Central China Tour

Wuhan Chime Bells Museum and Chu Music

The Chime-Bells Museum in Wuhan has a collection of 65 chime bells, percussion instruments first invented by the chinese more than 2,000 years ago. The largest bell is 152.3 centimeters tall and weighs 203.6 kilograms. When musicians, clad in ancient costumes, strike the rusty bells with T-shaped or straight wooden sticks to play many beautiful classic tunes, the audience feels like being brought back to times long past.

Jingzhou Honghu Lake

The beautiful lake is situated between Honghu and Yanli counties in the southeast of Jingzhou. The lake produces 40 kinds of fish and a variety of plants, such as lotus, reed and a type of black algae. The best time for tourists lasts from July to October. They can take a boat to appreciate lotus blossoms and pick lotus seeds, or take part in a boat race . Fishing and hunting wild ducks on the lake are also favorites with tourists. Local residents make a living by fishing and related industries.

Puqi Chibi

Chibi at Puqi, on the southern bank of the Yangtze, was the battlefield where the allied forces of Wu and Shu states defeated the army of Wei State during the Three Kingdoms period. It consists of Chibi, Nanping and Jinluan mountains, with an area of two square kilometers. Chibi Mountain has such tourist attractions as Yijiang Pavilion, Wangjiang Pavilion and the Exhibition Hall of Chibi Battle. Baifeng (worship to the wind) Pavilion is said to be the site where Zhuge Liang (prime minister of Shu State) borrowed wind to speed up his combat.

Jingdezhen Porcelain Tour

Jingdezhen is known far and wide as the capital of porcelain. One can visit both ancient kilns and modern porcelain factories. A great variety of art and craft porcelain are ready souvenirs for visitors, who can also try to turn the pottery wheel.

Poyang Lake

The largest fresh water lake in China, Poyang Lake produces the largest variety of fish, up to 122 kinds. The people in this area depend on the lake for a living. Hundreds of fishing boats start out in the morning and return with a full catch in the evening. On the lake one can have a distant view of Mt. Lushan and Mt. Xieshan. An all fish banquet is unique of Poyang Lake.The lake is especially beautiful at night, with the countless boat lamps.

Observing Birds on Poyang Lake

Poyang Lake is the largest winter habitat for white cranes. The lake,with its damp climate and rich bait, is also home to more than 20 other rare birds from November to March, including black crane, small swan and pelican. Therefore Poyang Lake is ideal for observing birds in winter.

Yueyang Dongting Lake

Dongting Lake on the middle reaches of the Yangtze has a circumference of 400 kilometers. It is separated into different parts by a number of hills. The lush reed bushes make the lake an ideal home for various water birds. Dongting Lake has long been reputed as the hometown of fish and rice . The Lotus Lake , known as the lake within lake, is especially attractive in July, August and October, with countless flowers in full bloom.

Nanhu Holiday Village

The holiday resort is a provincial level tourist spot opened in 1992. It is located in southern Yueyang and has a lake surface of 1,200 hectares. Nanhu Lake is very pretty, with many bays and small islands. The lake is the largest area for regular dragon-boat race. It hosts the international dragon-boat race on an annual basis. More tourist facilities are being built in the area, including a golf course, hunting and picnic areas and a museum.

Tu Villages in Western Hunan

Most Tu people live in the Tu Autonomous Prefecture in western Hunan. They mainly rely on agriculture for a living, with embroidery and knitware as side-line products. The Tu people live in stilted houses built on mountainsides.

Rafting on Mengdong River

The river flows 200 kilometers in Yongshun County. An area of 4,000 hectares along the river has been opened for tourists. Major scenic spots include Eight-Scene Cave, Small Dragon Cave,natural cliff side murals, Golden-Star Gorge, Fairy Gorge ,Line of Sky, Jumping Monkey, Yuanyang Gorge and Laojun Gorge. Tourists can enjoy rafting on Si River, a tributary of Mengdong Rirer. The river flows along a narrow valley and the water is swift. It is a great adventure to drift on it.

Jishou Miao Village

Jishou Miao village is home to some 80 Miao families. Stilted buildings with grey tiles are hidden in green bamboo bushes. The small roads in the village are paved with slab stones.

Ancient Phoenix City

The city,35 kilometers south of Jishou, attracts tourists with its intact architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties . The streets in the city are paved with flag-stone and the Tuo River is lined with stilted buildings. The ancient city boasts more than 100 tourist attractions, including Wenchang Pavilion, Tianwang Temple, Qifeng Temple. Dacheng Hall and Chaoyang Palace.