East Lake
Wu Han, Hubei
A vast urban lake on Wuhan's eastern edge, several times the surface area of Hangzhou's famous West Lake, ringed by cycling paths, parks, and the Hubei Provincial Museum.
¿Por qué visitar East Lake?
East Lake offers a quieter, greener side of Wuhan than the dense river districts, and its scale means it never feels as crowded as more famous lakes elsewhere in China. The adjacent Hubei Provincial Museum holds one of China's best bronze collections, including a set of 2,400-year-old bronze bells still capable of being played.
Cómo disfrutarlo
Renting a bike for a stretch of the lakeside path, rather than trying to circle the whole lake, is the realistic way to enjoy it — the full loop is tens of kilometres. Combine with a few hours at the Hubei Provincial Museum, a short taxi ride away.
Consejo
Cherry blossom season (late March) draws heavy crowds to the lake's Moshan area — beautiful, but expect company if visiting then.