Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing
- Jul 16, 2027
- Distance: 1.8km
About the race
The Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing Festival is an annual event with a long tradition in China, demonstrating strength and vitality for swimmers from all over the world. Participants compete in a challenging open water swim across the Yangtze River.
The University of Canterbury (UC) participates in this event by selecting students to represent the university on the international stage. The event involves a rigorous selection process based on swimming performance, with the Wuhan Sports Bureau offering fully funded trips to selected athletes from sister cities.
From a silver shield to a national festival
The first race across the Yangtze at Wuhan was held on 9 September 1934: forty-four swimmers from the Wuchang docks to Hankou, with Ju Huaqiang taking a silver shield as the prize. Mao Zedong crossed the river here in 1956, 1958 and again on 16 July 1966 — sixty-five minutes in the water at age seventy-two — and the modern festival is held every 16 July in memory of that swim. The event was suspended in 1980-83 and again for four years from 1996; the river at Wuhan averages 1.7 kilometres from bank to bank.
Sources: Wuhan
Course
Open water swim across the Yangtze River.
Awards
Awards presentation takes place on July 16th.
Previous editions
Since 1934
How to get there
Participants depart from New Zealand on July 12th and return after the event on July 17th.
Wuhan Yangtze River Crossing
Where to stay
Wuhan offers a diverse range of lodging near the Yangtze riverfront. Options include high-end international hotels with views of the river in the Hankou district and more modest boutique guesthouses located within converted heritage buildings. Camping is not standard in the dense urban core, but visitors can find comfortable modern apartments and business hotels. Prices range significantly, typically between $60 and $250 per night depending on proximity to the riverbanks and the level of service provided.
Things to do nearby
Beyond the water, the city provides access to significant historical and cultural activities. Visitors can explore the archaeological remains at the Panlongcheng site or climb the Yellow Crane Tower for an elevated view of the river's scale. The region is well-known for its culinary scene, particularly local river fish preparations and regional street food tours. For active recovery, the riverfront parks offer extensive walking paths that provide a unique perspective on the city's connection to the Yangtze and Han rivers.
Swimmers
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