Here’s a suggested itinerary for a 2-day self-drive trip from Wuhan to Xiangyang with affordable accommodations, food, and activities:
Day 1:
- Morning: Start your journey from Wuhan around 8 am. Drive along the G45 Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway and take exit 4 towards Xiaogan. Stop by the ancient city of Huangshi (黄石古城) for a visit and lunch.
- Afternoon: Continue driving north on G50 Nanjing-Hong Kong-Maoming Expressway towards Xiangyang. Visit the famous Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼), which is one of the most iconic landmarks in Wuhan.
- Early evening: Check-in at an affordable hotel or hostel, such as Heihe Hostel or Jiaotou Inn for around 100 CNY per night.
Day 2:
- Morning: Start the day by trying some local street food and snacks. Xiangyang is famous for its steamed buns (生面) and sweet potato cakes (红薯饼).
- Noon: Visit the ancient city of Jiangling (江陵古城), which dates back to the Han Dynasty.
- Afternoon: Head to Zhongxiaogou Scenic Area and explore the beautiful countryside, where you can see rice paddies and orchards. Pack some snacks for a picnic.
- Early evening: Return your car in the late afternoon.
Tips:
- Gas stations are available along most highways, but be sure to refuel regularly as Wi-Fi signals may not always reliable.
- Eat at local restaurants or street food stalls as they serve more authentic and affordable meals compared with high-end hotels. Average meal prices should range from 20-40 CNY per person.
Overall budget for the trip (accommodations, food, transportation):
Around 500-600 CNY per person for a two-day trip, depending on personal spending habits.
Please note that this is just one possible itinerary and you can adjust it based your time limitations and preferences.