Yichang Sanyou Cave | Exploring the Ancient Dwellings

Yichang Sanyou Cave, also known as the Sanyou Cliffside Inscriptions, is located about 10 kilometers northwest of Yichang on the cliffs by the Yangtze River, at the entrance of the Xiling Gorge. It was developed in the 13th year of the Jian'an period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, renovated in the 14th year of the Yuanhe period of the Tang Dynasty, and has been maintained throughout the dynasties. It is situated in Xiling District of Yichang City on Nanjinguan Road, covering an area of 700 square meters, with a height of over 10 meters, a width of about 20 meters, and a depth of about 30 meters. Inside the cave, there are three rows of stalactite columns, and the walls are lined with inscriptions from various dynasties. On the cliff outside the cave, there are numerous cliffside inscriptions from different periods, including a large number of famous inscriptions by Huang Tingjian, Ouyang Xiu, and others, totaling more than sixty pieces. The scenic area is not very large, and a half-day visit is usually sufficient. Of course, if you want to take a boat, you might need to reserve a whole day. For those not taking a boat, it is recommended to combine this visit with other scenic spots. Regarding transportation: Sanyou Cave is quite close to the city center, and it is very convenient whether you drive or take a taxi. The parking lot is small, but you can drive a little further up, and on the right-hand side, there is an open space for parking, which is privately charged. Regarding tickets: We bought our tickets online in advance for 60 yuan per person, and exchanged them on-site. If you want to take a boat or speedboat, you can buy a package ticket. At the ticket office of the scenic area, they will recommend package tickets to you.