Yichang delights

Xiling Mountain offers excellent hiking and beautiful views of the Yangtze River. [Photo by Bidisha Bagchi For Shanghai Star]

A little away from this terrace is the Garden of Seals where different Chinese seals from different kingdoms are engraved on stone, colored and displayed for visitors.

Coming down the mountain hunger pangs hit us, and we headed for the hanging Fangweng Restaurant, which hangs precariously on the side of the mountain. We had made a reservation, so were able to sit quickly.

Hubei province is famous for its fat fish so we were very much keen to try it. We went to the aquarium on the main floor of the restaurant and chose a fish for ourselves. It was then stir fried and brought to our table - simply delicious.

Next, we visited one of Yichang's most interesting and unusual tourist attractions - the Chinese Sturgeon Museum. Set up by the Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, the goal is to protect and preserve some of these rare species of fish. The museum not only showcases Chinese fish but also fish from Russia.

The system of farming Sturgeon, preserving the ovaries, variety of fish from all corners of the world and alligators are on display in the museum and within the museum premises. There are giant models of the sturgeons and even maps of China and the World where this fish prevails.

If you go: Yichang is well connected to Shanghai and Beijing by a number of airlines. City sightseeing can be done either with the help of a travel agency or independently, in a taxi.