Yichang strives toward becoming a world-class tourist destination
2023-09-16 19:09:00
By Tan Maolin, Yichang International Communication Studio
Yichang’s largest tourism festival of the year kicked off tonight at Lighthouse Square along the Yangtze River. A tourism festival held alternatively between Hubei and Chongqing, the China Yangtze Three Gorges International Tourism Festival brings tourists from all over the world to enjoy the beauty of the Yangtze River. As it is held in Yichang this year, it aims to showcase the energy of this unique and electrifying city.
Rich history and cultural heritage
Human activity along the Qing River, which flows through Yichang, can be traced back 100,000 to 200,000 years. Yichang was home to Ba and Chu Culture during the Western Zhou (1045–771 BC) and early Western Han (202 BC – 9 AD) dynasties. Many famous historical and cultural figures were born here, including Qu Yuan (340–278 BC), one of China’s most famous poets and patriots, and Wang Zhaojun (born c. 50 BC), one of ancient China’s “Four Beauties,” famous for her music and dancing talents as well as her contributions to national unity. Yichang is also the residence of Leizu, a legendary figure credited with the discovery of silk and the invention of the silk loom. Because of her, the art of mulberry planting, silkworm breeding, silk reeling and silk weaving has been passed down in the region for generations.
Yichang is also oftentimes referred to as “the city of pianos.” With over 100,000 people in the city learning the instrument, Yichang has the highest per capita ratio of piano-players in all of China.
Excellent natural scenery
Yichang lies at the junction of the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River and has long been known as the "Gateway to the Three Gorges" and the "Sichuan-Hubei Gullet.” The area is blessed with picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views. Aside from the river, Yichang is surrounded by mountains and forests, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring nature. The combination of the river, mountains, and lush greenery makes Yichang a paradise for nature lovers and a great destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
World-class hydroelectric power project
The world’s largest hydroelectric power station - the Three Gorges Dam - is also located here. Together with the Gezhouba Water Control Project, Yichang is often dubbed the "Hydropower Capital of the World.”
These assets have formed the foundation for Yichang to build itself into a world cultural tourism city. In recent years, Yichang has focused on the integrated development of their cultural and tourism industry, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. The tourist numbers for the Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges Indigenous Scenic Area, Qu Yuan's hometown, and Xiling Gorge Mouth Scenic Area all rebounded from the pandemic period. In the first half of this year, more than 51 million tourists visited Yichang, nearly 4% higher than the same period in 2019.
Meanwhile, Yichang is pushing ahead with the construction of the Songcheng Three Gorges Eternal Love theme park and Three Gorges Cruise Center to further solidify its position as a potential world-class tourism destination.
Yichang hosts a number of international events such as the Dragon Boat Cultural Festival in the hometown of Qu Yuan, the International Dragon Boat Festival, the Chaotianhou International Rafting Competition and the FIBA 3x3 basketball series. The hope is that they will be able to leverage these events to promote its unique attractions and the city brand throughout the country and world.
The ongoing tourism festival links the unique ecological and cultural beauty of Yichang. The Zhaojun Culture and Tourism Festival, Dangyang Guan Gong Culture and Tourism Festival, Qing River Open Water Swimming Event and 9th Yangtze River Piano Music Festival will all be held during the tourism festival. It offers tourists from all over the world a "one-stop" destination to experience the various tourism assets of Yichang and enjoy the beauty of the Yangtze River.
Dominik Pietzcker, a tourist from Germany, was left with a positive impression after his six-day trip to Yichang: “Every moment leaves a special memory – river and mountains, city and countryside, literature and reality, ancient times and modernity.”
Yichang’s largest tourism festival of the year kicked off tonight at Lighthouse Square along the Yangtze River. A tourism festival held alternatively between Hubei and Chongqing, the China Yangtze Three Gorges International Tourism Festival brings tourists from all over the world to enjoy the beauty of the Yangtze River. As it is held in Yichang this year, it aims to showcase the energy of this unique and electrifying city.
Rich history and cultural heritage
Human activity along the Qing River, which flows through Yichang, can be traced back 100,000 to 200,000 years. Yichang was home to Ba and Chu Culture during the Western Zhou (1045–771 BC) and early Western Han (202 BC – 9 AD) dynasties. Many famous historical and cultural figures were born here, including Qu Yuan (340–278 BC), one of China’s most famous poets and patriots, and Wang Zhaojun (born c. 50 BC), one of ancient China’s “Four Beauties,” famous for her music and dancing talents as well as her contributions to national unity. Yichang is also the residence of Leizu, a legendary figure credited with the discovery of silk and the invention of the silk loom. Because of her, the art of mulberry planting, silkworm breeding, silk reeling and silk weaving has been passed down in the region for generations.
Yichang is also oftentimes referred to as “the city of pianos.” With over 100,000 people in the city learning the instrument, Yichang has the highest per capita ratio of piano-players in all of China.
Excellent natural scenery
Yichang lies at the junction of the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River and has long been known as the "Gateway to the Three Gorges" and the "Sichuan-Hubei Gullet.” The area is blessed with picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views. Aside from the river, Yichang is surrounded by mountains and forests, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring nature. The combination of the river, mountains, and lush greenery makes Yichang a paradise for nature lovers and a great destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
World-class hydroelectric power project
The world’s largest hydroelectric power station - the Three Gorges Dam - is also located here. Together with the Gezhouba Water Control Project, Yichang is often dubbed the "Hydropower Capital of the World.”
These assets have formed the foundation for Yichang to build itself into a world cultural tourism city. In recent years, Yichang has focused on the integrated development of their cultural and tourism industry, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. The tourist numbers for the Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges Indigenous Scenic Area, Qu Yuan's hometown, and Xiling Gorge Mouth Scenic Area all rebounded from the pandemic period. In the first half of this year, more than 51 million tourists visited Yichang, nearly 4% higher than the same period in 2019.
Meanwhile, Yichang is pushing ahead with the construction of the Songcheng Three Gorges Eternal Love theme park and Three Gorges Cruise Center to further solidify its position as a potential world-class tourism destination.
Yichang hosts a number of international events such as the Dragon Boat Cultural Festival in the hometown of Qu Yuan, the International Dragon Boat Festival, the Chaotianhou International Rafting Competition and the FIBA 3x3 basketball series. The hope is that they will be able to leverage these events to promote its unique attractions and the city brand throughout the country and world.
The ongoing tourism festival links the unique ecological and cultural beauty of Yichang. The Zhaojun Culture and Tourism Festival, Dangyang Guan Gong Culture and Tourism Festival, Qing River Open Water Swimming Event and 9th Yangtze River Piano Music Festival will all be held during the tourism festival. It offers tourists from all over the world a "one-stop" destination to experience the various tourism assets of Yichang and enjoy the beauty of the Yangtze River.
Dominik Pietzcker, a tourist from Germany, was left with a positive impression after his six-day trip to Yichang: “Every moment leaves a special memory – river and mountains, city and countryside, literature and reality, ancient times and modernity.”
