Wuhan doesn’t have a huge variety of tourist attractions although there are many important buildings and a world-class museum worth checking out. The Yellow Crane Tower is Wuhan’s main sight, with its more than 1,700 years of history and great views, while the Guiyuan Buddhist Temple and the Heptachord Terrace are also worth checking out.

Chairman Mao Zedong's Villa
Located in the region of the popular East Lake, Chairman Mao’s villa (Meiling Villas) was the retreat for the top members of the politburo. Aptly nicknamed ‘Home of the White Clouds and Yellow Cranes’ by Mao, the villa has fine views over the region and a tour is a must for those interested in the history of the ruling Communist Party.

Guiyuan Buddhist Temple
Beautifully surrounded by foliage, the Temple of Original Purity is one of the most striking temples in all Wuhan. The garden-style temple is delicate in design, featuring old-style architecture, a number of fine statues and lots of other interesting items inside. A wander around the manicured gardens is a must. Arhat Hall contains the highlight of the temple - 500 large Buddha statues.

Heptachord Terrace
The Heptachord Terrace is another must see gem of Wuhan’s cultural make-up – the heptachord being a seven-stringed musical instrument which was played expertly by Yu Boya. The terrace is almost completely surrounded by water and set amid striking scenery. Features worth noting include the stone terrace, the 'High Mountain and Flowing Water' hall, a courtyard, an arboretum, and a teahouse.

Moshan Hill
Situated on the banks of the popular East Lake (southeast side) is the 390-foot high Moshan Hill, one of Wuhan’s highest points. The hill famously has six peaks and represents the Chu culture well, with the Chu Castle, Chu Heaven Platform, Chu Bazaar, and Chu Talents Park all in evidence.

Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
Spanning the mighty Yangtze, the Yangtze River Bridge was the first road/railway-combination bridge to be built over the Yangtze River. The huge structure is sure to please those with an affection for structural forms as it spans for a mile, boasts eight huge piers, and has a road width of 59ft. Constructed in 1955, the bridge is split-level with buses on the top and trains on the bottom.

Yellow Crane Tower
Located on Snake Hill, the five-tier Yellow Crane Tower, which is actually red and yellow, is one of the most famous towers in China originating as far back as the 2^nd century BC. The tower was built during the Three Kingdoms Period as a military tower, is 170-ft high and has been rebuilt several times; the present version has been relocated half a mile from its original positioning. The tower is beautifully flanked by trees and has fine views over Wuhan and the Yangtze River. Take time to see the poet Cui Hao’s inscription dating from the Tang Dynasty on the first floor.

Hang out at Jiqing street of a night. Wuhan’s busiest and most fun thoroughfare where one can enjoy live music, dance and opera as well as stand-up comedy acts. Dinner can also be enjoyed on Jiqing street with its numerous cheap terraced restaurants.

Relax at Wuhan East Lake. Enjoy sailing on the lake, riding the paths and ice-skating the rink in the winter, as well as the many side attractions. East Lake lies within the confines of Wuhan and is thus a very popular attraction.

See Jianghan road by day or night. This long pedestrian mall, on a par with Shanghai's East Nanjing road, features great shopping by day and grows larger at night with thousands of market stalls selling everything from souvenirs and clothing to music CDs and food.

See the Buddha carvings at Guiyuan Temple.There are 500 of these enlightened disciples (luohan) in Arhat Hall, each in a different posture and looking terribly lifelike. The rest of the temple is also worth a look with stunning, manicured gardens and many other items of interest.

Visit the ancient Boya Terrace.This is situatedon Tortoise Hill and you can see where Yu Boya played his lute on this small, but intricate six-foot high terrace. Look out for the image of Boya which is engraved on one side.