Yellow Crane Tower
Huanghelou E. Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060
On top of Snake Hill, along the banks of the Yangtze River, the iconic Yellow Crane Tower offers panoramic city and river views, and features artwork on different levels. Considered one of the Four Great Towers of China, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Wuhan, and a symbol of the city.
The Basics
The original tower was built in AD 223 for military purposes during the Three Kingdoms period. Over the years, it has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. The current tower—based on a Qing dynasty design—was built in 1985, about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) from the original location. Inside, you’ll find murals, paintings, poems, and statues about the tower and the Legend of Yellow Crane. Memorial gateways, yellow crane statues, and pavilions dot the grounds around the tower.
You can visit Yellow Crane Tower on your own, but many travelers appreciate the extra insight a guide provides. Many tours of Wuhan stop by Yellow Crane Tower along with other top attractions, such as East Lake, Guiyuan Temple, and the Hubei Provincial Museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
Yellow Crane Tower is a must for first-time visitors to Wuhan.
Don’t forget your camera to capture the panoramic vistas from the top floor.
The elevator inside the tower is usually reserved for those age 70 and older.
The tower isn’t wheelchair-accessible.
How to Get There
The tower is located in Wuhan’s Wuchang District. Most guided tours include transportation. Otherwise, take a taxi or bus 10, 61, 401, or 402.
When to Get There
The tower is open year-round, with reduced hours and reduced admission fees in the off-season (November through March). For fewer crowds, avoid visiting in summer and during Chinese national holidays.
The Legend of Yellow Crane
A merchant named Xin showed kindness to an immortal disguised as a poor man, always giving him free wine. Eventually, the immortal drew a picture of a crane on the wall and told Xin that the crane would dance for him whenever he clapped his hands. Word got out, and people went to Xin’s shop to see the crane dance, making Xin wealthy. Xin built the tower to commemorate the immortal and the crane.
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