Wuhan packs more attractions than most first-time visitors expect, spread across its three historic towns of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang. You’ll find China’s most famous tower, the country’s largest urban lake, world-class museums, and a food scene built around the city’s signature hot dry noodles (reganmian). Give yourself at least three full days to cover the highlights at a comfortable pace.
Things to Do in Wuhan: Iconic Landmarks
Yellow Crane Tower (Huanghelou)
The most famous landmark in Wuhan and one of China’s Four Great Towers, Yellow Crane Tower stands on Snake Hill in Wuchang overlooking the Yangtze River. The current structure was rebuilt in 1981 but faithfully replicates the Qing Dynasty design. Climb the five storeys for panoramic views of the Yangtze River, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and the Wuchang cityscape. Entry costs CNY 80 (about US$11) and the site opens daily 8am to 6pm (April to October) and 8am to 5pm (November to March). Arrive before 9am to avoid tour groups. Metro Line 4, Fuxinglu Station, then a 10-minute walk. For more on this, see our Wuhan travel guide. See our Wuhan travel guide for more details.
Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
The first bridge ever built across the Yangtze River, completed in 1957 with Soviet engineering assistance. The double-deck bridge carries road traffic on the upper level and trains on the lower level, connecting Wuchang to Hanyang. Walking across the bridge takes about 25 minutes and gives you views of the river, Yellow Crane Tower, and the Hankou skyline. The pedestrian walkway is open 24 hours and is free. Best at sunset when the river turns gold and the tower lights up. Metro Line 4, Lanjiang Lu Station, accesses the Wuchang side. For more on this, see our Wuhan weather by month. See our Wuhan weather by month for more details.
Things to Do in Wuhan: Nature and Outdoors
East Lake (Donghu)
At 33 square kilometres, East Lake is the largest urban lake in China and Wuhan’s favourite outdoor escape. The lake is divided into five scenic areas: Tingtao (Listening to Waves), Moshan (Millstone Hill), Luoyan (Falling Wild Geese), Chuidi (Flute Playing), and Baima (White Horse). The Moshan area has the East Lake Cherry Blossom Park with over 10,000 cherry trees, a bonsai garden, and a bamboo forest. Bike rental costs CNY 20 to 40 per hour. The 100-kilometre East Lake Greenway circles the lake and is ideal for cycling. Entry to most areas is free; cherry blossom park costs CNY 60 (about US$8) during peak season. Metro Line 8, Liyuan Station, accesses the Tingtao area. For more on this, see our best time to visit Wuhan. See our best time to visit Wuhan for more details.
Moshan Hill Scenic Area
Part of the East Lake complex, Moshan is a 118-metre hill with botanical gardens, the Chu Cultural Village (a recreation of ancient Chu dynasty architecture), and the East Lake Cherry Blossom Park. The hilltop pavilion gives you a view across the entire lake. The chair lift costs CNY 30 one way and saves the 20-minute climb. Combined Moshan ticket is CNY 60. Open daily 7am to 6pm. Best visited in March and April for blossoms or October and November for autumn foliage. For more on this, see our Wuhan events and festivals. See our Wuhan events and festivals for more details.
Things to Do in Wuhan: Museums and Culture
Hubei Provincial Museum
One of China’s best museums, the Hubei Provincial Museum houses the artefacts from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng (433 BCE), including the famous set of 65 bronze bianzhong bells that can still play music after 2,400 years. The chime bell performances run four times daily (10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm) and cost CNY 30 extra. The museum also has the Sword of Goujian, a 2,500-year-old bronze sword still sharp enough to draw blood. Entry is free but you must reserve a ticket online 1 to 3 days ahead via the museum’s WeChat mini-program. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm (last entry 4pm). Closed Mondays. Metro Line 4, Dongting Station, 10-minute walk. For more on this, see our Wuhan neighbourhoods guide. See our Wuhan neighbourhoods guide for more details.
Guiyuan Temple
The most important Buddhist temple in Wuhan, Guiyuan (“Return to Origin”) Temple was built in 1658 during the Qing Dynasty. It’s famous for its 500 life-size arhat statues, each with a unique facial expression. The temple complex covers 46,900 square metres with five courtyards and the impressive Sutra Collection Pavilion. Entry costs CNY 20 (about US$3) on weekdays and CNY 10 on weekends. Open daily 7:30am to 5:30pm. The temple gets busy on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month when locals come to pray. Metro Line 4, Zhongjiacun Station, then a 15-minute walk or short taxi. For more on this, see our where to stay in Wuhan. See our where to stay in Wuhan for more details.
Things to Do in Wuhan: Neighbourhoods and Streets
Jianghan Road Pedestrian Street
Hankou’s main shopping artery, Jianghan Road is a 1.6-kilometre pedestrian street lined with colonial-era European buildings from the early 20th century when Hankou was a foreign concession port. The architecture mixes Art Deco, Neoclassical, and Renaissance styles, earning it the nickname “the museum of international architecture.” Today it’s packed with shops, street food stalls, and department stores. The street runs from Jianghan Customs House at the river end to Zhongshan Boulevard. It’s lively day and night, but evenings bring out the best atmosphere. Metro Line 2, Jianghan Road Station. For more on this, see our Wuhan travel tips. See our Wuhan travel tips for more details.
Hubu Alley (Hubu Xiang)
Wuhan’s most famous food street, a narrow 150-metre lane in Wuchang packed with stalls selling local specialities: reganmian (hot dry noodles with sesame paste, CNY 5 to 8), doupi (pan-fried glutinous rice with meat and mushrooms, CNY 10 to 15), mianwo (savoury fried dough rings, CNY 3), and ya bo zi (duck neck braised in spices, CNY 15 to 25). The alley runs from the Wuchang riverfront to Zhonghua Road. Weekends get extremely crowded; weekdays before noon are quieter. Metro Line 5, Simenkou Station, 5-minute walk.
Tanhualin Art District
A bohemian neighbourhood in Wuchang with narrow lanes, traditional brick courtyard houses, coffee shops, art galleries, and craft stores. Tanhualin dates back to the Ming Dynasty and retains a quieter, artsier feel than the rest of Wuhan. It’s a good place to spend a relaxed afternoon browsing small galleries, trying craft coffee (CNY 25 to 40), and photographing the old architecture. Free to wander. Best visited on weekday afternoons when it’s quieter. Metro Line 5, Tanhualin Station.
Things to Do in Wuhan: Cherry Blossoms and University
Wuhan University
One of China’s top universities and the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot in the country. During cherry blossom season (mid-March to early April), the university’s Cherry Blossom Avenue draws up to 200,000 visitors per day. You must reserve a free entry slot via the university’s official WeChat account 3 days in advance during blossom season; slots fill within minutes. Outside cherry blossom season, the campus is still worth visiting for its mix of traditional Chinese and early 20th-century Western architecture, including the Old Library and the Arts Building. Metro Line 2, Jiedaokou Station, then a 15-minute walk or bus 519 to the campus gate.
