The metropolitan area consists of three historical parts: Wuchang (武昌) in the east, Hankou (汉口) in the north, and Hanyang (汉阳) in the southwest, collectively referred to as the “Wuhan Tri-City”. These three parts stand opposite each other on different riverbanks, they are connected by bridges, one of which is considered to be the first modern type bridge in China and is simply called “First Bridge”. The centre of the city is on a plain, while its southern part is hilly. The city is surrounded by lakes and marshes formed partly from the remnants of the old Yangtze River bed, and exit through the lake zone is by dikes. Outside the lake zone, the city is surrounded by an automobile ring. Wuhan is a major centre of China’s automobile industry: the city produces about 10% of all Chinese cars, as well as a significant number of components and parts. The city’s largest automobile manufacturer is Dongfeng Motor Corporation (including Dongfeng’s joint ventures with Nissan, Honda, Stellantis and Renault). A large amount of commercial and residential real estate is under construction in the city.

Wuhan’s tallest buildings are Wuhan Greenland Centre (476 m), Wuhan Centre (438 m), Heartland 66 (339 m), Minsheng Bank Building (331 m) and Yuexiu Fortune Centre (330 m).