EXPLORING WUHAN: Flying Over the Yellow Crane Tower
Hello, friends! We're in Wuhan! The second stop on our blogger delegation's itinerary was the famous Yellow Crane Tower, one of the "Four Great Towers of Ancient China."
A Blogger's Riddle
But it all started with a riddle. Our bus stopped near an old red brick wall, where tourists were crowded, eagerly taking selfies and photos. In the background, on a hill, the tower itself soared majestically – a great shot! But I still haven't figured out the sacred meaning of this wall. Maybe you could help me out in the comments? It was clear that for the locals, this is an important ritual – to begin their exploration of this landmark and take their first photos from here. I succumbed to the general hustle and bustle, asking my friend, blogger Yuri Smityuk, to take our photo from this vantage point as a souvenir.
We had a simple meal at a popular tourist and award-winning street cafe nearby: fragrant noodles, jiaozi dumplings, fresh salads, and Chinese shaomai, similar to Buryat dishes. And then, we set off to the heart of the legend.
History Embodied in Pagodas
The Yellow Crane Tower (or rather, pagoda) is the symbol of Wuhan, and it's already 1,800 years old! Situated atop Mount Sheshan, overlooking the mighty Yangtze River, it was originally built in 223 AD (the second year of the Huangwu Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms Period, during the Wu Dynasty). According to legend, an immortal once rested here, then flew away on the back of a yellow crane. Hence the name.
Its history is one of resilience: it repeatedly burned and was destroyed by wars and fires, but the Chinese rebuilt it again and again, as if resurrecting a legendary bird from the ashes. The pagoda was restored to its current Qing Dynasty appearance in 1985. What we see today is a grand complex: the main five-story pagoda (51 meters!), gates, pavilions, a bell, a white stupa, and bronze statues.
This is not just a tower, but an entire poetic park that has inspired Chinese poets for centuries. It gained worldwide fame thanks to the poem "Yellow Crane Tower," written by Tang-dynasty poet Cui Hao after climbing the tower.
In search of the perfect shot
The inside of the tower is a photographer's paradise. Each level offers a new perspective on the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers, bridges, the TV Tower, and the skyscrapers of Wuhan. The best locations for photoshoots and selfies I found:
* Near the bronze cranes on the lower platform in front of the tower – a classic.
* Inside the tower, against the backdrop of a panel with a yellow crane and a tower depicting a legend – a classic Chinese scene. Everyone takes selfies here, and you should try to find a vantage point that you like.
* On the observation galleries of all floors open to the public, with carved window frames that make the city look like a living painting.
* Near the ancient stele with poetry – for an atmospheric shot.
* On the platform near the bronze Millennium Bell, located higher up the tower, it has a more regular geometric shape.
In fact, the entire Tower complex is one large photo zone. Spectacular shots await here at every turn: one moment you're catching a vantage point with your friend in the foreground, a graceful rooftop angle with mythical guardian statues in the middle, and a panorama of modern Wuhan in the background. And then you find the perfect reflection of the tower in a special mirrored surface at the foot of the Millennium Bell. Just being there is half the battle. The rest will be your instincts and your eye!
I enjoyed strolling around the tower and the complex with my camera, but as a lover of urban photography and scale, I wanted more. After descending to the parking lot, I launched my drone into the sky. From a bird's eye (or rather, a crane's eye!) view, a stunning scene unfolded: an ancient pagoda, harmoniously blended into the rhythm of the modern metropolis and the mighty Yangtze River. This contrast is the soul of today's Wuhan.
VISITCHINA RU EDITORIAL COMMENT: The Yellow Crane Tower is more than just architecture. It's a place where you can feel the connection between times: ancient legends, poetry, the power of the river, and the dynamism of the new China. It's the perfect vantage point to soak up the spirit of this amazing city. And the mysterious red brick wall at the foot of the tower remains a pleasant curiosity for Russian bloggers of the day.
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