China train guide · checked October 2026
Nanjing to Wuhan by train
Up the Yangtze from Nanjing to Wuhan, the river city of the Yellow Crane Tower, in about three hours.
- Journey timeabout 2.5–3.5 hours
- Fastest train2.5 h
- Second classfrom ¥200 (about 116 PLN) – up to ¥250
- How oftenhigh-speed trains throughout the day
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
Metro lines 1 and 3.
Trains arrive at Wuhan (武汉站) or Hankou (汉口站) – check which one, they are on different sides of the river.
Good to know
- Hankou station is closer to the old concession streets and the riverside; Wuhan station is in the east of the city.
- Wuhan is famous for its breakfast – try hot dry noodles (热干面) on your first morning.
Other ways: Flights take about 1.5 hours, but the train is quicker door to door.
On the way
West of Nanjing the line runs via Hefei and through the Dabie Mountains on the border of Anhui and Hubei, then descends to the lakes around Wuhan.
When you arrive
Stay in Hankou, near Jianghan Road and the Yangtze riverside, where the old concession buildings are. Across the river, the Yellow Crane Tower (about ¥70) looks down on the first bridge across the Yangtze, opened in 1957 – walk across it at sunset.
How to book
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Wuhan?
One full day covers the Yellow Crane Tower, the Yangtze bridge and the Hankou riverside. Add a second for the Hubei Provincial Museum, with the 2,400-year-old bronze bells of Marquis Yi, and East Lake.
What should I eat in Wuhan?
Breakfast is the big thing: hot dry noodles (热干面) with sesame paste and doupi (豆皮), sticky rice wrapped in tofu skin and egg. Hubu Alley (户部巷) near the Yellow Crane Tower is a whole street of snacks.
