Itinerary: 6 Days of Yichang - Shipai Village - Nantuo Village - Maopingxin County - Badong - Nanmu Yuan - Beishi - Qingshi - Wushan - Dachang - Wushan - Daxi - Baidicheng - Fengjie

Wu Gorge, Yangtze River cruise tour

There are many differences between hiking and guided-tours. Much more homework and preparations must be done before you decide to hike around a place. It is both a physical and psychological challenge for you. It is an adventurous way to get close and feel the great charm of the nature.

Arrive in Yichang and get vigorous. Take the boat to Shipai Village at Huangbohe port in Yichang on the first day morning. It takes about 80 minutes from Yichang to Shipai Village by passenger ship. Alternatively, if you like, you can take the speed boat to reach there in only 30 minutes. Have a visit at the Monument of War of Residence in Shipai. 5-6 hours is needed for hiking from Shipai Village to Nantuo Village, because the landscape is very nice and enchanting. Hike along the riverside and you won't easily get lost. After arrival in Nantuo Village, you can take a boat to Liantuo Village which is opposite to Nantuo and then take a bus or motorbike to Maopingxin County via Sandouping. It costs about ￥30.00. When you arrive in Maopingxin County, you may lodge at Jiangnan hotel. Maopingxin County is quite clean and tidy and you have a wide selection for food and lodgings.

After making full preparation for the hiking, you need to spend ￥2.00 to get to Maoping port by bus. There are both speed boat and ordinary boat between Maoping and Badong. It is recommendable to take the speed boat in the morning, otherwise, the whole day's schedule will be delayed. There are 3 speed boats running every day, and the earliest speed boat departs at 08: 00, so you should arrive at the port before 08: 00. The fare is ￥65.00. Take the bus to Badong Shazhuanchang which is a port and then continue to hike to Huoyanshi village where you should take a boat to cross the Lianzi Stream. You are advised to leave 4 hours for hiking from Lianzi Stream to Nanmu Yuan, because the plank road is a little bit dangerous. If you are not confident in yourselves, you may have the boat rowed to Nanmu Yuan directly. You can lodge in the Yimin hostel this evening. The phone number is 0718-4462704. It should be useful for you.

Take a boat to Beishi and then continue to hike to Qingshi on the third day. Hiking along the plank road between Beishi and Qingshi is comparatively easier, but you still need to take more care. Estimate is that there are about 10-12 kilometers between Beishi and Qingshi port. En route, view the fabulous Fairy Peak. You have no choice but to stay in the local family, because there is no hostel in Qingshi Village. It is about ￥10.00 for the overnight stay, and ￥5.00 for the meals.

Yangtze River cruise tour

The next day, take the boat to Wushan City. Then take a bus to Futian town and then continue farther to Dachang old town. About 5 hours is needed for the ride. Please be aware that the road condition is much poor. It is better to sit beside the window so that you can forget temporary discomfort and take some scenics outside.

As an old town, Dacheng is worth visiting. The highlight is Chen Family's compound and the South Gate facing Daning River. The admission fee of Chen Family's compound is ￥5.00. You can also spend ￥1.00 to taste the soymilk. After visiting, go back to Wushan by boat. Upon arrival, take the boat to Daxi Signal Platform. Start hiking from here to Baidicheng. If you prefer to hike to Baidicheng through mountain road instead of taking cable car, you can have free access to Baidicheng. Since Baidicheng is only a tourist attraction, there is no hostel there. You are advised to take bus to Fengjie for the overnight accommodation, which is only ten minutes' drive away from Baidicheng. If it is too, we are afraid you have to charter the vehicle.

On the sixth day, you may have a hike in Fengjie or make some own arrangement according to your schedule. Your hard hiking stops here.