This summer vacation, we set off on a warm self-driving trip from Zhengzhou with two other families. We traveled along the Yangtze River and its biggest tributary, the Hanjiang River. We saw amazing water projects, beautiful natural scenery, and old cities with a long history in Hubei. There was no tight schedule or crowded crowds. We took our time and enjoyed a relaxing and comfortable journey. This simple but precious family trip left us many warm and unforgettable memories.

Day 1: Zhengzhou → Wugang

We left Zhengzhou in the afternoon and got to Wugang after about a 3-hour drive. This quiet small town was a great place to stay for the night and get ready for our trip to Hubei.

Day 2: Wugang → Danjiangkou Reservoir → Danjiangkou Downtown

We set off early the next morning and reached Danjiangkou Reservoir in about 3 hours. As the main water supply for the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, it sends clean fresh water north to feed Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Henan. We took a boat trip on the reservoir—clear water surrounded by thick green hills made the view very relaxing.

In the evening, we walked around downtown Danjiangkou. The Shuidou No.2 Bridge was brightly lit after dark, and we could see the tall Danjiangkou Dam far away. The dam protects the important part of the Han River, helping the water diversion project and controlling the water flow in the Han River area. The Han River finally flows into the Yangtze, joining the two water systems together.

Day 3: Danjiangkou → Yichang

We drove along the scenic Danjiangkou Reservoir Circular Highway, passing by Canglang Sea, Blue Water Sky, and Qiandao Gallery. The endless blue water and scattered islands made for breathtaking views all the way. After a 4-hour drive, we smoothly arrived in Yichang, a city built right on the Yangtze River.

Day 4: Yichang – Two Dams & One Gorge Day Tour

This day was the highlight of our trip. We took a cruise to visit the Two Dams and One Gorge. Our hotel was within walking distance of the Three Gorges Tourist Center, so we easily walked to the boarding place. We chose the Xilingxia Hexie Cruise — it was spacious, comfortable and not crowded at all. We had a great time.

The cruise had three highlights: we experienced the amazing “rising with the water” when going through the Gezhouba Dam lock; we sailed through Xiling Gorge and enjoyed the beautiful natural views along the Yangtze River; we also experienced the Three Gorges Ship Lift, which lifts the whole ship up and down quickly and safely. It is a great project and very exciting to see. From the ship, we saw the great Three Gorges Dam and felt its amazing power. After that, we took a bus at Taipingxi Wharf to visit the Three Gorges Dam scenic area.

After going back to the city, we found a restaurant near our hotel and tried the local food — Yangtze River fat fish. The fresh, delicious soup and soft meat made us feel relaxed from the trip.

Day 5: Yichang → Jingzhou

We originally planned to drive on the Yichang G348 Three Gorges Highway, but it started raining heavily. For safety, we drove directly to Jingzhou. It took about 2 hours. Jingzhou is an ancient city on the Yangtze River. It has been an important military place since ancient times and has a long Chu culture history.

We visited Jingzhou Museum. There are many precious relics and ancient Yue State swords inside. The famous Sword of Goujian, a treasure of Hubei Provincial Museum, was discovered in Jingzhou. We also walked along the ancient city wall of Jingzhou and enjoyed the old and special beauty of this ancient town.

Day 6: Jingzhou → Xiangyang

We drove from Jingzhou to Xiangyang in about 2.5 hours. Xiangyang is on the Han River, which flows into the Yangtze River. It is another important ancient city in the Yangtze River basin. It has long been known as the “No.1 Fortress City in China”.

In the evening, we visited Xiangyang Film Town and enjoyed wonderful live night shows. The atmosphere was great. We didn’t go back to the city center until nearly 10 p.m. No trip to Xiangyang is complete without real local beef noodles. So we tried a highly-rated restaurant online. It was really delicious, with fragrant and tasty noodles.

Day 7: Xiangyang → Zhengzhou

In the morning, we visited the ancient city wall of Xiangyang. We overlooked the winding Han River from the top. Then we went to Xijiachi Garden and enjoyed the quiet beauty of this classical garden.

After the visit, we drove back to Zhengzhou. Our wonderful 7-day family self-driving trip came to a perfect end. 

It was an unforgettable journey full of natural beauty and history. We saw the great projects of Danjiangkou Reservoir and the Three Gorges Dam, enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Xiling Gorge, visited the famous Three Kingdoms cities of Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and tasted delicious local food in Hubei. This trip will become a precious memory for all of us.

Yours Truly

Grace Gao - Charmission Travel