General Information About Living in the Mainland

China covers a land area of 9.6 million square kilometers and currently consists of four municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing), 23 provinces, five autonomous regions (Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Guangxi) directly under the Central Government, and two special administrative regions (Hong Kong and Macao).

Wuhan is the capital-city of Hubei Province, as well as the political, economic and cultural centre of the Province. As the centre of the central China region, Wuhan has the unique advantage of "thoroughfare to nine provinces", and it serves as a hub for both land and air transportation and plays an important role in international communications. As of 2014, the population of Wuhan stood at approximately 10.34 million. Wuhan covers a land area of 8,494 square kilometers. The urban area is comprised of three parts, Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang, commonly named as the "three towns of Wuhan". Wuhan is divided into 13 districts and there are three development zones at national level (not administrative divisions) : Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone (Zhuankou Development Zone), East Lake New Technology Development Zone and Linkonggang Economic & Technological Development Zone.

Weather

China spans over a vast geographic area. Local weather varies considerably from one location to another. Latest weather information of different regions can be found at the website of China Meteorological Administration.

Wuhan is located in the eastern Jianghan Plain, which is characterized by the humid subtropical monsoon climate with abundant rainfall and sunshine; hot summers, cold winters, and short springs and autumns. The average temperature (annual) is 15-18°C. Spring starts from March, usually with a large daily temperature difference. Early summer starts from mid-May whilst July is midsummer. The highest temperature is mostly between 37-39°C and with high humidity. Early autumn comes in October when the average temperature is 20-25°C and the weather is dry. Winter lasts from late December to February of the following year when the average temperature is 1-3°C, and 7-8°C on some fine days. If there is cold air or if it rains or snows, the temperature usually drops below 0°C and the weather is chilly.

Air Quality

The concentration of PM 2.5 particulates is an important indicator of air quality. Monitoring agencies convert the concentration of PM 2.5 particulates into an air quality index (AQI) to reflect the air quality. Wuhan Environmental Monitoring Centre forecasts the air quality in Wuhan on a daily basis. According to the Technical Regulation on Ambient Air Quality Index (on trial) released by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP) of the People's Republic of China (Announcement [2012] No.8) :

AQI Level Remarks
0 - 50 Level 1
Good air quality
Can participate in outdoor activities and breathe the fresh air
51 - 100 Level 2
Moderate air quality
Can participate in normal outdoor activities
101 - 150 Level 3
Light air pollution
People who are sensitive to air pollution should reduce outdoor physical exertion
151 - 200 Level 4
Medium air pollution
People who are sensitive to air pollution may be noticeably affected
201 - 300 Level 5
Heavy air pollution
The general public is advised to reduce outdoor physical exertion
301 - 500 Level 6
Serious air pollution
Avoid staying outdoors

For more information, please visit the official website of Wuhan Environmental Monitoring Centre.

Currency

The official currency of China is Renminbi (RMB), commonly known as Yuan. Currently banknotes are available in the market in denominations of 1, 5 Jiao and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Yuan, and coins are available in denominations of 1, 5 Jiao and 1 Yuan. Currency exchange service is available at Wuhan Tianhe Airport and at the branches of large banks.

Voltage

As with most other countries, China adopts the metric measurement system. Household voltage is 220 volts in the Mainland, which is same as Hong Kong.

No voltage conversion is required if travelers want to use electrical appliance purchased from Hong Kong. However, the power plug is different from those commonly used in Hong Kong and thus a plug adapter may be required. Typical shapes of power plugs in the Mainland are shown in the pictures below.

3-legged power plug in China 2-legged power plug in China

Transportation

Overview

All automotive vehicles and non-automotive vehicles should be driven on the right side of the road in the Mainland, which differs from the practice of driving on the left side of the road in Hong Kong. Besides, the traffic rules also differ. In the Mainland, vehicles may take right turn even if the red light is on, but this would only be applicable where no disturbance is made to cars or pedestrians passing by.

For more information, please visit the website of Wuhan Traffic Management Bureau.

Public Transportation in Wuhan

Wuhan public transportation IC card (Wuhan City Smart Card) can be used for taking buses, ferries, metro, etc. and also in supermarkets, airport highway, taxis and libraries.

The card can be bought and recharged at any merchants displaying the logo of the Wuhan City Smart Card. The card is unnamed and will not be registered for loss. Card holders should recharge the card according to their own needs and keep it properly.

Metro

Currently, there are three subway lines operating in Wuhan : the Metro Lines 1 (light rail), 2, 3 and 4.

Metro Lines Routes
Line 1 Hankou North — Dongwudadao
Line 2 Jinyintan — Optics Valley Square
Line 3 Zhuanyangdadao — Hongtudadao
Line 4 Wuchang Railway Station — Wuhan Railway Station

Wuhan Metro operates from 0600 to 2230 hours on weekdays, and 0630 to 2230 on weekends. The operating hours will be extended on holidays and announced separately. Please check for notices posted on the official website and in the stations.

For more information, please visit the website of Wuhan Metro Group Company Limited, or Wuhan Transport Services website.

Buses

Wuhan has a bus network that basically covers the whole city. The fare is generally RMB 2 within the urban area. Passengers can enjoy 20% discount by paying with the Wuhan City Smart Card. For suburban buses, fare is charged with respect to the length of distance traveled.

For more information, please visit the website of Wuhan Transport Services.

Taxis

Taxi stands are often found in public areas such as hotels, business centres, hospitals and residential quarters, etc. Passengers may also book taxis over phone or through the internet. The service hotline of Wuhan taxi is (8627) 6666 7777.

For more information, please visit the website of the Wuhan Passenger Transport Taxi Management Office.

Ferries

Ferry is one form of public transport in Wuhan with the longest history. Over ten ferry lines are now operating between the three towns of Wuhan.

Popular Ferry Lines Fare
Wuhanguan Pier in Hankou — Zhonghualu Pier in Wuchang The fare is RMB 2 for ordinary ferry and RMB 1.8 if pay by Wuhan City Smart Card; RMB 5 for speedboat.
Jijiazui Pier in Hankou — Hanyangmen Pier in Wuchang

For more information, please visit the website of the Wuhan Ferry Company.

Long-haul Shuttle

Currently there are more than 30 passenger terminals in Wuhan. The "real name ticketing policy" has not yet been implemented for long-haul shuttle. Contact telephone number and addresses of some common passenger terminals are listed as follows :

Passenger Terminal Telephone Address
Hongji Passenger Terminal (8627) 8807 4966 519 Zhongshan Road, Wuchang District
Fujiapo Passenger Terminal (8627) 96513 358 Wuluo Road
Jinjiadun Long-haul Shuttle Terminal (8627) 8558 7777 170 Fazhan Avenue, Jianghan District
Xinrongcun Passenger Terminal (8627) 8577 7988 TE 1, Xinrongcun
Yangchunhu Passenger Terminal (8627) 8668 9999 Baiyun Road, Hongshan District
(Eastern Square of Wuhan Railway Station)

For more information, please visit the website of Hubei Highway Transport (bloc) Co. Ltd..

Railway

Train services in Wuhan mainly include high-speed rail ("Gaotie"), Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) ("Dongche") and ordinary train, etc. Wuhan is a main transportation hub of high-speed railway network in the Mainland, connecting to 18 provinces. There are three railway stations located in the urban area of Wuhan, namely Wuhan Railway Station, Wuchang Railway Station and Hankou Railway Station. Passengers should note which station to take the train when purchasing tickets.

Currently, for purchasing railway tickets, Hong Kong residents should hold valid travel document (Home Visit Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or passport, etc.). To purchase railway tickets, passengers may visit the ticketing offices located at relevant railway stations, or do so via ticketing hotline (ticketing hotline No.: 95105105, enquiry hotline No.: 12306) or through the official website of China Railway Customers Service Centre.

Air

Wuhan Tianhe Airport is located on Tianhe Street, Huangpi District in the north of Wuhan, about 25 kilometers from the city centre. There are two terminals, namely Terminal 2 and International Terminal. Terminal 2 mainly serves domestic flights and the International Terminal serves flights to and from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and all international flights.

Airport Transportation

Wuhan Tianhe Airport is connected to the city centre by two highways, namely the Airport Expressway (S18) and the Second Airport Expressway (S19). At the airport, there are long-haul buses to major cities in Hubei Province, airport buses to locations within the city, and taxi stands.

For more information, please visit the website of Hubei Highway Transport (bloc) Co. Ltd. or call the enquiry hotline : 96513 or (8627) 5123 0531.

Driving

Driving Licence

Hong Kong residents are required to obtain valid driving licences if they wish to drive in the Mainland. Drivers should carry their driving licences while driving. Hong Kong residents who meet relevant conditions promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security (including requirements in age, physical and other conditions, etc.) could apply for driving licences from traffic management departments. Applicants for driving licence for the first time have to pass driving tests. Test items vary with the type of driving licence applied.

Hong Kong residents holding valid driving licence issued by a foreign country, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan, and meet relevant conditions promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security (including requirements in age, physical and other conditions, etc.), and pass the test of the traffic management authority, may be issued with the driving licence of the Mainland.

For more information, please visit the website of Wuhan Traffic Management Bureau. Driving licence enquiry telephone No. : (8627) 8539 4435.

Hong Kong residents holding Hong Kong driving licence may also apply for the driving licence of the Mainland at Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department.

In addition, Hong Kong residents holding driving licence not issued by the Mainland authorities may apply for a temporary driving permit from the traffic management authority if they would like to drive in the Mainland for a period not exceeding three months.

Buying Vehicle
  • Buying Vehicle : Hong Kong residents should have their Home Visit Permit and Wuhan Residence Permit with them for buying vehicle. After confirming to buy a vehicle, the mentioned permits are required to apply for the motor vehicle licence plate.
  • Environmental Protection Certification : Owner of new car should bring the original vehicle licence to the nearby motor vehicle environmental protection inspection agency to apply for the certification free of charge. For a used vehicle, the owner should bring the original vehicle licence, drive the vehicle to the examination centre, and obtain the certification after passing the examination.
  • Annual Vehicle Inspection : The following documents are required for annual vehicle inspection : original and copy of Home Visit Permit, vehicle licence, the compulsory motor vehicle incident liability insurance policy and receipt, insurance card, as well as vehicle and vessel tax receipt.

Owners of vehicle should note that the Environmental Protection Certification and Annual Vehicle Inspection are necessary procedures after buying a vehicle.

For more information, please visit the website of Wuhan Traffic Management Bureau. Motor vehicles related enquiry telephone No. : (8627) 8539 4434.

Traffic Management Measures for Automotive Vehicle

Traffic management measures on main Yangtze bridges and tunnel in Wuhan include :

Section Regulations Restrict Hours
Yangtze River Bridge
(Yangtze River First Bridge)
Medium-sized passenger cars of 19 seats or less can pass on odd or even days according to the last digit of their licence plate numbers. (For example, on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th day of each month, the vehicles are not allowed to pass if their licence plate numbers end with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) 7:00 - 22:00
Jianghan Bridge
(Jianghan First Bridge)
7:00 - 22:00
Yangtze River Tunnel

For more information, please visit the website of Wuhan Traffic Management Bureau.