The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia, and at Yichang it comes out of the mountains through the Three Gorges. Here it is held back by the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydropower dam in the world. A few hours south, in Hunan, the land rises into Zhangjiajie, a forest of thin sandstone pillars that often stand in cloud.

This tour joins the two, and adds the old town of Fenghuang. Day 2 is the river: a cruise through the Gezhouba lock and the Three Gorges Dam, and Sanyou Cave above the gorge. Day 3 is Tianmen Mountain, with one of the longest cable cars in the world, the glass walkway on the cliff and Tianmen Cave. On Day 4 you visit the Tujia Custom Park and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, and on Day 5 you ride the Bailong Elevator up the cliff to Tianzi Mountain and the stone pillars of Xihai. Day 6 is Fenghuang, with a raft trip on the Tuojiang River past its stilt houses.

Expect heights, many steps and long drives, including the return from Fenghuang to Yichang on Day 7. There is a wholesale market stop before the flight home. In return, nearly every meal is included, from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 8, and so are the gratuities.

Quick facts

Duration: 8 days 6 nights, including a night flight to Yichang
Route: Yichang, Three Gorges Dam, Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang
Package type: group tour on fixed departure dates
Flights: included, return from KLIA to Yichang, with airport taxes and checked luggage
Hotels: 1 night in Yichang at the start, 3 in Zhangjiajie, 1 in Fenghuang and 1 in Yichang at the end
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
Booking: seats are subject to availability. We confirm with the tour operator and email you once your seats are secured.

Highlights

A cruise through the Gezhouba lock and the Three Gorges Dam
The Tianmen Mountain cable car, the glass walkway and Tianmen Cave
The Bailong Elevator, Tianzi Mountain and Xihai Stone Forest
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
A raft trip on the Tuojiang River in Fenghuang
The stepping stones across the Tuojiang River

Itinerary

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur to Yichang

Fly from KLIA to Yichang.

Day 2: The Three Gorges Dam

Take the Two Dams and One Gorge cruise. It passes through the lock at Gezhouba Dam and goes up to the Three Gorges Dam, with its ship lift that raises whole boats up the dam. Then visit Sanyou Cave, a cave in the cliff above the river, named after three poets who visited it in the Tang dynasty.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Yichang.

Day 3: Tianmen Mountain

Drive to Zhangjiajie. Ride the Tianmen Mountain cable car, one of the longest passenger cable cars in the world, up into Tianmenshan National Forest Park. Walk the glass walkway fixed to the side of the cliff, and see Tianmen Cave, a huge natural arch high in the mountain, reached by a long stairway. In the evening, see 72 Qi Tower, a giant building in the local Tujia style, lit up at night.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Zhangjiajie.

Day 4: Tujia culture and the Grand Canyon

Visit the Tujia Custom Park, which shows the buildings and customs of the Tujia people, one of the main ethnic groups of the area. Then go to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Scenic Area, a deep, green canyon with waterfalls and walking paths.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Zhangjiajie.

Day 5: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Ride the Bailong Elevator, an outdoor lift that climbs 326 metres up the side of the cliff. At the top, see the sandstone pillars of Tianzi Mountain and Xihai Stone Forest, a sea of rock towers rising out of the forest, inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Zhangjiajie.

Day 6: Fenghuang Ancient Town

Drive to Fenghuang, an old town of the Miao and Tujia people, with wooden stilt houses along the Tuojiang River. Visit Wanshou Palace, take a raft trip on the Tuojiang River, see the Shawan Scenic Area and walk the Ancient Stone Street.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Fenghuang.

Day 7: Fenghuang to Yichang

In the morning, cross the Tuojiang River on the stepping stones in the water. Then drive back to Yichang and walk Yichang Pedestrian Street.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Yichang.

Day 8: Yichang to Kuala Lumpur

Visit Yichang Mosque, then stop at a wholesale market. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

What's included

Return flights from KLIA to Yichang
Airport taxes
Checked luggage
Hotels for 6 nights
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Gratuities

Good to know

Zhangjiajie has a lot of steps, heights and glass walkways. Wear comfortable shoes, and take your time if you are not good with heights.
Day 7 is a long drive from Fenghuang back to Yichang.
There is a wholesale market stop on Day 8. Buying anything is up to you.

FAQ

Is this a Yangtze River cruise?

No. On Day 2 you take a day cruise past the Gezhouba and Three Gorges dams. You stay in hotels every night.

Is there a mosque visit?

Yes. Yichang Mosque on Day 8, before the flight home.

Is there a shorter Zhangjiajie tour?

Yes. Our 7-day Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang tour flies into Changsha and skips the Three Gorges Dam.

Is my booking confirmed straight away?

No. Seats are subject to availability. We confirm with the tour operator and email you once your seats are secured.