Attractions · Wuhan

Yellow Crane Tower is one of the three great towers of Jiangnan. It was first built in 223, the second year of the Huangwu era of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period, and became famous through the Tang poet Cui Hao's line 'The ancients have ridden the yellow crane away; here only the Yellow Crane Tower remains.' The tower is 51.4 m high with five storeys, a pyramidal roof and upturned eaves at every level, grand in scale. From the top, the Yangtze River Bridge spans the river and the three towns of Wuhan lie below. Highlights include the White Cloud Pavilion, the Millennium Auspicious Bell, the main tower and the surrounding gardens. Tip: go in the late afternoon to enjoy both sunset and the night view. Practical info: located at No. 1 Sheshan Xishanpo, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province; ticket ¥70; opening hours 08:30–18:00. Best season: spring (Mar–Apr) brings cherry blossoms; autumn (Sep–Nov) is clear and crisp and the most pleasant.

Tip: Go in the late afternoon to enjoy both sunset and the night view.

• Address: No. 1 Sheshan Xishanpo, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province
• Ticket: ¥70
• Opening: 08:30–18:00

East Lake is one of China's largest urban lakes, with 33 square kilometres of water, more than five times the size of Hangzhou's West Lake. The scenic area has five sections — Tingtao, Moshan, Luoyan, Chuidi and Baima — and the Moshan Cherry Blossom Garden ranks with Wuhan University's cherry blossoms, drawing many visitors every spring. The East Lake Greenway links the sights and is good for cycling or walking. Highlights include the Tingtao and Luoyan areas. Tip: the cherry blossom season is very busy; visit off-peak. Practical info: located at 16 Yanhu Avenue, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province; free admission (some sights charge); opening hours 07:00–19:00. Best season: spring (Mar–Apr) brings cherry blossoms; autumn (Sep–Nov) is clear and crisp and the most pleasant. Pair with Wuhan's Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan University and Hubei Provincial Museum for a half- or full-day itinerary. It can be combined with Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan University, Qingchuan Pavilion in Wuhan for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: The cherry blossom season is very busy; visit off-peak.

• Address: 16 Yanhu Avenue, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province
• Ticket: Free (some sights charge)
• Opening: 07:00–19:00

Wuhan University is one of China's earliest national universities. The campus is built against Luojia Hill, and its blend of Chinese and Western architecture has earned it the name of 'the most beautiful university'. Every March, a hundred cherry trees along Cherry Blossom Road bloom together against the old buildings, making it one of Wuhan's most popular cherry-blossom spots in spring. Highlights include the old library and the East Lake shore. Tip: during cherry blossom season (mid-to-late March) entry requires advance reservation; weekday visits are recommended. Practical info: located at 299 Bayi Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province; free admission (reservation required in cherry blossom season); open all day. Best season: spring (Mar–Apr) brings cherry blossoms; autumn (Sep–Nov) is clear and crisp and the most pleasant. Pair with Wuhan's Yellow Crane Tower, East Lake Eco-Tourism Scenic Area and Hubei Provincial Museum for a half- or full-day itinerary. It can be combined with Yellow Crane Tower, East Lake Eco-Tourism Scenic Area, Qingchuan Pavilion in Wuhan for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: During cherry blossom season (mid-to-late March) entry requires advance reservation; weekday visits are recomm…

• Address: 299 Bayi Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province
• Ticket: Free (reservation required in cherry blossom season)
• Opening: Open all day

Qingchuan Pavilion stands at the eastern foot of Guishan in Hanyang, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers. First built in the Ming Jiajing period, the present building is a 1980s reconstruction. Its name comes from Cui Hao's line in 'Yellow Crane Tower', 'clear and bright, the Hanyang trees', and it is ranked with Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Tower and Zhongxuan Tower as the four great towers of Chu. The pavilion displays material on Yu the Great's flood control and Wuhan's history; from it you can look down on the confluence of the Yangtze and Han and the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, with the Iron Gate Pass and Yuji Palace nearby. Highlights include the main pavilion and the confluence of the Yangtze and Han. Tip: it faces Yellow Crane Tower across the river; take the ferry or Metro Line 6 to Qintai station; free with reservation, closed Mondays, and the river view is best at dusk. Practical info: located at 86 Xima Chang Street, Hanyang District, Wuhan; free admission (reservation required, subject to official notice); opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:30).

Tip: It faces Yellow Crane Tower across the river; take the ferry or Metro Line 6 to Qintai station.

• Address: 86 Xima Chang Street, Hanyang District, Wuhan
• Ticket: Free (reservation required; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays; last entry 16:30)

Hubei Provincial Museum is one of China's important national museums, with more than 240,000 objects, including nearly a thousand first-class national relics. Its treasures are the bianzhong bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng, the largest and most complete bronze bell set discovered to date, and the sword of King Goujian of Yue, still extremely sharp after more than two thousand years. The museum regularly holds bell performances, letting audiences hear the music of more than two thousand years ago. Highlights include the Yuan blue-and-white plum vase with the Four Loves and the Qin bamboo slips from Shuihudi. Tip: book a bell performance in advance on the official website or WeChat account. Practical info: located at 160 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province; free admission (reservation required); opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays). Best season: spring (Mar–Apr) brings cherry blossoms; autumn (Sep–Nov) is clear and crisp and the most pleasant.

Tip: Book a bell performance in advance on the official website or WeChat account. Closed on Mondays.

• Address: 160 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays)