Top Best Things to Do in Wuhan

Wuhan is a beautiful river city where the Yangtze River and the Han River meet, which is an ancient city with a long history and rich cultural heritage. With its distinct four seasons, picturesque mountains and rivers, Wuhan always leaves a lasting impression. Following are the best things to do in Wuhan.

Top 1: Cycle along the East Lake Greenway

Cycling is not only a journey of self-dialogue, but also an experience of deeply blending with a city. The East Lake Greenway, a path that winds like a green ribbon around Wuhan's "lung of the city", guides you through the changing seasons and ever-surprising landscapes, creating unforgettable youthful memories.

Located within Wuhan's East Lake Scenic Area, the East Lake Greenway links five major scenic zones of the lake. Stretching over 100 kilometers, the entire route is smooth asphalt, with various themed sections that allow you to pick a segment suited to your stamina and interests.

As sunlight bathes East Lake and a gentle breeze stirs, the greenway curves ahead like an emerald ribbon in the embrace of mountains and water. Cycling here, you find yourself surrounded by shimmering lake surfaces and rolling distant hills. The water is so clear it mirrors the blue sky, white clouds, and drooping willows along the banks, unfolding like a living painting. Occasionally, a few egrets skim the water, stirring ripples that bring added vitality to this calm scene. In these moments, you might simply slow down, breathe in nature's freshness, and let your soul rest in this pure tranquility.

When the sun sets and the sky is tinged with orange, East Lake reveals another kind of charm. Golden light dances across the water, and the greenway is bathed in the glow of the evening, as if overlaid with a soft luster. Riding along the causeway across the lake at this hour, it feels as though the whole world is cloaked in warm gold, calming the heart.

Setting out at dusk and riding into the night has a special allure of its own. As darkness falls, lights illuminate the shore, casting a new play of light and shadow over East Lake. From Liyuan to the One Tree spot of East Lake, night riding brings you through gentle breezes and mirrored waters, where the scenery unfolds like a painting, filling you with a sense of serenity and timelessness.

Top 2: Watch the Sunset Glow at East Lake

At Wuhan's East Lake, one of the sights not to be missed is the evening glow at dusk. As the last rays of the sun spill across the water, the Ferris wheel slowly begins to turn, infusing the scene with even more poetry. Standing on a boardwalk or in a lakeside pavilion, you can gaze out at the vast misty waters, take in the clear outlines of distant hills, and see reflections on the lake like poetic paintings. For Wuhan locals, East Lake is undoubtedly a sanctuary of gentle, healing beauty.

At dusk, the sky over East Lake turns a warm amber, whispering stories of clear sky. As night falls preliminarily, East Lake is bathed in splendid hues of orange and deep purple that spread freely across the horizon. The East Lake greenway and the city skyline appear and fade in the hazy twilight. The shimmering lake mirrors the dazzling sky, water and heavens weaving a shared dreamscape. Beyond Lingbomen, figures crowd the boardwalk, intertwining with the lake in the gentle breeze, as if you can sense the breath and pulse of East Lake. Drifting on a boat, feeling the light breeze and watching ripples dance across the surface, you find a calm that melts away all cares. In this moment, every worry and trace of fatigue vanishes, leaving only the breathtaking dusk of East Lake, impossible to leave behind.

When the sun finally sinks beneath the lake, the romance of daylight comes to an end, making way for starlight and the moon. Night descends, and East Lake slips into a world of tranquility and mystery. The rippling surface of lake sparkles, mirroring the starry sky in perfect harmony.

Top 3: Take a Night Ferry on Yangtze River

Wuhan was born with the water and thrives by the river. The mighty Yangtze not only nourishes this magnificent city but also bestows upon it the name "City of Rivers". Taking a ferry across the Yangtze, watching the vast rippling waves and feeling the breeze on your face, is the perfect way to savor Wuhan's unique charm. But it's when night falls that the city's true allure emerges, a dazzling river cruise awaits, ready to be explored.

Boarding a cruise ship, you feel the gentle cool of the river breeze as the boat glides forward. The first sight to captivate you is the breathtaking Yangtze light show. Towers on banks seem to come alive, vivid lights dancing across their façades, weaving into stunning picture, at times like a flowing galaxy, at others like blossoming flowers, turning Wuhan's skyline into a dreamscape. The Yangtze River Bridge, Guishan TV Tower, Yellow Crane Tower, and Jianghan Customs House all unfold before your eyes.

As the ship slowly passes under the grand Yangtze River Bridge, this majestic structure, illuminated at night, resembles a steel dragon spanning the river. Above, the stream of traffic and twinkling lights echo the boats below, together pulsing with the vibrant heartbeat of the city.

Beyond the stunning river views and dazzling light shows, the cruises themselves offer a rich array of experiences. Some cruises feature performance areas where actors in splendid costumes put on captivating song and dance shows, incorporating elements of Chu culture. Some cruises provide gourmet services, serving authentic local delicacies, offering a feast for both the palate and the eyes.

Top 4: Admire the Cherry Blossom at WHU

Spring in Wuhan is awash with cherry blossoms, the city filled with their fragrant clouds. Come March, an encounter with the cherry-covered Luojia Hill at Wuhan University (WHU) becomes a promise of youthful romance, a dreamlike rendezvous beneath the blossoms.

The cherry trees bloom in brilliant masses, radiant as sunset glows. Petals drift down in the breeze like a bewitching shower, while gently swaying branches resemble graceful young maidens, breathtakingly beautiful. To stand amid this enchanting spring landscape, beholding the delicate splendor of cherry blossoms, is truly one of life's great fortunes.

Strolling beneath the trees, the blossoms burst forth in white, pink, and crimson clusters, soft, elegant, like floating clouds, drawing people into this most beautiful of seasons. Each bloom seems a tiny spirit of spring, swaying lightly. Petals curve tenderly around their stamens, and under the sunlight, they become all the more radiant and captivating, lifting the heart and spirit.

And Wuhan's flowerage goes far beyond WHU. At East Lake, cherry blossoms dance like poetry and dreams. As one of the world's three great cherry blossom destinations, the East Lake Cherry Blossom Park steals the show each year, famous across China for its enchanting "night blossoms". At Qingchuan Pavilion, blossoms blanket ancient buildings like drifting snow. Petals from cherry trees gather on the mighty First Yangtze Bridge. In Hankou, the riverbank awash in cherry blossoms, the riverside cherry corridor at Jiangtan lives up to its name.

Top 5: Have Breakfast in Streets and Lanes

In Wuhan, the first rays of morning sunlight not only awaken the city but also mark the beginning of "Guo Zao", the local term for having breakfast. Much like celebrating a festival or birthday, "Guo Zao (Celebrate the Morning)" is a serious affair, never to be taken lightly. As a historic river port at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers, Wuhan has long been a hub of trade and transport. Early-morning laborers and merchants needed a quick, hearty meal, giving rise to a vibrant and deeply rooted breakfast culture full of hustle and bustle.

Hot dry noodles is the star of Wuhan's breakfast scene, famous and deeply iconic. The rich sesame paste leaves a lingering fragrance on the palate, so aromatic you might swallow your tongue. As the steam rises from freshly cooked noodles, the seasonings are swiftly mixed in, and the scent of sesame and scallions fills the air. Before you even take a bite, your mouth is already watering. Crispy golden mianwo, tender savory doupi, and youtiao in savory paste soup noodles are just a few of the countless options. In Wuhan, you could eat breakfast for thirty days straight without repeating a dish, the reputation is well-earned.

Wuhan boasts many streets known for their breakfast fare, with Hubu Lane in Wuchang being the most popular, where hot dry noodles of Cai Lin Ji, doupi of Laotongcheng, and tangbao of Sijimei compete in flavor and aroma. But to locals, it hardly matters whether you go to Hubu Lane. Authentic flavors can be found everywhere, in every corner and alleyway, where time-honored snacks await just outside your door.

Top 6: Ascend on the Yellow Crane Tower

Yellow Crane Tower, the "First Tower under Heaven", is not only a landmark of Wuhan but also a symbol of Chinese civilization. Countless poets, scholars, and romantic figures throughout history have climbed this tower, listening to the gentle chime of bronze bells and gazing out at the magnificent scenery. To ascend the Yellow Crane Tower is to view the world from the same vantage point as the ancients and feel their grand aspirations.

From the top, the vastness of the Chu sky unfolds before you, with sunlight painting the landscape like a scroll. The Yangtze River winds like a ribbon, with the great bridge connecting its north and south banks. Skyscrapers lie subdued beneath your feet, and the river no longer seems as immense as it does when viewed from the bridge. Looking across the water, you see Guishan Mountain lying in the distance, its green silhouette faint but distinct. Below the tower, She Mountain stretches toward the river, forming a vast platform like the deck of a giant ship. On it stand a harmonious ensemble of pavilions, corridors, and archways that accentuate the tower's grandeur. In that moment, your heart echoes the spirits of those who came before, and a sense of boldness and pride rises within you.

If the Yellow Crane Tower by day evokes cultural tales from the pens of ancient poets, then by night, it transforms into a radiant golden pagoda, glittering like the celestial pavilion of legends. As the night show begins, lights turn into paintbrushes and the darkness becomes a canvas, unveiling a luminous spectacle. The once-still tower comes alive, and its thousand-year history and mythical stories gradually unfold before your eyes.

Top 7: Order a Coffee in Artistic Tanhualin

The three towns of Wuhan are filled with countless alleyways like a sky full of stars, yet Tanhualin stands out with an indescribable artistic charm. Formed during the Ming Dynasty, Tanhualin is an old street with over 600 years of history. After Hankou became a treaty port in 1861, missionaries from various countries came here to preach, establish schools, and practice medicine, with numerous buildings blending Chinese and Western styles on both sides of streets. Today, the 1,200-meter-long street still retains 52 historic buildings.

Beyond its deep historical roots, Tanhualin is also rich in artistic atmosphere. Inside these well-preserved buildings of diverse designs, you'll find art salons, exhibitions, and intangible cultural heritage workshops, along with hand-drawn murals and creative graffiti decorating the walls along the street. It is not uncommon to encounter artists sketching or painting right on the spot.

The cafés lining the street are another highlight of Tanhualin. From the weathered stone walls of Gejiaying to trendy neon-lit shops, from steampunk-style siphon brewers to coffee cups adorned with Chu cultural motifs, coffee here has evolved far beyond a simple drink. It has become a key to decoding Wuhan's culture. Order a rich and aromatic coffee, soak in the literary ambiance of the street, and savor a leisurely moment of slow living.

Top 8: Standup Paddleboard on the Lakes

Water is the defining symbol of Wuhan. As the capital of Hubei, known as the "Province of a Thousand Lakes", Wuhan naturally earns its title as the "City of a Hundred Lakes". For Wuhan locals who love playing with water, East Lake, with its touch of wildness, a hint of gentleness, and sunsets melting into the horizon, is the most romantic match for summer.

Standup paddleboarding, or SUP, originating in Hawaii, was introduced to Wuhan in 2017 and quickly gained popularity in this city of rivers and lakes. Safe, fun, and beginner-friendly, paddleboarding checks all the boxes for entry-level water sports. All you need is a board, a paddle, a life jacket, and a stretch of lake to begin a joyful paddling adventure. Though it may look intense, paddleboarding can also be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, you can stand, sit, or kneel, however you're most comfortable.

Aside from East Lake, stand-up paddleboarders can be seen riding the waves on nearly all open waters across Wuhan's urban area, whether it's the Yangtze River, the Han River, or lakes like Moon Lake and Dugong Lake.

Top 9: Take a Camp beside Mulan Tianchi

Green mountains and clear waters, wild camping in nature, it is pure bliss to feel the mountain breeze in the forest and watch the sunrise and sunset by the lake. Nestled deep between Mulan Mountain and Mulan Tianchi, the Moon Lake Campground is surrounded by grasslands, dense woods, and secluded peaks, offering picturesque scenery. Here, you can camp overnight, enjoy a picnic or barbecue, and even paddleboard on the lake. Just lay out a picnic mat and soak in the tranquility of outdoor life. When you are tired, retreat to a tent in the camping area and embrace a close encounter with nature under a starry sky.

If you're lucky enough to catch a music festival, the night becomes even more magical. As darkness falls, bands perform in the camping area. With the evening breeze and music echoing through the air, the rhythms strike a chord with every listener. Bonfires blaze, fireflies dance, and the perfect harmony of sound and sight unfolds, music, candlelight, and nature blending into one unforgettable night.

Top 10: Stroll among Jiangxia Li Old Wharf

Jiangxia Li Old Wharf Scenic Area is Wuhan's first immersive cultural and tourism district themed around old wharf culture, officially opened to the public at the beginning of the May Day holiday this year. By restoring the architectural style of historic docks, recreating scenes of everyday life, curating stories from the wharf's past, and showcasing traditional dock workers' chants and performances in ancient costume, it allows visitors to truly experience the unique historical essence of Wuhan's old wharves as they stroll through the streets.

A small river winds around the village, streams flow through courtyards, wooden houses stack upon each other, and green bamboo leans against stone walls. Walking through Jiangxia Li, stone-paved paths meander ahead, and the quaint marketplace unfolds in an orderly charm. Folk performances cycle continuously, while 45 food stalls fill the air with tantalizing aromas. As night falls, lanterns reflect gently on the water, and the sounds of paddles mingle with dancing shadows, blending poetry and the hustle and bustle into a perfect harmony.