Start off your 16 hours in Wuhan with a tour of a trio of sights in the southern suburbs. The first is one of China's "Four Great Towers", Yellow Crane Tower. The pagoda's five stories are supported by 72 pillars, and it has 100,000 glistening yellow roof tiles. Visit the former wartime strategic spot known as Turtle Hill. Steeped in legend and history, the hill is today a popular place at sunrise, when locals gather there to practice Taichi.

Then move on to the East Lake Scenic Area. This resort has a number of attractive spots including Tingtao, Luoyan and Moshan. A walk through the grounds of Tingtao is highly recommended, covered as they are with rare sequoia trees. Enjoy a fish lunch at the Tingtao Inn of Wine, before hopping back on the bus for the short 8km trip back to the city center.

Head for Zhongshan Dadao and the site of the Wuhan National Government Museum. It is the only site in which the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang government of the Republic of China worked together in cooperation. Today it exhibits historical artifacts from the former local KMT government.

Then visit the 100-year-old Jianghan Road Shopping Street. Often compared with Shanghai's Nanjing Road, the street throngs with tourists and residents browsing its stores and boutiques. All kinds of products from snacks to luxury goods can be found there. Shop a while, then sit back and enjoy the atmosphere in a trendy café.

Then cross the river again, and browse the Yellow Crane Tower Painting and Calligraphy Studio on Zhongbeilu. It also displays and sells the four treasures of study (paper, writing brushes, ink stick and ink slab) and other art paraphernalia. Pick up a calligraphy set or a painting for the friends and family.

Have a late and lazy dinner at the Hujin Restaurant on Bayi Lu. Try its succulent Hubei dishes like lotus root and pork ribs, and wild mushroom soup. Then take your pick of the city's bars and nightclubs. Stay in the Wuchang area and try the Western-inclined Blue Sky Café on Wuluo Lu, followed by Starfish Disco Club on Ziyang Lu.