The Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼), located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, stands as a testament to history and cultural significance. Its origins trace back to the Three Kingdoms period in 223 AD, with multiple renovations and rebuilds over the centuries. The current structure draws inspiration from the Qing Dynasty’s “Tongzhi Tower” and was meticulously reconstructed in 1985. This iconic tower has gained worldwide recognition due to the poem “Yellow Crane Tower” written by the Tang Dynasty poet Cui Hao, elevating its status as a symbol of literary and architectural excellence.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- History of Yellow Crane Tower
- Highlights of Yellow Crane Tower
- Vlog about Yellow Crane Tower
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Facts about Yellow Crane Tower
- Attractions near Yellow Crane Tower
Basic Information
| Website | http://www.cnhhl.com/ |
| Estimated Lenght of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Daytime: 70 RMB Nighttime: 120 RMB Chime Bell Performance: 50 RMB |
| Opening Hours | Day Tour: 8.30 – 18.00 Night Tour: 19.30 – 22.00 |
| Chime Bell Performance | Ticket Price: 30 CNY per person Timetable: 10:30; 11:30; 12:30; 14:00; 15:00; 16:00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-027-88875096 |
Location and Transportation
The Yellow Crane Tower is located in the Wuchang District of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Perched atop the summit of She Shan (Snake Hill), it offers a commanding view of the majestic Yangtze River, which stretches for thousands of miles. To get there, you can choose the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 10, 401, 504, YX10, Tram 1, or Tram 7 and get off at Huanghe Tower Stop (黄鹤楼站).
Metro: The closest metro station to this historical site is Simenkou Huanghelou (司门口黄鹤楼) on line 5. After getting out of the station from Exit 1, the Yellow Crane Tower will be right across the street.
History of Yellow Crane Tower
The history of the Yellow Crane Tower is a remarkable journey spanning over two millennia. It all began in the year 223 AD during the Three Kingdoms period when Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, ordered the construction of a military tower on Huanghuji Island in the southwest corner of the newly built Xiakou city. This tower, known as the Yellow Crane Tower, served as a lookout point for military purposes.
Throughout the centuries, the Yellow Crane Tower became the subject of poems and legends. In the year 462 AD, the renowned poet Bao Zhao composed the poem “Climbing Huanghuji” at the tower, marking one of the earliest literary references to this iconic structure. The story of a man encountering an immortal riding a crane at the Yellow Crane Tower was documented in a book called “Shu Yi Ji,” written by the scholar Zu Chongzhi in 469 AD, representing the earliest written account of the tower’s name.
In the subsequent centuries, several historical and literary figures left their mark on the Yellow Crane Tower’s legacy. During the Tang Dynasty, in 723 AD, the poet Cui Hao composed the famous poem “Yellow Crane Tower,” further contributing to the tower’s literary importance and earning it the nickname “Cui’s Tower.”
However, the physical structure of the Yellow Crane Tower experienced a series of rises and falls over the centuries. It underwent numerous renovations and rebuilds during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with notable contributions from figures such as Zhou De Xing and Shu Tong. The tower was destroyed multiple times by fires and warfare, yet its historical and cultural significance continued to grow.
The most recent reconstruction of the Yellow Crane Tower occurred in the 1980s. The decision to rebuild the tower was made in 1980, and construction commenced in 1981. The new Yellow Crane Tower was completed in 1985, adhering to the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty’s Tongzhi era. This reconstruction was a testament to the enduring cultural importance of the Yellow Crane Tower, and it remains a symbol of literary and architectural excellence in modern times.
Highlights of Yellow Crane Tower
Historical Significance
From ancient times, the Yellow Crane Tower has been hailed as the “finest under heaven” for its breathtaking beauty. Alongside the nearby attractions of Qingchuan Pavilion and Guqin Platform, it is known as one of the “Three Great Sites of Wuhan.” Furthermore, it shares a prestigious rank with Yueyang Tower in Hunan and Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, collectively known as the “Three Great Towers of Southern China.” The Yellow Crane Tower is regarded as the foremost among the “Ten Scenic Wonders of Wuhan,” one of China’s “Four Great Ancient Towers,” and among the “Ten Historical and Cultural Towers of China,” earning the title of the “Number One Tower under Heaven.”
Architectural Marvel
The Yellow Crane Tower’s main structure is a magnificent octagonal building within a square frame, constructed using a steel-reinforced concrete framework that mimics traditional wooden architecture. It reaches a towering height of 51.4 meters, with the base measuring 30 meters on each side and the top narrowing to 18 meters. The tower exhibits five layers of overhanging eaves, culminating in a stunning upward-curving roof covered in golden glazed tiles. Supported by 72 circular columns, the top floor extends outward with 60 upturned corners. The exterior of the tower is adorned with bronze sculptures of cranes, victory pagodas, archways, pavilions, and corridors, creating an overall resemblance to a crane poised for flight. The eaves feature inscribed plaques on all four sides, with a prominent gold plaque bearing the calligraphy of the renowned scholar Shu Tong, displaying the characters “Yellow Crane Tower.”
Architectural Layout
First Floor: The first floor boasts a spacious and grand hall with a remarkable central caisson ceiling reaching over 10 meters in height. Adorning the front wall is a massive ceramic mural portraying “White Clouds and Yellow Crane,” flanked by columns that suspend 7-meter-long couplets. These couplets proclaim, “Invigorating air comes from the west, clearing the sky and earth; The great river flows eastward, washing away the worries of the past and present.”
Second Floor: The second-floor hall features a marble-carved “Yellow Crane Tower Record” written by the Tang Dynasty scholar Yan Bo. This record chronicles the history and anecdotes surrounding the Yellow Crane Tower. Two murals on either side depict “Sun Quan’s Construction,” illustrating the birth of the Yellow Crane Tower and the city of Wuchang. The second mural, “Zhou Yu’s Banquet,” reflects the visits of famous figures to the tower during the Three Kingdoms period.
Third Floor: The third-floor hall showcases embroidered portraits of renowned Tang and Song Dynasty literary figures, such as Cui Hao, Li Bai, and Bai Juyi. Excerpts from their poems that celebrate the Yellow Crane Tower adorn the walls.
Fourth Floor: The fourth floor is divided into smaller chambers by folding screens, featuring contemporary calligraphy and paintings by notable artists for visitors to appreciate and purchase.
Fifth Floor: The top-level hall on the fifth floor exhibits a long scroll titled “A Myriad Miles Along the Yangtze River” and a collection of murals, offering a captivating visual journey through the landscape and culture of the Yangtze River.
Vlog about Yellow Crane Tower
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Transportation Options: Visitors can choose to walk or take a sightseeing bus to enter the park. The fare for the sightseeing bus is 10 yuan per person.
Millennium Bell: Inside the park, there’s a Millennium Bell where you can strike the bell for a fee of 30 yuan per strike.
Daytime and Nighttime Experience: During the day, visitors can enjoy the serene beauty of Yellow Crane Tower Park. At night, there are light shows and live song and dance performances.
Night Tour Activities:
- Goose Pond Performance Times: 19:45, 20:20, 21:20
- Poetry Tablet Gallery Performance Times: 19:55, 20:30, 21:30
- Cui Hao Wall Performance Times: 20:05, 20:35, 21:05
- Yellow Crane Tower Main Building Light Show Times: 19:50, 21:00, 21:50
Location and Photography: Exit from Exit C of Simenqiao Station on Line 5. Upon exiting the elevator, you’ll find photography spots where many photographers are available. The photography fee is 10 yuan per person per photo or 15 yuan per couple per photo. Payment is made after the photos are taken, and the original images will be directly sent to you.
The Yellow Crane Tower is temporarily closed as a venue for the Spring Festival Gala, but luckily, it has been illuminated for visitors.
Currently, the Yellow Crane Tower lights up briefly from 17:35 to 17:45, and then you have to wait until 18:45 for it to light up again. If you want to capture the blue hour at the Yellow Crane Tower, don’t miss this short window of time.
The Yellow Crane Tower has an elevator for direct access, but it only allows the elderly (65 and older), the weak, the ill, the disabled, and pregnant women to use it. It feels overly commercialized, with vendors everywhere selling their goods.
Originally, my companions and I thought it would be sufficient to just admire the Yellow Crane Tower from a distance. However, on the morning of September 7th, we noticed that the crowd wasn’t too overwhelming, so since we were already there, we decided to buy tickets and go up the tower! Looking back, I’m so glad we made that choice. The view was amazing, and the breeze was very pleasant! I highly recommend going up early!
The Yellow Crane Tower is really crowded; there are long lines at the red walls for photos. If you enjoy being in the hustle and bustle, you can come here to take a look. After visiting, there are many local snacks nearby, and you can stroll down to Hubu Alley (户部巷). After that, you can go to the riverside to see the night view. The photos at the red wall do turn out quite beautifully.
Today, I went to the Yellow Crane Tower wearing ice sleeves, a sun protection mask, carrying an umbrella, and even a neck-hanging mini fan, fully prepared for the hot weather. However, in the face of the high temperatures, nothing seemed to work, and the mask was barely staying on! After strolling for three hours, drinking three bottles of ice water, and eating two popsicles, I felt like I was close to heatstroke! I had to find a place to hide… Read more »
The evening light show at the Yellow Crane Tower is definitely worth watching!
At night, only levels 1, 3, and 5 of the Yellow Crane Tower are open. Elderly people and children can take the direct elevator (only one parent allowed to accompany). From the top floor, you can see four completely different views: the Yangtze River Bridge, tour boats, the neon lights on the walls along the river, and the old residential areas. We stayed for a while and then went back down. At night, besides the light show, there are multiple… Read more »
It’s better to admire from a distance than up close, and taking photos at night is more beautiful than during the day due to the light show! Daytime tickets and nighttime tickets are separate, with different prices and reservation methods! Avoid buying items from vendors inside or near the attraction, as they are usually expensive! Best spots for taking photos: – Exit C of Simen Kou subway station near Yellow Crane Tower – Walk from Exit A of Simen Kou… Read more »
Huanghe Tower Park has 3 entrances: the west gate, south gate, and east gate. It’s recommended to enter from the west gate. When taking a taxi, you can directly tell the driver to go to the west gate of Huanghe Tower. Since the west gate is close to a fast road where the car can’t stop, ask the driver to stop at the Jiefang Road bus stop under the bridge and walk up the bridge, which is the most time-saving… Read more »