Wuhan
INTRO
The Chicago of China, Homeland of White Clouds and Yellow Crane, the Capital of Hubei Province, One of the Four Furnaces of China, The Town of One Thousand Lakes. But the city of Wuhan is not only that! It was a cradle of Chinese wisdom and poetry and it is today its living proof. If you wish to experience the inspiration of ancient Chinese thought and if you desire to indulge in an ocean of irreproachable music, you will definitely enjoy Wuhan. Masterfully prepared seafood among beautiful lakes will add the cherry to your ice-cream taste of modern China.
City Profile
City: Wuhan
Country: China
Area:8467 square km
Population: 7, 300, 000
Districts: 13
Language: Mandarin
Rating:
LOCATION
Situated on a river-crossed fertile land known as Jianghan Plain, Wuhan is not surprisingly the biggest hub city in Central China. It is divided into three parts by the confluence of Yangtze and Han River and dotted by nearly 200 lakes in or around the city area. The River along with the lake network once served as a starting point for expanding merchandise through the entire country.
TIME TO VISIT
Wuhan has a subtropical monsoon climate and four distinctive seasons. Summers and winters are not recommended for tourism because of the temperature extremes. The hot months are difficult to bear even for the natives due to the scorching heat and high humidity. Winter time in Wuhan can reach ten degrees below zero so it is also better to avoid those chilly days between December and February. Therefore, March-April and September-October are the best months to visit since the period June-August is marked with heavy rains. Moreover, spring and autumn are the seasons when two Wuhan Festivals are held: The Plum Blossom Festival and the International Tourist Festival.
POPULATION
By the end of 1998 the city had a population of 7.3 million, including a nonagricultural population of 4.3 million and an agricultural population of 3 million. Its floating population is 1.5 million, including a resident population of over 700, 000, mostly in seven main urban districts. The natives speak a dialect of Southwestern Mandarin Chinese.
DISTRICTS
Wuhan is divided into thirteen districts but three of them are most important. It is those three districts that Wuhan is named after, taking the first syllables of their names. Those "Three Towns of Wuhan" are divided by rivers and are linked by bridges, including the First Bridge, known as one of the first modern Chinese bridges.
- Hankou District is the waterfront along the Han River and a bustling commercial section with colonial style architecture, pubs and bars. At night this is the major hub of Wuhan nightlife.
- Hanyang District is the smallest of Wuhan districts but is frequently visited because of the worthwhile sights hidden here, such as Tortoise Hill, Guiyuan Buddhist Temple and Qingchuan Pavilion.
- Wuchang District is famous because of the huge East Lake and its tourists sights that are situated there.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
The charm about Wuhan is the poetic romance that can be felt when visiting its tourist attractions. Musical chords, tender words and religious wisdom are among the treasures of Wuhan's sights, embodied in old temples and towers. Here are some worth visiting places.
- Yellow Crane Tower is a true landmark of Wuhan's poetic history. One can enjoy the inspiring view of the whole city and feel the intellectual atmosphere of the ancient Chinese dynasties that is incorporated into the tower inscriptions of famous poets and literati. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hubei/wuhan/yellowcrane.htm
- Guiyuan Buddhist temple is a marvel of Buddhist religion that would fascinate even the least religious person. Built in 1658, the temple was named after a sutra, that means to "surpass the limits of existence and extinguishment, to return to purity and tranquility". More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hubei/wuhan/guiyuan_temple.htm
- Hubai Provincial Museum exhibits the cultural relics of a long history, the most interesting among which is the Chime Bells. This is the largest bronze musical instrument ever found, which once again proves the marvellous cultural life of Chinese ancestors. The Museum offers everyday replica performance of the Chime Bells played by anciently dressed musicians. More info on admission fee and working hours on: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hubei/wuhan/bronze_music.htm
- East Lake is a must visit point for all nature lovers. Provided with recreational facilities this scenic area was no doubt a muse for ancient Wuhan poets. Plum gardens and the bamboo forest were and are still the perfect place to unwind from your hasty schedule. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hubei/wuhan/donghu.htm
AIRPORT
The city of Wuhan is easily reachable with its airport that maintains over a hundred domestic and international lines, connecting the city to 35 locations in China and to Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, and Thailand.
- Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is located on 25 minutes car ride from the city centre which is about 20 kilometers. The airport has a shuttle bus available that departures frequently. Tickets can be purchased in the arrivals hall for 15, 20 or 30 RMB per person depending on the chosen destination. There is also a serviced taxi stand so you can get to the city for 80-100 Yuan by taxi. Do not take taxis that are offered to you in the arrive area. More info at: http://airport.u.nu/WUH
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Wuhan offers several efficient ways of travelling around the city:
- The elevated Metro is probably the best way to escape the city traffic. There is only one line operating that runs from Huangpu to Zongguan in the downtown area of the Hankou District.
- Public buses: the standard ticket costs 2 RMB wherever you go in the city but it takes about 2 hours to cross the town because of the traffic.
- Taxis are expensive, about RMB 200-300 from one district to another. Taxis with even numbered registration plates can only pick up passengers on even dates while those with odd numbered plates work only on odd numbered dates.
- Boats: The city provides deluxe cruises to the famous Three Gorges, Buddhist Mountain & Ancient Ceramic Town by Yangtze River. Ferries are available to the riverside cities and are usually not expensive.
- Trolleys are another good way to escape the traffic in Wuhan but they only run certain routes.
HISTORY
The settlement history of Wuhan dates back 3,500 years. In the 3rd century AD the famous Battle of Red Cliffs took place in the surroundings of today city and little after that walls were built to protect Hanyang and Wuchang, which marks the foundation of Wuhan. The city has long been renowned as a flourishing art centre, especially for poetry, and as a place for intellectual studies. It has also been one of the country's top four trading towns for more than 300 years. And despite the fact that Wuhan had been a battlefield for the Wuchang Uprising in 1911, which led to the collapse of Qing Dynasty, and for the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1938, which made it a major Japanese logistics centre, and despite it was almost completely destroyed by the American firebombing raids in 1944, Wuhan has managed to preserve its ancient past and to transfer it into a thriving present.
CITY LINKS
- Wuhan Post, A Daily Newspaper in English: www.wuhanpost.com
- Wuhan Travel Guide: http://www.mytravelguide.com/global/touristinfo-17893302-China_Wuhan_travelguide.html
- About Wuhan: www.wuhan.com
- Travel around Wuhan, useful tips: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hubei/wuhan/getting-there.htm
UNIVERSITY LINKS
There are eight national colleges and universities and fourteen public colleges and universities in Wuhan. Here are some of them:
- Wuhan University, founded in 1893: www.whu.edu.cn/en/
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, www.hust.edu.cn/english/
- Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,