Wuhan Tianhe International Airport — Attraction in Wuhan

I had read so many bad reviews and mixed information on this Airport before flying through it that I decided I would spend my 7 hour layover taking pictures and noting what I saw.

flew through October 2018. BKK to WUH to SFO. Had a seven hour layover with China southern. Despite the horror stories I read online about WUH I found it to be just fine. It's a new terminal that looks like it is still being filled out, there are not a lot of restaurants or stores but there are a few custom whiskey shops, gift shops, Starbucks , Burger King and a handful of Chinese restaurants and massage. Had no problem dealing with the staff or the procedures. I did find that cash was the better option as most restaurants we're not set up to accept credit card payments. I never saw an ATM but there was a cash exchange. After reading many reviews I decided to bring 650 yuan (CNY) in cash. I didn't even get close to needing it all, although the extra cash came in handy for my return flight also through China. I was able to use a Visa credit card at Starbucks but only after some confusion as the cashier had four terminals, all on separate credit card networks to use. There is a way to get to downtown from the airport via a train, but I only observed people doing that, I did not do it myself. I did have to get an entry Visa even though I had no plans to leave the airport, but this did not cost me anything and the process was smooth and easy. There are many electical outlets throughout the terminal to charge my devices, that work with the standard North American plugs compatible with 110v-240v voltage (most mobile devices will work there check your plug) . In the end I ended up setting setting up shop in the Burger King Courtyard where I had access to a usb wall plug, a booth, my movies, and French fries to pass the time. The internet signal in the airport was strong but I did not use it as it required the good amount of ID and leg work to log on and I simply had no need for it. It's worth noting that services like WhatsApp, line, or most things google including email will not work in China. I did not see a place to buy a Sim card. As to restrooms they where new and clean, "Western style" , restrooms. There is free hot water and drinking water dispensers throughout. As well as shops that sell bottled water, snacks and instant soups.

My take away is this: Bring yuen in cash 150 yuen per person should cover two or three decent meals for most people,

If you need to use email, setup a non google email account, and forward your Gmail account to it.

There are two kinds of western people who eat at a Burger King in Asia. those who are to to afraid to try anything else, and those who have been trying everything else for sometime, and are overwhelmed with joy over a fast food cheese burger. I...

Never had any problems with any custom workers until today. My phone chargers were checked out and granted clearance last week by the custom in this airport. Today, the custom in this exact airport confiscated both of my phone chargers! I explained to the custom lady that her co-worker said it was OK a week ago to carry the phone chargers on the plane. She started saying something about each country has its own regulations and my phone chargers did not comply with the Chinese regulations because the chargers are missing the 'm' for mAh. In other words, she thought each battery charger could produce 20,000 (twenty thousand) Ah!!! I really wanted to speak to her supervisor but my plane was leaving in 20 minutes. At the end, she ended up keeping my awesome chargers. My point is- the items either meet or don't meet the regulations. The custom should be consistent with the regulations. A small phone charger is incapable of producing 20,000 Ah. For those of you planning to carry phone or iPad chargers- make sure your device clearly shows the mAh value on the chargers. Otherwise, you might end up losing your chargers like I did. And yes, both of my chargers were made in China. They didn't follow their own rules. Another tip- There is an explosive item check point at the entrance at the airport. After that, there is another check point inside the airport. After the second check point, there is final check point. Allow yourself plenty of time for security check points as it is quiet common for other people to cut in...

Easily the worst and most unfriendly airport I’ve ever been to. There are a total of 2 restaurants and 3-5 small stores in the entire airport that sell food/drinks and they only accept Chinese Yen. It’s absolutely absurd that any international airport in a country like China does not accept major credit/debit cards at all whatsoever. Also, for fellow Bank of America users, the only ATM is from China Construction Bank and it does not allow withdrawals from BofA checking accounts, therefore, if you don’t have some kind of currency in pocket before arriving you are out of luck. What about vending machines you say? All vending machines were out of order. I had a 4 hour layover and wasn’t able to buy any food or drink at all, whatsoever. On top of that, there is no free WiFi and no one can speak English, even at the “information booth” that advertises in English! Combine this with the fact that the Chinese customs officers at this airport are probably the least friendly people I’ve ever encountered in my life and the sooner you can leave this place the better. Overall my experience would be been more tolerable had I known beforehand to bring plenty of drinks and snacks or cash, however such a modern airport completely lacking all “modern amenities” and hospitality earns this place a 1 star rating in my book. Terrible first...