Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼)

The Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼, Huánghè Lóu) is one of China's Four Great Towers — a five-story pagoda that has watched over the Yangtze River for nearly 2,000 years.

What to See

The Tower — A five-story pagoda with upturned eaves, decorated with yellow glazed tiles. Each floor has a different theme — the top floor offers panoramic views of the Yangtze and the city.

The View — From the top, you can see the Yangtze River stretching to the horizon, the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and the three towns of Wuhan spread below.

The Legend — The tower gets its name from a legend that an immortal rode a yellow crane from this spot. The crane motif appears throughout the tower.

The Poems — The tower is covered in poems by famous Chinese poets who visited over the centuries. The most famous poem is by Cui Hao: "Yellow Crane Tower departed long ago."

Practical Tips

• Entry fee: ¥70 ($10)
• Visit at sunset for the best views of the Yangtze
• The tower is beautifully lit at night
• Allow 1-2 hours
• The tower is in the Wuchang district — take metro to Yellow Crane Tower Station