There is no doubt that Wuhan City is not as famous as Beijing or Shanghai where tourist destinations in China are considered. But if one looks beyond the usual pre-planned tourist circuits, one can find some real gems in the vast picturesque landscape of China. The city of Wuhan is the capital of the Hubei Province in central China. It is divided into two sections by the Yangtze and Han Rivers that pass through it. These water bodies have blessed the city with lakes and natural green parks making the air pollution-free and the scenery irresistibly beautiful. Hence, Wuhan has always been a coveted tourist spot for domestic and overseas visitors since ancient times.
Another reason why Wuhan is a popular destination in China is that, despite its lush green expanses, it is a highly developed urban area with a well-organized infrastructure and tourism and hospitality sectors. The local population is educated, cultured, and has a helpful attitude towards visitors to their great city. Wuhan is a city that has ancient relics as well as ultra-modern skyscrapers. The city was occupied by the State of Chu between 770 and 221 BC. The city’s history can be traced back to more than 3,500 years going by the artifacts excavated in ancient tombs located around the city. The Hankou district of Wuhan was and still is a major commercial and business district due to the waterways. The city witnessed the historical event of the Wuchang Uprising in 1911 that was spearheaded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen which led to the nationwide Xinhai Revolution. This resulted in the downfall of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial rule and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
Today, Wuhan is a large metropolis where modern concepts like Information Technology and industrialization coexist with ancient relics and picturesque natural scenery which has an un-spoilt look. Shopping for souvenirs is an enjoyable experience in the Tanhualin locality where there are numerous shops and roadside cafes.
| Rank | Booking Site | Price Compared to Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cheapest | Trip.com | -9% | |
| 2. Cheap | Agoda | -7% | |
| 3. Average | Booking.com | -2% | |
| 4. More Expensive | Expedia | 4% | |
| 5. Most Expensive | Hotels.com | 8% |
Being a metropolitan city and a provincial capital, Wuhan has always been a popular destination for domestic tourists. It has also grown in popularity with overseas visitors as well in the last few years. The city can provide various choices in accommodation, from the most expensive luxury hotels and resorts to the cheapest but clean and basic accommodation. The upscale 3, 4, and 5-star hotels are tastefully decorated and have spacious rooms. They also provide several amenities like airport shuttle service, in-house restaurants serving International-style gourmet meals, concierge service, 24x7 room service, housekeeping, swimming pools, customized sightseeing tours, etc. The cheaper accommodation is in the form of low-priced hotels, service-apartments, youth hostels, inns, guesthouses, etc. where the premises are usually clean but the amenities are just basic.
The East Lake Scenic Area is the highlight of Wuhan City although there are numerous other tourist attractions in and around the city. This area consists of several tourist attractions and parks where swimming is permitted. The Liyuan Park on the northwest of the Lake is the most popular swimming area. This site has other facilities so that visitors can spend a relaxing day and enjoy all the attractions.
The Snake Hill Park is another picturesque green spot in Wuhan City. Besides plenty of green landscapes, the park also consists of the Yellow Crane Tower and the Mao Pavilion. The Crane Tower has a gigantic bronze bell which is the highlight of this attraction. One can spend an entire day exploring the park because there are plenty of teahouses and other facilities for the comfort of tourists. At one of the teahouses, there is a free live performance of Chu-kingdom style music.
Other green areas in the city are the Wuhan Botanical Garden with a vast collection of tropical plants and Moshan Hill with its ancient temples, monuments, and souvenir shops. The hill is also a popular spot for hiking.
Wuhan has its fair share of ancient monuments, of which the Mao Zedong's Summer Villa is the most famous. It is one of the villas where Chairman Mao stayed for a few months. With typical décor of the 1950s, the villas is a period-piece and a popular tourist attraction.
There are several temples in Wuhan City that are definitely must-sees not only because of their classic architecture but also for the ancient relics that they have. The most popular temple in the city is the Guiyuan Temple. It has a unique design because it is a typical pagoda-style Buddhist temple surrounded by classical Zen-style gardens. The temple consists of 500 statues of Arhats (Buddhist sages) that are an awesome sight.
Wuhan City cuisine is a great mix of Shanghai, Chongqing and Sichuan cooking styles. Therefore, the city is definitely meant for foodies and their food streets are full of kiosks selling the tastiest and most aromatic snacks and meals. Some of the local specialties are Spicy Duck’s Neck, Chili-spiced pigeons, Squirty Soupy Buns, Doupi (sticky rice and beef wraps), Hot and Dry Reganmian Noodles, Three Braised Dishes of Mianyang (braised meat, fish, and vegetables), Salty Doughnuts, Potted Chicken Soup, Sijimei Dumplings (stuffed dumplings in soup), Old Jianji Beef cooked with Bean Strips, Red Rape, etc.