Wuhan

Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, lies where the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It is strategically important both in land and water transportation. Comprising Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang, covering an area of 8,400 square kilometers, and with a population of 6.8 million.

It's located in a flat and low-lying land of an alluvial plain, and crisscross with rivers and streams along with numerous lakes and ports. Wuhan is at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Hanshui River. It has the sub-tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 16.3 degree Celsius, rainfall of 1,260 millimeters, and a frost-free period of 253 days. It abounds in agricultural and aquatic resources. Its minerals include coal, iron, limestone, copper, phosphorus and asbestos.

Wuhan is a China's inland key commercial center and the place of concentration and distribution for goods and materials, and Hankou in particular, is renowned for its flourishing commerce.

It's also a famous Chinese historical and cultural city. There are quite a lot beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes. Its best-known sceneries include East Lake scenic area, yellow Crane Tower and Shengxiang Pagoda etc.

Wuhan has embarked on the road of building itself into the largest Chinese inland economic, financial and trade center, a key industrial and commercial port linking China's inland markets with the economic sphere of South-East Asia, North-East Asia and Middle Asia, and world markets, as well as an international metropolis.
As a famous historical and cultural city, Wuhan have many traditional scenic spots like the Yellow Crane Tower, Yangtze River Bridge, East Lake, Memorial Site of the 1911 Revolution, Guiyuan Temple, etc.

SCENIC PLACES OF INTEREST

Yellow Crane Tower (huang he lou)

Yellow Crane Tower is an imposing pagoda close to the Yangzi River. Situated at the top of Sheshan (Snake Hill), in Wuchang, the tower was originally built at a place called Yellow Crane Rock projecting over the water, hence the name. Over the centuries the tower was destroyed by fire many times, but its popularity with Wuhan residents ensured that it was always rebuilt. The current tower was completed in 1985 and its design was copied from a Qing dynasty (1644-1911) picture. The tower has 5 stories and rises to 51 meters (168ft). Covered with yellow glazed tiles and supported with 72 huge pillars, it has 60 upturned eaves layer upon layer. It is an authentic reproduction of both the exterior and interior design, with the exception of the addition of air-conditioning and an elevator.

Guiyuan Temple

Guiyuan Temple was built by Bai guang Buddhist on the base of Sunflower Garden owned by Hanyan poem Mr Wang in Shunzhi 15 of the Qing Dynasty (in 1658), which is made up of five courtyards in the east, south, west, north and center and have 28 temple halls on the area of 20,000 square meters. The layout of the whole plane is the shape of kasaya (a patchwork outer vestments worn by a Buddhist monk).

Guiyuan Temple was in fashion for a time although its history was shorter than Baima(White Horse) Temple, the best Buddhist Temple in China called "Origin of Buddhism" and "founder of temple". It is well-known for spreading Buddhism throughout the whole country, and famous for perfect architecture, excellent sculption and rich collection of Buddhist doctrine amoong Buddhist temples. It has been an intersting place for tourists to visit. Espercially in recent ten years , it is world-renown at home and abroad for its architecture, Buddhist sacred literature, pure white jabe Buddha image and vivid 500 statues of disciples of Buddha etc. , Forturnately they have been preserved intact through the great clmity of Culture Revolution (1966-1976). Guiyuan Temple attracts more than two million tourists and devotees every year. Compatriots in Hongkong, Macao and Taiwan, countrymen residing abroad and foreign visitors have come to view it, even heads of state like king of Cambodia Xihaluke, former secretary of state of U.S.A. , former presiden of Singapore Li Guang yao etc. have visited it and sent presents