10 Days in Tianmen

Start at the free garden honoring the Sage of Tea, read the tea lore at an easy pace, then let dinner be a first round of Tianmen steamed dishes.

1. Lu Yu Garden

The middle Yangtze's largest prehistoric settlement — site park in the morning, jade and pottery of the site museum after; pair the two in one outing.

1. Shijiahe Archaeological Site
2. Shijiahe Site Museum

Hubei's rare Qing-dynasty governor's residence in the morning, then a long lunch — Tianmen is a steamed-cuisine hometown, so order the classics.

1. Hu Family Garden

Under an hour to Hankou on the corridor line — the bells and bronzes in the morning, an afternoon loop of East Lake, back by evening train.

1. Hubei Provincial Museum
2. East Lake

A second Wuhan day — the tower's river view first, then the concession streets and riverside promenade of Hankou before the train home.

1. Yellow Crane Tower
2. Jianghan Road

One stop west on the same line — walk a stretch of the intact Ming wall, see the museum's lacquer and silk, home for a steamed dinner.

1. Jingzhou Ancient City Wall
2. Jingzhou Museum

A quiet day in town — revisit the tea-sage garden with what you now know, browse the markets, and let dinner be another steamed lesson.

1. Lu Yu Garden

Ride the corridor line to its western end — an easy afternoon along the Yangtsé embankments, an early night before the dam.

1. Yichang Riverside Park

The ship lifts and viewing decks of the world's largest dam project, then back down the line to Tianmen for a farewell steamed table.

1. Three Gorges Dam

A last slow loop — market morning for tea and preserves, one more turn through the garden, and a full steamed table to close the corridor week.

1. Hu Family Garden