Live Your Best Lives
For office workers, traveling costs a lot of time and money, so many people only imagine traveling but never take action. However, traveling is not as complicated as we think. As long as you read more guides, you can master the skills of traveling without taking leave or having your salary deducted.
March is the perfect time for flowers to bloom, and my adventurous spirit couldn't contain itself. I'd been raving about visiting Wuhan University for cherry blossom viewing, and as a man of action, I quickly researched all the transportation options from Hangzhou to Wuhan. Finally, I found the perfect plan that not only avoided having to take time off work, but also satisfied my passion for cherry blossom viewing.
Train No. K1127 (20:14--07:50(+1)): Departs from Hangzhou East Station, arrives at Wuchang Station
Ticket price: Sleeper ticket price starts from 200 yuan
Train No. Z45 (22:40--06:55(+1)): Departs from Wuchang Station, arrives at Hangzhou Station
Ticket price: Sleeper ticket price starts from 200 yuan
The schedules of these two trains are very suitable for weekend trips. You can travel around Wuhan on a budget without taking time off!
Wuhan's new high-speed railway station is called Wuhan Station. Ordinary trains (such as those prefixed with K, Z, or T) usually depart from Wuchang Station, while D-trains depart from Hankou Station. Therefore, searching for Wuhan Station when booking an ordinary train ticket will usually display Wuchang Station.
Transportation (There are three bus stops near Wuchang Railway Station): 1. East Square Bus Stop, serving routes 540, 706, and 903; 2. North Wuchang Railway Station Bus Stop, serving routes 10, 402, 518, 538, and 577; 3. Opposite Wuchang Railway Station (west side), serving routes 901, 902, 910, 916, and 74. Route 74 requires entering the main entrance of the GreenTree Inn (the GreenTree Inn is directly behind this bus stop).
Subway: Line 4
Address: Room 2801, Unit 2, Building 1, Sunshine Shangcheng Community, Wuchang District (B&B booked online)
Transportation: The bus stop is about a 5-minute walk away. From Wuchang Railway Station, take bus No. 74 or No. 916, which takes about 20 minutes. Take bus No. 587 to Wuhan University, which takes about 35 minutes.
Price: Two bedrooms and one living room, about 200 yuan per night
House description: The room is located on the 28th floor, with a wide view, smart password lock and self-service check-in. The house is simple and elegant, with no bad odors.
Hubu Alley - Zhonghua Wharf - Wuhan Customs Wharf - Hanjiang Customs Museum - Qingchuan Pavilion - Dayu Mythology Park - Yangtze River Bridge - Yellow Crane Tower
Transportation: Take bus No. 916 from the hotel to Liangdaokou Yanzhi Road Station. From there, walk about five minutes to your destination (you can apply for a Wuhan electronic bus card on Alipay to greatly improve your travel efficiency).
Hubu Lane, located in the bustling Simenkou area of Wuchang District, is a renowned landmark of Wuhan. Known as the "No. 1 Lane for Han-style Snacks," it's also been listed online as one of China's top ten must-try snack streets. Here, you can experience Wuhan's "Guo Zao" (breakfast), a traditional way for locals to enjoy their morning meal. The most famous dish is hot dry noodles, and Cai Lin Ji, a restaurant in Hubu Lane, attracts countless visitors. Other Wuhan snacks here include roasted potatoes, roasted pig's trotters, and tofu rice, all guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Hubu Lane is located adjacent to the docks, approximately a six-minute walk from Zhonghua Road Pier.
Transportation: You can buy boat tickets to Hankou Wuhan Customs at Zhonghua Road Wharf. The price of ordinary boat tickets is 1.5 yuan, and the price of sightseeing boat tickets is 5 yuan.
After crossing the river, you'll arrive at the Wuhan Customs Wharf in Hankou District. The Jianghan Customs Museum is located across the street from the ferry exit. The buildings surrounding the Jianghan Customs Museum are much lower than the museum itself, making its presence quite noticeable. Formerly the Jianghan Customs Building, the Jianghan Customs Museum was the core structure of the Hankou Concession, bearing witness to China's transition from a semi-feudal society to an open era. It stands not only as a monument to Wuhan's history but also as a crucial witness to modern Chinese history. Entering the Jianghan Customs Museum, you'll learn not only about the prosperous history of Hankou during its opening as a port, but also about stories from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The building's interior design and decoration retain the style of the concession era, creating a sense of being transported back to that era.
In ancient times, Tiemenguan served as a military fortress in Wuhan. After the Tang Dynasty, its military role diminished, and it gradually became a vital passage for economic and trade exchanges. It was restored in the last century to its present state. Constructed primarily of reinforced concrete, the tower's eaves blend seamlessly with traditional Chinese architectural styles.
Transportation: From the Jianghan Customs Museum, take bus No. 559 or No. 30 at Yanjiang Avenue Wuhan Customs Station and arrive at Qingchuan Avenue Qingchuan Pavilion Station in about 16 minutes.
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (invoices stop at 16:30); closed at 15:00 every Thursday
Ticket price: Free (register ID card)
Transportation: Take bus No. 30/108/248/531/532/535/553/559/561/648/711/803 to Qingchuan Pavilion; Qingchuan Pier is within walking distance
Located on Qingchuan Street in Hanyang District, Wuhan, Qingchuan Pavilion, bordering the Han River to the north and the Yangtze River to the east, is known as the "First Famous Tower in Chu." The phrase "clearly visible trees of Hanyang from the clear river" has drawn countless visitors to witness the beautiful scenery described by ancient literati. Qingchuan Pavilion and the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuchang face each other across the river, earning them the nickname "Three Scenic Spots of Chu."
Opening hours: 5:00-24:00
Ticket price: Free
Here, a giant sculpture depicts Dayu inspecting the Nine Cauldrons, representing the nine animals in Dayu's mythology. Standing opposite Dayu, the Nine Cauldrons represent the nine animals in his story. From the platform in front of the giant sculpture, one can also gaze upon the Yangtze River Bridge. The park also features numerous sculptures based on stories related to Dayu, such as his birth, his appointment to the throne in times of crisis, the devastating flood, and Yinglong painting the rivers.
Ticket price: Free
Hiking time: about 1 hour and 20 minutes
The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, the first dual-use road-rail bridge built across the Yangtze River after the founding of the People's Republic of China, is a landmark of Wuhan and was included in China's first batch of industrial heritage protection lists in January 2018. Many people visit the Yangtze River Bridge, often only to admire it from below or from a distance. Hiking the Yangtze River Bridge is a truly worthwhile experience during a trip to Wuhan. Not only can you experience the magnificent sight of the river flowing eastward from the bridge, but you can also be deeply moved by the people of New China.
Get off at the Qingchuan Pavilion bus stop on Qingchuan Avenue and walk along Qingchuan Avenue towards the Yangtze River Bridge. Pass Qingchuan Pavilion and Jiangtan Dayu Mythology Park, cross the piers of the Yangtze River Bridge, turn right and walk along Lianhuahu Road (there are relatively old residential houses on both sides), turn right at the entrance of the alley to enter the bridge path. There are words painted on the houses along the way: "Go to the bridge from here". Follow the direction indicated and go through a tunnel. You will also pass a train track (separated by a fence). Continue climbing the stairs to reach the Hanyang bridgehead of the Yangtze River Bridge.
Ticket price: 80 yuan per person
From the Hanyang Bridgehead of the Yangtze River Bridge, walk along the Yangtze River Bridge to Wuchang District's Wuluo Road. As you descend the bridge, you'll be able to admire the Yellow Crane Tower from afar. The Yellow Crane Tower is one of Wuhan's iconic buildings, known as "the most magnificent tower in the world."
Wuhan University (Bamboo Garden - Cherry Garden - Plum Garden - Wanlin Art Museum) - Hubei Provincial Museum - Wuchang Railway Station
From March 20 to April 2, 2018, Wuhan University is in Cherry Blossom Season. During this period, only the following campus entrances are allowed: Main Gate, East Gate, West Gate, Chagang Gate, Wenlan Gate, and Affiliated High School Gate.
During the cherry blossom season, you can visit Wuhan University for free. Before visiting the Wuhan University campus, you must make a real-name reservation online. You can make a reservation through the official WeChat account of Wuhan University (WeChat ID: luojia1893).
Many visitors to Wuhan University come to see the Cherry Blossom Avenue, followed by the Plum Garden. But in addition to these two cherry blossom viewing spots, the Bamboo Garden at the School of Information Science at Wuhan University is also a great spot for cherry blossom viewing. Why are the cherry blossoms in the Bamboo Garden so worth seeing? The garden boasts a Star Lake, nestled in a pavilion. The cherry blossoms surrounding the lake, though few in number, are in full bloom. The cherry blossoms are reflected in the lake, creating a scene of serene tranquility. Viewing the cherry blossoms in the Bamboo Garden offers a sense of peace and tranquility.
Follow Ziqiang Avenue to Cherry Blossom Avenue, and a short walk will take you to the Cherry Garden. The cherry blossoms here attract countless visitors, not only for the vibrant blossoms that line the streets, but also for the renowned buildings—the Old Dormitory and the early Wuhan University Library. The Old Dormitory was the original student dormitory at Wuhan University (and still serves as a student residence today). The building, connected by three Roman arches, is dominated by a granite gray hue, accented by green eaves, creating a rustic, majestic, and calming atmosphere. Surrounded by cherry blossoms, the Old Dormitory appears subtly soft, a perfect fusion of strength and softness.
Follow Cherry Blossom Avenue to Renwen Road, and continue along Renwen Road until you reach the Plum Garden. Beautiful cherry blossoms are in full bloom on both sides of Renwen Road. The Wuhan University School of Early Architecture and Engineering, set against the backdrop of the blossoms, appears particularly elegant and generous. It is located in a distant spot opposite the School of Science (separated by the 912 playground).
The Wanlin Art Museum, an on-campus art museum funded by Wuhan University alumnus Chen Dongsheng, is located between the new library and the central lake. From March 15 to May 2, 2018, the exhibition "The Universe in Painting," featuring Han Dynasty portraits unearthed in Nanyang, was on view on the museum's second floor. While visiting Wuhan University to enjoy the cherry blossoms, consider visiting "The Universe in Painting" and immerse yourself in Han Dynasty art. Several cherry trees stand outside the Wanlin Art Museum (on Keji Road), offering visitors a chance to experience the romance of Wuhan University's cherry blossoms after admiring Han Dynasty art.
After visiting the Wanlin Art Museum, visitors can walk along Ziqiang Avenue for about 10 minutes to reach the main gate of Wuhan University.
Transportation: Walk from the main gate of Wuhan University to the Wuluo Road Jiefangkou stop, take bus No. yx583 to the Qinyuan East Road Zhongbei Road stop, and walk about 20 minutes to the Hubei Provincial Museum
The Hubei Provincial Museum is located in the East Lake Scenic Area of Wuhan. It is a national museum with the largest exhibition hall of ancient musical instruments in China. It has appeared in "National Treasure".
If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the Chu-Han culture of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Hubei Provincial Museum will definitely satisfy you.
From Hubei Provincial Museum, walk for about 5 minutes to Donghu Road Museum Station, take bus No. 578 (or Metro Line 4) to Zhang Zhidong Road Qianjia Street Station, and walk about 10 minutes to Wuchang Railway Station.
My dear friends, the cherry blossoms in Wuhan University are in full bloom from March 20th to April 2nd. If you are an office worker but really want to go there, there are still two weekends left, so hurry up and buy your train tickets!
(The above is what I, a Hangzhou office worker, concluded after a two-day weekend wandering around Wuhan. All pictures are original.)
