A 20-kilometer speedway drive from the Tianhe International Airport (WUH) to the city center takes only twenty minutes. Airport shuttle buses leave for the city following flight arrivals. From the airport to Hankou, the bus will charge 17 yuan per person, and 32 per person for Wuchang; a taxi ride to the city area is about 80-120 yuan.
Wuhan has a cheap (usually 2rmb per journey), efficient, but horribly bewildering bus system in place. The service has vastly improved compared to the past. It is the cheapest way to get around the city. If you have a local to guide you, it can be used to get from place to place with impressive speed (if not comfort or safety). Without a local to guide you, you should better have a very good map and a good grasp of Chinese.
Metro network now consists of two lines. Line 1 serves Hankou district mostly adjacent to the river, while line 2 currently extends from popular shopping hub Optics Valley Square across the Yangtse river, crossing line 1. Line 4 is due to open by the end of 2013. Together, these first three lines will connect Wuhan, Hankou and Wuchang railway stations. A full network consisting of 8 lines is planned to be ready by 2018. Be aware that any areas with metro line construction works underway are subject to heavy traffic and ugly-looking streets.
Wuhan has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The ideal travel months here are March-April, and September-October. Visitors are advised to avoid the scorching summer period of July and August with its 40 °C (104 °F) heat, and the cold winter time from November to later January with its severe cold. Another weather caution is the summer period from June to August with its heavy rain.
Spring (March-April),owning decent temperature, is the most ideal season for visiting. Summer Summer in Wuhan is renowned for its scorching heat and high humidity. Unlike most areas in northern China, which have dry-heat summers, in summer Wuhan is known as an instant 'steam box'. Cotton, rather than nylon clothing is recommended.
Autumn (September-October), owning decent temperature, is the most ideal season for visiting. Winter Although the temperature in the city's winter is not as low as those in the northern cities in China, the river winds and humidity can make it as cold as ten degrees below zero, and some travelers suffer from chilblains. Moreover, many hotels and guesthouses in Wuhan do not have heaters. For winter travel, bring heavy overcoats, gloves and scarves to protect against the wind and cold.
Hubei cuisine features lightly spiced flavoring and strong tastes, delicious soups and delicate fish dishes. Wuhan Cuisine is also known for its unique methods of preparing delicacies from land and sea, freshwater fish and soup. Famous dishes include Steamed Wuchang Fish, Mianyang Three Steamed Dishes, Xiaotaoyuan Soup, Wangji Chicken Soup, Hongshan Vegetable Bolts, Dongpo Pork and others.
With a history of over 1,700 years, Steamed Wuchang Fish is a typical food in Wuhan. This freshwater fish, when steamed together with mushrooms, bamboo shoots and chicken soup, keeps both the original fresh taste of the fish and the nutrients. China's Chairman Mao Zedong in his poem "Swimming" writes: "I have just drunk the waters of Changsha. And come to eat the fish of Wuchang." Actually, the so-called "Wuchang Fish" is not the lake fish from the present Wuchang, but those fished from the waters in E Country, because in ancient times, the name Wuchang referred to all the area of the present E Country.
Yellow Crane Tower, a Wuhan landmark, is a must for travelers. Inscriptions by famous poets and literati from ancient dynasties adore the tower. A climb to the top nets a bird's view of the entire city.
Wuhan presents charming scenery for nature lovers. The scenic East Lake area is top on all travel plans for its fascinating lake scenery, charming plum gardens and bamboo forest. Gui Shan (Tortoise Hill), Mo Hill and Qingchuan Pavilion are also worth of visiting.
Modern architecture views for interest with historic sites. The bund area in Hankou, the famous waterfront along the Han River is a bustling commercial section with colonial style architecture, bars and pubs. At night this is the hub of Wuhan nightlife. Two other shopping streets in Zhongshan Dadao and Jiefang Dadao are also popular.
Yangtze River Bridge, known as Wuhan Changjiang Daqiao, is the first highway-railway bridge over the Yangtze River. It has two levels – the upper one for bus transit and the lower for trains. From the bridge, you can see the rolling water run to the east with ships coming and going.
Foreign Embassies are located in Beijing, but there are 3 foreign consulates in Wuhan. More than 40 countries like Japan and Thailand are going to build their consulate general in Wuhan. General Consulate of French Add: Room 1701-1708, Wuhan International Trade Business Center, No.568, Jianshe Road, Wuhan, Hubei Consular District: Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Jiangxi Province Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-12:30, 14:00-17:30 Tel: 86-27- 6579-7900 General Consulate of the Republic of Korea Add: 4/19F, SPD Bank Tower, No.218, Xinhua Road, Jianghan-District, Wuhan, Hubei Consular District: Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Henan Province, Jiangxi Province Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-18:00 Tel: 86-27-8556-1085 E-mail: wuhan@mofa.go.kr General Consulate of America Add: New World International Trade Tower I, No. 568, Jianshe Avenue, Hankou, Wuhan Consular District: Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Henan Province, Jiangxi Province Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-17:00 Tel: 86-27-8555-7761
All the local hospitals in Wuhan are open to international students. Students with minor illness can go to schools' clinic for help. If you are badly ill, you can see a doctor in any of the local hospitals. Tips for seeing a doctor in the local hospitals. Process: Bring your passport, then fill in a form in the hospital which contains your name (English name or Chinese name), date of birth and contact person in China (name and contact) Register with a doctor Waiting at the corresponding section Seeing the doctor