My 2022 Summer 50-Day Self-Guided Tour of Sichuan, Hunan, and Hubei

📍 Changsha · 👁 3337 reads · ❤️ 7 likes

Self-guided itinerary: Shanghai → Chengdu → Hongya → Luding → Moxi Town → Lengqi Town → Ya'an → Hanyuan → Xichang → Meishan → Leshan → Yibin → Changning → Xingwen → Luzhou → Chishui → Jiangjin → Nanchuan → Gongtan → Zhangjiajie → Furong Town → Jishou → Xinning → Lingling → Shuangpai → Ningyuan → Lanshan → Jiulong → Dongjiang → Chenzhou → Hengshan → Pingxiang → Changsha → Changde → Yueyang → Wuhan → Shanghai.

D1 (Month Day): 9:00 take metro (about 1 hour one way) → Shanghai Hongqiao T2 (booked flight 12:30→15:50 Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, take metro line 10 to Taipingyuan Station, transfer to line 3) → Xin'nanmen Bus Station (Exit C) → Hotel.

D2 (Day): Xin'nanmen Bus Station (take line 3 to Chunxi Road Station, transfer to line 2) → Chengdu East Station (take high-speed rail about 18 min) → Guanghan North Station (take bus 13, or taxi 17 yuan) → 4A Sanxingdui Museum (full ticket 72 yuan, mainly see ancient artifacts, imitation ancient buildings) return same way → Xin'nanmen Bus Station. [Can spend a few days in Chengdu, I have been here several times.]

D3 (Day): Xin'nanmen Bus Station (booked 7:10 direct bus 78 yuan, about 5 hours one way) [return 17:00, tight schedule] → 4A Mount Wawu Visitor Center (last entry 14:00, full ticket 100 yuan, sightseeing bus round trip 68 yuan, lower cable car round trip 50 yuan, upper cable car round trip 50 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) [→ currently can only stay halfway up the mountain; upper cable car not running in the morning so can't see sunrise; if you want to see sunrise and sea of clouds, take left boardwalk from upper cable car station about 1.3 km, road about 3 km to summit accommodation (currently under renovation)] → Wawu Mountain Bus Station (nearby) → Guesthouse.

D4 (Day): [Mountain villa (watch sunrise, sea of clouds) descend →] Wawu Mountain Bus Station (take bus @1 hour 15 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Hongya Bus Station (take bus 5:00-16:00 @half an hour 28 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Ya'an Bus Station (take 8:00 bus @70 min 62 yuan, about 3 hours one way) [If going to Kangding (take 7:30 bus @1 hour 84 yuan, about 4 hours one way) → Kangding Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel (take ride-hailing about 40 yuan or shared car yuan) → 4A Kangding Love Song (Mugecuo) Scenic Area Bus Center (full ticket 190 yuan, sightseeing bus 100 yuan, 60-69 years 143 yuan, over 70 years 83 yuan, take sightseeing bus to end then walk back 1 km, boat 66 yuan, mainly see landscapes) return same way → Kangding Bus Station (take bus 6:00-18:00 @half an hour 18 yuan, about 1 hour one way)] → Luding Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel (along river north 900 m) → 4A Luding Bridge (7:30-19:00 full ticket 10 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) → Hotel. (Food: smoked beef, Ganzi milk residue, Tibetan fragrant pork, buns, green spinach noodles, butter cake)

D5 (Day): [If not going to Hailuogou / or Niubei Mountain: Luding Bus Station (8:00-11:30 @50 min, 11:30-17:30 @1 hour) → Ya'an West Gate Bus Station (take 8:30/11:00/14:30 bus 130 yuan, about 4 hours one way) → Xichang Tourism Distribution Center (north side) → Hotel] Luding Bus Center (take minibus 20 yuan, about 1.5 hours one way) → Moxi Visitor Center Bus Station (nearby) → Hotel (booked yuan) → Ticket Center (advance purchase for tomorrow's Hailuogou: full ticket 90 yuan, multiple-use sightseeing bus 80 yuan, round-trip cable car 150 yuan) → Bus Station (take minibus 10 yuan, half hour one way) → Yanzigou Visitor Center (full ticket 70 yuan, sightseeing bus 60 yuan, route: left walk to Hongshi Beach round trip about 1 hour; right walk to Hongshi Beach total about 3 hours, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) take minibus → Moxi Bus Station. (Food: zhajiang noodles)

D6 (Day): Check Hailuogou weather forecast! Hotel 7:00 → 5A Hailuogou Visitor Center (7:30 take first sightseeing bus, about 90 min one way, sunny day see glacier, mountain temperature 10-20°C, mainly see mountains) → Ganheba (take cable car) → Camp 4 (left 200 m) → Glacier No.3, Red Stone Beach, Glacier No.2 (right 200 m) → Great Icefall (150 m) → Camp 4 (take cable car) → Ganheba [(hike 2 km) through black forest → Glacier Viewing Platform (see ice crevasses, ice mushrooms) hike 2 km → Ganheba] (take shuttle bus) → Camp 3 (lunch, take last bus 17:00 @half hour, about 40 min one way) [(hike 2 km) → Chengmen Cave, Glacier Rainforest (hike 2 km) → Camp 3] → Scenic area exit.

D7 (Day): Check Niubei Mountain weather forecast! Moxi Visitor Center Bus Station (take minibus 5 yuan, about 15 min one way) → Lengqi Town Sightseeing Bus Station (8:30-16:00, reserve shuttle bus 150 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → Summit accommodation (very expensive) 200 m → Niubei Mountain 360-degree viewing platform (sunny day: shoot sea of clouds, cloud waterfall (around 16:00), sunset, star trails (after dark).

D8 (Day): Early morning shoot stars (1 hour before sunrise), sunrise, golden mountain, Buddha's light, sea of clouds) Niubei Mountain top (take shuttle bus 150 yuan/person) → Lengqi Town (take minibus 5 yuan) → Luding Bus Station (take bus about 2 hours one way) → Ya'an West Gate Bus Station [→ Ya'an Bus Station] (south side) → Hotel. (Food: Ya fish, tata noodles, wonton) [Ya'an Bus Station (take first bus 7:30 @15 min 7 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → 4A Shangli Ancient Town (full ticket 20 yuan, mainly see landscapes, ancient architecture) return same way → Ya'an Bus Station; Ya'an Bus Station (north 500 m) → Tourist Bus Station (booked first bus 7:30 @10 min 6 yuan, about half hour one way) → 5A Bifeng Gorge (full ticket 118 yuan, includes giant panda base, sightseeing bus, elevator; 60-69 years 60 yuan, over 70 years 20 yuan for bus; Wildlife Park full ticket 160 yuan, 60-69 years 80 yuan, over 70 years 20 yuan for bus, mainly see landscapes, wildlife) take last bus 18:00 @10 min → Tourist Bus Station. I did not arrange these two scenic spots this time.]

D9 (Day): Check Qiaoding Mountain weather forecast! [If not going to Qiaoding Mountain: 7:30 (take bus 1 opposite hotel) → Ya'an West Gate Bus Station (take 8:30 bus, about 4 hours one way) → Xichang Tourism Distribution Center] Ya'an Bus Station (booked 8:50-17:40 @70 min bus about 1 hour one way) → Hanyuan Bus Station (leave luggage, share minibus 100 yuan per person) → 4A Qiaoding Mountain Visitor Center (full ticket 40 yuan, shuttle bus 40 yuan, summit accommodation 200-500 yuan, restaurant available, sunny day see sea of clouds, cloud waterfall (around 16:00), sunset, star trails).

D10 (Day): Early morning shoot stars (1 hour before sunrise), sunrise, golden mountain, Buddha's light, sea of clouds) share minibus 100 yuan per person → Hanyuan Bus Station (pick up luggage, take 13:00 bus about 2 hours one way) → Xichang Tourism Distribution Center (north side) → Hotel (take lake-loop bus 106) → 4A Qionghai Lake View Bay (take lake-loop bus 106) → Wetland Park (take lake-loop bus 106) → Martyrs' Cemetery (take lake-loop bus 106) → Moonlight Town → Lushan (take lake-loop bus 106) → Xichang Tourism Distribution Center. (Food: pressed duck, ham, tuotuo meat, drunken shrimp)

D11 (Day): Xichang Tourism Distribution Center (take bus 12, or taxi 14 yuan) → Xichang Tourism Transport Center (take bus @half hour 22 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Luojishan Town (take bus @half hour 15 yuan) → 4A Luojishan Visitor Center (full ticket 60 yuan, shuttle bus round trip 50 yuan, over 60 years 25 yuan, cable car round trip 130 yuan, take Luojishan cable car to see sea of clouds, visit about 3 hours, mainly see landscapes) return same way → Xichang Tourism Distribution Center.

D12 (Day): Xichang Tourism Distribution Center (take bus 102 to Jiuzhouyunhaijian Station, transfer to bus 6, about 1 hour one way, or ride-hailing 20 yuan) → Xichang West Station (take T8870 hard sleeper 123 yuan, soft sleeper 186 yuan) 11:34 [If going to Mount Emei, Xichang West Station (take T8870 hard sleeper 110.5 yuan, soft sleeper 166 yuan) → 20:10 Emei Station (take bus 13 last bus 21:30 @15 min) → 20:10 Emeishan Station (left side) → Hotel (take bus 7) → 5A Mount Emei Visitor Center (full ticket 160 yuan, Jinding cable car round trip 120 yuan, Wannian cable car round trip 110 yuan, full sightseeing bus round trip 90 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) return same way → Emeishan Station (take G6316 second class 32 yuan) 8:08→8:39 Meishan East Station (nearby) → Hotel. I have already been there.] → 20:56 Meishan Station (north side) → Hotel. [If going to Manan Township, Xichang Tourism Transport Center (take 7:30 bus, about 4 hours one way) → Yongshan Bus Station (take bus, limited frequency) → Manan Township (spring, autumn see sea of clouds, accommodation available) return same way → Yongshan Bus Station (take 7:00/9:00/11:30 bus, about 2 hours one way) → Yibin Transport Center]

D13 (Day): Meishan Station (take bus 1 to Sansuci South) turn right 300 m → 4A Sansu Temple (full ticket 50 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) east 200 m → Fujie Street Station (take bus 11) → Passion Square Station Waibei Food Street (take bus 11, 2 stops) → Dongpo Impression Water Street (full ticket yuan) cross Yingbin Bridge take bus 13 → Meishan Station. (Food: longan pastry, bowl mutton, sesame cake, Yuan glutinous rice balls, Su Dongpo liquor, Hongya Ya fish, Qingshen Jiangtuan fish)

D14 (Day): [If not going to Jiayang · Suoluo Lake: Meishan Station (take bus 1) → Meishan East Station (take G2837 second class) 8:09→9:11 Yibin West Station)] Meishan East Station (take G2837 second class 21 yuan) 8:09→8:25 Leshan Station (side) → Leshan Transport Center [If going to Leshan Giant Buddha, Leshan Station (nearby) → Hotel (take bus 601) → 5A Leshan Giant Buddha Visitor Center (full ticket 80 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) return same way. I have already been there.] (take bus @1 hour) → Qianwei Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel (take Qianwei-Sanjing bus @half hour 10 yuan) → Jiayang · Suoluo Lake Visitor Center (small train sightseeing car: entry 90 min, exit 60 min, one way 80 yuan, mainly see landscapes, experience small train) → Grand Canteen (lunch) take sightseeing car → Mine (take sightseeing car) → Bajiaogou (take 13:00/15:00 Bajiaogou-Qianwei bus 10 yuan) → Qianwei Bus Station. (Food: beef, shuangmasu, sufurong, ye'erba, Minjiang river fish)

D15 (Day): Qianwei Bus Station (booked 9:20 bus 39 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → Nan'an Bus Station (right side) → Hotel (take bus 39 @12 min, about 1 hour one way → 4A Lizhuang Ancient Town (full ticket 20 yuan, mainly see imitation ancient buildings. Food: white meat, white cake, white liquor, white cut chicken, white cut rabbit, white peanuts) take bus 39 → Nan'an Bus Station.

D16 (Day): Nan'an Bus Station (take bus 7:20 @half hour 15 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → Changning Transport Center (opposite) → Hotel (take bus 8 to Jiang'an Transport Center, transfer to Hongqiao Bus 1, about 2 hours one way) → 4A Xijiashan Folk Residence (full ticket 80 yuan, mainly see imitation ancient buildings) take Hongqiao Bus 1 to Jiang'an Transport Center, transfer to Changning Bus 8 → Yulin Dam (shoot sunset view) take bus 8 → Changning Transport Center. (Food: grape well cold rice cake, bamboo fungus, butterfly-shaped pig head)

D17 (Day): Changning Transport Center (leave luggage at hotel, 8:00 take bus 3 @10 min 3 yuan, about half hour one way) → Zhuhai Town (take ride-hailing) [If staying overnight at Shunan Bamboo Sea (contact farmhouse for free pick-up, free cable car station pick-up)] → 4A Shunan Bamboo Sea (full ticket 100 yuan, bamboo sea sightseeing cable car round trip 75 yuan, gorge cable car round trip 30 yuan, free minibus between two cable car stations, mainly see landscapes) take ride-hailing → Zhuhai Town (take bus 3) → Changning Transport Center (pick up luggage at hotel, book last bus 6:15-16:00 @1 hour 18 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Xingwen Bus Station (diagonally opposite) → Hotel. (Food: full bamboo feast, daba wrapped meat, wonton, stone sea grilled fish)

D18 (Day): Xingwen Bus Station (booked 7:00 bus 12 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → 4A Xingwen Stone Sea Visitor Center (full ticket 90 yuan, sightseeing bus + boat 90 yuan, over 70 years 45 yuan, mainly see landscapes) take bus, about 1 hour one way → Xingwen Bus Station (take bus 8:00-16:00 @1 hour 45 yuan, about 1.5 hours one way) → Luzhou Transport Center (take last bus 18:00 @15 min, about half hour one way) → Jiuzhi (Chishui) take ride-hailing → Chishui Tourist Bus Station (north side) → Hotel. (Food: daba white meat, chicken shred cold noodles, steamed chicken with preserved flavor, squid, wonton)

D19 (Day): Chishui Tourist Bus Station (take bus 7, about half hour one way) → Bing'an Ancient Town (opposite) → Hotel (take line 6), about 1.5 hours one way) → 4A Chishui Grand Waterfall Visitor Center (full ticket 90 yuan, take sightseeing bus 10 yuan, elevator 20 yuan to waterfall, walk down about 2 hours, mainly see waterfall) 12:30 take bus 7 → 4A Bing'an Ancient Town (full ticket 20 yuan, mainly see imitation ancient buildings). (Food: dried tofu, bean flower rice, bamboo shoot stir-fried pork, cold mixed houttuynia, wild vegetables)

D20 (Day): Bing'an Ancient Town (take bus 7) [(take tourist line 3) → 5A Foguangyan Visitor Center (full ticket 90 yuan, mainly see natural landscape) return same way → Bing'an Ancient Town] → Chishui Tourist Bus Station (take bus @15 min 25 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → Luzhou Transport Center (take 14:20 bus 63 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Jiangjin Transport Center (north side road curb or opposite) → Hotel.

D21 (Day): Jiangjin Transport Center (take bus 6:45 @half hour 28 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → 5A Simian Mountain Visitor Center (full ticket 90 yuan, sightseeing bus 20 yuan, cable car 80 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) take last bus 17:00 @half hour → Jiangjin Transport Center. (Food: strange-tasting chicken shreds, dry-fried eel shreds, beef, boiled beef, crispy spare ribs)

D22 (Day): Jiangjin Transport Center (take 6:40 first bus, about 1.5 hours one way) → Wansheng Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel (take bus 113, 5 yuan, about half hour one way) → 5A Heishan Valley South Gate Visitor Center (full ticket 150 yuan, sightseeing bus 20 yuan, cable car 80 yuan, walk downhill, mainly see natural landscape) North Gate 17:00 take bus 106 last bus → Wansheng Bus Station. (Food: bamboo shoots, spicy double crisp, ye'erba, overlord snail, old bacon)

D23 (Day): Hotel (leave luggage) → Wansheng Bus Station (take bus 111, about 1 hour one way) → 5A Stone Forest North Gate Visitor Center (full ticket 80 yuan, take sightseeing bus 20 yuan to South Gate, walk downhill to North Gate, mainly see natural landscape) take bus 111 17:00 last bus → Wansheng Bus Station → Hotel (pick up luggage, take last bus 18:40 @15 min, about half hour one way) → Nanchuan Transport Center (nearby) → Business hotel. (Food: black bean curd, xiaomian, husband and wife lung slices)

D24 (Day): Nanchuan Transport Center (leave luggage at hotel, summit temperature 10°C lower, book first bus 8:00 @15 min 45 yuan, about half hour one way) → 5A Jinfo Mountain West Slope Visitor Center (8:30-17:00 full ticket 70 yuan, sightseeing bus round trip 20 yuan, cable car round trip 80 yuan, mainly see natural landscape) take bus + cable car up → Sunset Platform (see sea of clouds) → Azalea Garden Viewing Platform (see sea of clouds) → Jiudi Tanyuan (100 m) → Guanfo Pavilion (see sea of clouds, Buddha's light) 300 m → Golden Turtle Facing Sun Viewing Platform (see sea of clouds) 10 m → Cliff Plank Road Entrance (200 m) → Swallow Cave (see sea of clouds) 350 m → Lingguan Cave (cliff plank road exit) 350 m → New Buddha Land (not go up) 400 m → Azalea Prince (650 m) → Ancient Buddha Cave (nearby) [take North Slope cable car 35 yuan + bus 10 yuan down 4 km → Hotel] → Hotel.

D25 (Day): Hotel (4:30) [Hotel (300 m) → Sleeping Buddha Viewing Platform (take bus 10 yuan) 3 km → North Slope Parking Lot (take cable car 35 yuan) → Ancient Buddha Cave] (1000 m) → New Buddha Land (go up) 550 m → Jinshan Summit Viewing Platform (5:30 watch sunrise) 200 m → Jiulian Baoding Viewing Platform (400 m) → Ancient Azalea Park Viewing Platform (900 m) → Ancient Azalea Park Entrance (take tourist car 10 yuan) → Jinfo Temple (take tourist car 10 yuan) 700 m → Qianniuping Bus Stop (600 m) → Sunset Platform (take cable car + bus down) → West Slope Visitor Center (take last bus 17:00 @15 min) → Nanchuan Transport Center → Business Hotel (pick up luggage).

D26 (Day): Nanchuan Transport Center [If not going to Gongtan Ancient Town: (take 10:00 bus about 2 hours one way) → Qianjiang South Station (take bus 204) 12 km → Qianjiang Station (take D817) 13:28→15:45 Zhangjiajie West Station (take bus 17) → Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station] (take 10:30 bus, 1.5 hours one way) → Pengshui Transport Center (take bus about 1.5 hours one way) → 4A Gongtan Ancient Town (full ticket 80 yuan, mainly see ancient architecture, Wujiang River) nearby → Hotel. (Food: fragrant crispy duck, fragrant mushroom meatball soup, Wujiang wild fish, wind radish pig trotter, dried cowpea stewed ribs, Tujia roasted pork, sandwiched meat)

D27 (Day): Gongtan Ancient Town (take 8:00 Youyang-Gongtan bus, about 2 hours one way) → Youyang Chengbei Bus Station (take bus 10:30 @1 hour, about 1 hour one way) → Xiushan Bus Station (take bus 13:45 @1 hour, about 2 hours one way) → Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (east side) → Hotel (take bus 6 from train station to City People's Hospital Station) → 4A Dayong Mansion (walk south 500 m) → Dayong Ancient City (mainly see ancient architecture) walk north 500 m take bus 6 → Train Station. (Food: sour vinegar fish, three pot, chestnut stewed chicken, stone ear stewed chicken and duck, rock ear, pig blood porridge, wild vegetables, clay pot stewed dog meat, tuan san and fried rice, Tujia corn burning)

D28 (Day): Hotel (leave luggage) → Central Bus Station (take bus 6:30 @40 min, about 2 hours one way) → Tianzi Mountain Ticket Office Bus Station walk 100 m → Tianzi Mountain Ticket Office (2-day full ticket 248 yuan, over 65 years 33 yuan) take free eco-bus → Laowuchang Intersection Parking Lot (contact homestay by phone for paid pick-up) → Laowuchang Homestay → 5A Tianzi Mountain Viewing Platform (mainly see natural landscape: Hundred Zhang Ladder, Divine Soldiers, Sky Garden, General etc.).

D29 (Day): Inn (watch sunrise) → Tianzi Mountain Viewing Platform (paid drop-off) see General Stone → Tianzi Mountain Ticket Office Bus Station (take bus 9:00 @1 hour) → Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (walk north 500 m) → Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Station → 5A Tianmen Mountain (mainly see natural landscape. Route A without stairs: double cable car + ticket 275 yuan, over 65 years 116 yuan, route: Visitor Center (take shuttle bus) → Lower Cable Car Station (take cable car) → Upper Cable Car Station (take central-line elevator) → Yunmeng Fairy Summit → [West Line →] East Line (take escalator down) → Heavenly Ladder 999 steps walk down (turn back to see Tianmen Cave) → Fast Cable Upper Station (take cable car) → Fast Cable Lower Station (take shuttle bus) → Visitor Center. Visit about 2-8 hours) → Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Station (500 m) → Hotel (pick up luggage) → Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station (take West Station departing bus 7:00-17:00 @1 hour 40 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → Furong Town Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel.

D30 (Day): Outside Furong Town Bus Station (take minibus 7-seater 2 yuan) → Furong Town Scenic Area Gate → 5A Furong Town (full ticket 80 yuan, mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) take minibus 7-seater (after dark charter 10-15 yuan) → Furong Town Bus Station (pick up luggage at hotel, take bus 30 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Jishou North Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel. (Food: firewood rice, pot crust, lichen, fern, twice-cooked pork, can can mushroom, tofu residue, sour cabbage soup, rice tofu, osmanthus fish, snail meat)

D31 (Day): Jishou North Bus Station (take bus 11 6:00-19:00 @1 hour 4 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → 5A Aizhai Wonder Visitor Center (opposite) → Parking Lot 1 (take sightseeing bus round trip 25 yuan, over 65 half price) → Aizhai Cliff (glass walkway) → Bridge Viewing Platform (full ticket 80 yuan, sightseeing bus 5 yuan, mainly see bridge) → Parking Lot 1 → Dehang Miao Village (mainly experience Miao culture) 1 km → Visitor Center) take bus 11 → Jishou Train Station (transfer to bus 1) → 4A Qianzhou Ancient City (full ticket 80 yuan, mainly see imitation ancient buildings) take bus 1 → Jishou North Bus Station. (Food: rice noodles, rice tofu, Qianzhou pressed duck, sour meat, bacon)

D32 (Day): Jishou North Bus Station (take 7:00 bus, about 2 hours one way) → Huaihua South Bus Station (take bus, about 3 hours one way) → Wugang Bus Station (take bus @1 hour, about 1 hour one way) → Xinning Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel. [Jishou North Bus Station (take bus or high-speed rail) → Fenghuang Ancient Town (mainly see landscapes, imitation ancient buildings) I have been several times.]

D33 (Day): Xinning Bus Station (take bus 2) → 5A Langshan North Gate (Route B full ticket 170 yuan, sightseeing bus @half hour round trip 40 yuan, over 65 years 20 yuan, mainly see landscapes) take sightseeing bus → Bajiaozhai (hike about 4 hours, take cable car (currently upgrading) about 2 hours) take sightseeing bus → [spread over two days for easier] Tianyi Lane (about 2 hours, mainly see landscapes), Camel Peak (about 3 hours, mainly see landscapes) take bus 2 → Xinning Bus Station. (Food: blood sauce duck, yellow braised chicken, whole meat yulan slice, sweet wine soup ball, smoked bacon)

D34 (Day): Xinning Bus Station (take bus 7:50 @1 hour, about 3 hours one way) → Dong'an West Bus Station (take special bus) → Dong'an East Bus Station (transfer to bus @10 min, about 1.5 hours one way) → Lingling District Bus Station (take bus 5) → Huai Su Park Bus Station (left diagonally opposite) → Hotel (take bus 13) → 4A Lingling Ancient City (mainly see imitation ancient buildings) return same way → Hotel. (Food: snail, blood duck, pressed duck, fragrant taro pork belly, lotus seed pork)

D35 (Day): Huai Su Bus Station (take 7:30 bus) → Shuangpai Bus Station (nearby) → Hotel (take bus 20 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → 4A Yangming Mountain (full ticket 65 yuan, mainly see landscapes, azaleas, sea of clouds) take bus → Shuangpai Bus Station. (Food: green bamboo powder steamed fish, sauce elbow)

D36 (Day): Shuangpai Bus Station (take 8:00 bus 35 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Ningyuan Xiangyun Bus Terminal (leave luggage) take bus 3A to Lianhua Primary School Station, cross road transfer to bus 102 → Xiaguan Town Government (500 m) → Xiaguan Village (first village south of the Yangtze, mainly see ancient architecture) return same way → Ningyuan Xiangyun Bus Terminal (pick up luggage, take bus 7:00-17:00 @1 hour, about 1 hour one way) → Lanshan Bus Station (nearby) → Hotel. (Food: bitter melon, spicy eight bean fish head)

D37 (Day): Lanshan Bus Station (leave luggage, take bus about 1 hour one way) → Lanping Township Bus Station (take small car) → Lanping Township Huxi Ancient Village (mainly see ancient architecture) return same way → Lanshan Bus Station [If not going to Yingxi Peak Forest, take bus 7:30/9:10/14:00/15:20, about 2-3 hours one way → Chenzhou Bus Terminal (take bus 201) → Biyunxuan Station (take bus 1) → Sanxiang Sishui Station (nearby) → Homestay] (pick up luggage, take 13:00 bus about 1 hour one way) → Lianzhou Bus Station (take bus 14:30 @20 min, about 1 hour one way) → Jintan Town Bus Station (take Qingyuan-Jiulong passing bus 16:30 @20 min) 22 km [Lianzhou Bus Station → Yangshan Bus Station (take 16:30 bus (not taken, need to inquire), about 1 hour one way)] → Jiulong Town Bus Station (nearby) → Hotel. (Food: Jiulong tofu, lei cha porridge, Dawan vegetable bun, Shitan soy sauce chicken)

D38 (Day): Hotel (leave luggage) 6 km → Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor Ticket Office (100 m) → Qingkeng (shoot reflection) 4 km → Xiaozhaozhou Bridge (shoot morning view) east side → Moonlit Lotus Pond (shoot morning view) 3 km → Gongzheng Village - Xicun Peak Forest (about 3 km long) 8 km → Pengjia Ancestral Hall (full ticket 40 yuan) 5 km → Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor (full ticket 40 yuan, mainly see landscapes) 3 km → Jiulong Town (pick up luggage at hotel, take passing bus) → Yingde Bus Station (north side) → Hotel. (Food: dried bamboo shoots, lei cha porridge, rolled cake, Dawan vegetable bun, Yingde mountain delicacies, oil-sticky rice, Yingde river fresh, Yingde chicken)

D39 (Day): Yingde Bus Station (7:30 take bus 16 about 1 hour one way) → Yingde West Station (booked G878 second class 109.5 yuan) 9:20→10:06 Chenzhou West Station (take bus 201, 9 yuan, about 1.5 hours one way) → Biyunxuan Station (take bus 1) → Sanxiang Sishui Station (nearby) → Homestay (500 m) → Visitor Center (take sightseeing car @5 min round trip 30 yuan) → 5A Dongjiang Lake (full ticket 70-110 yuan combo, island tour boat 120 yuan, over 65 years 49 yuan, mainly see mist, sunrise) take sightseeing car → Stop 3 alight → Mist Viewing Platform (fishing net cast 16:00-18:00 @half hour) take sightseeing car → 1 km outside Visitor Center (suspension bridge mist viewing). (Food: Dongjiang fish, cumin inch ribs)

D40 (Day): Visitor Center (6:30 take sightseeing car round trip 30 yuan) → Mist Viewing Platform 2 (fishing net cast 7:00-9:00 @half hour) take sightseeing car → Visitor Center → Sanxiang Sishui Station (take bus 1) → Biyunxuan Station (transfer to bus 201 @15 min, about 1.5 hours one way) → Chenzhou West Station [If going to Gaoyiling Scenic Area, Chenzhou West Station (take bus 36 to Intercity Bus Station, transfer to bus 501, about 1.5 hours one way) → Gaoyiling Visitor Center (mainly see landscapes) return same way → Chenzhou West Station] (booked G1152 second class 89.5 yuan) 13:01→13:42 Hengshan West Station (take bus 6 yuan) → Nanyue Town Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel (1 km) → Nanyue Temple North Gate enter (full ticket 60 yuan, mainly see Buddhist culture) South Gate exit 500 m → Hotel. (Food: various vegetarian dishes, stir-fried lamb, Hongyezhai preserved pork, Zhurong shoulder ribs, five grains abundant)

D41 (Day): Hotel (check out, leave luggage) → 5A Hengshan Visitor Center (follow WeChat official account 'Hengshan Scenic Area' to reserve and purchase tickets in advance, full ticket 100 yuan, round-trip shuttle bus 100 yuan for 2 days with stops at intermediate attractions, over 65 years 40 yuan, many people burn incense, mainly see landscapes, sunrise) → Halfway Pavilion (cable car round trip 70 yuan for 2 days) → South Heaven Gate (1 km) → Mountain Villa (288-688 yuan, no need to book in off-season) → Zhurong Peak (18:00 watch sunset).

D42 (Day): Hotel → Sunrise Peak (5:00 watch sunrise) 1 km → South Heaven Gate (take cable car) → Halfway Pavilion (take shuttle bus to intermediate attractions) → Visitor Center → Nanyue Town Bus Station (pick up luggage at hotel, take bus 6 yuan) → Hengshan West Station (booked G1504 second class 181 yuan) 15:25→16:36 Pingxiang North Station (take express bus line 1, 3 yuan) → Pingxiang Station (opposite) → Hotel. (Food: smoked bacon, Luxi oil tea, large mixed lamb, smoked meat, Lianhua blood duck, spicy stir-fried snails, fern root noodle with eel)

D43 (Day): Pingxiang Bus Station (leave luggage at hotel, left side, book Wugong Mountain tourist express first bus 6:40 @20 min 24 yuan, about 1.5 hours one way) → 5A Wugong Mountain Visitor Center (full ticket + sightseeing bus 70 yuan, take Zhong'an cable car round trip 230 yuan, over 65 years 115 yuan → Jinding (take meadow cable car round trip 120 yuan, over 65 years 60 yuan, mainly see landscapes, sunrise) [If watching sunset/sunrise, stay overnight at summit (very cold)] → Visitor Center (take Wugong Mountain tourist express 24 yuan) → Pingxiang Bus Station (pick up luggage) take K1 bus → Pingxiang North Station (booked high-speed rail 35 min) → Changsha South Station (take line 2) → Yingwan Town Station (Exit 1) → Hotel (take line 2) → 5A Orange Island Exit 2 (follow WeChat official account 'Yuelu Mountain Orange Island Tourist Area' to reserve, subway exit sightseeing car 20 yuan, can get on/off at attractions, shoot night view, mainly see Mao statue, river view) take line 2 → Changsha Station. (Food: stinky tofu, sugar oil baba, snail, spicy crawfish, sauce duck, spicy crab)

D44 (Day): Hotel (leave luggage) walk 700 m → 5A Yuelu Mountain East Gate (follow WeChat official account 'Yuelu Mountain Orange Island Tourist Area' to reserve [if watching sunrise, open at 3:00, no transport, need to hike 1 hour] take sightseeing car 20 yuan → Sightseeing Corridor (take sightseeing car, mainly see landscapes, city view) → Aiwan Pavilion → Yuelu Academy (full ticket 40 yuan, mainly see architecture, culture) 300 m → South Gate (700 m) → Hunan University Metro Station (take line 4) → Yingwan Town Station (pick up luggage at hotel) take line 2 → Changsha Station (booked Z8320) 12:25→14:26 Changde Station (opposite) → Changde Bus Terminal (take bus @half hour 88 yuan) → Taohuayuan Visitor Center intersection (roadside homestay or 1 km into Taohuayuan Ancient Town hotel).

D45 (Day): Visitor Center → 5A Taohuayuan (full ticket 30 yuan, sightseeing car yuan, mainly see landscapes, sunrise) → Visitor Center (walk to road junction) take minibus @1 hour, about 1 hour one way → Taoyuan Huanghuajing Bus Station (opposite) → Hotel.

D46 (Day): Taoyuan Huanghuajing Bus Station (booked 8:00 bus 110 yuan, about 4 hours one way) → Yueyang Dongting Lake Bus Station (take taxi 9 yuan) → Yueyang Bus Station (left side) → Hotel (take bus 15, 10 yuan, about 1 hour one way) → 5A Junshan Island (full ticket 50 yuan, sightseeing bus one way 10 yuan, mainly see landscapes, migratory birds, Dongting Lake) take bus 15 → 5A Yueyang Tower Visitor Center (mainly see imitation ancient buildings) 1 km → Dongting Historical and Cultural Street, Fish Alley, Bianhe Street (mainly see ancient architecture) take bus 15 → Yueyang Bus Station. (Food: vinegar tofu, shrimp cake, hulatang, Pingjiang fire-roasted fish, Huarong reed shoots, green bamboo powder steamed fish, carrot mushroom soup, Pingjiang sauce dry, Dongting golden ghost, golden orange ice, Dongting bream belly, Baini Lake hairy crab, orchid radish, Huarong mustard)

D47 (Day): Yueyang Bus Station (booked bus 6:00-16:00 @half hour 21 yuan, about 2 hours one way) → Zhangguying Visitor Center (full ticket 50 yuan, mainly see ancient architecture) return same way → Yueyang Bus Station.

D48 (Day): Yueyang Bus Station (take bus 16 to Huifeng Home Expo Center Station, transfer to bus 61, or taxi 20 yuan) → Yueyang East Station (booked G1778) 8:22 [If going to Chibi Ancient Battlefield, take G1778) 8:22→9:00 Chibi North Station (leave luggage) take special bus 8:00-15:00 @half hour, about 1 hour one way → 5A Three Kingdoms Chibi Ancient Battlefield Visitor Center (full ticket 50 yuan, mainly see imitation ancient buildings) return same way → Chibi North Station (pick up luggage) take high-speed rail (many services)] → 9:34 Wuhan Station (East Plaza Exit B) → Hotel (take line 5 to Jiyuqiao Station Exit A) 600 m → First Riverside Viewing Platform (mainly see natural landscape) walk south along Linjiang Avenue about 1.5 km → Zhonghua Road Pier (take river ferry) → Wuhan Guan Pier (walk north 800 m) → River Viewing Platform (walk south 400 m) → Yanjiang Avenue Science and Technology Museum Station [(take bus 503) → Wuluo Road Yue Machang (1 km) → Yellow Crane Tower South Gate] (take bus 30) → 3A Qingchuan Pavilion (walk 900 m) → 3A Guishan TV Tower top (mainly see Yangtze River Bridge, whole city view) walk south 800 m → Bridgehead Yangtze River Bridge (total 1.2 km) → Bridge south head descend (take bus 542 to Pengliuyang Road Station) → Pengliuyang Square (north) → 5A Yellow Crane Tower Visitor Center (full ticket 70 yuan, elevator (only for the disabled/elderly), mainly see imitation ancient buildings, Yangtze River Bridge) exit scenic area west gate, west then right then left 400 m → Hubu Alley (dinner) walk east 500 m → Simenkou Yellow Crane Tower Station (take line 5) → Wuhan Station. (Food: three fresh bean skin, soup dumplings, hot dry noodles, shaomai, beef bean shreds, stewed soup, paste soup powder, mianwo, Wuchang fish)

D49 (Day): Wuhan Station (take line 4 to Yuejiazui Station, transfer to line 8 to Provincial Museum Station Exit C, transfer to bus 402 to Lumo Road Moshan Station) → 5A East Lake Moshan Scenic Area Visitor Center (mainly see landscapes, seasonal flowers) take sightseeing car round trip 20 yuan → [East Lake middle north-south walkway about 6 km+, can rent e-bike] Moshan Pier (take boat 8:30-17:30 @1 hour, one way 20 yuan) → Huguangge Pier (can get on/off, take next boat) → Chufeng Pier (left side) → Tingtao Scenic Area (1 km) → Provincial Museum (take line 8 to Shuiguohu Station Exit D) west 700 m → Chuhe Han Street (mainly see imitation ancient buildings) → Chuhe Han Street Station (take line 4) → Wuhan Station. [If interested, can stay a few more days in Wuhan]

D50 (Day): Wuhan Station (take G1722 second class 354 yuan) 8:00→11:30 Shanghai Hongqiao (take metro) → Home.

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1. Total itinerary 50 days, total cost about 15,000 yuan/person (accommodation 3000, large/medium/small transport 9000, food 3000), tickets free (I am over 70, adult full ticket about 5000 yuan, 60-65(69) half price), all self-guided, route customized (avoiding previously visited attractions); due to epidemic control, high-temperature fire prevention, etc., some attractions temporarily closed, not able to visit this time; should choose spring/autumn and non-high temperature/severe cold weather, try to avoid golden holidays.

2. All transport information above is accurate (except other seasons and those not taken); accommodation try to be close to train/bus stations for transfers (avoid carrying luggage too far to save energy); recommend joining hotel chain membership (discount); generally do not book hotel in advance (walk-in is cheaper), but for popular attractions or local major holidays need to book in advance (save money); long-distance buses and scenic area buses, try to pre-purchase a day in advance (first morning bus may not have tickets), ensures timely departure; switch local electronic bus card in Alipay travel; in Changsha, metro is free for over 70 with ID via manual ticket gate.

3. Avoid COVID-19 high/medium risk areas (check planned city or scenic area epidemic and operation notice the night before or morning); upon entering each new province: download health code, register and upload entry (return) information, 'landing nucleic acid test', 3 tests in 2 days; most city airports (some require negative report within 24 hours), train stations, bus stations, hotels, scenic areas require negative nucleic acid test report within 48 hours; recommend taking nucleic acid test in the evening (airports, train stations, bus stations, large scenic areas, streets, hospitals) to ensure daytime test report within validity. If health code shows 'yellow code', contact local community for 'decode' according to regulations; some hospital nucleic acid tests cost 3.5-16 yuan per person.

4. Recommend purchasing domestic travel insurance (from start to end date, not expensive); no need to buy additional insurance when buying tickets for plane, train, boat (except when scenic area exempts ticket but requires insurance).

5. Local temperatures slightly higher than Shanghai, high-altitude summits cooler in morning/evening, bring an extra layer.

6. Select some photos attached in order of self-guided itinerary for your enjoyment.

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Sanxingdui Museum 1

Sanxingdui Museum 2

Sanxingdui Museum 3

Sanxingdui Museum 4

Sanxingdui Museum 5

Jiayang · Suoluo Lake 1

Jiayang · Suoluo Lake 2

Jiayang · Suoluo Lake 3

Jiayang · Suoluo Lake 4