The Tribe of Three Gorges Scenic Area (三峡人家风景区) is nestled within the enchanting and magnificent Xiling Gorge along the Yangtze River. Comprising three distinct regions – Mountain Village, Waterside Village, and Riverside Village – this scenic area offers a comprehensive and diverse exploration of the pristine natural beauty and cultural traditions of the Three Gorges.
Visitors can embark on a captivating journey through a combination of boat rides and walking, allowing them to experience the untouched landscapes of the Three Gorges from various perspectives. The scenic area hosts vibrant daily folk performances, providing an opportunity for visitors to actively engage and immerse themselves in the ancient and mysterious culture of the Ba and Chu ethnic groups.
Surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of flowing streams, the entire scenic area resembles a vast oxygen-rich haven. The Tribe of Three Gorges Scenic Area invites visitors to connect with nature, appreciate traditional performances, and delve into the rich cultural tapestry of the region, offering a unique and immersive experience in the heart of the Three Gorges.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Tribe of Three Gorges
- Vlog about Tribe of the Three Gorges
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Other Attractions along Xiling Gorge
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
Ticket Price | Admission: 150 RMB Shuttle Bus: 60 RMB Cable Care: 30 RMB for single way Combined Ticket: 210 RMB |
Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.30; Last admission: 15.00 (1st March – 31st October) 8.30 – 17.00; Last admission: 15.00 (1st November – 28th February) |
Telephone Number | 0086-0717-8850588 0086-0717-7855592 |
Location and Transportation
The Tribe of Three Gorges Scenic Area is located within the mesmerizing and magnificent Xiling Gorge, the most enchanting and spectacular section of the Three Gorges along the Yangtze River. The specific address is in Shipai Village, Sandouping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province, China.
To reach the Tribe of Three Gorges, visitors can first take a public bus or a taxi to Yiling Square (夷陵广场). From there, they can transfer to the 10-1 Route, which is the special tourist bus line for the Tribe of Three Gorges. The first bus departs at 8:05, and the last one at 18:00, with an average frequency of approximately 45 minutes between each bus. The fare for the entire journey is 15 yuan.
Highlights of Tribe of Three Gorges
Mountain Village
In the Mountain Village section of the Tribe of Three Gorges, visitors are treated to the unique architectural marvels known as “hanging-foot houses (Stilted Houses)” – traditional local homes with wooden structures. The topography of the Xiajiang area is rugged, leading to the construction of houses adapted to the mountainous terrain. These houses, built along the slope of the hills, are surrounded by bamboo groves and banana trees. Typically two or three stories high, with the upper level serving as living quarters – providing ventilation, dryness, and protection against moisture – while the lower level functions as a space for livestock or storage, acting as a barrier against venomous snakes and wild animals.
Within the man-made scenic spot “Ba Wang Palace,” nestled in the mountains, visitors can witness performances that capture the ancient Ba culture. Additionally, the “Lamp Shadow Stone,” perched atop a cliff, offers a picturesque location for capturing memorable photographs.
Waterside Village
The Waterside Village is located at the confluence of the Longjin Creek and the Yangtze River. Many generations of the Three Gorges people have lived on boats, earning a living through fishing. Their unique way of life, where boats serve as homes, is showcased here. The area features performances of the “Boatman’s Shanty,” with its powerful and rhythmic tunes, echoing the challenging and adventurous lives of the boatmen navigating the Yangtze.
Riverside Village
Nestled by the riverbank, the Riverside Village combines the beauty of the land and water, surrounded by mountains, greenery, and the enchanting play of sunlight on grass and trees. Here, visitors can witness local girls washing clothes by the stream and native young ladies rowing boats, creating a scene of freshness and beauty. The slopes along the stream are adorned with numerous pavilions, showcasing the daily life of the riverside dwellers. The area features captivating performances such as embroidery ball tossing, bridal pursuits, wedding ceremonies, and boatmen pulling ropes. Visitors are often encouraged to actively participate, taking on roles like the groom in these traditional enactments.
Vlog about Tribe of the Three Gorges
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Round-Trip Boat Tickets: The boat tickets are for transportation to and from the Tribe of the Three Gorges. The boat ride takes you through the Xiling Gorge. You’ll need to take the boat both ways.
Transportation Up the Hill: Upon arriving at the Tribe of the Three Gorges, you have options to ascend the hill. You can choose to walk, take the cable car, or use the escalator (the latter two options cost 30 yuan). Keep in mind that walking uphill can be quite tiring.
Entertainment and Attractions: As you venture further into the area, you’ll encounter various performances and attractions. Along the route to the snack street, there’s an interesting embroidery ball throwing performance that occurs every hour. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Longjinxixi Road, which leads to Monkey Mountain, where you’ll find many adorable monkeys.
Food Options: Throughout the scenic area, there are numerous snack shops and rural restaurants offering reasonably priced food. You don’t need to carry a lot of food with you.
Check Return Boat Schedule: Before exploring too far, make sure to inquire about the schedule for the last boat returning. This will help you avoid missing the last ferry back and ensure a smooth return journey.
During the off-peak travel season at the Three Gorges Tribe Scenic Area, there were actually more staff than tourists! The NPCs were quite inactive too. However, the scenery was absolutely stunning.
The scenery at the Three Gorges Tribe is truly remarkable. My friends and I were constantly amazed as we walked through the area; it felt like there was a breathtaking view at every turn. After spending so much time in the city, being out in nature and surrounded by mountains and water felt absolutely fantastic.
Not very enjoyable, especially if you took a boat to the Two Dams and One Canyon the day before, as you would have already passed the most beautiful section of the Three Gorges Tribe.
The scenic area has a very small limestone cave, but it’s extremely cool inside.
I suggest everyone avoid visiting the Three Gorges Tribe recently. The water is extremely muddy, and the management is quite chaotic. According to the guides online, we first took the cable car, but it was overcrowded. Each cable car could only accommodate two people, and we waited for over an hour. Once we reached the top of the mountain, there was a photo spot, and then we had to descend to the halfway point, Ba Wang Zhai (巴王寨). To be honest, it was just full of shops with not much to see, and it was super hot; my sunscreen shirt was completely soaked. We watched a rather lackluster performance at Ba Wang Zhai, and while wanting to go to Long Jin Xi (龙进溪) on the way down, we passed by the Fourth Spring in the World (天下第四泉), which was just a large limestone cave with a small pond filled with… Read more »
The Three Gorges Tribe is very nice, but not suitable for visiting in the summer, it’s just too hot.
The performance inside Three Gorges Family Tribe is mediocre. It feels like a waste of money and the scenery is not that great.
I highly recommend Three Gorges Waterfall. You can walk through the waterfall, although you will get completely soaked. But it’s really fun, and there are lots of photo spots inside.
Before setting off, I had high expectations for “Three Gorges Folk Village,” but upon arrival, I found that the scenery within the scenic area was not as spectacular as expected, and some parts appeared dilapidated. It would probably take 4-5 hours to walk through the entire scenic area. There are quite a few uphill and downhill paths, so elderly people and children should proceed with caution.
Overall, I don’t highly recommend “Three Gorges Folk Village” as a must-visit attraction. In fact, driving and stopping along the G348 highway will allow you to capture more beautiful scenery, and it’s free.
There are two options for entering and exiting, boat entrance and boat exit, and car entrance and car exit. For out-of-town tourists, it is recommended for non-locals to choose boat entrance and boat exit. Boat Entrance and Boat Exit Location: Huangbahu Wharf, Xiling District, close to the city, a 20-minute taxi ride Time: Ticket exchange from 07:30 to 08:45, boarding from 08:45 to 09:00, boat departs at 9:00, one daily trip usually, two trips on holidays at 09:00/11:00 Cost: 248 RMB/person, round-trip boat ticket + entrance ticket, excluding sightseeing cable car/escalator Procedure: ① Exchange tickets at the counter with ID card + ticket code (volunteer booths on the right side of the road); ② Join the WeChat group for the day’s activities, return time + boarding pier will be informed in the group; ③ Queue to swipe ID card to board Car Entrance and Car Exit Location: Wangjiaping Tourist Center,… Read more »
Details of a trip to San Xia Ren Jia: – Huangbai River Pier: Take the 9:00 boat, exchange paper tickets at the window before security check. The return boat departs at a fixed time of 15:50, and luggage can be stored on the boat. – San Xia Ren Jia: Arrive at around 10:30, turn right after getting off the boat and head towards Long Jinx. Along the way, you will pass by Tai Chi Cat Cave, but you can skip it for now. Stop and take photos along the way until around 11:00 when you reach the entrance of Long Jinx. You will pass by clear green lake water, a rainbow waterfall, and a wedding performance pavilion (but the pavilion is on the other side and inaccessible). – Monkey Mountain: Arrive at Monkey Mountain around 11:40, where you can see monkeys that are quite well-behaved and cute, not stealing from… Read more »