Yichang

City centre, Xiling District

The old Yichang Station in the city centre has closed; the city is now served by Yichang East station, about 10 km (6.2 mi) out. Central hotels put you near the docks where river cruises end and start. Lodging location: check.The old Yichang Station in the city centre has closed; the city is now served by Yichang East station, about 6.2 mi (10 km) out. Central hotels put you near the docks where river cruises end and start. Lodging location: check.

Yichang East station area

Around the working rail station, 10 km (6.2 mi) from downtown; bus 1 runs into town. Lodging options: check.Around the working rail station, 6.2 mi (10 km) from downtown; bus 1 runs into town. Lodging options: check.

Etiquette

• Greeting: Handshake and a nod; use surnames with a title; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses
• Face: Disagree privately and indirectly; avoid: Correcting or embarrassing someone in front of others
• Gifts: Give with two hands; expect the gift to be refused once or twice and opened later; avoid: Clocks, umbrellas, white flowers, sets of four
• Business cards: Present and receive with both hands, read it, keep it on the table; avoid: Writing on it or pocketing it at once
• Queues and crowds: Hold your ground politely in scrums at buses and lifts; avoid: Taking pushing personally
• Temples: Walk clockwise around Tibetan stupas and prayer wheels; remove hats; avoid: Touching statues or photographing where signs forbid
• Politics: Listen; follow your host's lead; avoid: Raising Tibet, Taiwan, Xinjiang, 1989 or the party leadership
• Numbers and colour: Red and 8 are lucky; red envelopes carry money gifts; avoid: Writing names in red; the number 4

Scams and watch-outs

• Taxis may or may not use the meter: agree the fare before you get in.
• Three Gorges Dam entry is free but the shuttle bus costs ¥75; the bus from north Yichang runs about hourly — check times.
• Jul–Aug highs average 32–33 °C with 12–14 rain days a month; plan indoor or shaded stops at midday.