There is really nothing in Yichang.It is one middle sized cit in China as the capital or water power.The airport is far far far away from downtown and being a very down market one.

I do suggest you to take a cruise from Chongqing to Wuhan. Which is more civilized.And from Wuhan you may take the flight back home via Shanghai/Hong Kong/Beijing/Guangzhou.

Alternatively it is one 4 hours drive from Yichang to Wuhan.You may take the bus which would cost you USD$13.

Travel from Chengdu would be more expensive if you choose your base as Chongqing.To compite with the HUB of Chengdu, Chongqing government paid airline to open new route and add frequency.Some route eg. to Beijing, Shanghai, Jiuzhaigou Chongqing would be much cheaper than Chengdu.

Personally I think Chongqing is more Chinese than Chengdu.Chengdu is becoming a Chinese version of Singapore.Too much Singaporean influency.Only Panda is worth to see.Besides that Leshan Budda is about 3 hours away.Dujiang Dam is 1 hour away with one beautiful mountain called QINGCHENG Mt.

To go to Jiuzhaigou you may depart from either Chongqing or Chengdu.It requires you to have local knowlodge.if you have kids with you it can become quite diffcult.