Wuhan/Wuchang

Wuchang (武昌) is a district of Wuhan, known for being the site of the Wuchang Uprising, which began the revolution that eventually overthrew last imperial dynasty to establish a republic. It is the oldest of the three cities that merged into modern-day Wuhan, and stood on the right (southeastern) bank of the Yangtze River, opposite the mouth of the Han River. == Get in == === By bus === 1 Fujiapo Bus Station (傅家坡汽车客运站), 358 Wuluo Road, Wuchang District (武昌区武珞路358号) (about 700 m north of Meiyuan Xiaoqu Metro Station on Line 4), ☏ +86 27 87274817. (updated Feb 2020) 2 Hanghai Bus Station (航海汽车客运站), 528 Zhongshan Road, Wuchang District (武昌区中山路528号) (opposite the west side of Wuchang Railway Station, about 700 m south of Wuchang Railway Station Metro Station on Lines 4 and 7), ☏ +86 27 88318111. (updated Feb 2020) 3 Hongji Bus Station (宏基汽车客运站), 519 Zhongshan Road, Wuchang District (武昌区中山路519号) (just outside Exit F of the Wuchang Railway Station Metro Station on Lines 4 and 7), ☏ +86 27 88074966, +86 27 88074968. (updated Feb 2020) === By train === 4 Wuchang Railway Station (武昌站), 642 Zhongshan Road, Wuchang District (武昌区中山路642号) (Metro Lines 4 and 7). (updated Mar 2020) === By metro === Wuchang can be reached via Lines 2, 4, 7 and 8. === By boat === Wuchang can be reached from Hankou by ferry. The main ferry route is between the Wuhan Customs House Wharf in Hankou and Zhonghua Road Wharf in Wuchang. The ferries on this route operate between 06:30 and 00:00 daily. The standard fare is ¥1.5. The fare is increased to ¥10 after 20:10. An express ferry service operates on the same route between 08:45 and 17:25. The fare for the express ferry is ¥5. 5 Zhonghua Road Wharf (中华路码头), 78 Linjiang Avenue Riverside, Wuchang District (武昌区临江大道江滩78号) (about 1.5 km northwest of the Yellow Crane Tower; about 2 km west of Xiaodongmen Metro Station on Line 7), ☏ +86 27 88871575. (updated Feb 2020) == See == 1 Baotong Temple (宝通禅寺), 549 Wuluo Rd, Wuchang District (武昌区武珞路549号) (Baotong Subway station (Line 2) in Wuchang), ☏ +86 27 87884539, 100124336@qq.com. 07:00-16:00. A large Chan Buddhist temple, although ancient in origin, had most of its buildings constructed in the modern era. The Hall of 500 Arhats is worth seeing. There are two bixi turtles on premises, although one of them is fairly new, carrying a stele commemorating the temple's renovation in 2006. Hongshan Pagoda (洪山宝塔), although not at Hongshan Hill's top, provides the best viewpoint around. Climbing the pagoda over steep, narrow winding stairs is an interesting experience. ¥10; ¥2 for admission to Hongshan Pagoda. (updated Oct 2015) 2 Big House Contemporary Art Center (Big House当代艺术中心), 76 Linjiang Avenue, Wuchang District (武昌区临江大道76号) (about 1 km southwest of Jiyu Bridge Station (Line 2); Bus no. 16 stops right outside the building), ☏ +86 27 88111915, bighouse_art@163.com. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays. Visitors who wish to visit on a weekday are required to make a booking in advance. Bookings are not required for weekend visits. Free. (updated Feb 2020) 3 CCP Fifth Congress Site Memorial (中共五大会址纪念馆), 20 Dufudi Road, Wuchang District (武昌区都府堤20号) (the nearest bus stop is (解放路司门口), which is served by bus nos. 14, 15, 514, 530 (inner circle route), 539, 542, 566, 572, 576, 607 and 804. You can catch bus no. 539 from outside the Wuchang Railway Station; the nearest metro station is Jiyu Bridge Station on Line 2, which is 1.5 km north of the site), ☏ +86 27 88850322. 09:00-16:30, closed on Mondays. It was built in 1918 as a primary school. From 1922 to 1927, it was home to Chen Tanqiu, one of the founding members of the Chinese Communist Party. The Party held its fifth congress here from April to May 1927. The building is now a branch of the Wuhan Revolution Museum and has exhibits about the early history of the Party. The hall where the congress was held has been restored to appear as it did in 1927. Chen Tanqiu's room has received similar treatment. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 4 CCP Party Discipline Construction History Museum (中国共产党纪律建设历史陈列馆), 20 Dufudi Road, Wuchang District (武昌区都府堤20号) (next door to tbe CCP Fifth Congress Site Memorial), ☏ +86 27 88850322. Tu-Su 09:00-16:30, closed on Mondays. The Wuhan Revolution Museum's newest branch. The sign out the front is in Chinese only. However, there are some English explanations inside. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 5 Changchun Taoist Temple (长春观), 269 Wuluo Rd, Wuchang District (武昌区武珞路269号) (NE of downtown Wuchang (NE corner of Wuluo Lu and Zhongshan Lu); about 700 m south of Xiaodongmen Subway Station (Line 7) and about 900 m north of the Wuchang Railway Station Subway Station (Line 4 and 7); the nearest bus stop is Wulou Road Grand East Gate (武珞路大东门), which is served by over two dozen bus routes), ☏ +86 27 88842090, +86 27 88180809, whccg@whccg.com. 08:00-16:30. A large Taoist temple. ¥10. 6 Former Residence of Mao Zedong (毛泽东同志旧居), 41 Dufudi Road, Wuchang District (武昌区都府堤路41号) (the nearest bus stop is (解放路司门口), which is served by bus nos. 14, 15, 514, 530 (inner circle route), 539, 542, 566, 572, 576, 607 and 804. You can catch bus no. 539 from outside the Wuchang Railway Station; the nearest metro station is Jiyu Bridge Station on Line 2, which is 1.5 km north of the site), ☏ +86 27 88850322. Tu-Su 09:00-16:30, closed on Mondays. Mao stayed here with his family in 1927 while carrying our revolutionary activities in Wuhan. The building was demolished in 1957 and rebuilt 10 years later. It is now a branch of the Wuhan Revolution Museum. This was not Mao's only residence in Wuhan. Another one can be found near the East Lake (see listing below). Free. (updated Mar 2020) 7 Huayuanshan Catholic Church (花园山天主堂), 26/2 Huayuanshan, Yanzhi Road, Wuchang District (武昌区胭脂路花园山2号附26号) (1.1 km west of Pangxiejia Metro Station on Lines 2 and 7; the nearest bus stop is Liangdao Street & Yanzhi Road (粮道街胭脂路), which is served by bus nos. 573, 717 and 916; the church is on the grounds of a seminary), ☏ +86 27 88843287. General opening hours: 07:00-19:00. Mass is held on Sunday at 06:30, 08:00 and 16:30. Considered to be one of Wuhan's most beautiful churches. It was designed by Vincenzo Epiphane Carlassare, an Italian missionary, and completed in 1889. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 8 Hubei Institute of Fine Arts Art Museum (湖北美术学院美术馆), Hubei Institute of Fine Arts Tanhualin Campus, 374 Zhongshan Road, Wuchang District (武昌区中山路374号湖北美术学院昙华林校区内) (about 450 m north of Xiaodongmen Station on Metro Line 7 and about 500 m south of Pangxiejia Station at the intersection of Lines 2 and 7), ☏ +86 27 88865875. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays. Free. (updated Feb 2020) 9 Hubei Provincial Library (湖北省图书馆), 25 Gongzheng Road, Wuchang District (武昌区公正路25号) (about 800 m northeast of Xiaoguishan Station on Metro Line 2; there is a bus stop outside the library, which is served by bus nos. 566, 729 and 817), ☏ +86 27 65398578, +86 27 65398570. Tu-Su 08:30-17:30, M 12:30-17:30. The children's reading room is open till 18:30. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 10 Hubei University Museum (湖北大学博物馆), Level 4, Hubei University Library Building Annex, 368 Youyi Avenue, Wuchang District (武昌区友谊大道368号湖北大学图书楼附楼4楼) (Hubei University Metro Station, Line 7), ☏ +86 27 88665995. 08:00-11:30, 14:30-17:30. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 11 James Jackson Museum (翟雅阁博物馆), 188 Tanhualin, Wuchang District (武昌区昙华林188号) (about 300 m southwest of Pangxiejia Metro Station on Lines 2 and 7), ☏ +86 27 88841111, +86 18971650262. Tu-F 10:00-20:00, Sa Su and public holidays 09:00-21:00, closed on Mondays. The James Jackson Museum is an art and design museum inside the former James Jackson Stadium, China's oldest modern indoor sports stadium, which was built in 1921. It is named after James Jackson, a British theology professor who was the first chancellor of Wenhua University, the forerunner of today's Central China Normal University. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 12 Lianxi Temple (莲溪寺), No. 51 Tujialing 4th Village, Wuchang District (武昌区涂家岭四村51号) (about 1.6 km southeast of Wuchang Railway Station; take BRT bus no. 1 from Wuchang Railway Station and get off at the Xiongchu Avenue BRT Dingzi Bridge Road Station (雄楚大道BRT丁字桥路站); other buses that stop near the temple include bus no. 587 and trollybus no. 8), ☏ +86 27 87271610, +86 27 87813610. 08:00-16:00. One of Wuhan's most famous Buddhist temples, though generally quieter than most of the others. The Lianxi Temple was founded in the early Ming Dynasty but has been rebuilt several times. The present structures date mainly from the late Qing Dynasty. Today it is perhaps best known for being Wuhan's only nunnery. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 13 Madame Tussauds Wuhan (武汉杜莎夫人蜡像馆), 21 Chuhe Han Street, Zhongbei Road, Wuchang District (武昌区中北路楚河汉街21号) (a short walk from Chuhe Han Street (Chuhehanjie) Metro Station on Line 4), ☏ +86 27 87116104. 10:00-21:00, no tickets sold after 20:30. The Wuhan branch of the world-famous wax museum. ¥135 (adults), ¥90 (persons over 65), ¥90 (children between 1 and 1.4 m in height). Children under 1 metre in height can get in for free. (updated Feb 2020) 14 Shahu Lake Park (沙湖公园, Sha Lake Park, Sand Lake Park), Qinyuan East Road, Wuchang District (武昌区秦园东路) (the park may be entered from multiple directions; however, the main tourist area is on the east side of the lake; take a metro train to Dongting Station on Line 4, then walk 450 metres northward on Qinyuan East Road (秦园东路) to get to the East Gate), ☏ +86 27 88118798, shahupark@163.com. Shahu Lake Park is open all day. The following are the opening times for the small amusement park inside the park: M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 09:00-20:00 (May to Oct), M-F 09:30-17:30, Sa Su 09:30-19:00 (Nov-Apr). Shahu Lake is the 2nd largest lake in Wuchang after the East Lake. It is physically connected to the East Lake via the Chu River. General admission is free. (updated Mar 2020) 15 The 1911 Revolution Museum (辛亥革命博物馆, Xinhai Revolution Museum), 258 Pengliuyang Road, Wuchang District (武昌区彭刘杨路258号) (800 m south of the Wuchang Uprising Memorial Hall; inside a large modern building in the middle of Uprising Plaza (首义广场); the nearest bus stop is Pengliuyang Road and Tiyu Street (彭刘杨路体育街), which is served by bus nos. 10, 61, 401, 402, 411, 413, 522, 554, 561, 710, 728 and yx10, as well as trolley bus nos. 1, 4 and 7), ☏ +86 88051911. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, no tickets issued after 16:00, no entry after 16:10, closed on Mondays. A comprehensive museum about the Xinhai Revolution. Free. (updated Feb 2020) 16 Uprising Gate (起义门 Qiyimen), 59 Qiyi Street, Shouyi Road, Wuchang District (武昌区首义路起义街59号) (850 m south of Shouyi Road Metro Station on Line 4), ☏ +86 27 88075010. Tu-Su 09:00-16:30, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. Historically known as Zhonghe Gate (中和门), this was one of the nine gates of the Wuchang City Wall, which was completed in the early Ming Dynasty. In 1911, the first battle of the Wuchang Uprising took place at the gate and it was through this gate that the Revolutionary Army entered the city. The gate was thereafter renamed Uprising Gate in commemoration of the event. The wall was largely demolished in the 1920s and the gate was damaged during the subsequent wars. The present gate is a 1980s reconstruction, but it does give you an idea of what the original may have looked like. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 17 Wuchang Uprising Memorial Hall (辛亥革命武昌起义纪念馆), 1 Wulou Road, Wuchang District (武昌区武珞路1号) (in downtown Wuchang; on the south side of Snake Hill and the Yellow Crane Tower Park; the nearest bus stops are Yuemachang, Wuchang Road (武昌路阅马场) and Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼); bus routes 10, 61, 401, 402, 411, 413, 503, 510, 522, 554, 561, 596, 701, 703, 710, 728, 797, 804, 806, yx10, yx703; trolleybus routes 1, 4 and 7), ☏ +86 27 88875305. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays. On October 10, 1911 the Wuchang Uprising started the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the election of Sun Yat-Sen as the provisional president. This was one of the biggest events that shaped modern China, making its headquarters a must-see for anyone interested in historical travel. The Revolutionary Army was here, and inside the Red Chamber (the main building) they issued the edict to bring down the Qing Dynasty. In the outside Uprising Plaza (首义广场), stands a statue of Sun Yat-Sen. Free. 18 Wuhan Revolution Museum (武汉革命博物馆, 武昌农民运动讲习所旧址纪念馆 Wuchang Peasant Movement Training Institute Site), 13 Hong Lane, Wuchang District (武昌区红巷13号) (the nearest bus stops are Zhongshan Road Dadikou (中山路大堤口) and Linjiang Avenue Dadikou (临江大道大堤口), which are served by bus routes 14, 15, 16, 514, 521, 539, 542, 566, 572, 576, 578, 607 and 804; the nearest metro station is Jiyu Bridge Station (Line 2), 1.4 km to the north), ☏ +86 27 88850322. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. A museum about the Communist revolution in Wuhan. Free. (updated Feb 2020) 19 Wuchang Riverfront (武昌江滩), Linjiang Avenue, Wuchang District (武昌区临江大道) (a few hundred metres west of Jiyu Bridge Station on Metro Line 2). At night, the riverfront is spectacularly lit up, with a huge tract of buildings all creating coordinated light patterns. The full show is around 20:00 for half an hour. Free. 20 Wuying Pagoda (无影塔), Hongshan Park, 509 Wuluo Road, Wuchang District (武昌区武珞路509号洪山公园内) (700 m northwest of Baotong Temple Station on Metro Line 2). Built in 1270, the Wuying Pagoda is the oldest standing architectural structure in Wuhan. It used to be part of the Xingfu Temple until the temple was destroyed by the Taiping rebels in the mid-19th century. It was moved to the present location in the early 1960s. The name Wuying Pagoda literally means Shadowless Pagoda, which derives from the myth that when the pagoda was in its original location, it never once cast a shadow, or at least never cast a shadow at noon on the summer solstice. Free. (updated Mar 2020) 21 Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼 Huanghelou), No. 1 Xishanpote, Sheshan, Wuchang District (武昌区蛇山西山坡特一号) (1 km north of Fuxinglu station on subway line 4; bus routes 10, 61, 401, 402 and yx10. Trolleybus routes 1, 4 and 7.), ☏ +86 27 88875096, 54852041@qq.com. Apr-Oct 08:00-18:20, Nov-Mar 08:00-18:20. The tower is open for an additional 20 minutes. It has repeatedly burned down, so the present tower completed in 1980 is mostly concrete, on the site of twelve previous wooden incarnations. Tower and associated buildings are atop the ridge of Snake Hill, looking down on Number One Yangtze River Bridge and the confluence of Yangtze and Han rivers. The complex includes Snake Hill Park, the Yellow Crane Tower, and the Mao Pavilion into which many of the poems of Chairman Mao are etched for your pleasure and erudition.The ground floor of the tower has a large entrance hall, two stories tall, with enormous decorative lamps and a giant ceramic fresco displaying the mythical story of the initial construction. The second story, essentially a balcony around the entrance hall, has a souvenir shop as well as displays of traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy. The third story has a residence in the ancient Chu style, the sort of sitting room used by nobility to receive guests. The fourth story contains another souvenir shop and a set of models displaying the tower in previous incarnations, as it morphed from a watchtower into today's showpiece. The highest accessible story has pay telescopes and some nice art displays. There are lifts for those who can't use the stairs. An enormous bronze bell is just behind the tower, and ¥30 buys you nine bongs - it doesn't have a clapper, you swing a log against it. The teahouse has performances of Chu-era music (free, but you should order at least a drink or small snack.) Adult ¥70, conc ¥35. (updated Dec 2019) == Do == === Performing arts venues === 1 The Han Show Theatre (汉秀剧场, 别克汉秀剧场 Buik Han Show Theatre), Building 2, Donghu Road, Shuiguohu Street, Wuchang District (武昌区水果湖街东湖路138号-2栋) (700 metres southeast of Chuhe Han Street (Chuhehanjie) Metro Station on Line 4; the nearest bus stop is Donghu Rd & Chuhe Han St (东湖路楚河汉街), which is served by bus nos. 14, 411, 552, 578, 701, 709 and 810), toll-free: +86 400 8270055. (updated Feb 2020) 2 Hubei Theatre (湖北剧院), No. 1 Yuemachang Xichangkou, Wuchang District (武昌区阅马场西场口1号) (about 1 km north of Fuxing Road Station on Metro Line 4; near the Wuchang Uprising Memorial Hall), ☏ +86 27 88863150, +86 27 88873004. (updated Mar 2020) == Buy == === Books and maps === 1 Hubei Province Foreign Languages Book Shop (湖北省外文书店 Hubei Sheng Waiwen Shudian), 11 Zhongnan Road, Wuchang District (武昌区中南路11号) (Zhongnan Road subway station (Lines 2 and 4), just north of Wulou Road, no English sign), ☏ +86 27 87321888. 09:30-21:30 (the 2nd and 6th floors are open till 00:00). Another big book shop. The "foreign languages" in its name seems to refer mostly to the textbooks and dictionaries of foreign languages for the Chinese audience and the books translated into Chinese from foreign languages, but they carry some literature in English as well. === Seeds === 2 Vegetable seed shops, The west side of Zhongshan Road (中山路) between Ziyang Road and Wuluo Road in Wuchang District (one block north of Wuchang Railway Station). If you are interested in the origin of all the produce you see in Chinese markets and restaurants, you can visit the stores from which farmers and amateur gardeners buy vegetable seeds. There are several dozens seed shops in Wuhan, mostly having the word 种苗 zhongmiao ("seedling") in their names, and they all are concentrated on one block of Zhongshan Road, conveniently located next to a train station and a bus station (to better serve rural customers). Seeds are packaged in somewhat larger bags than those you typically see in North American or European retail shops; some are sold in bulk as well. If you plan to buy some seeds and take them outside of China, be aware of applicable customs and quarantine regulations in your home country. == Eat == 1 Hubu Lane (户部巷 Hubu Xiang), Wuchang District (武昌区) (bounded by Minzhu Road at the south end at Ziyu Road at the north end; about 300 metres northwest of the western entrance to Yellow Crane Tower Park; the nearest bus stop is Jiefang Road & Houchang Street (解放路后长街), which is served by bus nos. 14, 15, 514, 521, 539, 542, 566, 572, 573, 607, and 717), ☏ +86 27 88859682, +86 27 88859685. A well-known place where you can find all kinds of famous foods, including Reganmian (热干面) and mianwo (面窝). (updated Feb 2020) == Drink == == Sleep == === Budget === === Mid-range === 1 Junwei Hotel (武汉军威大酒店, formerly known as the Hayi Jinjiang Hotel), 1 Hongshan Road, Wuchang District (武昌区洪山路特1号) (close to Exit B5 of Hongshan Square Metro Station on Lines 2 and 4), ☏ +86 27 87126666. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. An intelligent building in the heart of the Wuchang District, offers 72 rooms with cutting edge amenities that are perfect for busy executives. It also has a variety of event venues to suit every function, as well as dining options where you can have the best of local cuisine. Daily rates start from ¥385. == Connect ==