Eastern China Sights

Shopping Nightlife

1. Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge

This Sino-Soviet bridge, which has an upper level for cars and pedestrians and a lower one for the Beijing-Guangzhou railway line, spans the Yangtze River. Planning for this bridge started in the late 19th century, but it wasn't until 1955 that construction began, led by a team of Rusian and Chinese engineers. It opened just two years later to much fanfare and was even featured on the now-defunct two jiao bill. The bridge runs 1.6km (1 mile) between Guishan (Turtle Hill) in Hanyang district to Sheshan (Snake Hill) in Wuchang district. The upper level is a two-way, four-lane highway, but there's a safe pedestrian walkway in which you can also bike. It's very pleasant to stand on the bridge and watch vessels large and small traverse the mighty Yangtze, the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world. On the Wuchang side you can go easily from the bridge to Yellow Crane Tower.