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Ever since my last guide, which described how to enjoy Wuhan's cherry blossom season in two days and one night, I've been getting a lot of private messages from friends asking for Wuhan food recommendations. I find these messages incredibly incomprehensible. Can a single guide fully describe all of Wuhan's delicious food?
However, as a native Wuhan native, I have to recommend some authentic Wuhan delicacies. Wuhan is about to usher in the cherry blossom season in March, so today I have to talk about the attractions and food recommendations for the cherry blossom season in Wuhan.
(Photo credit: @China-TravelNote Photography)
Wuhan University's cherry blossoms are renowned far and wide, and March is peak bloom season. In March, Wuhan University is awash in a sea of blossoms, with visitors from all corners of the globe flocking to admire this rare sea of cherry blossoms. So, what precautions should you take when visiting Wuhan University?
<1>Ticket reservation system
To ensure normal traffic order on campus and ensure campus safety and stability during the cherry blossom season, Wuhan University cherry blossom viewing must be booked online three days in advance:
The 2019 cherry blossom viewing reservation system has not yet been released, but based on the reservation systems of previous years, there should not be any major changes (refer to the 2018 cherry blossom viewing reservation system).
a. During the cherry blossom season, traffic control will be implemented on campus. The cherry blossom viewing area will be closed. Reservations are required for entry, and a real-name reservation system and facial recognition system will be used.
b. During the cherry blossom season, admission to the park is limited to 15,000 people per day on weekdays and 30,000 people per day on weekends.
Admission hours: 8:30-17:30 (weekdays), 8:00-18:00 (weekends).
c. Reservations for same-day entry must be made three days in advance using real-name information. Visitors must make reservations three days in advance. Each person can only make one reservation successfully. A maximum of three ID numbers can be entered each time to make reservations for three people.
d. Registration is based on real-name registration. Users must provide their mobile phone number, full name, and ID number. Successful registration is confirmed only if you register online and receive a confirmation email or text message.
e. Visitors with reservations can enter the school through the main gate, west gate and Wenlan Gate after their reservation information is verified. Only on-campus people are allowed to pass through other school gates.
f. Reservation channels: Online reservations can be made through the Wuhan University homepage or the official WeChat public account of Wuhan University.
(Photo credit: @China-TravelNote Photography)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
<2> Tour Route
Subway station: Exit C of Jiefangkou Subway Station on Wuhan Metro Line 2, and walk to the National Wuhan University Archway for about ten minutes.
Bus stop: Bayi Road Luojiashan Station (340, 413, 552...)
Recommended itinerary: National Wuhan University Gate Archway - Ziqiang Avenue - June 1st Massacre Memorial Pavilion - Cherry Blossom Avenue - Cherry Blossom Peak - September 12th Playground - Old Administration Building
Other recommended attractions on campus: Luojia Villa - North Huanshan Road - Peacetime and Wartime Tunnel - Eighteen Villas
However, if you are not familiar with the roads on campus, it is not recommended to find these niche attractions by yourself to avoid getting lost.
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
<3>Dietary recommendations
After enjoying the cherry blossoms, it is recommended to have a meal on campus, as the distance from the campus is quite far and there are traffic controls on campus during the cherry blossom season, making travel inconvenient.
①Guiyuan Canteen
Guiyuan Canteen has three floors. The first floor has a wide variety of snacks with moderate prices. Noodles include ramen and beef noodles, and steamed dishes include steamed dumplings and siu mai, all of which taste good. The dining environment is relatively good, and it is relatively far from the core area of Sakura.
② Plum Garden Canteen
The cafeteria has two floors. The first floor offers a wide variety of noodles and rice, as well as snacks such as clay pot rice and spicy hot pot. The food on the second floor is charged by weight and tastes good. It is relatively close to the core area of Sakura, but there are more people at noon because students are on break.
③Jiayuan Xiaoguanyuan/Jiayuan Xiaoguanyuan Staff Canteen
Jiayuan Xiaoguanyuan: A Chinese restaurant suitable for large gatherings, with private rooms. They offer a wide variety of dishes at affordable prices, priced at 40 yuan per person. (Personal recommendation)
Jiayuan Xiaoguanyuan Staff Canteen: Located next to the Jiayuan Xiaoguanyuan Restaurant, this canteen is for retired Wuhan University staff, but visitors are welcome to dine in. Simply swipe your card to eat and return it afterward. The food is generous and very affordable, costing around 15 yuan for a full meal.
(Photo source: @photo.net)
The Lingbomen Pier, once a favorite destination for Wuhan University students, carried the cultural memories of the university community. In 2012, the pier was demolished due to safety concerns for outdoor swimming.
After several setbacks, Lingbo Gate was renovated again in May of this year, becoming a popular tourist attraction in East Lake, attracting students and tourists from nearby areas. A two-meter-tall stone tablet with the inscription "Lingbo Gate Swimming Pool" stands on the shore of East Lake. The back of the tablet details the past and present of Lingbo Gate.
During the period when the cherry blossoms are in bloom at Wuhan University, the Lingbo Gate exit of Wuhan University is closed, so tourists who want to check in at Lingbo Gate can exit from the East Gate of Wuhan University, and then walk along the shore of East Lake for about ten minutes to reach Lingbo Gate of Wuhan University.
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo credit: @China-TravelNote Photography)
Ticket price: 60 yuan/person
Public transportation: Take bus No. 401, 402, 413, 515, or 643 in the city and get off at Sakura Garden.
Wuhan's East Lake Moshan Cherry Garden is located on the southern slope of the East Lake Moshan Scenic Area, a National 5A Scenic Area, near the East Lake Plum Garden. It covers 260 mu and boasts 10,000 cherry trees. The first batch of cherry blossoms planted in the garden was presented to Deng Yingchao by former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, who then donated them to Wuhan East Lake. The majority of the cherry blossoms were planted through a joint venture between China and Japan in 1998.
Wuhan's East Lake Moshan Cherry Blossom Garden is considered one of the world's three major cherry blossom capitals, along with the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Garden in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, and the Washington State Cherry Blossom Garden in the United States. The garden is centered around a five-story pagoda modeled after Japanese architecture, with Japanese garden-style lakes, islands, streams, rainbow bridges, torii gates, and gates.
Stepping into the Moshan Cherry Blossom Garden in Wuhan's East Lake, thousands of cherry trees are in full bloom, a blanket of white along the verdant hillside. A gentle breeze sways the blossoms, and petals fall in a dazzling display. The reflection of a wooden pagoda on the water, the ripples radiate a subtle fragrance, and the gentle spring breeze invites one to linger. Established in 1978, the Moshan Cherry Blossom Garden boasts over 30 varieties of cherry blossoms, including Somei Yoshino, Guanshan, Oshima, and weeping cherry trees. The garden, designed in a Japanese style, exudes distinct Japanese charm. Within the garden, there's a pavilion called the Seventy-Eight Cherry Blossom Pavilion, home to 78 cherry trees. It commemorates the signing of the 1978 Sino-Japanese Friendship Treaty.
Personal suggestion: Donghu Moshan Cherry Garden is more suitable for visiting at night
During the cherry blossom season, all lights in the park will be turned on around 19:00, and viewing the cherry blossoms at night at this time is a unique experience!
(Photo source: @China-TravelNote Yang Yang)
(Photo source: @China-TravelNote Yang Yang)
(Photo credit: @China-TravelNote Photography)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
Jianghan Road Pedestrian Street is the longest pedestrian street in China and is known as the "No. 1 Pedestrian Street in the World". It is located in the central area of Hankou, Wuhan City, Hubei Province. It starts from Yanjiang Avenue in the south, runs through Zhongshan Avenue and Jinghan Avenue, and ends at Jiefang Avenue in the north.
It is 1,600 meters long and 10 to 25 meters wide. It is a famous century-old commercial street in Wuhan and also the "Wuhan 20th Century Architecture Museum".
On December 28, 2016, after two years of construction, the renovated Jianghan Road and Zhongshan Avenue presented a brand new look.
<1>Happy Platform
Why is it called the Happy Platform? Perhaps it’s because everyone who comes here leaves happy.
This is arguably Wuhan's busiest commercial street, and a favorite haunt of Wuhan residents, offering a diverse selection of food, clothing, jewelry, beauty salons, accessories, and entertainment. Here, you can find restaurants like "The King of Grilled Wings," where you'll have to queue for an hour, "Stir-fried Bullfrog," which smells so good it's breathtaking, "Sister Xiang's Grilled Pig's Trotters," and "Zeng Ji Duck Neck." There's so much more...
Food recommendation: The King of Grilled Wings
Waiting time: 0.5h-1h
Price per person: 15 yuan/person
<2> Wuwai Bookstore, Zhongshan Avenue, Wuhan
Wuwai Bookstore, known as the "most beautiful bookstore" in Wuhan, opened its first store two years ago at Renxinhui on Longyang Avenue in Hanyang. Two years later, its second new store opened in the excellent historical building "Dafu Bank" next to the Wuhan Art Museum on Zhongshan Avenue.
Mr. Li Weimin, the designer of the Taipei Eslite Bookstore, returned to lead the design for the new store, following the original Hanyang location. The Dafu Bank lobby boasts a 5.2-meter-high ceiling, creating a dramatic book wall upon entry. This high ceiling was utilized to create a new steel-structured mezzanine.
The interior of the bookstore appears to be two floors, and the overall tone of the space is dark brown. The warm light around it shines on the books and cultural and creative products, giving a warm feeling.
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
(Photo source: @photo.net)
<3> Baocheng Road Night Market
In the 1980s and 1990s, Baocheng Road in Hankou was a remarkably famous street. It was a renowned electronics and audio street in three towns, a must-visit for Wuhan residents seeking electronics. Located near Jianghan Road Pedestrian Street, Baocheng Road boasted numerous electronics and audio shops nestled beneath the residential podiums.
The shops along Baocheng Road began to form in the 1980s, initially selling imported motorcycles, then gradually various imported home appliances. By the late 1990s, Baocheng Road was synonymous with imported electronics, marking its peak period. Nearly 200 shops lined the street, stretching all the way to Qianjin 4th Road.
Back then, Jianghan Road was a favorite haunt for couples, as nearby Baocheng Road and Yangzi Street were favorites for men and women, respectively. Women often accompanied their boyfriends on Baocheng Road, often enjoying the sight of their boyfriends' delight, even if they weren't particularly knowledgeable about electronics, especially audiophile-grade speakers. Couples could often be seen in the shops, shopping for home appliances in preparation for their weddings, their faces filled with sweet bliss.
Girls often couldn't help but glance a few times, and boys, seeing this, would ask mischievously, "Uh, when do you think we should come buy some?" The girls blushed, but their hearts felt like honey, a sweetness that overflowed from their brows. After strolling around Baocheng Road, I felt a little hungry. At the intersection was the time-honored wonton king, Furong Restaurant. Across the street was Yangzi Street, a famous fashion street and a popular haunt for girls.
(Image source: @Network Picture)
Yiyuan Road, a vibrant foodie destination, has delighted countless foodies. Besides its unique sesame cakes, there are many other worthwhile eateries. In your free time, bring your camera and your stomach to experience Wuhan's original streets, where history reigns supreme in the north and the vibrant atmosphere of life in the south, each brimming with romance and nostalgia.
This pancake shop has been open for 15 years. It seems that when people mention Yiyuan Road, this pancake shop comes to mind, but this is just a small microcosm of the Yiyuan Road cuisine.
In 2013, a serving of the strange-flavored sesame cake cost just 1 yuan. With rising prices, it now costs 3 yuan, but the taste remains the same. Students from nearby schools and residents come to buy the cakes for breakfast every day.
Their freshly baked sesame cakes are brushed with red chili oil several times and sprinkled evenly with white sugar. The signature sweet, spicy and crispy taste of the strange-flavored sesame cakes mixed with the aroma of roasted wheat bursts out in an instant, and the fragrance is fragrant.
Store address: No. 4, Yiyuan Road, Jiang'an District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province
Price of sesame cake: 3 yuan/piece
Waiting time: 0.5-1h
(Photo source: @Network)
(Photo source: @Network)
(Image source: @Network Picture)
It has been opened on Liangdao Street for nearly 20 years. Even though it is very low-key, it still attracts a constant stream of diners who come here because of its reputation!
A fried dough cake, fresh from the frying pan, is cut open and wrapped with four steamed buns, all done in one go. These two seemingly unrelated things, combined together, can produce a wonderful "chemical reaction." I don't know where the idea came from, but it's quite imaginative.
Traditional siomai are often filled with a lot of oil, but Chef Zhao's has refined it, reducing the amount of oil and focusing more on the texture. The crispy pancakes paired with the soft and glutinous siomai are incredibly delicious.
Shop Name: Tiantian Red Oil Master Zhao's Hot Dry Noodles
Address: No. 139, Liangdao Street, Wuchang District
Waiting time: about 1 hour
Opening hours: 05:30-14:00
Average price per person: 15 yuan
(Photo source: @Network)
(Image source: @Network Picture)
(Photo source: @Network)
The longest line for grilled chicken wings in the city is at Generation Grilled Wing King. I always eat at this place whenever I'm on Jianghan Road. It's on the first floor of the Happy Platform. It's been open for 10 years, and the lines are always long, no matter the time of day.
After paying, you'll be given a tag indicating the number of wings. Just give it to the lady grilling the wings and tell her how spicy you want them. The wings are very sweet, likely due to their unique recipe. The meat is tender, yet the skin is crispy. They're quite large, but not greasy at all. Even the meat inside has a honey-like flavor.
Store Name: Generation Grilled Wings King
Location: B1, Happy Station, Jianghan Road, Jianghan District, Wuhan
Waiting time: about 0.5-1 hour
Price: about 10 yuan per person
(Photo source: @Network)
Tuji Fried Cake was originally a Chengdu snack called Rouguokui. Although it looks inconspicuous, it requires meticulous craftsmanship to make and the ingredients are also very particular: pork must be front shoulder meat, and beef must be hind leg meat.
Every day, the owner personally selects the meat and oversees the supplier blending it and bringing it back in a bowl. The meat filling is seasoned solely with five-spice powder, Sichuan peppercorns, and salt, and neither the dough nor the meat is mixed with any additives. The pancakes are made with pure soybean oil, specially ordered from a grease company. "If the ingredients aren't chosen right, the taste will suffer. We're doing honest business, and our customers are longtime friends and neighbors. We can't afford to jeopardize our reputation," the owner of Tu Ji Pastry says. Tu Ji Pastry has grown steadily under this philosophy.
Tu Ji Bakery in Jianghan District, Wuhan City is an old shop that has been operating on Jianghan 3rd Road for 20 years. Its business is very booming every year. The queues of dozens of people have become a city landscape on Jianghan Road. The father of the bakery owner is 74 years old.
Shop Name: Tuji Pastry
Coordinates: No. 52, Jianghan 3rd Road, Jianghan District
Waiting time: about 0.5-1 hour
Price: about 5 yuan per person
(Photo source: @Network)
If you are lazy but attracted by Wuhan's cherry blossoms, delicious food, night view and literary and artistic places, you can choose to sign up for our City Walk route, where authentic Wuhan presenters will bring you a different city tour.
Wuhan's attractions and food are not just as described above. There is still a lot you don't know about Wuhan. You can refer to the author's previous guide:
2019 Two-Day, One-Night Tour in Wuhan: Authentic Wuhan Locals Instruct You on How to Enjoy!, Wuhan Travel Guide - China-TravelNote.com
http://www.youxiake.com/gonglue/view?id=3024
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