River Cruise Advisor

Wuhan, China

Wuhan’s beautiful East Lake is an oasis in this strikingly modern city. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

History

Located where the Yangtze and Han rivers intersect, Wuhan is the most populous city in Central China with a population of just under 10 million citizens in its urban area. Part of the Hubei province, this bustling city offers a stunning blend of Chinese cultural history mixed with modern innovations like the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed trains, which can reach a top speed of 394 kilometers per hour, transforming a ten-hour journey into three.

Your River Cruise Ship Docks…

After flying from Shanghai or Beijing as part of your river cruisetour package, you will board your river cruise ship at one of the various locations along the waterfront. These can change depending on day, river cruise line, and harbor traffic, so be sure to check your documents carefully for your exact berthing location.

When in Wuhan…

While your day in Wuhan may be arranged by your river cruise provider, Wuhan is a city that boasts a number of must-see attractions, thanks to its rich history that stretches back centuries.

Among the best ways to spend your day:

The Yellow Crane Tower of Wuhan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

• East Lake. The largest lake-within-a-city in the entire country, the East Lake is also perhaps the most famous; chances are you’ve seen its distinctive walkways and piers in photographs.
• The Hubei Provincial Museum is a must-see attraction. Featuring a dance and orchestra show performed using replicas of ancient instruments; the sound is an incredible experience. But don’t neglect the museum’s other features: Numerous ancient artifacts excavated from tombs are also on display here, including a centuries-old set of traditional bronze concert bells.
• The Yellow Crane Tower, also known as Huanghelou, has a history reminiscent of a bad Monty Python routine. First constructed around 220 AD, the tower has been continually burned down and built back up numerous times, the last of which is said to have occurred around 1884. A complete reconstruction in 1981 sought to preserve this historic tower’s outward appearance while adding modern amenities like an elevator to its interior.
• The Wuchan Memorial Hall is dedicated to the memory of the 1911 uprising that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty. The Red Army was located here, and the events that took place on October 10, 1911 were instrumental in propelling Sun Yat-Sen to his role as Provisional President.

River Cruisers Should Know!

• The currency of China is the Yuan (¥).
• While many major attractions and hotels will have North American-style toilets, chances are good you’re likely to encounter the more common variety at some point in your journey, which require squatting over a hole in the ground. It can be a good idea to carry around a small box of tissues or roll of toilet paper in a knapsack.
• Major crime isn’t an issue in Wuhan, but it pays to exercise the same amount of caution you would in any foreign locale, particularly in busy, crowded attractions and train stations.