crane Tower ¥70 | Three Gorges Dam free (shuttle ¥35) | Tang City ¥90
Must-Try Flavors:
Wuhan: Doupi rice cakes, thick fish soup noodles
Yichang: Liangsha dessert, chili noodles
Xiangyang: Yicheng crayfish, pressed pork rolls
Optimization Tips:
Wuhan alternative: East Lake Greenway cycling (half-day)
Yichang classic route: "Two Dams One Gorge"
Tang City night show best with overnight stay (recommend 2-day trip)
(Note: Wuhan-Yichang high-speed rail 2hrs | Wuhan-Xiangyang1.5hrs)
Option 1:
Wuhan Riverside Lifestyle
Best for:
Foodies, urban explorers
Transport:
Metro Line 2 + ferry
07:30-09:30 Morning at Yellow Crane Tower
City views from summit | Recite poem for free entry (TikTok verification required)
10:00-12:00 Hubu Alley + Tanhualin
Cai Linji hot dry noodles + egg wine | Artsy district photography
12:30-14:00 Wuchang Fish Lunch
Recommended: Hujing Restaurant (steamed Wuchang fish + lotus root pork rib soup)
14:30-17:00 Hubei Provincial Museum
Sword of Goujian + Zenghouyi chime bells (2pm performance)
18:00 "Zhiyinhao" Cruise
Immersive Republic-era show | Yangtze River lightscapes
Option 2:
Yichang Three Gorges Majesty
Best for:
Nature lovers, photographers
Transport:
Tourist shuttle from Yichang East Station
07:00-09:00 Three Gorges Dam (Tanziling)
Close-up view of ship locks | Exhibition park's mega-projection
09:30-12:00 Three Gorges Tribe
Longjinxi "crying bride" show | Bawangzhai hanging coffins
12:30-14:00 Tujia Ethnic Lunch
Pan-fried potatoes + cured pork hotpot | Corn wine
14:30-17:00 Xiling Gorge Cruise
Experience ship lock elevation | Visit Three Travelers Cave
18:00 Zhenjiang Pavilion Sunset
Golden-hour views of Yangtze gateway
Option 3:
Xiangyang Martial Arts Pilgrimage
Best for:
Wuxia fans, history buffs
Transport:
Walk + taxi in ancient city
08:00-10:00 Xiangyang Ancient Wall
Linhan Gate vistas | Trace Guo Jing & Huang Rong's legacy
10:30-12:00 Ancient Longzhong
Three Visits reenactment | Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage
12:30-14:00 Beef Noodle Feast
Xingfu Road Zhang's (spicy noodles + fermented rice wine)
14:30-17:00 Tang Dynasty Film Studio
Hanfu photos | "Tang Dynasty Ballad" night show
18:00 North Street Night Market
Kongming pickles + diamond cookies | Three Kingdoms souvenirs