Yellow Crane Tower
Wu Han, Hubei
A multi-story tower on Snake Hill overlooking the Yangtze, first built in 223 AD and rebuilt many times since — the current structure dates to the 1980s but sits on the same storied site.
Why visit Yellow Crane Tower?
Few structures in China have inspired as much poetry — Tang-dynasty poet Cui Hao's verse about the tower is one of the most famous poems in the Chinese literary canon, and Li Bai reportedly declined to write his own after reading it. Climbing it for sweeping Yangtze views is treated by many Chinese visitors as a genuine literary pilgrimage, not just a scenic stop.
How to experience it
The tower has several floors of murals and exhibits on its own history before opening onto viewing platforms with wide views over the Yangtze bridges and Wuhan's three districts. Clear mornings or the hour before sunset give the best visibility and light.
Tip
The surrounding park has good views of the tower itself even without paying for entry, if you're short on time or budget.