Zigui Autumn Self-Driving Tour

Legendary Zigui Autumn Self-Drive! Chufeng Homestay + Red Leaf Highway + Sunrise Sea of Clouds That Will Move You to Tears 😭 Who gets it! November in Zigui takes autumn scenery to the extreme 🍂 Mountains covered in red leaves reflecting the gorge river, ancient Chufeng courtyard bathed in morning light This 3-day, 2-night self-driving route is so good you’ll want to do it three times in a row! 📍 Self-drive starting point: Yichang city center (1.5h direct drive, no tolls along the way) 🏡 Hidden gem accommodation: Quxiang Yazhu Chufeng Courtyard Homestay ✅ Homestay’s top highlights are legendary: ✔️ Hidden in Jiugexiang Alley, a 5-minute walk straight to Qu Yuan’s hometown ✔️ Window faces the Three Gorges Dam, rooftop viewing deck perfect for sunrise shots ✔️ Rooms named after Qu Yuan’s poems, full smart home system + De Rucci mattress, lie down and heal ✔️ Free Hanfu experience! Red walls and black tiles with autumn scenery, perfect for Chufeng-style photos ✔️ 10-minute walk to the Immigration Museum, riverside stroll on Muyu Island 🚗 3-day, 2-night self-drive highlights route (traffic-avoidance version) Day 1: Depart Yichang → Zhimao Road sunrise sea of clouds → Red Leaf Corridor → Homestay ▪️ Rush to Zhimao Road at 5 AM! The winding mountain road climbs up, golden light at sunrise spills over the sea of clouds, the road weaves like a ribbon through it, every snap is wallpaper-worthy ▪️ Morning stroll through the Red Leaf Corridor, 56.7 km of red leaf tunnel, driving through feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli animation ▪️ Buy Zigui navel oranges roadside at 10 yuan/jin, freshly picked and juicy, bursting with sweetness ▪️ Evening change into Hanfu at the homestay, red walls in the courtyard reflect the red leaves, watch the dam sunset from the rooftop, atmosphere maxed out Day 2: Qu Yuan’s hometown → Three Gorges Dam → Muyu Island → Miaozui Food Street ▪️ Check in at the Three Gorges Dam, feel the grandeur of the high gorge and flat lake, try the ship lift on a sightseeing boat ▪️ Afternoon riverside walk on Muyu Island, autumn breeze is super pleasant, shoot atmospheric photos among the riverside reeds ▪️ Evening rush to Miaozui Food Street! Cobblestone wooden bucket fish + cured pork hock hotpot, 60 yuan per person to eat until full Day 3: Immigration Museum → Navel Orange Orchard → Return trip ▪️ Morning visit to the Immigration Museum, feel the patriotism of the Three Gorges immigrants, learn about Zigui’s history ▪️ Experience picking fresh navel oranges at a local orchard, freshly picked oranges carry the taste of sunshine, sweeter than first love ▪️ Leisurely return trip, trunk full of oranges and autumn memories, perfect ending 💡 Autumn Self-Drive Tips ❶ Best time: Late October to late December, peak red leaves + navel orange harvest, double surprise ❷ Photo tips: Arrive before 5 AM at Zhimao Road for sunrise, wear light-colored clothes, backlit sea of clouds shots are amazing ❸ Outfit advice: Big temperature difference between morning and night, bring windproof jacket + scarf, riverside wind is strong, keep warm ❹ Pitfall avoidance: Arrive early at Xiaogou Mountain viewing platform to secure parking, bring your own drinking water, don’t pick red leaves to protect the ecology Wake up at Quxiang Yazhu, open the window to dam morning light, courtyard filled with Chufeng poetry Red leaves, river water, ancient courtyard, sweet oranges… this is what autumn should be like! Save this guide and invite family and friends to go now～