The Tower Rises Amidst the Clouds, Dreaming of the Yellow Crane
Yellow Crane Tower, located on the peak of She Mountain on the south bank of the Yangtze River in Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei Province, was first built in the second year of Huangwu’s reign in the Wu state during the Three Kingdoms period (223 AD). It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history. The Yellow Crane Tower we see today was reconstructed in 1985. As a national 5A-level scenic spot, it is renowned as the “most spectacular view in the world” and the “first tower among all the mountains and rivers in the world,” making it one of Wuhan’s landmarks. It gained fame through the line “The ancient ones have ridden the yellow crane and gone; only the Yellow Crane Tower remains here” from the poem by Tang Dynasty poet Cui Hao. Poets such as Li Bai also left poems about the Yellow Crane Tower. From the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the rolling Yangtze River and the scenery of the three towns of Wuhan.
Yellow Crane Tower Park has three entrances: the East Gate, the South Gate, and the West Gate. The East Gate, located near Shouyi Square, has a dedicated parking lot, making it convenient for parking. The South Gate, situated at the approach bridge on the Wuchang side of the Yangtze River Bridge, has a dedicated bus stop, providing easy access by public transportation. The West Gate, located on the Yangtze River Bridge, is convenient for visitors who wish to walk across the bridge or access it from Hubu Lane
Yellow Crane Tower, the main attraction of Yellow Crane Tower Park on the south bank of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, shares ticketing with the park. Together with Yueyang Tower and Tengwang Pavilion, it is known as one of the “Three Famous Towers in the South of the Yangtze River.” The tower stands atop She Mountain, with five floors reaching a height of over 50 meters. It is supported by 72 cylindrical columns, and 60 upturned eaves soar into the sky, resembling a yellow crane in flight. The interior of the tower features large murals and cultural relics on each floor. Outside the tower, there are auxiliary structures such as bronze statues of yellow cranes, the Shengxiang Pagoda, archways, and pavilions. The roof is covered with over 100,000 pieces of yellow glazed tiles, creating a splendid sight against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.
From February to March, the Eryue Lan (February Orchid) blooms, forming a breathtaking purple sea along the electric cart path on the north side of the mountain. From March to April, delicate pink Weisi Haitang (Flowering Crabapple) blossoms greet the spring breeze along the path from Nanbei Pavilion to Nanbei Xuan and from Baiyun Pavilion on the ridge to Chun Paifang (Spring Archway). In the Ziweiyuan Garden and along the route from Yuefei Square to the East Gate Archway, the white Penxuehua (Snowflake Flower) blooms in March, resembling freshly fallen snow.
