Yichang sits on both banks of the Yangtze in western Hubei, at the eastern entrance to the Three Gorges. The river is the organising fact of the city: the Gezhouba Dam lies just upstream of the centre, the Three Gorges Dam and the Xiling Gorge further up in Yiling District, and the waterfront is where much of the visitor activity concentrates.
For a visitor, the practical question is which bank and which district to base yourself in. The central urban area is split between several districts: on the north bank are Xiling District (the central part of the city), Yiling District, Wujiagang District and Xiaoting District; the urban area on the south bank is Dianjun District. This guide covers the areas that make sense as a base, then matches them to budget levels and to a first visit.
Best areas to stay in Yichang
1. Xiling District
Xiling is the central part of the city, on the north bank of the Yangtze, and the most straightforward base for a first visit. It is the one district that is essentially all urban, without the suburban and rural fringe the other districts carry, so you are in the middle of things rather than on the edge of them. You find a mix of accommodation here, from budget guesthouse-style places to full-service hotels, and the district is where you can walk out to pedestrian shopping streets and the riverside.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be close to the river and the centre. The Yiling Bridge connects urban Xiling with Dianjun District across the river, and Yichang Railway Station is in downtown Yichang, so the district is well placed for arrivals and for crossing to the south bank.
2. Wujiagang District
Wujiagang is also on the north bank, east of the centre, and includes a stretch of the Yanjiang Avenue waterfront. It is a practical base if you want river views and easy road connections, and it holds a range of accommodation from mid-range chains to larger hotels. Yanjiang Avenue runs along the river here, which makes an evening walk by the water simple.
This area suits travellers who want a quieter position than the centre while staying on the north bank, and business travellers as well. Several hotels here sit close to the road that crosses the river toward the Three Gorges visitor centre, which is useful if you are joining day tours.
3. Dianjun District
Dianjun is the urban area on the opposite, south bank of the Yangtze. It is linked to the centre by the Yiling Bridge, a few kilometres downstream of the Gezhouba Dam, and by ferry crossings. Because it sits across the water from Xiling, it is a base for travellers who prefer to stay slightly apart from the central bustle while remaining within easy reach of it.
Note that Dianjun, like the other districts outside central Xiling, includes a fair amount of suburban and rural area beyond the urban zone, so check that your intended base is in the built-up part if you want to be near the bridge and the river.
4. Xiaoting District
Xiaoting lies on the north bank further east and is the location of Yichang Sanxia International Airport, which is 26 km from the city centre and 55 km from the Three Gorges Dam site. The district has not yet been urbanised in the way the central districts have, so it is not a sightseeing base in itself.
It suits travellers with an early flight or a short layover who want to be near the airport rather than in the city. For everyone else, the distance from the centre and from the main sights makes it a less convenient choice.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: guesthouse-style and small independent places, often in Xiling District near the pedestrian streets and the river, with basic facilities and simple rooms.
- Mid-range: branded chain hotels and comfortable independent hotels, found in the central districts and along the Wujiagang waterfront, with reliable standards and convenient transport positions.
- Splurge: full-service international-standard hotels, concentrated in the central and riverside districts, with river views, breakfast service and easy connections to day tours.
Best area for a first visit
Choose Xiling District. It is the central part of the city, on the north bank, and the only district that is fully urban, which puts you within walking distance of the river, the shopping streets and the downtown railway station. From there the Yiling Bridge gives you direct access to the south bank, and the road connections toward the Three Gorges visitor centre make day tours straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
Which bank of the Yangtze should I stay on?
The north bank holds the central districts, including Xiling, Wujiagang and Yiling, and is the usual choice for a first visit. The south bank is Dianjun District, reached by the Yiling Bridge and by ferry crossings, and suits travellers who prefer to stay slightly apart from the centre.
How do I get from the airport to the central districts?
Yichang Sanxia International Airport is in Xiaoting District, 26 km from the city centre and 55 km from the Three Gorges Dam site. Staying in the central districts means a longer transfer from the airport than staying in Xiaoting, but a much shorter one to the city's sights.
Where should I stay if I am joining a Three Gorges day tour?
The Three Gorges, the Three Gorges Dam and the Gezhouba Dam are all in Yiling District, and the Three Gorges visitor centre is across the river from the Wujiagang waterfront. Basing yourself in Wujiagang or the central districts keeps you close to the tour connections.
Is the city centre walkable?
Xiling District is the central, fully urban part of the city, with pedestrian shopping streets and the river within walking distance of each other. The other districts include suburban and rural areas beyond their urban zones, so walking is less practical once you leave the centre.
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