Wuhan (China) - a city located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Hanshui rivers , has an ancient history dating back more than 3 millennia, it has many attractions and picturesque parks, the first bridge built in China is located. Since 2014, the city annually hosts the International Tennis Tournament.
Geographical location and description
The city of Wuhan (in English Wuhan ) lies 1120 km south of the capital of China, Beijing, and 900 km west of Shanghai. It is the administrative center in Hubei Province, the population in 2015 was more than 10 million people.
Geographically, it consists of the “Three Cities of Wuhan,” which are called: Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang. All of them are located on both banks of the rivers, connected by bridges, many of which are laid along dams.
Wuhan center is the area of ​​Zhongshandadao Street and Jiefandadao Avenue, where there are many hotels, shops, markets and restaurants.
History of the city
The ancient history of the first settlements of people in these places dates back as far as 3,500 years ago, where merchants gathered along the Yangtze River, erecting port buildings here. The entire central part is located on a plain; in the south, the area becomes hilly. There are many lakes and swamps on the territory of the city, through which dams were laid for passage over the past centuries.
The official foundation date of the city of Wuhan (China) is considered to be the III century, when local residents erected stone walls to protect it. In 208-209, several famous battles took place here, including battle for the red cliffs. For a long time Wuhan was considered the scientific and cultural center of China, and since the XVIII century. it also became a trading city through which the export of Chinese tea to the northern regions of the country, as well as Russia and Mongolia passed.
In the tea trade, a large role was played by Russian merchants, who founded factories in Yanloudun, which were then transferred to one of the districts - Hankou. Later, British merchants began to engage in this production. By the end of the XIX century. a railway was laid through the city, along which various cargoes were brought and loaded onto river barges.
Political life
The beginning of the 20th century in Wuhan (China) was marked by political turmoil. In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising took place here, the result of which was the fall of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Since that time, a republic has been established in China.
In the 1920s, Wuhan became the capital of the Kuomintang leftist movement, which was in opposition to the government of Chiang Kai-shek.
In 1938, a battle took place in the city and on the adjacent territory, dubbed “Wuhan,” between the opposing forces in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, as a result of which the city was captured by the Japanese. From here, Japanese troops led the transportation of goods and military operations of the Japanese army units involved in the battles.
During the Second World War, the city was bombed by the 14th Army of the US Air Force, as a result of which many buildings and structures were destroyed.
In 1967, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, mass clashes took place between student progressive youth units (the Hongweibin organization), as a result of which local residents began to create self-defense units to protect themselves from attacks by warring factions.
By 1969, the excessive activity of organizations and the activities of the Hongweibins and Jiaofei were defeated after the introduction of government troops by General Chen Zaidao, who was the head of the Wuhan Military District. In the history of China, this was the first experience of using state troops to restore order.
Natural disasters
G. Wuhan (China) - a place where floods often occur. The most global thing happened in the summer of 1954, during which the water level in the river reached 29.93 m. This monument is dedicated to the monument built in 1969, on which are written the poems of Mao Zedong “Swimming” and a dedication to the heroism of the city residents.
To prevent further disasters, dams were built upstream of the rivers to hold back the river flow and regulate the water level.
Wuhan Attractions
The main symbol of the city is the Yellow Stork Yellow Tower, which is one of the 3 tallest structures in southern China, with a height of 51.4 m and consists of 5 floors. It was erected as a guard for the army of the emperor. The tower belongs to the ancient historical heritage of the country, it was repeatedly destroyed by wars and fires and rebuilt many times. In 1981, a modern tower was erected on the site of the old one. Each floor is dedicated to various sections of art, there is also a room for visiting writers and poets. From the height of the Yellow River, a beautiful panorama of the city and the Yangtze River opens.
Other popular attractions in Wuhan (China):
- The Guiyuan Buddhist Temple (founded in 1658) is located in the west of the Hanyang region, the time of its construction refers to the period of the change of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The name is taken from the Buddhist anthem, means "return to the beginning", i.e. to calm and cleanliness. Some buildings were erected at the end of the 19th century, a newer part - in the first half of the 20th century. The layout of the courtyards in plan resembles a monk’s robes, more than 20 buildings and structures are included in the complex, among them an important place is occupied by a 105-ton jade Buddha statue donated by the state of Burma in 1935. There are also 500 gilded stone carvings “Luohan” located here. (dedicated students), which were carved by Chinese masters in the period from 1822 to 1831.
- The Qingchuange Tower, or “the first tower of the Chu kingdom,” stands on the north bank of the Yangtze River, on the opposite side of the Yellow River, built during the reign of Emperor Jiajing (Ming Dynasty), as a tribute to the memory of the Daiyu River, which was able to pacify the river flood by changing riverbed. The tower and the mountains surrounding it create a beautiful unforgettable landscape that attracts visitors and residents of the city.
- Tourists who are interested in the history and archeology of China will be interested in visiting the Museum of Hubei Province, which contains a collection of objects from the excavations of the tomb of Zhenhoui (V century BC). Here are collected musical instruments (bells, drums and flutes), which are still in working condition, small concerts are held. In total, 200 thousand exhibits were exhibited.
Parks and lakes
On the territory of the city 2 large rivers flow, there are many ponds, there are hills and mountains, in the territory of which there are national parks and places for recreation of citizens.
Donghu Lake (East) , nicknamed the "Lake 99 meanders" for the undulating features of the coast, is the largest Chinese reservoir in the city, its area is 34 sq. Km. Through the main gate, visitors can go to a picturesque park where sequoias grow, sculptures, interesting pavilions and restaurants are located.
Moshan Hill (Mushroom Mountain) is a huge park adjacent to Donghu Lake, which has many temples, monuments and shops. Most of the buildings were erected in the 1990s; among the local population and tourists, the park is considered a popular holiday destination. The Moshan Mountains have 6 peaks, the highest - Dongfeng - is similar in shape to a stone mushroom, where the name comes from. On the territory of the park - a botanical garden, Cherry Blossom Park, Taoist Temple. In Liyuan Park there is an oceanarium, festivals and concerts are held.
Transport
The city of Wuhan (China) with a multimillion population is heavily overloaded with vehicles; traffic jams are often found on highways. All 3 parts of the city are connected by bridges, one of which is the first modern-type building in China (built in 1957) and is called the “First Bridge”.
The first bridge was built between Turtle Mountain and the Snake Tower in Wuchan, at both ends there are 7-story towers that people can climb on to enjoy the city. The bridge consists of 143 panels on both sides, they depict scenes from Chinese history, for example, swimming of carps among the lotus, peacocks with beautiful feathers, magpie, singing on a flowering tree.
The cheapest public transport is the metro and buses; ferries run across the river, transporting passengers from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The subway was opened in 2004, after which Wuhan became the 6th city in China with an operating subway.
Rail transport arrives at 3 stations: Wuchan, Hankou and New, built in 2009. According to the development plan, he must connect with one of the metro lines. The new station was built specifically for high-speed trains running in the direction of Beijing-Guangzhou, consists of 11 platforms.
Education and sport
There are more than 20 universities and colleges in Wuhan, including the oldest Wuhan University, State Pedagogical University, Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Arts, University of Economics and Law, etc.
Since 2014, the city has become the venue for an open tennis championship, for which an ultra-modern complex of stadiums was built, designed for 15 thousand fans. A feature of the stadium building is a retractable roof, 25 VIP-apartments, beautiful wide halls for players and the press, rooms for organizers.
The women's professional tennis tournament in Wuhan (China) has been a great success with the audience, in 2015, 52 matches were held, which were broadcast on air, the competition was attended by 75 thousand fans and 186 journalists from around the world. In 2017, the International Tennis Tournament in Wuhan (China) was held from September 25 to October 1.
The city of Wuhan is not a popular place for visiting tourists, however, having come here, everyone will be surprised by many interesting sights and admired by the beauty of its buildings and parks.