Trip Overview
When: July 2022 (summer)
Duration: 8 days
Travelers: Couple
Budget: ~4,000 RMB (~$560 USD)
Transportation: Train + taxi + bus
Why This Trip
The 2019 pandemic gave us an emotional connection to Wuhan—we promised ourselves that once the pandemic was over, we'd visit this resilient city. We finally made it in July 2022.
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: We took an overnight train and arrived at Wuchang Railway Station at 7 AM. Taxis and Didi (China's Uber) are readily available at the station.
Money Matters: Most places in Wuhan accept mobile payment (WeChat Pay/Alipay), but carry some cash for small vendors and tips.
Language: Mandarin is spoken everywhere. Learning a few basic phrases in Mandarin will help, but most tourist spots have English signage.
Day 1: Wuchang to Wuhan—First Impressions
We arrived at Wuchang Railway Station after a night on the train and checked into the InterContinental Wuhan. Hungry and tired, we headed straight to Hubu Lane (户部巷)—Wuhan's famous food street.
Hubu Lane (户部巷): This 400-meter alley is a food lover's paradise. We tried the sanxian doupi (three-delicious rice skin) and xianrou tangbao (pork soup dumplings)—both delicious. Budget: 30-50 RMB per person.
Satisfied and refueled, we set out to explore.
Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, completed in 1957, is China's first self-designed and built double-deck highway and railway bridge. Despite being hit by over 70 major incidents including collisions from万吨级油轮 (10,000-ton oil tankers), the bridge still stands proud—earning its nickname "The First Bridge of the Yangtze."
Standing on the bridge, I thought of Chairman Mao's famous line: "A bridge flies across the southern and northern sky, turning a chasm into a thoroughfare." The scale is breathtaking—this is infrastructure that shaped a nation.
Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼)
One of the "Three Famous Towers south of the Yangtze" (江南三大名楼), Yellow Crane Tower has stood on Snake Mountain (蛇山) since the Three Kingdoms period (223 AD). Though destroyed and rebuilt many times due to war, the current structure dates from 1985.
Foreigner tip: The tower is a 5A tourist site—it can get crowded. Arrive early morning for better photos and fewer tour groups.
The ancient poem "The yellow crane has gone and never returned; for a thousand years only white clouds drift aimlessly" echoes in your ears as you climb. The views of the Yangtze from the top are worth the climb.
Turtle Mountain (龟山)
Walking 1,670 meters across the Yangtze River Bridge, we reached Turtle Mountain—one of Wuhan's most historic hills, known as a strategic military location through the centuries.
We explored the South Gate, visiting Lu Su's Tomb (鲁肃墓), Three Kingdoms statues, Xiang Jianyu Martyrs Cemetery (向警予烈士陵园), and Red Soldiers Cemetery (红色战士公墓).
Jianghan Road Pedestrian Street
Too tired to walk more, we took a taxi to Jianghan Road—China's longest pedestrian street at 1,210 meters. Known as the "museum of 20th-century architecture," it blends shopping, dining, and historical buildings.
Pro hack: Take the subway—it's fast, cheap, and connects directly to Jianghan Road Station.
That night, back at our 18th-floor hotel room, Wuhan's night skyline dazzled us. The lights dance across the river, transforming the city into something magical. Looking at this beautiful scene, I couldn't help but think about what the people of Wuhan endured during those difficult days. My heart goes out to them.
That day, we walked over 27,000 steps. Our feet were killing us, but our spirits were soaring.
Day 2: Wuhan University, Chu River Han Street, Hubei Provincial Museum
Day two was dedicated to culture and education.
Wuhan University (武汉大学): One of China's top universities (985 and 211 project), known for its beautiful campus and rigorous academics. The old library building is iconic.
Chu River Han Street (楚河汉街)
A mix of commercial development and cultural heritage, Chu River Han Street features Republic-of-China-era architecture blended with modern elements.
Reality check: It started raining heavily when we arrived, so we didn't explore as much as we wanted to. Check the weather forecast before visiting!
Hubei Provincial Museum (湖北省博物馆)
Following East Lake (东湖) in the rain, we reached the Hubei Provincial Museum—a treasure trove of Chu culture spanning thousands of years.
Must-see artifacts: The Zeng Hou Yi Bianzhong (曾侯乙编钟)—a 2,500-year-old set of bronze bells—and the Sword of King Goujian (越王勾践剑), which remains sharp after 2,000 years.
Senior alert: The museum requires advance reservation. Seniors (over 60) can enter without reservation in most cases—we sailed right in while younger visitors stood in the rain waiting失望.
Changing Plans: To Xiangtan
The weather forecast predicted 100% rain for the next two days in Wuhan, so we pivoted and took a train to Xiangtan (湘潭).
Day 3-4: Xiangtan—Mao Zedong's Hometown Region
Yao Wan Historical and Cultural Street (湘潭窑湾历史文化街区): This area reflects the economic prosperity of old Xiangtan. Key sites include the Tanbao Bus Station (潭宝汽车站), Wangheng Pavilion (望衡亭), Datangxing Temple (大唐兴寺), and the riverside promenade.
The old street, built along the Xiang River (湘江), retains its ancient charm—quiet, peaceful, almost forgotten by time.
Wan Tower (万楼)
Built in 1615 during the Ming Dynasty, Wan Tower was constructed with an unusual 9 interior floors and 5 exterior levels—symbolizing "nine-five supremacy" (the imperial number).
Pro hack: No ticket required! We walked right in and marveled at the grandeur of this 400-year-old structure.
We also visited Qiu Jin's Former Residence (秋瑾故居), Renli Street, the North Five Provinces Guild Hall (北五省会馆), and Guanxiang Gate (观湘门).
At night, the Xiang River transforms into a cascade of colorful lights. The nightlife in Xiangtan is vibrant and joyful—we were impressed.
Accommodation recommendation: Meigao International Hotel (美高梅国际酒店)—incredibly comfortable beds, silk-like bathrobes, and a massive bathtub. Worth every RMB.
Day 5: Shaoshan (韶山)—Mao Zedong's Hometown
From Xiangtan, Shaoshan is just a short trip away. We took a local bus from Shaoshan Railway Station (3 RMB per person) to the tourist distribution center, then switched to a scenic area bus (20 RMB per person, valid for 2 days).
We stayed at Shaoshan Hotel (韶山宾馆), located inside the scenic area, which saved us transportation headaches.
Reality check: Many attractions require advance booking. We couldn't enter several sites because reservations were full. Book ahead!
Day 6-7: Changsha (长沙)—The Final Destination
Orange Island (橘子洲): At 3 kilometers long, this island in the Xiang River is famous for its massive statue of young Mao Zedong.
Pro hack: There's a tourist train, but the line was massive when we visited. We walked in the rain instead—and it was worth it to stand before the 32-meter statue of young Mao, gazing into the distance.
Yuelu Academy (岳麓书院) and Yuelu Mountain
One of China's "Four Great Academies" (古代四大书院) of ancient times, Yuelu Academy survived wartime destruction and has been meticulously restored since 1981.
Aiwan Pavilion (爱晚亭): One of China's "Four Great Pavilions," the name comes from the poem "Stopping my carriage to admire the maple woods, frosted leaves are redder than February flowers." The calligraphy on the sign was written by Mao Zedong himself.
We also visited Hunan University (湖南大学), Former Residence of Xiao Jinguang (肖劲光故居), and Changsha Food Street (长沙小吃一条街)—trying the sweet rice cakes (糖粑粑) and stinky tofu (臭豆腐).
Hunan Provincial Museum (湖南省博物馆)
Our final stop: the Hunan Provincial Museum, home to the famous Mawangdui Han Tomb discoveries.
Highlights: The tomb pit of Lady Xin Zhui (辛追夫人)—the most famous Mawangdui find—plus Bronzeware from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Chu cultural relics, and the famous素沙单衣 (plain silk robe).
Every artifact spoke to the incredible craftsmanship and wisdom of ancient Chinese artisans. We left in awe.
Epilogue
Eight days flew by, and it still feels like we didn't see enough. The constant rain in Hubei and Hunan dampened our plans occasionally, but my husband embraced the weather—he loves walking in the rain and soaking in the atmosphere.
And me? I enjoyed it too, as long as it's not too heavy. This journey through central China left us with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for this region's history, culture, and resilient people.
Until next time.