Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
武汉长江大桥
The 'First Bridge on the Yangtze': a rail-and-road bridge completed in 1957. Walking across it for views of Yellow Crane Tower, Turtle Hill TV Tower and the sunset over the Yangtze is a classic Wuhan experience.
The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge links Snake Hill in Wuchang with Turtle Hill in Hanyang. It opened to traffic in October 1957 as the first road-and-rail bridge built by New China across the Yangtze, and is known as the 'First Bridge on the Yangtze.' Mao Zedong's line 'One bridge spans north and south, turning a deep gulf into a thoroughfare' was written about this bridge. The bridge is 1,670 meters long, with a main span of 1,156 meters. Cars run on the upper deck and the Beijing–Guangzhou railway on the lower deck. The Wuchang bridgehead gatehouse is a traditional-style multi-eaved pavilion and is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Highlights: the pedestrian walkways on both sides are open free of charge, and crossing takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot. You can watch ships and trains pass beneath your feet, look back at Yellow Crane Tower, and look ahead to Turtle Hill TV Tower and Qingchuan Pavilion. Below the Wuchang bridgehead there is a memorial stone and a viewing platform, and the elevator inside the gatehouse (about RMB 2 to 5) goes up to the deck. The riverbank, Hanyang Gate Pier and the 'Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge' stone inscription below the bridge are popular photo spots. Sunset, when the bridge lights come on and trains cross, is the best time for photos. At the Hanyang end, you can walk down to Turtle Hill, Qingchuan Pavilion and the Guqin Terrace. Getting there: take Metro Line 4 or 5 to Shouyi Road station, or Line 5 to Sikou Kou–Yellow Crane Tower station, and walk to the Wuchang end of the bridge. The Hanyang end is served by Metro Line 6 at Zhongjiacun station. Suggested route: leave through the west gate of Yellow Crane Tower, walk down Snake Hill to the bridgehead, cross on foot to Hanyang, then take a bus or metro back, about one hour in total. Or take a ferry from the Zhonghua Road pier below the bridge and see the bridge from the river. Notes: traffic noise and vibration on the deck are strong, the river wind is strong so dress warmly in winter, and do not linger on the pedestrian walkway to take photos.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Wuchang Riverside Park
- Hubu Alley
- Yellow Crane Tower
- Qingchuan Pavilion
- Wuchang Uprising Memorial (Red Building)
- Xinhai Revolution Museum
- Former Site of the Central Peasant Movement Institute
- Yingwuzhou Yangtze River Bridge