Hubei's tourism resumes, cautiously
Tourists can visit the corridors of the 51.4-meter-high tower, and the halls of each floor will reopen incrementally, since they're well ventilated. The attraction will also be meticulously disinfected.
In April, the Yellow Crane Tower started to ask staff members to host livestreams showing the attraction's views and introduce its history. Each averaged over 1 million views.
"Netizens across the country are interested in the historical tower and comment that they want to visit in the future. The livestreams also enable some locals to learn more about the tower and entice them to visit," she says.
"But the key is to make visitors feel safe …There's still a long way to go."
She expects numbers will recover gradually until September, when the fall semester begins.
"The tower's fifth floor offers marvelous bird's-eye views of the city, including the bridges that span the Yangtze River. My favorite is watching the sunset."
Visitors to the tower can also head to nearby Hubuxiang to enjoy local snacks and stroll through the Tanhualin historical and cultural block. Or they can hop a ferry across the Yangtze to explore Hankou district.
The city's indoor attractions, such as the Hubei Provincial Museum, remain closed.
Hubei was part of the powerful Chu kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
"Our online exhibitions and livestreams promote Chu culture and history, and its people's strong spirit and character," says the museum's curator, Fang Qin.
