- East lake
- Wuhan Botanical Garden
- Hubei Provincial Museum
- Wuhan landmarks
- Theater with the technology of the future
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
Reference books call Wuhan a city of sub-provincial importance, although it is also the most populous city in central China. The population of the administrative center of Hubei province has long exceeded 11 million and the figures are not going to stop there. The local international airport is often used by tourists traveling to Malaysia or Indonesia. They have to wonder where to go in Wuhan if the docking is long. The city may seem interesting to those who are interested in picturesque natural sights and historical buildings included in the lists of cultural values of the Celestial Empire.
East lake
There are several parks and green spaces within the city limits of Wuhan, but the surroundings of Donghu Lake are especially famous. Its name in translation from Chinese means "eastern", and numerous streams, channels around the reservoir and its winding banks gave Donghu another name. Wuhan residents call it the Lake of Ninety-Nine Bays.
Donghu is the largest lake in the PRC among those located within the city limits. The landscape lake area occupies about a quarter of Wuhan's territory. Where to go on the banks of Donghu to admire the most famous natural attractions? Several landscape zones stand out in the vicinity of the reservoir:
- Tall sequoias and a classic Chinese building with the poetic name Tower of Attention to Waves are the main signs that you are in the Tintao area. In the Poetry Pavilion, you can honor the memory of the famous patriot of the Celestial Empire, Qu Yuan, and in the sculpture park, you can admire examples of the work of local artists.
- The main of the six hills of the Moshan zone resembles a mushroom. Its height is only 118 m, but you will need a fair amount of patience to climb. On the way, you will have to consider the reconstruction of a village from the time of the Chu kingdom and more than once be distracted by photographing the most beautiful views that open from the hill.
- The name of the Luoyang zone means “the goose that sat down”. The buildings of Wuhan University and several other universities of the PRC are scattered within its borders. Luoyang's landscapes look peaceful and endless.
- In honor of the sixth son of the first emperor of the Ming kingdom, the Zhu Zhen landscape zone is named. Its main attractions are the Bird Park with two hundred species of birds living in it; Friendship Park, in which trees were planted by representatives of foreign delegations who visited Wuhan; East Lake Oceanarium; the largest sandy beach in central China.
In addition to contemplative relaxation, the lake offers a variety of sports opportunities. On the banks of the Donghu there are bicycle paths and equipment rental points. In winter, an ice rink is organized on the lake, and in summer the local yacht club offers swimming facilities for rent.
The best time to come to Wuhan and go to Lake Donghu is the first half of autumn and the very end of winter. In September, the city hosts a tourist rally of international level, and in February - a festival of plum blossom.
Wuhan Botanical Garden
One of the most beautiful Botanical Gardens of the Celestial Empire is laid out on the shore of the East Lake. On its territory, you will find over 4,000 plant species grouped in sixteen small parks. All plants are selected and planted in such a way that flowering in any part of the Botanical Garden continues all year round without interruption.
Orchids and cherry trees meet in spring, in summer the ponds of the Botanical Garden are decorated with lotuses, in autumn omantuses bloom violently, and in February the initiative is taken over by plums of several dozen varieties.
The Wuhan Garden has an area where hundreds of cherry blossom trees grow, and the March pink bloom is causing an influx of tourists. The Wuhan Botanical Garden is the world's third recognized cherry blossom center, along with the Hirosaki Garden in Japan and a park in downtown Washington.
Hubei Provincial Museum
If you are interested in the history of the Middle Kingdom, take a guided tour of the Wuhan Museum. Its exposition is dedicated to the history of Hubei province. The collection includes hundreds of thousands of items, among which more than eight hundred are considered the most valuable relics of the PRC. Sixteen exhibits are classified as national treasures.
The museum is divided into three sections, each of which represents true masterpieces or historical relics:
- The Bell Ringing Exhibition Hall is able to attract visitors just by its name. It contains relics found during archaeological excavations of the Tseng Tomb and dating back to the XII-XI centuries. BC NS. Among the extensive list of treasures are more than a hundred musical instruments, including the 64-bell chime that gave the name to the entire department of the Wuhan Museum.
- The Department of the Chu Culture Museum demonstrates exhibits of the Chu state that existed on the territory of modern central China. Time from VIII to V centuries. BC NS. is called the period of Spring and Autumn in the Celestial Empire, and the exhibits in the hall are dated precisely to this era. During the tour, you will see bronze vessels, glazed and painted ceramics, bamboo objects and silk clothing. The collection of weapons of the emperors features swords and spears. The restored chariots and the reconstructed houses from the Chu State times allow us to imagine the peculiarities of the life and life of the ancient Chinese.
- The modern exhibition complex displays exhibits dedicated to the new life of Hubei province. It hosts exhibitions of local artists, photographers and educational events for schoolchildren, students and anyone else.
In the Museum's Music Hall from 11 am to 4 pm, you can see the performances of artists playing ancient Chinese instruments. The souvenir shops at the museum sell antique fakes.
Wuhan landmarks
In every city with a rich historical past, there is a building called a city symbol. For Wuhan, the hallmark is the Huanghalou or the Yellow Crane Tower, where you should also go for the beautiful views of the city.
The origin of the name is associated with a legend, as is often the case in the Celestial Empire. The main characters of the tale are the Taoist wizard and the owner of the tavern. The first often drank wine in the establishment, and the second did not take money for it. Deciding to thank the hospitable restaurateur, the wizard painted a crane on the wall, which came to life at the request of the innkeeper and danced for visitors. As a result, the owner of the tavern became rich, and after 10 years the wizard sat on a bird and disappeared into the clouds. The restaurateur built a tower in memory of the benefactor, which is considered one of the four most significant in China.
The sight appeared in Wuhan in 223, but during its existence it was rebuilt and rebuilt more than once after the destruction. Today, the height of the five-tiered building is a little more than 50 m, the side of the base is about 30 m, and the completeness and harmony of the architectural ensemble is given by several light pavilions erected around.
The Yellow Crane Tower is often called the First Tower of the Celestial Empire. On it poets and artists caught inspiration, and now, on the observation deck, tourists admire the magnificent views of the city and the Yangtze River.
On the opposite side of the Yangtze, opposite the Yellow Crane Tower, there is another tower built during the reign of Emperor Jiajing. They call him Qingchuange.
The main shopping street in Wuhan, where shopping lovers should go, has a long history and can be included in the list of city attractions on a completely legal basis. Hanzhengjie Street appeared on the map of Hankoy urban area more than five centuries ago.
Theater with the technology of the future
Han Street theater is called the most advanced and modern theater not only in China, but also in the world. Its bright red building on the shore of the lake is noticeable from afar, but the interiors amaze the visitor much more than the walls outside. The Wuhan Theater doesn't just move the stage and audience. During performances, unrealistic lighting effects are used in it, a pool hidden for the time being from the eyes of the audience drives out, and shows with aquabikers and divers gather a full hall every day.
Note to shopaholics
Wuhan consists of three large districts, which were independent cities in the past, but then merged into common borders. Among them, the Hankou area has a reputation as a true paradise for tourists who prefer to spend part of their trip in shops. Going to local department stores and shopping malls, having arrived in Wuhan, is worth both for those who are just looking for souvenirs to remember their vacation, and for those who are more serious and ready to pay for extra baggage on the plane.
The best place for shopping is Wuhanguang Chang Shopping Center. The mall consists of three parts and due to the variety of products and sizes presented, it was named the "Commercial Aircraft Carrier" of Wuhan.
Delicious points on the map
Chinese cuisine in the city's establishments is presented in all its diversity. You will find in Wuhan not only self-service cafes, reminiscent of canteens from the era of the deepest stagnation in the USSR, but also chic establishments with top-class service:
- The restaurant in the Tintal landscape area on the shores of Lake Donghu is ideal not only in terms of the chef's culinary skills, but also due to the views opening from the windows. The restaurant is open in the Tower of Water and Clouds, and its menu is based on fish dishes.
- The various proposals of the Grange Western Restaurant cannot leave indifferent fans of the cuisine of the countries of Southeast Asia. The furnishings and interiors set in a romantic mood, and the menu allows you to choose the dish of your dreams for those with a sweet tooth, fans of solid food, and adherents of vegetarianism.
- Any establishment of the fast food chain with a complex name Cai Lin Ji Re Gan Mian Guan deserves thousands of reviews from grateful visitors every day. You can get a plate of classic Chinese noodles with dozens of toppings to choose from here for just a couple of dollars.
A lot of street dining in Wuhan for Chinese food is concentrated on Minzhu Road in the Wuchang District. At night, most of the cafes are open for late dinners, and for early diners, food is prepared in the first rays of the sun. All street cafes have a take-away system.
