East Lake

Donghu covers around thirty-three square kilometres within Wuhan, several times the area of West Lake in Hangzhou, with an indented shoreline of peninsulas and bays backed by wooded hills. A greenway of over a hundred kilometres runs around and through it for cycling and walking, one of the longest urban lakeside routes in China. The Moshan area holds Chu-themed gardens recalling the ancient state whose capital lay nearby, and the East Lake Cherry Garden, planted with tens of thousands of trees, draws large crowds for two or three weeks in late March. Mao swam in the lake repeatedly and kept a villa on its shore.

What you actually see

• The greenway - over a hundred kilometres of cycling and walking route.
• The cherry garden - tens of thousands of trees flowering in late March.
• The Moshan gardens - Chu-themed landscaping and pavilions.
• The lake scale - the largest urban lake in China, with wooded shores.

When to go

Late March for cherry blossom, which brings very heavy crowds and timed tickets to the garden; September to November for mild weather and quiet shoreline. Wuhan summers are extremely hot and humid.

Honest expectations

The cherry garden charges entry and requires booking in season, with crowds to match. The lake is large and getting between areas takes time. Water quality varies and swimming is restricted.

Nearby

Yellow Crane Tower lies west; the Hubei Provincial Museum is on the lake's shore.