Wuhan in China has the dubious reputation of probably being the source of the Covid outbreak, an appellation hotly denied by the Authorities. Lockdown was very severe and heavily enforced. Here is the bridge over the Yangtze river during and after.
The city was 'created' from three conurbations. The 'Wu' comes from Wuchan, the 'Han' from Hankou and Hanyang.
The prefecture-level city of Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, China, has a long and rich history that dates back over 3,500 years. Starting out from the Shang dynasty-era archaeological site at Panlongcheng associated with Erligang culture, the region would become part of the E state and Chu state during the Zhou dynasty.
The region evolved into an important port on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and the cities of Hanyang, Hankou and Wuchang were united into the city of Wuhan in 1926.
Modern-day Wuhan is known as 'China's Thoroughfare' due to its status as a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city and connecting to other major cities.
Current population is approx 13 million!
It's big!
There is history in the big city, but most of it has been moved, renewed or repurposed. Typical is The Yellow Crane Pagoda ... which has seen many versions over the long years. Here us Pagoda Mark 1 (probably "imagined" ...
A more recent rebuild ...
... and today's bigger and better version.
It looks as if the build it bigger at each rebuild!
There is a resited Buddhist pagona ...
... and a memorial to one of the many revolutions that has beset city and country in the past.
Talking of revolutions, Mao Zedong wrote a celebratory ode to uphold his aim to prevent flooding buy building upstream barriers of concrete.
Flooding has always been a problem. Here is a holy site (not at Wuhan) no longer open to the public, set high up on its fluvial rock.
And here's why!
The palace survives!
He never did!
But fbb's interest is, as ever, in Wuhan's public transport. There is lots to investigate - but with some trepidation as fbb's knowledge of Chinese is limited to a Chop Suey (which was invented in the USA!)
Here is a taster ...
... NO ... not a toaster but a taster. fbb's mum and dad had one of these that always sent the slices of bread into flames and billowing smoke. fbb did try it when they were out and it did, spectacularly!
Back to the taster. Wuhan has ...
High Speed Rail
A large and relatively recent Metro network
Trams
One of these?
Buses
Trolleybuses
Tour buses
AND ferries!
When and how these modes will be covered is not clear.
But surely fbb will unearth some delights.
As you might expect with a big city in China, technology is King! So don't expect too many timetable leaflet PDFs.
Next Wuhan mini blog : Friday 15th May
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