A 3-day trip in Wuhan

Transit passengers from 51 countries including the US and Canada can spend up to 72 hours in Wuhan without a visa. This visa-free policy allow foreigners from these 51 countries with visas and plane tickets to a third country to transit in Wuhan for a visa-free stay of up to 72 hours.

Day 1 Wuhan University

Wuhan University (WHU) is a comprehensive and key national university directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education with full construction and development support from the central and local governments of China.Wuhan University is widely known as one of the most beautiful universities in China.

The history of Wuhan University can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty. For the past century, Wuhan University has built an architectural complex which perfectly blends the eastern architectural style with that of the west. The university is heavily wooded and green and blends naturally with beautiful East Lake and Luojia Hill. A cherry blossom festival is held every spring.

Library of WHU with bloomed cherry [Photo/en.people.cn]

Day 2 Hubei Provincial Museum Pictures

Hubei Provincial Museum, located in the Wuchang District of Wuhan, Hubei Province, is Hubei's only comprehensive museum. It collects, protects, and exhibits the cultural relics discovered in the province. Since 1953, it has collected over 200,000, including pottery, porcelains, jade, bronze vessels, ancient weapons, and ancient musical instruments. Over 800 of them are listed as first-class relics of China, and 16 are considered national treasures.

Hubei Provincial Museum is divided into three parts: the Chime Bells Exhibition Hall, the Chu (a state in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476BC)) Culture Exhibition Hall, and the Comprehensive Exhibition Building. The Comprehensive Exhibition is currently still under construction.

Ancient Chinese musical instrument bronze chimes [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

East Lake

East Lake is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River in the east suburb of Wuchang, Wuhan city. It is the biggest scenery tourist attraction in Wuhan and also the largest lake within a city in China. The lake covers an area of 87 square kilometers (33 square kilometers of water area), that is five times greater than the area of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Because of its winding banks and crisscrossing ponds and brooks, it is called 'a lake with 99 bays'.

The East Lake scenic area was formed from many different famous scenic spots. The six major ones are: Tingtao (Listening to Surging Waves), Mo Hill (Millstone Hill), Luoyan (Diving Wild Goose), Baima (White Horse), Chuidi (Playing Flutes), and Luohong Hills.

Among the six scenic areas, Tingtao and Mo Hill scenic areas are the most notable.

Wuhan East Lake Cherry Blossom Park [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Day 3 The Yellow Crane Tower

The Yellow Crane Tower has a very long and complicated history that dates to the Three Kingdoms Period. It was built by Sun Quan (182 - 252, King of Wu) as a watchtower for his army. Its military function was gradually lost over hundreds of years, and the tower came to be enjoyed mainly for its picturesque scenery and as a place where poets could remember history with beautiful poems.

Yellow Crane Tower [Photo/en.people.cn]

Yangtze River Bridge

Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge was the first highway-railway bridge over the Yangtze River. There was no bridge for thousands of years along the 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles) of the mighty Yangtze. The river seemed an obstacle set by nature, separating Hanyang, Hankou and Wuchang, the three towns of Wuhan.

Aerial photography of Wuhan Zhuankou Yangtze River Bridge [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Hubu Lane

Hubu Lane of Wuhan city has a long history and is known for various kinds of local Hubei breakfasts. Hubu Lane has a long history. The narrow lane was clearly marked on a map of Hubei and Guangdong during the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty, so it has a history of at least 400 years. Hubu Lane has become a symbol and leading brand for snacks of different Hankou styles.

Hubu Lane [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Food tips:

Not to miss are the city's specialty, Wuchang fish, which was favored by Mao, along with two of his other favorites: braised pork in black bean sauce and ultra spicy fresh fish cooked in chili sauce.

Wuchang fish  [Photo/en.people.cn]

Bars to try: Soho Bar where you can experience the city's luxurious side; Chloé Bar À Vins is an elegant french bar in the historic Hankou District; Return 97 & Very Return Club offers a night club on the first floor and an elegant wine bar on the second. Toucan Irish Pub is a cozy place to enjoy Irish-style food.