Yellow Crane Tower

黄鹤楼 · huáng hè lóu

The tower every Chinese schoolchild can quote a poem about, on Snake Hill above the Yangtze. Rebuilt in 1985; the view over the river and the First Yangtze Bridge is the point.

The story

First built in 223 AD as a watchtower, destroyed and rebuilt at least a dozen times. The Tang poet Cui Hao's 'The yellow crane has gone and never returned' is the reason Li Bai supposedly refused to write his own poem here. Go at dusk when the bridge lights come on.

Getting there

Metro Line 5 → Simenkou Huanghelou (司门口黄鹤楼)

Local tips

• Book on the official WeChat account or buy at the gate with your passport.
• Climb to the top floor first, then descend slowly.
• Combine with Hubu Alley (户部巷) and Tanhualin on foot.