Foreign tourists visiting Yichang for sightseeing are recommended to join a tour group, as the ski resorts are basically located outside the city center, with不便的交通．If you want to find a place to ski and soak in a hot spring to experience the winter atmosphere, then come to Yichang, the temperature in Yichang in autumn and winter is still quite suitable, and you can slide from the starting point to the end of the outdoor ski field. There are two outdoor ski fields in the Yichang area, namely the Yichang Bailinghuang Ski Resort and the Wufeng International Ski Resort. In addition, there are also two ski resorts in the surrounding Shennongjia of Yichang. It can be said that visiting Yichang in winter is a very nice idea.
On Friday afternoon, we set off from Wuhan and took a high-speed train to Yichang East Railway Station, stayed for one night near the Wanda Plaza in the city center of Yichang, and took a bus to Muwu Town the next day, which took less than 4 hours. Friends who are prone to motion sickness should try to sit in a large vehicle, as the small vehicle is stuffy and not very ventilated. You can also buy some plum candies in advance, as the sour-sweet taste in your mouth can help with dizziness. Try not to play with your phone and stare at the screen throughout the journey. You can get off at service areas to stretch your legs.
【Yichang Accommodation and Dining】
Accommodation: We stayed at the Licheng Hotel (Three Gorges Visitor Center Store) in the city center of Yichang. The hotel is opposite the Three Gorges Visitor Center. You need to take a bus here to go to Shennongjia or Wufeng for skiing. The location is convenient, and there is Wanda Plaza nearby for dining and leisure. The hotel environment is also quite good. You can stay in a river view room for more than 200 yuan per night (now in the off-season), with an average cost of about 100 yuan per person. There are also free breakfast and laundry services.
Dining: In the city center of Yichang, we recommend the Sichuan cuisine restaurants Yipingchuan and Ziji Ren, which are located on the Wanda Plaza.
【Shennongjia Accommodation and Dining】
Accommodation: Homestays in the Muwu Town of Shennongjia, feeling super, the price is less than 200 yuan, which is very cost-effective.
Dining: Grilled fish and pork belly hotpot.
【Must-Visit】
Shennongjia International Ski Resort, known as the largest ski resort in the Central China region. It was our first time skiing, and we fell several times before we could勉强 slide down without falling over, which was difficult to stop. The thick clothes made the body less agile, and after several rounds of sliding, we were out of breath. Skiing is indeed a physical sport.
Yichang Bailinghuang Ski Resort, as the only ski resort in the city center of Yichang, is about an hour’s drive from the city to the ski resort. Because we had friends who knew each other in Yichang, we drove to Bailinghuang for a self-drive tour, which was also very convenient. We left in the afternoon and could return the same day. The tickets we bought were generally for two hours of skiing, which was enough to play. On weekends, there will definitely be more people than weekdays. Skiing is a very energy-consuming sport, so you don’t need to wear too many clothes. There are also some old men selling roasted sweet potatoes at the entrance of the scenic area. Eating one can warm your body.
Qushu River Hot Spring, located in Songzi City, is less than an hour’s drive from Yichang. Qushu River is more like a resort, with hot springs, catering, and accommodation. It is recommended to buy tickets through formal channels, as the outside ticket scalpers are not very reliable, and it won’t be much cheaper. There are both outdoor and indoor hot springs. The indoor ones are usually couple’s hot springs, which are more concealed in caves. For outdoor hot springs, pay attention to the weather temperature. It feels warm while soaking, but it can be a bit cold when you get out. Pay attention not to catch a cold.
If conditions permit, you can stay for one night near the scenic area. Of course, if time is tight, you can also return to the city center of Yichang for accommodation. There are more dining, entertainment, and leisure activities there.
If not familiar, you can join a group, but I still prefer to go individually.
Group tours, private car services, and independent travel are all options. See how you prefer to choose.
Foreign tourists visiting Yichang for sightseeing are recommended to join a tour group. The ski fields are located outside the city center, with不便的交通．In winter, if you want to find a place to ski and soak in hot springs, experiencing the atmosphere of winter, then come to Yichang. The temperature in Yichang during autumn and winter is relatively适宜，skiing from the starting point to the end at the outdoor ski fields, Yichang has two outdoor ski fields, namely Yichang Bayihuang Ski Field and Wufeng International Ski Field. In addition, there are also two ski fields near Yichang, Shennongjia. It can be said that visiting Yichang in winter is a very nice idea.
On Friday afternoon, depart from Wuhan and take a high-speed train to Yichang East Railway Station, stay for one night near the万达广场 in the city center, and then take a bus to Muyu Town the next day, the journey takes less than 4 hours. Those who are prone to motion sickness are advised to take the larger buses as they are more comfortable. Small buses can be stuffy and not very ventilated. You can also buy some dried plums in advance, as the sour and sweet taste in your mouth can alleviate dizziness. Try not to play with your phone all the time and look at the screen, and take a break at service areas.
【Yichang Accommodation and Food】
Accommodation: We stayed at the Licheng Hotel (Three Gorges Visitor Center Store) in the city center, opposite the Three Gorges Visitor Center. If you want to go to Shennongjia or Wufeng to ski, you need to take a bus here. The transportation location is convenient, and there is a Wanda Plaza nearby for dining and leisure. The hotel environment is also good, with a view of the river for more than 200 yuan a night (now in the off-season). Now the average cost per person is about 100 yuan, and there are also value-added services such as free breakfast and laundry.
Dining: In the city center, we recommend Chuan-style cuisine such as Yiping Chuan and Ziji Ren, which are located on the Wanda Plaza.
【Shennongjia Accommodation and Food】
Accommodation: Homestays in Muyu Town, Shennongjia, which are very cozy and affordable at less than 200 yuan.
Dining: Grilled fish and preserved meat hotpot
【Must-Visit】
Shennongjia International Ski Field, known as the largest ski field in Central China. We were skiing for the first time and fell several times before we could barely slide down without falling. It’s difficult to stop, and thick clothes make the body less agile. After several rounds, you will be out of breath. Skiing is indeed a physical sport.
Yichang Bayihuang Ski Field, as the only ski field in the city center of Yichang. It takes about an hour to drive from the city center to the ski field. Because we have friends in Yichang, it is convenient to drive to Bayihuang. We can return the same day if we leave in the afternoon. Generally, two-hour ski tickets are purchased, which is enough to play. On weekends, there will definitely be more people than weekdays. Skiing is a very energy-consuming sport, so you don’t need to wear too many clothes. There are also elderly gentlemen selling roasted sweet potatoes at the entrance of the scenic area. Eating one will keep your body warm.
Qushi River Hot Springs, located in Songzi City, less than an hour’s drive from Yichang. Qushi River is more like a resort, with hot springs, catering, and accommodation. It is recommended to buy tickets through official channels, as ticket scalpers are not very reliable and the price difference is not much. There are both outdoor and indoor hot springs. Indoor hot springs are generally for couples, and they are more concealed in caves. Outdoors, pay attention to the weather temperature. It is quite warm to soak in it, but it can be a bit cold when you get out, so be careful not to catch a cold.
If possible, you can stay for one night near the scenic area. Of course, if the schedule is tight and transportation is convenient, you can also return to the city center for accommodation. The food, drinks, and entertainment are more abundant.
Not familiar? You can join a group, but personally, I prefer to travel individually.
Group tours, private car rentals, and independent travel are all available. See how you prefer to choose.