Hubei is a central Chinese province straddling the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, known as the 'Province of a Thousand Lakes' and 'Nine Provinces Thoroughfare' for its role as China's inland transport crossroads. Home to the Three Gorges Dam, the sacred Wudang Mountains, the mysterious Shennongjia rainforest, and the buzzing riverside metropolis of Wuhan, Hubei blends Chu-dynasty history, Taoist heritage, and modern engineering on the banks of China's longest river.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Hubei.
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1
Yellow Crane Tower
This multi-story tower on Snake Hill overlooks the Yangtze and the First Bridge, rebuilt in 1985 on a design drawing from Qing-era images after the original wooden tower burned in 1884. It has been rebuilt on this hill repeatedly since the 3rd century, and the current concrete structure houses murals and ceramic friezes depicting its many past incarnations across several floors.
Tip: Buy tickets at the entrance gate or via the official Wuhan tourism WeChat mini-program to skip the paper-ticket queue · Arrive before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to avoid the largest tour groups · Wear comfortable shoes, as reaching the tower involves climbing Snake Hill on stone paths and stairs · Combine the visit with a walk across the nearby Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge for additional skyline views · Check for seasonal free-entry or discount days around Chinese cultural festivals, which are occasionally announced locally
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2
Hubei Provincial Museum
This is the main repository for artifacts excavated from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, a 5th-century BC ruler whose burial site at Leigudun was uncovered in 1978 near Suizhou. The centerpiece is a set of 65 bronze bells (bianzhong) still capable of being played across a wide tonal range, displayed alongside bronze vessels, lacquerware and weapons from the same tomb.
Tip: Reserve free tickets online in advance through the museum's WeChat account; same-day passport-only entry can mean long queues · Bell-chime performances run several times a day in the bronze bell hall -- check the posted schedule at the entrance · An audio guide is available in Chinese and English for a small rental fee · Arrive at opening on weekdays to avoid domestic tour groups
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3
East Lake (Donghu) Scenic Area
East Lake is one of the largest urban lakes in China, considerably bigger than Hangzhou's West Lake, and the park grounds wrap around several distinct sections including Moshan and Tingtao scenic zones. The free lakeside paths and cycling routes cover a wide area, while Moshan's botanical garden is a separate paid section within the park focused on plum blossoms and landscaped hillside plantings.
Tip: Rent a shared bike at the park entrance -- the lake is too large to see entirely on foot · Moshan Garden charges a separate admission on top of the free main park · Visit on a weekday morning during blossom season to avoid the heaviest crowds · Bring cash or a mobile payment app for boat rentals, as card payment is uncommon
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4
Guiyuan Temple
Guiyuan Temple is a working Buddhist monastery founded in the early Qing dynasty, known for its hall of 500 luohan (arhat) statues, each carved with an individual face and pose. It remains an active site of worship rather than a purely historical attraction, with incense burning and monks present alongside visiting tourists.
Tip: Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, as this is an active place of worship · Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere · Small entrance fee is payable by cash or mobile payment at the gate · Photography inside the main worship halls is sometimes restricted -- check posted signs before using a camera
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5
Hubu Alley
Hubu Alley is a narrow street of food stalls and small shops in Wuchang serving Wuhan breakfast specialties, most notably hot dry noodles (re gan mian) tossed in sesame paste. It functions as a place to graze through several small dishes rather than sit for one meal, with vendors selling single portions meant to be eaten while walking.
Tip: Arrive between 7:00 and 9:00 AM -- most stalls wind down by early afternoon · Bring small cash or a mobile payment app, as most vendors do not take cards · Order in small portions from several stalls rather than filling up at the first one · Expect no seating at many stalls; eating while standing or walking is normal here
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6
Wuhan University Cherry Blossom Avenue
This tree-lined avenue on the Wuhan University campus is planted with cherry trees, some originally gifted decades ago, and draws large crowds when the trees bloom in late March. Outside of the bloom window the avenue is simply a campus street through a university with distinctive early-20th-century architecture in the surrounding academic buildings.
Tip: Book the free timed-entry reservation online well in advance during peak bloom -- walk-up entry is not guaranteed · Arrive right at the 7:00 AM gate opening for photos before crowds build · Bloom dates shift year to year with spring temperatures, so check recent updates before planning a trip around it · Wear comfortable shoes, as the best viewpoints involve a walk uphill
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7
Jianghan Road Pedestrian Street
Jianghan Road is a pedestrianized shopping street in the former foreign concession area of Hankou, lined with early 20th-century colonial-era facades now occupied by shops, banks and department stores. The street connects toward the Yangtze riverfront and mixes historic architecture with contemporary retail rather than being a preserved museum district.
Tip: Visit in the evening to see the historic facades illuminated · Weekends bring significantly heavier crowds than weekdays · Combine the visit with a walk to the nearby Yangtze riverfront promenade · Watch for pickpockets in the densest evening crowds, as with any busy shopping street
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8
First Yangtze River Bridge
Opened in 1957, this was the first bridge to span the Yangtze River, connecting Hanyang and Wuchang near Snake Hill, and it carries both road and rail traffic on two levels. It was a major engineering and political milestone for China at the time, ending the river's role as a hard barrier between the two banks at Wuhan.
Tip: Walk out onto the pedestrian deck rather than only viewing from the riverbank for the best perspective · Visit at sunset to see both daylight river views and the evening lighting · Combine with a visit to nearby Snake Hill, a short walk away · Traffic noise is constant on the upper road deck, so the lower riverside paths are quieter for photos
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9
Three Gorges Dam
This is the world's largest hydroelectric power station by installed capacity, spanning the Yangtze River near Sandouping. Visitors view the dam wall, spillway and ship locks from designated viewing platforms rather than walking onto the structure itself, and the scale of the concrete gravity dam is the main draw. The site includes a shuttle system linking several viewpoint areas across the scenic zone.
Tip: Admission includes the internal shuttle bus -- do not attempt to walk between viewing platforms · Bring your passport, as security screening is required to enter the scenic area · Visit June through September to see spillway flood-discharge releases if timing allows · Arrive early on weekday mornings to avoid the largest domestic tour groups
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10
Xiling Gorge Three Gorges Cruise
Xiling is the easternmost and longest of the Three Gorges, and this half-day cruise from Maoping Terminal near Yichang covers the stretch of the Yangtze closest to the dam, including narrower sections with limestone cliffs. It's a shorter, more accessible alternative to the multi-day Chongqing-to-Yichang cruises, aimed at travellers who want a taste of the gorge scenery without a full itinerary.
Tip: Book the half-day cruise in advance during peak autumn season, as departures can sell out · Sit or stand on the open upper deck rather than in an enclosed cabin for better views · Bring a jacket -- river winds through the gorge are cooler than on land, especially in the morning · Multi-day upstream cruises require booking well ahead and choosing a cabin grade in advance
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Yellow Crane Tower
Rebuilt 1985 tower on Snake Hill with sweeping Yangtze views
Three Gorges Dam
World's largest hydropower station on the Yangtze
First Yangtze River Bridge
First permanent bridge across the Yangtze, completed 1957
Jingzhou Ancient City Wall
10.5km Ming-dynasty wall encircling Jingzhou's old town
Museums
Hubei Provincial Museum
Home of the 2,400-year-old bronze chime bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng
Jingzhou Museum
Han-dynasty preserved corpse and Chu-state archaeology
Nature
East Lake Scenic Area
China's largest urban lake with cherry and plum blossom gardens
Wudang Mountains
UNESCO Taoist mountain range and martial arts birthplace
Shennongjia National Park
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve rainforest linked to the Yeren legend
Enshi Grand Canyon
Karst canyon with glass skywalks and cliffside paths
Xiling Gorge Three Gorges Cruise
Scenic Yangtze cruise through limestone gorge scenery
Cultural
Guiyuan Temple
Qing-dynasty Buddhist temple with 500 gilded arhat statues
Hubu Alley
Historic Wuhan breakfast street since the Qing dynasty
Longzhong Scenic Area
Zhuge Liang's legendary retreat from the Three Kingdoms era
Red Cliff (Chibi) Ancient Battlefield
Traditional site of the 208 AD Battle of Red Cliffs
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most attractions open 8:00–9:00 AM and close 5:00–6:00 PM; museums typically close on Mondays
- Fees
- National parks and scenic areas: $12–$27; city landmarks: $3–$8; major museums are free with ID
- Best Times
- Arrive at opening time for Yellow Crane Tower, Three Gorges Dam, and the Hubei Provincial Museum to avoid tour-group crowds
- Booking
- Book Three Gorges Dam, Shennongjia, and Wuhan University cherry blossom viewing online in advance — daily visitor caps apply at peak times
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Download the Ctrip or Meituan app to book tickets in advance and check daily visitor caps
The Wuhan Metro day pass is good value for covering the tri-city area's main sights
Combine Jingzhou Ancient City Wall + Jingzhou Museum, and Xiangyang Ancient City Wall + Longzhong, as efficient day-trip pairs
Bring your passport to every attraction — it is required for ticket purchase at museums and major scenic areas
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Hubei?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the best weather; Wuhan University's cherry blossoms peak in late March and East Lake's plum blossoms bloom in February–March.
Are guided tours available for Hubei's attractions?
Available at major sites including the Three Gorges Dam and Wudang Mountains; official English-speaking guides typically cost $30–$70 per half day.
Can I take photos at attractions in Hubei?
Permitted at nearly all sites; the corpse exhibit hall at Jingzhou Museum and some temple interior halls restrict photography — look for posted signs.
How much time do I need for Hubei's main attractions?
A minimum of 4–5 days covers Wuhan's highlights plus the Three Gorges Dam; 8–10 days allows time for Wudang Mountains, Shennongjia, and Enshi Grand Canyon as well.