3-Day Tour in Huanggang | Classic Combination of Dabie Mountains and Chibi・Suitable for All Groups
Huanggang is a cultural and natural gem in eastern Hubei, featuring the majestic and rugged Dabie Mountains, the historic Three Kingdoms battlefield of Chibi, and the medicinal heritage of Li Shizhen’s hometown. Listen to Zen chants with the elderly in ancient temples, play in the canyon waters with children—here, every day offers encounters with the grandeur of nature and the depth of history.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Huanggang → Dongpo Chibi → Yiai Lake → Huanggang Museum
Day 2: Dabie Mountains Bodaofeng Peak → Sanlifan Hot Springs
Day 3: Li Shizhen Memorial Hall → Wuzu Temple → Return
🏯 Day 1: Chibi Nostalgia · Lakeside Serenity
📍 Dongpo Chibi (4A, Admission 40 RMB)
Highlights: Famous for Su Shi’s "Chibi Fu," known as the "Literary Chibi," featuring cliff inscriptions, the Two Fu Hall, and Leijiang Pavilion that witness a millennium of culture. In spring, cherry blossoms surround the ancient battlefield, creating a unique atmosphere. Elderly visitors can listen to Three Kingdoms stories at "Poxian Pavilion" and take the scenic area electric cart (10 RMB/person); children can role-play in front of the "Battle of Chibi" sculpture (rent ancient costumes for 30 RMB/set), shoot photos with feather fans and silk scarves, and feel the heroic spirit of literati.
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30, recommended 9:00-12:00
💰 Fees: Adults 40 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters
📸 Photo Spot: Chibi Jitou (capture the Yangtze River and ancient battlefield ruins together, best at sunset)
💡 Tip: The "Su Shi Memorial Hall" inside the scenic area has interactive quizzes (win commemorative bookmarks), kids love it.
📍 Yiai Lake (Free)
Highlights: Known as Huanggang’s "urban green lung," the lake is surrounded by the Su Dongpo Memorial Hall, lotus ponds, and a sandy beach. You can rent bikes (30 RMB/hour) or take a boat ride (50 RMB/person). Elderly visitors can enjoy tea at the "Island Tea Pavilion" (20 RMB/cup), children can play on the "Parent-Child Beach," build sandcastles, and feed swans (10 RMB/portion). In summer, blooming lotus flowers create a poetic scene of "endless green lotus leaves."
🕙 Recommended Time: 14:00-16:30
📍 Huanggang Museum (Free, reservation required)
Highlights: Collections include "Warring States Bronze Sword" and "Ming Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain." The "Huanggang Celebrities Exhibition" introduces sages like Li Shizhen and Li Siguang. There is a "Movable Type Printing Experience" (30 RMB/session). Elderly visitors can reminisce with the "Old Huanggang" photo exhibition, children can assemble a "Chibi Ancient Warship" model (free), making it very engaging.
🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays), recommended 16:30-17:30
🍜 Recommended Dining: "Huanggang Old Restaurant" in the city, must-try dishes include Huangzhou Radish Stew (38 RMB/portion) and Dongpo Pork (58 RMB/portion), average 45 RMB per person, authentic eastern Hubei flavor.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Huanggang New Beacon International Hotel" by Yiai Lake (lake view rooms and family rooms available), prices 350-500 RMB/night, quiet and comfortable.
⛰️ Day 2: Dabie Mountain Splendor · Warm Up in Hot Springs
📍 Dabie Mountains Bodaofeng Peak (4A, Admission 80 RMB)
Highlights: One of the main peaks of Dabie Mountains, famous for "strange pines, bizarre rocks, and sea of clouds." Features "Wolonggang" (cliffside plank road) and "Xiguoding" (summit viewing platform). Autumn brings red leaves covering the mountains. Elderly visitors can take the cable car (60 RMB/person uphill) to the top and watch the sea of clouds from "Wangyuan Pavilion"; children can slide down the "Parent-Child Slide" (30 RMB/time) and play the "Forest Treasure Hunt" game (free), enjoying nature happily.
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 8:30-14:00
📸 Photo Spot: Wolonggang Plank Road (capture people among cliffside pine waves, thrilling and photogenic)
💡 Tip: Mountain area is 5°C cooler, bring windproof jackets; the plank road is risky, elderly should hold the railing and walk slowly.
📍 Sanlifan Hot Springs (4A, Admission 128 RMB)
Highlights: Known as "Chutian’s Number One Hot Spring," featuring health pools, children’s splash pools, and wave pools. The mineral-rich water warms and relaxes in winter. Elderly visitors can enjoy the "Chinese Medicine Pool" (with angelica and mugwort), children can play on slides in the "Water Park" (free), and the whole family can try "fish therapy" (30 RMB/person) for a pleasant experience.
🕙 Recommended Time: 15:30-18:30
🍜 Recommended Dining: "Dabie Mountain Restaurant" in the hot spring area, must-try dishes include Luotian Hanging Pot (88 RMB/portion) and Chestnut Braised Chicken (58 RMB/portion), average 50 RMB per person, rich local flavor.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Sanlifan Hot Spring Hotel" near the springs (includes hot spring tickets), prices 500-700 RMB/night, convenient for soaking.
📜 Day 3: Tracing the Medicine Sage · Zen Listening in Ancient Temples
📍 Li Shizhen Memorial Hall (4A, Free Admission)
Highlights: Dedicated to the Ming dynasty medical scientist Li Shizhen, featuring his former residence, medicinal herb garden, and the "Compendium of Materia Medica" stele corridor. Visitors can identify Chinese herbs with a guide (50 RMB/session). Elderly visitors can view the "Pharmaceutical Tools Exhibition" to recall traditional medicine, children can learn about plants in the "Herb Garden" (free booklet) and make "Chinese Medicine Sachets" (20 RMB each), educational and practical.
🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended 9:00-11:30
📍 Wuzu Temple (4A, Admission 20 RMB)
Highlights: The site where Hongren, the fifth patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism, preached. Features the True Body Hall, preaching platform, and a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree. The temple is bustling with incense and serene Zen atmosphere. Elderly visitors can listen to monks’ sermons in the "Zen Hall" (10:00, free), children can feed fish in the "Release Pond" (5 RMB/portion), watch monks picking tea (in spring), and experience the tranquility of the "Dongshan Dharma Gate."
🕙 Recommended Time: 14:00-16:30
📸 Photo Spot: Wuzu Temple Mountain Gate (capture the ancient temple and green mountains together, morning mist creates a fairyland)
💡 Tip: No loud noises or photography inside the temple; at the mountain gate, "Huangmei Embroidery" (intangible cultural heritage, 30-50 RMB/item) makes a great souvenir.
✨ Huanggang Survival Guide
1️⃣ Transportation: City buses No. 5 and 8 to Dongpo Chibi (1 RMB); tourist shuttle to Bodaofeng and Sanlifan (25-30 RMB/person, 2 hours); for cross-district travel, car rental recommended (200 RMB/day); taxis start at 6 RMB, convenient for short trips.
2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (Dabie Mountains are windy); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection clothing + long pants (to prevent insect bites); winter wear down jackets + non-slip shoes (snow in mountains); bring swimwear for hot springs and sports shoes for hiking.
3️⃣ Taboos: No hats or pointing at Buddha statues inside temples; do not touch exhibits in museums; do not litter in Dabie Mountain scenic areas to protect the environment.
4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in Huangzhou District (city center) on Day 1, Sanlifan (near hot springs) on Day 2; choose elevator rooms for elderly, rooms near play areas for children, and prioritize hotels with breakfast included.
🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Qichun Mugwort Products (moxibustion patches 30 RMB/box, mugwort pillows 50 RMB/each, great for health)
② Luotian Chestnuts (vacuum-packed 25 RMB/bag, sweet and powdery, loved by elderly and children)
③ Li Shizhen Herbal Cultural Creations ("Compendium of Materia Medica" bookmarks 20 RMB/set, herbal sachets 15 RMB/each)
④ Huangmei Embroidery (tablecloths 80 RMB/piece, handkerchiefs 30 RMB/each, intangible cultural heritage specialty)
The charm of Huanggang lies in the millennia of heroic spirit hidden in Dongpo Chibi’s brushstrokes, the natural wildness drifting in the sea of clouds of Dabie Mountains, and the life wisdom shining through the herbs of the Medicine Sage’s hometown. Whether warming your body and mind in hot springs with your parents, chasing butterflies in the forest with your children, or experiencing Zen enlightenment in ancient temples with friends, here you will find unforgettable depth and vitality. If you come to Huanggang, would you first want to visit Chibi to trace Dongpo’s footsteps or go to Dabie Mountains to see the sea of clouds?