At dusk, Yellow Crane Tower.
The sunset dyes the Yangtze River golden, and the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge spans the river in the distance, trains rumbling across. Standing on the tower, watching the rolling Yangtze flow eastward, you think of Cui Hao’s poem: “The yellow crane has gone, never to return; white clouds float on for a thousand years.”
This is Wuhan’s most classic scene.
Hubei is a place with stories.
Province Profile#
- Location: Central China, middle reaches of the Yangtze River
- Best Travel Season: March-May, September-November
- Highlights: Chu culture, Three Gorges scenery, Wudang martial arts, City of Cherry Blossoms
Must-Visit Attractions#
Wuhan: The River City’s Jianghu Spirit#
Wuhan is a city by the Yangtze River, composed of three towns: Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang.
Yellow Crane Tower is Wuhan’s landmark, “The First Tower Under Heaven.” Climbing the tower for a distant view, the Yangtze River, the bridge, and the city all come into sight. Inside the tower, poems from literati throughout the ages are displayed—each one telling the legend of this tower.
East Lake is China’s largest urban lake, six times the size of West Lake. In spring, cherry blossoms in the Cherry Blossom Garden bloom in clouds of pink and white. In the evening, walking by the lake, watching the sunset reflect in the water—extremely pleasant.
Hubu Alley is where Wuhan snacks gather—hot dry noodles, bean skin, soup dumplings, shao mai… eat your way through, satisfaction guaranteed.
Best Experience: Come to Wuhan University to see cherry blossoms in spring, eat hot dry noodles in Hubu Alley in the morning, walk by East Lake in the evening.
Three Gorges: Magnificent Landscape Gallery#
The Yangtze River Three Gorges is one of the world’s most spectacular canyons, starting from Fengjie in Chongqing in the west, ending at Yichang in Hubei in the east.
Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest water conservancy project, 185 meters high, magnificent in scale. Standing on the viewing platform, watching the dam span the river, water mist permeating during flood discharge, rainbows spanning across—spectacular.
Three Gorges Households is the most beautiful scenic area of the Three Gorges, nestled against mountains and by water, with stilt houses, ancient sailing boats, and fishermen’s lights forming a pristine landscape painting.
Shennong Stream is a tributary of the Yangtze River, with deep gorges and crystal clear water. Take a pea-pod boat drifting, seeing hanging coffins and plank roads on both banks, listening to boatmen sing Three Gorges boat songs.
Best Experience: Take a cruise from Chongqing to Yichang, spending three days slowly appreciating Three Gorges scenery.
Wudang Mountain: Immortal Mountain, Daoist Spirit#
Wudang Mountain is a Daoist holy site, the birthplace of Tai Chi.
Golden Summit is Wudang Mountain’s highest point, with the Golden Hall standing on the peak. When clouds and mist swirl, it feels like a fairyland. At sunrise, the sea of clouds surges, golden light spreading in all directions—Wudang Mountain’s most beautiful moment.
Zixiao Palace is Wudang Mountain’s largest Daoist temple, with red walls and green tiles, magnificent in scale. Inside the hall, the True Warrior Emperor is enshrined, with flourishing incense.
South Rock Palace is built on a cliff, with “Dragon Head Incense” extending out from the cliff—a place where ancient pilgrims risked their lives to burn incense.
Best Experience: Stay overnight on the mountain, watch sunrise in the morning, learn a set of Tai Chi during the day.
Special Experiences#
Shennongjia#
Shennongjia is China’s only administrative district named “Forest Region,” covered in primeval forests, the “Ridge of Central China.”
Shennong Peak is 3,106 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Central China. Dajiu Lake is an alpine wetland, with nine lakes scattered on the grassland, cattle and sheep in herds, like an oil painting. Shennong Altar is a place to worship Emperor Shennong, with a giant Shennong statue standing in the mountains.
Enshi Grand Canyon#
Enshi Grand Canyon is praised as the “Oriental Colorado.”
One Pillar of Incense is the canyon’s symbol, a stone pillar standing alone among peaks, 150 meters high, only 4 meters in diameter at its thinnest point, yet standing for a thousand years without falling. Yunlong Ground Fissure is a crack formed by crustal movement, bottomless, with waterfalls cascading.
Jingzhou Ancient City#
Jingzhou is a famous city of the Three Kingdoms, where the story of Guan Yu carelessly losing Jingzhou took place.
The ancient city wall is well-preserved, 11 kilometers in circumference, and you can ride a bicycle around it. The Guan Yu Temple and Zhang Juzheng’s Former Residence inside the city tell the history of this city.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Wuhan is a transportation hub, with high-speed rail and flights to all parts of the country. Yichang has an airport, the starting point for Three Gorges tours.
- Accommodation: In Wuhan, stay near Jianghan Road or Yellow Crane Tower; on Wudang Mountain, stay on the mountain; for Three Gorges, take a cruise.
- Note: Wuhan is hot in summer—recommend visiting in spring or autumn. Shennongjia is at high altitude—keep warm.
Hubei’s depth is hidden in those poems.
The eternal romance of Yellow Crane Tower, the magnificent grandeur of the Three Gorges, the ethereal spirit of Wudang Mountain… every scenic spot has endless stories.
Come to Hubei and understand the legends of the Jingchu land.
Tomorrow, we head to Hunan to see the fantastic peaks of Zhangjiajie and the night scenery of Phoenix Ancient Town.