"Explore East Lake for just 50 RMB per person! Cycling, picnicking, and photography all included, with a detailed budget list"

Wuhan is crowded during Labor Day? Here’s a local’s secret “anti-crowd” guide to East Lake that helps you avoid 99% of the tourists! "Going to Wuhan for Labor Day to see the sea? No, it’s to see the sea of people!" Every year during Labor Day, the number of visitors to East Lake in Wuhan can overwhelm the Third Ring Road—the crowds at Yellow Crane Tower line up from morning till night, the stalls selling doupi in Hubu Alley are packed, and even the Yangtze River ferry is “occupied” by tourists. But did you know? East Lake actually hides a “secret realm”: it has 28.7 kilometers of greenways connecting six major scenic areas, lakeside cafes with a Dali vibe, a mountain park with a Ferris wheel and slides, and even camping sites and flower valleys cherished by locals. As someone who has lived near East Lake for ten years and visited over a hundred times, I spent three days compiling this in-depth, ad-free, pure practical guide covering hidden activities in the six scenic areas, comparisons of four cycling routes, lesser-known photo spots, and even how to enjoy East Lake for the price of a cup of coffee! ------ 1. How to explore the six major scenic areas of East Lake? Locals help you avoid the pitfalls! East Lake is divided into six major scenic areas, each with a unique style, but some may be crowded during Labor Day. Choosing the right activities helps you avoid the crowds. 1. Tingtao Scenic Area: Dali-style café + koi carp in Hanfu, a must for art lovers! • Lakeside café: At the entrance is “East Lake Coffee Town” with several hidden gems. Recommended is the Osmanthus Latte (32 RMB) at “Lakeside Coffee,” with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake. Afternoon sunlight filters through the leaves onto wooden tables, creating a perfect atmosphere. • Quyuan Fenghe koi carp photoshoot: Although lotus flowers aren’t blooming in summer, the koi in the pond are plump and adorable. Wear Hanfu or light-colored dresses and use “portrait mode” to blur the background for photos comparable to classical style portraits. • Lawn picnic: The large central lawn allows picnic mats. Bring your own snacks and fruit, lie under the trees listening to the wind—ten times more comfortable than being in the crowd. • Hidden photo spot: At the end of the water pier is a crooked-neck tree with low branches you can sit on, backed by shimmering lake water, making photos look like movie stills. 2. Moshan Scenic Area: Ferris wheel + slides + Chu culture, perfect for families and romance! • Forest micro-adventure hike: Enter through the Chu City Gate and follow the “Forest Micro-Adventure” route. You’ll encounter a giant statue of Yu Xiong (legendary ancestor of Chu), a stele engraved with “Li Sao,” and a suspended treehouse walkway, like stepping into a fairy tale forest. • Colorful cable car and mountain slides: Cable car one-way is 30 RMB; choose the colorful cabins for better photos. The slide (40 RMB per ride) is like a giant slide rushing down the mountain—thrilling for kids and young people alike. • 1314 Ferris wheel: Lights up after 6 PM, cabins filled with couple messages. One rotation takes 13 minutes and 14 seconds, symbolizing “forever,” perfect for couples to check in. • Chutian Terrace bronze bell performance: Climb 288 steps to the top for an amazing view of East Lake! Performances at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM (50 RMB per person) are more niche than those at the Hubei Provincial Museum. 3. Luoyan Scenic Area: Little Guilin + bamboo rafts + sunset, a photographer’s paradise! • Nine-bend bridge mist installation: Mist sprays on the hour, koi swim under the bridge. Wear white dresses for photos that look like a fairyland (mist lasts 10 minutes, arrive early to secure a spot). • Bamboo rafts and suspension bridge: Deep in the area, bamboo rafts (20 RMB per person) can take you to the lake center. The suspension bridge sways gently, with karst rock formations behind, known as “Wuhan’s Little Guilin.” • Best sunset spot: The rock formations at the Die Shi viewing platform. At low tide, you can walk to the lake edge. After 6:30 PM, the sun sets into the lake, turning the sky pink and purple—softer than a seaside sunset. 4. Chuidi Scenic Area: Café + forest trail, full chill vibes! • Hidden café: Inside the “Shijianlu Bookstore” is a forest café. Order a “Forest Mocha” (38 RMB), sit by the floor-to-ceiling window reading, occasionally a squirrel jumps by. • Forest trail: Enter from the “South Gate of Forest Park,” follow the “Songgeping” route. Along the way is a pigeon-feeding square (pigeon food 5 RMB per bag), kids can play for hours. 5. Baima Scenic Area: Camping + flower valley, perfect for Labor Day! • East Lake camping base: The area has an official camping site offering tent rentals (150 RMB/day). Bring your own gear and pay only 50 RMB for the site fee. You can stargaze at night. • May flower valley: Poppies, daisies, and evening primroses cover the hills. Wear light-colored dresses for photos with “flowers + lake” backgrounds, guaranteed to get hundreds of likes on social media. 6. Luohong Scenic Area: Lingbo Gate sunrise + Wuhan University stroll, a must for artsy youth! • Lingbo Gate sunrise: Arrive before 5 AM; the pier is already full of people. When the sun rises from the lake, the sky turns orange-red, and the pier’s wave patterns reflect golden light, like walking on the sea. • Pier café: After sunrise, visit “East Lake Coffee Lab,” order a “Lingbo Gate Special” (35 RMB), sit by the window watching a handsome guy play piano—maximum romance. • Wuhan University back gate stroll: A 10-minute walk from Lingbo Gate to Wuhan University. Though it’s not cherry blossom season, the red walls of the old dorms and the spiral staircase at Wanlin Museum are still great photo spots. 2. How to cycle the East Lake greenway? Comparison of four routes, choose wisely to avoid pitfalls! The East Lake greenway is 28.7 kilometers long, connecting six scenic areas. For Labor Day, it’s best to cycle early (before 7 AM) or in the evening (after 5 PM) to avoid midday heat and crowds. 1. Lake Central Route (classic must-choose) • Route: Liyuan Square → Lake Light Overture → Jiunü Dun → Wetland Park → Lake Heart Island → Moshan Scenic Area • Features: Most crowded but most beautiful scenery, wide lake views, great for photos; shared bikes available but may be out during Labor Day, so bring your own bike. • Duration: 1.5 hours cycling, 3 hours walking. 2. Countryside Route (fewer people, beautiful scenery) • Route: Botanical Garden → Qinghe Bridge → Luoyan Gui Xia → Luoyan Scenic Area → High-speed Rail Race → Baima Scenic Area • Features: Close to Wuhan Station, quiet with fewer people, has a “Heart-shaped cycling route” (Qinghe Bridge to Luoyan Gui Xia), perfect for couples; along the way are reed beds and wetlands, like walking into a painting. • Duration: 2 hours cycling, 4 hours walking. 3. Moshan Route (family-friendly) • Route: Forest Park → Forest Micro-Adventure → Moshan Scenic Area • Features: Steeper slopes, suitable for cyclists who like challenges; along the way are treehouses and slides, families with kids can ride and play. • Duration: 1 hour cycling, 2 hours walking. 4. Lake Mountain Route (half mountain, half lake) • Route: Meiyuan → Panorama Square → Fengduo Mountain → Yikeshu → Lingbo Gate • Features: Least crowded, mountains on the left, lake on the right, greenway winds in the middle; Lingbo Gate at the end offers sunrise views, ideal for early rides. • Duration: 1.5 hours cycling, 3 hours walking. 3. East Lake food map: from street snacks to artsy cafés • Near Tingtao Scenic Area: “Hubin Guesthouse” lotus soup (68 RMB/serving), simmered in a clay pot for 4 hours, thick and glutinous; “East Lake Flavor” spicy and sour lotus root strips (38 RMB), a local secret. • Near Moshan Scenic Area: “Chu Weixuan” Mianyang three-steamed dishes (58 RMB), steamed pork + steamed fish + steamed lotus root, soft and not greasy; “Ferris Wheel Snacks” grilled squid (15 RMB/skewer), with secret sauce from the owner. • Near Luoyan Scenic Area: “Bamboo Raft Family” steamed Wuchang fish (88 RMB/fish), freshly caught and cooked, tender meat; “Die Shi Restaurant” osmanthus rice wine (28 RMB/pot), homemade, low alcohol, perfect for women. • Hidden gem: Next to Lingbo Gate, “East Lake Coffee Lab” offers “Lingbo Gate Special” (35 RMB), made with East Lake water + coffee + osmanthus sugar, sweet and refreshing. 4. Labor Day practical tips: smart choices to avoid crowds 1. Get up early! Arrive at Lingbo Gate before 6 AM for sunrise, Tingtao Scenic Area café before 7 AM, Moshan cable car before 9 AM to avoid 80% of tourists. 2. Eat off-peak: Restaurants are busiest 11:30 AM–1 PM and 5:30 PM–7 PM. Eat at 10:30 AM or 2 PM, or bring your own snacks. 3. Transportation: East Lake area is prone to traffic jams during Labor Day. Take Metro Line 8 to “Liyuan Station” or “Hubei Daily Provincial Museum Station,” then ride shared bikes; if driving, park at “Chufengyuan Parking Lot” (10 RMB/hour). 4. Dress guide: In May, Wuhan daytime is 28°C, wear short sleeves + sun protection; evenings 20°C, bring a light jacket; wear sneakers for cycling, and non-slip shoes for the rocky area in Luoyan Scenic Area. When the crowds at Yellow Crane Tower flood your camera, and long lines form at the doupi stalls in Hubu Alley, East Lake’s six scenic areas and 28.7 kilometers of greenway still hide Wuhan’s gentlest side. Here, the lake glows, the mountains tell stories, and even the wind carries the scent of coffee. This Labor Day, why not spend a day walking from the café in Tingtao to the sunset at Luoyan, cycling from the Ferris wheel in Moshan to the pier at Lingbo Gate? Don’t forget a picnic mat—East Lake’s spring is worth your slow indulgence.