Western Hubei Panoramic In-Depth Self-Drive

A long-distance road trip heading west from the Jianghan Plain, traversing the Three Gorges, Enshi, Shennongjia, and Mount Wudang.

Cover the main landscapes of western Hubei in one go: Jingzhou Ancient City, the Three Gorges Dam, Enshi Grand Canyon, Shennong Stream, Shennongjia, and Mount Wudang. The route involves many mountain roads and long drives, so multi-night stays are scheduled every few days. Ideal for travelers with plenty of time who can handle long-distance driving. Xiangyang is omitted, and the trip ends with a one-way car rental return before taking a high-speed train back to Wuhan.

Shennongjia often experiences snow and ice in winter, so the full route is not recommended then; hotel bookings for July and August must be made well in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Pick Up Car in Wuhan & Explore the River City

Wuhan（Yellow Crane Tower、Hubu Alley、Tanhualin）

Explore Wuchang on foot after arrival. It is recommended to pick up your rental car on the morning of Day 2.

Stay: Yellow Crane Tower · Hubu Lane

Day 2 · Drive West to Jingzhou Ancient City

Jingzhou（Jingzhou Museum、Guandi Temple of Jingzhou、Jingzhou Ancient City Wall (East Gate & Binyang Tower)）

Drive from Wuhan to Jingzhou via the highway (approx. 2.5 hours), and cycle or walk along the Ancient City Wall in the afternoon.

Stay: Jingzhou Ancient City

Day 3 · Jingzhou to Tribe of the Three Gorges in Yichang

Yichang & Three Gorges Dam（Three Gorges Tribe (Sanxia Renjia)）

Drive from Jingzhou to Yichang (approx. 2 hours), continue along the river to the Tribe of the Three Gorges, and take a ferry across the river inside the scenic area.

Stay: Binjiang Park · Three Gorges Visitor Center

Day 4 · Three Gorges Dam & Qu Yuan's Hometown

Yichang & Three Gorges Dam（Three Gorges Dam、Three Gorges Dam Closure Memorial Park、Qu Yuan's Hometown & Qu Yuan Temple, Zigui）

Drive along the river from Yichang to the Dam (approx. 1 hour), visit the Qu Yuan Temple in Zigui in the afternoon, and stay overnight in the dam area.

Stay: Sandouping Town (by the Dam)

Day 5 · Cross the Mountains to Enshi Dixing (Earth Core) Valley

Enshi（Dixingu Canyon (Shimen River)、Enshi Tujia Nü'er City）

Drive west along the highway for about 3 to 4 hours, stopping at Jianshi Dixing Valley on the way, and arrive in downtown Enshi in the evening.

Stay: Enshi City (Nu'er City)

Day 6 · Full Day at Enshi Grand Canyon

Enshi（Enshi Grand Canyon）

Drive about 1.5 hours to the scenic area in the morning, and drive about 1 hour to Lichuan after the visit.

Ticket sales stop around 3:00 PM; exploring Yunlong Crevice and Qixing Border takes most of the day.

Stay: Lichuan

Day 7 · Tenglong Cave & Return to Enshi

Enshi（Tenglong Cave、Enshi Tusi City）

The drive from Lichuan to Tenglong Cave is very short. Spend about half a day exploring, then drive back to Enshi in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Enshi City (Nu'er City)

Day 8 · Transfer to Shennong Stream in Badong

Badong (Hubei)（Shennong Stream、Badong Yangtze River Bridge）

Drive from Enshi to Badong via the highway (approx. 2.5 hours), and take a boat tour of Shennong Stream from the pier.

Stay: Xinling Town (Badong County Seat)

Day 9 · Zhaojun Village to Shennongjia

Xingshan（Zhaojun Village） → Shennongjia（Guanmenshan Scenic Area）

Drive from Badong through Xingshan to Muyu (approx. 3 hours) on mountain roads, and visit Guanmen Mountain in the afternoon.

Stay: Muyu Town

Day 10 · Traverse Shennong Top to Pingqian

Shennongjia（Dalongtan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Base、Shennong Valley、Shennong Peak）

Go up to Shennong Top from Muyu, transfer to the scenic shuttle bus as required, and arrive in Pingqian in the evening (approx. 2 hours).

Shennong Top requires booking; traffic congestion is common during the autumn peak season.

Stay: Pingqian Ancient Town

Day 11 · Dajiuhu Morning Mist & Head North

Shennongjia（Dajiu Lake Wetland、Shennong Altar）

Enter Dajiuhu early in the morning and transfer to the scenic shuttle. Drive north through Muyu to Hongping in the afternoon (approx. 3 hours).

Private cars are prohibited in Dajiuhu; check the day's announcements for open areas of the lake district.

Stay: Hongping Town

Day 12 · Tianyan to Mount Wudang

Shennongjia（Hongping Gallery、Tianyan Scenic Area (Yanzi Pass)） → Wudang Mountains（Taizi Slope (Fuzhen Temple)、Zixiao Palace）

Drive from Hongping through Tianyan and Fangxian to Mount Wudang (approx. 3 hours), and transfer to the shuttle bus to go up the mountain.

Stay: Nanyan

Day 13 · Nanyan, Golden Summit & Return Car

Wudang Mountains（Nanyan Palace、Qiongtai & Jinding Cableway、Golden Summit & Taihe Palace）

Walk to Nanyan, take the shuttle to Qiongtai, take the cable car to the Golden Summit, descend the mountain to return the rental car, and take a high-speed train back to Wuhan.

Confirm the drop-off location for the one-way rental before departure, and allow plenty of time for descending the mountain before your train.