More about hotels in Hubei
Hubei sits on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the province where China's biggest engineering feats meet quiet mountain forests and a bowl of hot dry noodles for breakfast. Its capital, Wuhan, is one of the country's great river cities, built where the Yangtze and Han rivers meet. Wuhan's East Lake is the largest lake inside any Chinese city, its shoreline threaded with cherry blossom groves and quiet walking trails that feel a world away from the traffic downtown. West of the capital, the province rises into karst canyons and thick, misty forest, home to rare wildlife and some of central China's best hiking.
From a one-night stopover in Wuhan to a longer stay out near the Three Gorges, Hubei has accommodation for every kind of trip, from simple hostels to five-star river-view suites. Here's where to stay, what it costs, and a few tips for booking smart.
Where to stay in Hubei
- Wuhan - the provincial capital and the easiest base for first-timers. Riverside towers, university districts and the Yellow Crane Tower are all within easy reach. See hotels in Wuhan.
- Yichang - the gateway to the Three Gorges Dam, about four hours west of Wuhan by train. A solid base for river cruises and dam tours. See hotels in Yichang.
- Enshi - deep in Hubei's southwest, this is canyon country. Stay here for hiking the Enshi Grand Canyon's cliff walkways and glass skywalks. See hotels in Enshi.
- Shennongjia - a forested mountain reserve a few hours from Yichang, and one of the last places in China where you can spot the rare golden snub-nosed monkey in the wild. See stays near Shennongjia.
Food is worth planning around, too. Wuhan's signature breakfast is reganmian, thick alkaline noodles tossed in sesame paste, chilli oil and pickled radish, sold from carts on almost every corner from sunrise. Pair it with lotus root and rib soup for dinner, a Hubei classic slow-cooked until the roots turn soft and the broth turns sweet. For something bolder, look for spiced duck neck, a numbing, salty snack sold by the bag from specialist stalls across the city.
How much is Hubei accommodation?
Expect to pay around AU$110 a night for a comfortable mid-range room in Wuhan, and noticeably less the further you get from the capital. Here's roughly what each tier gets you:
- Backpackers/Hostels - from AU$15 per night. Dorm beds and simple private rooms, usually near the train stations.
- Budget hotels/Guesthouses - from AU$35 per night. Clean, no-frills rooms, often with free breakfast thrown in.
- Mid-range/Apartments - from AU$65 per night. Bigger rooms and better locations, sometimes with a pool or gym.
- Boutique - from AU$95 per night. Design-led hotels with more personality, mostly in Wuhan's newer districts.
- Luxury/Resorts - from AU$220 per night. International five-star brands with river or lake views, spa facilities and a few restaurants to choose from.
Top-rated hotels in Hubei
- The Westin Wuhan Wuchang - about a 10-minute drive from Yellow Crane Tower, with a pool and full gym for winding down after a day of sightseeing.
- Hyatt Regency Wuhan Optics Valley - right in Wuhan's tech district, a one-minute drive from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
- Sheraton Grand Wuhan Hankou Hotel - a five-star riverside stay close to Wuhan Museum, with free parking and an indoor pool.
- Marco Polo Wuhan - set in Jiang'an District, with a full-service spa and two restaurants covering breakfast through to dinner.
- Wanda Realm Wuhan - right by East Lake, with an indoor pool and a Cantonese restaurant worth booking ahead for.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Hubei
- Stay near Wuchang railway station if you're heading on to Yichang or Enshi by train. It saves a cross-town trip with your bags the next morning.
- Book Yichang hotels early around Chinese New Year and the October holiday week. River cruise passengers fill the good ones fast.
- Heading to Enshi Grand Canyon? Look for a hotel near the north gate. It cuts your travel time on canyon day right down.
- Pack for cool nights if you're staying near Shennongjia, even in summer. The reserve sits high enough that evenings get properly chilly.
- Check whether breakfast is included before you book. The reganmian carts outside most hotels are cheap and good, but a hotel breakfast is handy on an early travel day.
Flying in? Check flights to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport and pair them with a Hubei stay for an easy start to your trip.
