Wuhan

The River City at the crossroads of nine provinces: Yellow Crane Tower, cherry blossoms at Wuhan University, hot dry noodles on Hubu Alley, and the Sword of Goujian at the Hubei Provincial Museum, the beating heart of Yangtze culture.

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province, set in the eastern Jianghan Plain where the Yangtze and Han rivers meet. The two rivers divide the city into three towns, Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang. It is central China's transport hub, the "thoroughfare of nine provinces," and a "River City" with over a hundred universities and over a hundred lakes. The municipality covers 8,569 sq km, and its urban core includes Wuchang, Jiang'an, Jianghan, Qiaokou, Hanyang and Hongshan districts. The climate is humid subtropical monsoon. In mid-to-late March, the cherry blossoms at Wuhan University and East Lake make for the most popular cherry-blossom season in China. April is pleasantly mild, and October–November is crisp and clear, making these the best times to visit. July–August is notoriously hot, one of China's "furnace cities," with temperatures often above 38°C. Winters are damp and cold, with occasional snow. The main areas to explore fall into four zones. First, Wuchang's Snake Hill and Yangtze riverfront: Yellow Crane Tower, Hubu Alley, Tanhualin, the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge and the Museum of the 1911 Revolution. Second, eastern Wuchang: Wuhan University, East Lake (Tingtao, Moshan and Luoyan scenic areas), the Hubei Provincial Museum, and Chuhe Han Street. Third, Hankou: Jianghan Road pedestrian street, the Hankou Bund and its concession-era buildings, Lihuangpi Road, and the Zhiyin cruise at night. Fourth, Hanyang: Guiyuan Temple, Guqin Terrace, Qingchuan Pavilion and the Hanyangzao creative park. Getting there: Tianhe International Airport is about 1 hour from the city center on Metro Line 2. Wuhan has three main railway stations: Wuhan Station (in east Wuchang, on the Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed line), Hankou Station and Wuchang Station. From Wuhan Station it takes about 40 minutes by metro to the center. The metro has more than 12 lines reaching most attractions, and ferries cross the river (Wuchang's Zhonghua Road to Hankou's Wuhanguan, about ¥1.5, the cheapest Yangtze "cruise" there is). We suggest 2–3 days. Day 1: Yellow Crane Tower, Hubu Alley, Tanhualin, the Yangtze River Bridge, then the Hankou Bund at night. Day 2: Hubei Provincial Museum, a bike ride along the East Lake Greenway, then Chuhe Han Street or Wuhan University. Day 3: Guiyuan Temple and Hankou's old concessions, or a Yangtze night cruise on the Zhiyin. Tips: during cherry-blossom season, Wuhan University requires advance booking through its official reservation system (free, with a daily quota). The Hubei Provincial Museum is free but requires a reservation and is closed on Mondays. "Guozao" (eating breakfast out) is a Wuhan tradition, so have your hot dry noodles, doupi and miwo at old street-side shops in the morning. In summer, take precautions against the heat, as UV is strong along the river in the afternoon.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries