The Three Gorges Family Scenic Area is located in Sandouping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with a total area of about 14 square kilometers. Situated in the Xiling Gorge section of the Yangtze River's Three Gorges, the scenic area is surrounded by mountains and water, with picturesque scenery. It perfectly showcases the original natural features of the Yangtze River's Three Gorges and the cultural customs of Ba-Chu culture. The scenic area consists of three major regions: the Mountain Family, the Water Family, and the Streamside Family. It integrates natural landscapes with folk culture and is praised as "the epitome of the Yangtze River's Three Gorges."
History and Culture
The Xiling Gorge, where the Three Gorges Family Scenic Area is located, is the longest section of the Yangtze River's Three Gorges and has been a convergence zone of Ba-Chu culture since ancient times. The scenic area preserves rich remains of Ba-Chu culture, including ancient Ba people's hanging coffins and ancient plank road relics. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this place was an important dock and commercial distribution center on the Yangtze River, forming a unique water family culture.
The "Three Gorges Family" within the scenic area vividly recreates the production and lifestyle of the people in the Three Gorges region over thousands of years, including fishing, boat tracking by trackers, marriage customs, and other traditional folk practices. These original ecological cultural displays provide a vivid sample for tourists to understand the history and culture of the Three Gorges region.
Main Attractions
Longjin Stream
The core attraction of the scenic area, a deep and secluded canyon about 4 kilometers long. The stream water is crystal clear, with towering peaks and ancient trees on both sides. Along the stream are Tujia stilted buildings, waterwheels, ancient plank roads, and other landscapes. Visitors can also watch folk performances such as Tujia girls washing clothes and singing antiphonal songs.
Bawang Fortress
A folk culture area that recreates the living scenes of the ancient Ba people, with buildings such as the Bawang Palace and Ba People's Tribe. There are Ba culture song and dance performances every day, and tourists can participate in interactive experiences such as Ba hunting and sacrificial activities.
Lanying Gorge
The most beautiful section of the Xiling Gorge, named after the mountain shapes on both sides that resemble lantern shadows. Here the river surface is narrow and the current is swift. Visitors can watch authentic boat tracker performances and feel the hardships of Yangtze River shipping in the past.
Mingyue Pavilion
A viewing platform located at the highest point of the scenic area, overlooking the magnificent panorama of the Yangtze River and Xiling Gorge. The pavilion adopts a traditional architectural style and is an ideal shooting location for photography enthusiasts.
Tujia Marriage Custom Performance
A folk performance held regularly every day, vividly displaying the traditional marriage customs of the Tujia ethnic group, including crying marriage, gate-blocking wine, carrying the bride, and other segments. Tourists can participate in interactive experiences.
Hanging Coffin Site
The scenic area preserves the remains of the hanging coffin burials of the ancient Ba people. These hanging coffins are suspended high on cliffs, demonstrating the unique funeral customs and exquisite skills of the ancient Ba people.
Recommended Tour Route：
Recommended tour route: Visitor Center → Take a boat across the river → Longjin Stream → Bawang Fortress → Lanying Gorge → Mingyue Pavilion → Tujia Marriage Custom Performance → Hanging Coffin Site. The entire tour takes about 4-5 hours. It is recommended to visit natural landscapes in the morning and experience folk culture in the afternoon.
Travel Suggestions：
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting, with pleasant weather.
It is recommended to wear comfortable and non-slip shoes, as some sections are relatively slippery.
There are rich folk performances in the scenic area. It is recommended to learn the performance times in advance.
Reserve 4-5 hours for the visit; for an in-depth tour, a full day can be arranged.
Traditional Tujia clothing can be rented for photos as a souvenir.
Precautions：
Some sections in the scenic area are relatively steep, so please pay attention to safety.
Respect the customs and habits of ethnic minorities.
Protect the scenic area environment and do not litter.
Please wear life jackets when taking boats.
Keep personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places.
Transportation：
Self-driving: Depart from downtown Yichang and drive about 35 kilometers along the Three Gorges Expressway to reach the destination.
Bus: Take Bus 10-1 from downtown Yichang directly to the scenic area visitor center.
Cruise: Take a boat from Yichang Port directly to the scenic area and enjoy the scenery of Xiling Gorge along the way.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. Daily opening hours are 8:00-17:30 (peak season, March 1-November 30) and 8:30-17:00 (off-season, December 1-next year's end of February). Ticket sales stop one hour before closing at each attraction in the scenic area.
Tickets：
Ticket price: 210 yuan per person (including round-trip ferry and shuttle bus).