Yichang (Chinese: 宜昌), alternatively romanized as Ichang, is a prefecture-level city located in western Hubei province, China.

[citation needed] During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Yichang was a primary supply depot for the defending Chinese army.

In October 1938, as the Japanese moved up the Yangtze River towards the strategic city of Chongqing, it became clear that Yichang needed to be evacuated.

In 40 days, under the direction of businessman Lu Zuofu, more than 100,000 tons of equipment and 30,000 personnel were transported upstream by steamship or by porters pulling smaller vessels through the Three Gorges rapids to Chongqing.

The airport is conveniently located, which borders Yihuang Highway in the north, Long River Golden Waterway in the south and Jiaozhi Railway in the east.

Several bridges span the Yangtze River within the prefecture-level city of Yichang, including (upstream to downstream): There are several ferry crossings as well.

To the east, the Hanyi Railway[23] (opened June 29, 2012) provides frequent service to Wuhan, with some trains continuing to Nanjing and Shanghai.

To the west, the Yiwan Railway (Yichang-Wanzhou; opened December 2010) serves as the gateway to Hubei's southwestern panhandle (Enshi), with some service continuing to Chongqing and Chengdu.

As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,017,607 inhabitants of whom 1,536,012 lived in the built-up (or metro) area consisting of Yiling, Xiling, Wujiagang and Dianjun urban districts.

Yichang prefecture-level city, is home to many members of the Tujia ethnic group, who mostly live in several counties in the south-west of the prefecture.

Additionally, Yichang possesses abundant mineral resources including phosphorus, iron, coal, manganese, vanadium, gold, copper, lead, zinc, silicon, gypsum, graphite, quartz sand, limestone, marble, and barite.

Hydropower is the most important and renowned resource, as the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, Three Gorges Dam, generates 111.80 billion kWh per year.

[28] Located at the transition zone from the western Hubei mountains to the Jianghan Plains, Yichang’s geography features a mild climate, distinct seasons, and abundant rainfall.

In addition, Southeast Asia, the United States, and the Middle East are the main overseas markets of Yichang’s citrus.

[31] Yichang has rich tourism resources, which attract millions of visitors for its natural scenery located among mountains and rivers.