10 Days Hubei Panoramic Tour: Wuhan, Mt. Wudang, Yangtze River Cruise

Welcome to Wuhan, the Hubei capital and Central China's largest city on the Yangtze River, often called the "Thoroughfare of Nine Provinces!" After your arrival, you will be transferred to your carefully selected hotel for check-in. You have the remainder of the day to relax or discover the delicious cuisine of Wuhan independently.

Recommended Wuhan Food:

• In the afternoon, we recommend visiting Liangdao Street (粮道街), a favorite among locals. This is an excellent spot to experience authentic atmosphere of "old Wuhan." You can taste traditional snacks at small eateries.
• In the early evening or at night, we suggest heading to Jiqing Street (吉庆街). This street preserves Wuhan's old-school night market culture. You can enjoy Wuhan's famous crayfish, barbecue, and local cuisine in a lively atmosphere, allowing you to experience the river city's unique nightlife and bold spirit.

Arrival Ideas:

• Flights to Wuhan: The primary airport is Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH), offering direct international service from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, plus comprehensive domestic connections to major cities including Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.
• High-Speed Trains to Wuhan: Both Wuhan Railway Station and Hankou Railway Station handle high-speed trains, providing quick access from Beijing (4-5 hours), Shanghai (4-6 hours), Guangzhou (4-5 hours), and Changsha (1-3 hours).

After breakfast, enjoy a one day Wuhan cultural city tour.

First, visit Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼), located on the Yangtze River. It is the landmark of Wuhan and China's most famous cultural tower, with a history spanning over 1,700 years. This tower's fame is rooted in the celebrated works of Tang Dynasty poets like Cui Hao, whose verse "The past sage rode the yellow crane away, here only the Yellow Crane Tower remains," made it renowned for centuries.

Its structure is five stories high (51.4 meters), designed to resemble a crane spreading its wings. Climb to the top for spectacular views of the majestic Yangtze River. As long as the poems about the tower exist, the Tower endures, allowing you to feel the lofty spirit of Chinese poetry.

Second, head to Hubei Provincial Museum holds a vital position as a National First-Class Museum and the definitive center for ancient Chu Culture. It houses priceless treasures excavated primarily from the Marquis Yi of Zeng tomb, representing the pinnacle of Warring States period art and technology.

The absolute highlight is the magnificent Bianzhong Bells (曾侯乙编钟), a complete set of bronze chimes famous for their precise tuning and ancient music performances. (Optional: Daily live chime bell performances are available.) Another must-see is the legendary Sword of Goujian (越王勾践剑), which remains sharp and unrusted after over two thousand years—a miracle of ancient metalwork. Visitors can also explore exquisite lacquerware and bronze ritual vessels, traveling back in time to the splendor of the Chu Kingdom.

Third, stroll along Dong Lake (东湖), Wuhan's "Green Heart of the City." With a shoreline extending for over a hundred miles, the scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful. Choose one of two classic ways to enjoy the lake:

1. Stroll through the Tingtao Scenic Area(听涛区). This is the earliest developed part of Dong Lake. You can visit cultural sites like Xingyin Pavilion and feel the romantic spirit of the ancient poet Qu Yuan and the cultural essence of the lake.
2. Rent a bicycle or an e-bikeand ride along East Lake Greenway. Cycle between the beautiful lake and mountain scenery.

Stay overnight at Wuhan.

After breakfast, take high speed train from Wuhan to Wudang Mountain (about 3.5-4 hours). Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your carefully selected hotel for check-in. You have the remainder of the day to relax.

Welcome to Wudang Town, the 600+ years old gateway to Wudang Mountain. Your driver will be waiting for your arrival at the airport or train station. Afterwards, they will take you to your well-selected hotel in Wudang Town, located at the foot of Mount Wudang, for check-in. Sleep well in preparation for your Wudangshan Tour tomorrow!

Optional Night Activities: You may watch "A Dream of Wudang" Show, offering various performances between 19:00 and 21:10.

After breakfast, explore Yuxu Palace (玉虚宫), known as "First Palace at the Foot of Wudang Mountain." This largest structure in the Wudang complex was built following the symmetrical layout of Forbidden City. During the Ming Dynasty, it symbolized connection between mortal world and mountain's immortal realm, serving as Emperor's first stop for Daoist sacrifices. Wander the preserved central axis and ruins, immerse yourself in serene Daoist atmosphere, and then begin your climb.

Climbing Time: About 4-5 Hours (Sightseeing Bus Included)

Route: Visitor Center - Price Slope - Carefree Valley - Purple Cloud Palace - Nanyan Temple - Return to Foot of the Mountain

Wudang Mountain, designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1994, is a renowned Daoist sacred mountain and the birthplace of Tai Chi Kungfu. As the only sacred mountain in the heart of the Ming Dynasty emperors, it preserves over 600 years of imperial Daoist palaces and temples built by the Ming royal family. The mountain air is refreshing, and Daoist monks cultivate peaceful spirit. Let's explore Wudang, seek the Dao, and experience its spiritual culture.

First, you will begin with a 20-minute sightseeing bus ride from Visitor Center to Prince Slope (太子坡), the legendary site where the high-ranking Daoist deity, Emperor Zhenwu, abandoned his royal position to cultivate the Dao. Here, you will photograph the famous "Curved Wall," a winding red Wudang landmark, and enter Wuyun Tower to admire the "One Pillar Supporting Twelve Beams," a single architectural marvel upholding five floors for centuries.

Next, a 10-minute sightseeing bus ride takes you to Carefree Valley (逍遥谷), the most pristine and untouched spot on the mountain, which once served as a Daoist retreat. This valley, characterized by deep streams, mountain springs, and small waterfalls, is ideal for light hiking, though you should maintain a safe distance from the wild monkeys you might encounter.

The bus then continues to the must-see Purple Cloud Palace (紫霄宫), the most central and best-preserved Daoist palace. It was designated as the "Celestial Court on Earth" by Ming Emperors and serves as the Daoist heart of Wudang. Be sure to admire the exquisite royal architecture of the main Zixiao Hall with its magnificent triple-eaved roof, and if you are lucky, you may observe resident monks chanting, performing rituals, or practicing Tai Chi Kungfu.

Finally, you will hop off the sightseeing bus for today's last stop at Nanyan Temple (南岩宫), the "First Hanging Palace of Wudang Mountain," where immortals are believed to have ascended. Here, you can visit Fairy Altar (Feisheng Platform) to overlook the mountains and view thrilling Dragon Head Incense platform jutting out from the cliff edge. Following this final stop, you will return to your hotel.

Tips：

• Wear non-slip, comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes.
• Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a light jacket or windbreaker.
• It is advisable to bring your own high-calorie food(such as chocolate, energy bars, etc.) up the mountain. Vegetarians can try the vegetarian meals available on the mountain.

Climbing Time: 2-3 Hours (Sightseeing Bus and Cable Car Included)

Route: Visitor Center - Prince Slope - Qiongtai Palace - Golden Palace - Return to the Wudang Town

After breakfast, let's head to the summit of Wudang Mountain. You will take a sightseeing bus from Visitor Center to Qiongtai Palace (approximately 50 minutes). Qiongtai (琼台)is an important gateway leading to the Golden Peak. From here, you will take a 10-minute cable car ride to a point near the summit, followed by a 15-minute hike to reach the Golden Peak itself.

The Golden Peak (金顶) is the highest point of Wudang Mountain and the spiritual and pilgrimage core of the entire mountain range. Be sure to see Golden Palace at the summit. This gold hall, which is about 5.5 meters high and weighs over 80 tons. It transported from the imperial capital of Beijing over 600 years ago. On a clear day, the Golden Hall can reflect a dazzling light, making for a spectacular sight. Standing here, you can overlook Wudang Mountain's 72 peaks and 36 cliffs, capturing the magnificent feeling of being "on top of the world"!

Next, you can try a 1 to 2-hour Tai Chi lesson given by a Tai Chi expert at the Wudang Kung Fu and Health Academy. Wudang is the home of Tai Chi, a gentle Chinese martial art that helps with stress and sitting too much. Tai Chi is soft, slow, and graceful. Try it to feel calm and balanced, and enjoy a sense of peace. If you want to train for several days or weeks, just let us know!

If you prefer history over martial arts, visit the Wudang Museum, which is like an encyclopedia of Wudang culture. Inside, you'll see a beautiful gold-covered bronze statue of Emperor Zhenwu, which is the spiritual heart of the mountain. You will also see ancient building pieces and official letters from old emperors, helping you fully understand why Wudang is called the "First Immortal Mountain."

Stay overnight at Wudang Town.

After breakfast, you will be escorted to station and take high speed train from Wudang to Yichang (about 5hrs).

Welcome to Yichang! Upon your arrival, you can take the cruise company's complimentary shuttle from Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal or Yichang East Railway Station to reach Maoping Port for embarkation. The boarding time is 19:00-20:00.

Yichang is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Three Gorges" due to its proximity to the famous Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest and most significant hydroelectric dams in the world. In addition to the Three Gorges Dam, it's the "City of Valleys," with numerous gorges like Dao Ying Xia, Kongtong Xia, and Linglong Xia standing side by side. But it's even more than that - it's the "Capital of Hydropower." Gezhouba Dam, Geheyan, Gaobao Zhou - over 460 hydropower stations. Yichang is a city where it's almost impossible to find a second that's quite like it, a place that seamlessly blends breathtaking landscapes, monumental engineering feats, and modern urban living into one.

Boarding Tip:

1. The cruise company offers a complimentary shuttle to Maoping Port from both Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal and Yichang East Railway Station. Shuttles operate from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

2. Private transfer available if shuttle times don't match your schedule. Contact your travel consultant if needed.

3. The boarding time and departure piers may change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. To ensure accuracy, it's advisable to confirm the boarding information with the cruise company or your travel consultant at least a day in advance or in the morning before departure.

4. It is advisable to keep your communication on the day of boarding to ensure you don't miss any urgent notice sent by the travel consultant or the cruise company.

Today you will enjoy your leisure time on the Yangtze River Cruise and start to explore the longest river in Asia and the heart of China. There are lots of cultural activities and entertainment for you to join, such as the Yangtze River History and Culture Lecture, the Captain's Welcome Party, the shore excursion, wonderful evening shows, and so on.

The highlighted attraction today is the largest hydropower project in China - The three Gorges Dam. Catch the chance to view the dam and the system of locks. The body of the dam is immense with a height of 181 meters and spanning 2335 meters across the Yangtze River and 115 meters in width. (Optional experience: you can choose to sail through the world’s largest ship lift - Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift to very closely marvel at the huge dam which is a totally fresh and exciting experience for travelers.)

Optional excursion: Enjoy a shore excursion to Tribe of Three Gorges today for an extra fee. Famed as the "Protected Center of the Popular Culture and Art of the Three Gorges", Tribe of the Three Gorges Scenic Spot is located on Xiling Gorge between the Three Gorges Dam and Gehzouba Dam. It is a dreamland garden that consists of the Village on the Water, the Brook-side Village, and the Mountain Village. You could see women wash clothes by the brook side, fishermen cast their nets in the misty distance.

Today, you will have a full day to view the beautiful Three Gorges. First, you will sail through Xiling Gorge well known for its rugged shoals and turbulent waters. Next, go through Wuxia Gorge which is serene and secluded and presents a panorama of lovely scenery. Then, pass Qutang Gorge which is celebrated for its magnificent, peculiar, and precipitous scenery in the world. Follow the guide's live interpretation, and you will marvel at the incredible scenery onboard.

You should make a leisure shore excursion to Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream) in Wushan County. Switch to a smaller boat to sail down the primitive stream for a close look at the steep mountains and hanging coffins high on the cliffs. If you are interested, you can join the local Tujia ethnic guide for singing and dancing performance.

Optional excursion: Enjoy a shore excursion to White Emperor City (Baidi Cheng) today with an extra fee. It is well-known for the story of Liu Bei (emperor Shu Kingdom) who entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang (renowned strategist of the Three Kingdoms era). Also, this place is very famous in China as Li Bai (a great poet in Tang Dynasty in the 7th century), wrote a very famous poem "Down River to Jiangling" about this place. Here is a translation of the poem: "In the midst of clouds all glowing, Baidi, I left you at dawn, by evening I'll be home at Jiangling, a thousand miles I've gone. While on the cliffs of the Yangtze Gorges, gibbons ceaselessly cry, ten thousand folds of mountains, my skiff has slipped them by!"

Note: The itinerary above is provided for your reference. Attractions and shore excursions may vary slightly depending on the cruise company. We will help you choose the most suitable cruise based on your preferences.

On this day, your cruise will sail peacefully along the Yangtze River. Wake up leisurely and enjoy the fascinating river view with misty or gentle sunshine shining over the river. Have your buffet breakfast and start your beautiful day. There are some activities well designed by the cruise that you can do shore excursions to visit traditional Chinese cultural sites or stay onboard to relax and learn some Chinese culture.

Today, you will follow a local English-speaking tour guide and make a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City in this morning. This ghost city is one large collection of temples, memorials and monasteries and you can know many legendary stories about underworld and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. Or, you can take optional excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda with extra fee, one of the eight extraordinary architectures in the world located in Zhongxian County. Climb up the 12-story red wooden pagoda and you can have a panoramic view of the Yangtze River. In this evening, enjoy the Captain's Farewell Party and have a wonderful dinner. Then, have fun in the cabaret show to enjoy your last night in the cruise.

In this morning, your Three Gorges Cruise trip will finish at Chongqing Chaotianmen Port at about 09:00. After the check-out procedure, your guide will meet you at the port and transfer you to the train station or airport for your next destinations.

Departure Ideas: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport is 27 km (17 miles) from Chongqing Chaotianmen Port. You can can take a flight to Xian, Guilin, Lhasa, Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shangri-La and Dali, etc. Chongqing West Station is 20 km (13 miles) from port. Or you can take a high speed train from Chongqing North Railway Station to Chengdu (about 1.5hrs), Xi’an (about 5.5hrs), Guilin (about 5.5hrs), more cities in China.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your 10 Days Wuhan Wudang Mountain Yangtze River Cruise Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip around China/Asia. Safe journey!