Qing River Gallery Scenic Area
Welcome to the Qing River Gallery Scenic Area, a breathtaking destination nestled in the heart of, Yichang City.
Introduction
Qing River, also known as Qingjiang River, is the mother river of the Tujia people. The river flows through more than 10 counties and cities across southwest Hubei Province, spanning over 800 kilometers. The Qing River Basin has 3.86 million mu (257,333 hectares) of marvelous natural landscape, featuring unique karst landforms, emerald-like islands, and picturesque lakes that rival those of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the Li River in Guilin, and West Lake in Hangzhou.
Qing River Gallery Scenic Area, a top-level national AAAAA-class tourist destination and one of the four major scenic areas in Hubei province, encompasses all the breathtaking landscapes and attractions along the Qing River from the Geheyan Dam to the Shuibuya Salt Pool Hot Spring.
Within this enchanting area, you can discover remarkable sites such as Reflection Gorge, Fairyland Village, and Wuluozhongli Mountain. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural richness of this remarkable destination.
Attractions:
Reflection Gorge (Dao Ying Xia):
A 5-kilometer-long canyon boasting stunning mountains and enchanting waters. Its name is derived from a giant rock that resembles an upside-down carp, creating a lifelike reflection in the water.
Fairyland Village (Xian Ren Zhai):
With a rich history and cultural heritage, Fairyland Village is home to the thousand-year-old Lingfeng Temple, the solemn Ancient Gate of the Water Village, the intriguing cliff tombs of the She ethnic group, and the mysterious legend of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's hidden treasure. It is also a natural "kingdom" for diverse flora and fauna, including rare plants like aloe vera and the dove tree, as well as more than 100 wild macaques.
Wuluozhongli Mountain:
Surrounded by water on all sides, Wuluozhongli Mountain has an altitude of 397.5 meters. It is the birthplace of the Ba people, ancestors of the Tujia ethnic group. The mountain features five distinct peaks: Kuitou Rock, Niujiao Rock, Yannü Rock, Shishen Top, and Xiangwang Temple.
Each peak has its own unique characteristics and history:
Kuitou Rock resembles a warrior's helmet, believed to be left behind by the leader of the Ba people, Lin Jun.
Niujiao Rock stands tall like a giant bull’s horn.
Yannü Rock bears a striking resemblance to a beautiful Tujia girl and is believed to be the incarnation of Deji Niangniang (Queen Mother of Deji), the wife of the Ba people's leader, Xiang Wang Tian Zi (King Xiang, the Son of Heaven), who rose up against the South Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279).
Shishen Top houses two natural stones, representing the ancient Ba people's fertility worship.
Xiangwang Temple hangs high in the air, dedicated to the worship of Xiang Wang Tian Zi.
Geheyan Dam:
Geheyan Dam is the main structure of the Qingjiang Geheyan Hydropower Station. Standing at 684 meters in length with a height of 206 meters, it has a maximum reservoir capacity of 3.4 billion cubic meters and can generate an annual power output of 3.04 billion kilowatt-hours. It is one of the main peak-shaving and frequency-regulating power plants on the Central China Power Grid.
Machi Ancient Village:
Machi Ancient Village is bordered by the Qing River to the north and Wufeng Tujia Autonomous County to the south. During the Land Revolution period, in July 1929, Marshal He Long established the 6th Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in Machi, creating the first military-based revolutionary army in China's ethnic minority areas.
Culture Performance Show:
Hua Dongdong's Sister
Hua Dongdong's Sister is an original folk song and dance performance. The story takes place in the beautiful Qingjiang Gallery, where a modern painter comes in search of Hua Dongdong's sister. Led by a Tujia girl named "Shui Mei,” he witnesses the tranquility and harmony of the Tujia village, listens to original folk songs and the Changyang Nanqu Opera, and experiences the unique charm of Tujia customs, such as matchmaking and wedding crying. Finally, he completes his search for Hua Dongdong's sister.
Cruise Ticket Prices and Departure Time:
A Line – Holy Land Tour:
A Line is an approximately 4 hour-tour that includes the Tujia Fengyu Covered Bridge, Time Tunnel, Tujia Street, Tourist Wharf, Reflection Gorge boat tour, Fairyland Village boat tour, and Wuluozhongli Mountain climbing.
Full Ticket: 145 yuan per person (Includes admission price of 90 yuan and boat ticket for 55 yuan).
Half Ticket: 100 yuan per person (Includes admission price of 45 yuan and boat ticket for 55 yuan).
Package Ticket: A Line + Performance: 188 yuan per person.
Half price: Children between 1.20 and 1.40 meters tall, students with a student card, and elderly people ages 60 to 70 (with a senior citizen card or ID card).
Free: Children below 1.20 meters, active military personnel, disabled individuals, and elderly people above 70 years old.
*This price policy also applies to B and C lines.
Cruise ship departure times:
9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30.
B Line – Painting Tour:
B Line is an approximately 2 hour-tour that includes the Tujia Fengyu Covered Bridge, Time Tunnel, Tujia Street, Reflection Gorge hiking tour, Fairyland Village boat tour, and Geheyan Dam boat tour.
Full Ticket: 135 yuan per person (Includes admission price of 90 yuan and boat ticket for 45 yuan).
Half Ticket: 90 yuan per person (Includes admission price of 45 yuan and boat ticket for 45 yuan).
Package Ticket: B Line + Performance: 168 yuan per person.
Cruise ship departure times (return):
10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30.
C Line - Wonderland Tour:
C Line is an approximately 2 hour-tour that includes the Tujia Fengyu Covered Bridge, Time Tunnel, Tujia Street, Tourist Wharf, Reflection Gorge boat tour, Fairyland Village hiking tour.
Full Ticket: 88 yuan per person (Includes admission price of 58 yuan and boat ticket for 30 yuan).
Half Ticket: 59 yuan per person (Includes admission price of 29 yuan and boat ticket for 30 yuan).
Package Ticket: C Line + Performance: 148 yuan per person.
Cruise ship departure times:
10:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 16:30.
On weekend two more departures - 13:30, 17:10
Traffic Directions:
Address:
Driving there:
From the Dongshan Development Zone or Wujiagang, take the expressway and cross the Yichang Yangtze River Bridge. Next, take the Hurongxi Expressway and exit at Baishiping. After, drive from Baishiping to Changyang County. Pass through Jinyangkou, and reach the parking lot of Qing River Gallery on the left bank of Geheyan Dam.
Taking bus:
A direct bus service runs between Yichang Long Distance Bus Station and Changyang Passenger Transport Station. The buses operate from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, with departures every 15 minutes from both stations. The ticket price is 17 yuan per person, or 24 yuan per person if taking the expressway.
