A Memorable Journey in Hubei
Hey, dear foreign friends! I’m excited to share with you my amazing journey in Hubei, a land full of charm and surprises.
I first planned to visit Wuhan in spring to enjoy the cherry blossoms, but the unexpected pandemic disrupted my plan. However, after Hubei lifted the pandemic restrictions, I finally got the chance to fulfill my dream of a deep – exploration trip to this wonderful place.
Arrival in Wuhan and the First Impressions
I arrived in Wuhan in August for a 5 – day solo trip, with a budget of about $500 per person. On the night of my third departure from Wuhan, my friend treated me to delicious crayfish at a stall near a lake. After a few drinks, he asked me when I would come back to Hubei. While sucking the spicy sauce of the crayfish and looking at the lights of thousands of families in the distance, I playfully hummed the song by Qi Qin: “Not at this moment, I don’t know when. I think it’ll probably be in winter…”
I really love Wuhan. As a Chengdu native with not – so – standard Mandarin, I can easily understand the local dialect here without having to struggle with Mandarin, which makes the communication so much easier and shortens the distance between us. Also, people in both Chengdu and Wuhan love spicy food. The hidden delicacies in Jiqing Street and Hubu Alley have further increased my affection and longing for this place.
The Allure of Wuhan’s Scenery and Culture
Wuhan is often described as a “joyful riverside world.” The mighty Han River runs through the city, flowing into the Yangtze River with perseverance and grandeur. Besides, 165 rivers cross the city day and night, just like the passionate and unrestrained character of Wuhan.
I’ve been to Hubei three times and visited many famous scenic spots. But what I miss the most are the various snacks and delicacies in Wuhan. Whether it’s the fragrant hot dry noodles, the spicy duck necks that make you sweat, or the mouth – watering crayfish, they are all unforgettable.
Jiqing Street and Hubu Alley: Gastronomic Paradises
Jiqing Street was vividly described by the famous female writer Chi Li in her novel Life Show as “dead during the day.” There are no quiet teahouses or high – end restaurants on this street. Instead, there are rows of street stalls full of the bustling atmosphere of the market. At night, the night market comes alive. Street vendors selling flowers and performing music, diners enjoying their meals, and waiters serving customers fill the hundreds of stalls, creating a lively and exciting scene that reaches its peak after midnight.
Hubu Alley, a 150 – meter – long century – old lane, is known as the “No.1 Alley for Han – style Snacks.” Its prosperous breakfast stalls have been popular for decades. It has become a well – known brand in Wuhan, a symbol of Wuhan’s breakfast, a microcosm of the old Wuhan image, and a rare and genuine urban market sentiment that cannot be imitated.
The Delights of Staying in Wuhan’s Hotels
I stayed at the Sheraton Wuhan Hankou Hotel. It’s located in the Wuhan Central Business District. You can directly access the Wuhan Times Square from the hotel lobby. It’s less than 2 kilometers from Hankou Railway Station and 21 kilometers from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. It only takes 5 – 10 minutes by car to reach Huayuan Road, Wansongyuan Food Street, and Wuhan Plaza Shopping District. And it takes about 30 minutes to get to the Yellow Crane Tower.
The hotel’s lobby lounge has a warm and pleasant atmosphere with soothing background music. It offers refreshing cocktails, top – notch spirits, high – end wines, and freshly brewed coffee, making it a perfect place to relax or gather with friends and family. The hotel has 500 comfortable and spacious rooms, including 57 rooms and suites ranging from 98 square meters to 400 square meters. Each room is equipped with a soft mattress known as the “Sheraton Sweet Sleeper” and a comfortable down quilt, as well as a 46 – inch LED widescreen TV.
The Executive Lounge on the 40th floor of the hotel has an independent and comfortable check – in and check – out area. Guests can use the wireless broadband for free. The elegant environment and considerate service provide guests with an extremely comfortable experience, making it an ideal place for business negotiations, small gatherings, and enjoying coffee and cocktails.
The hotel also has three different restaurants and bars. The Feast All – Day Dining Restaurant, a signature of the Sheraton brand, is decorated with bright – colored tapestries, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It offers a series of international cuisines made from the freshest ingredients, available in both buffet and a la carte options. The Caiyuexuan Chinese Restaurant uses local and sustainable ingredients to cook balanced and authentic Cantonese cuisine and a variety of local snacks. The Red Lotus Thai Restaurant serves unique and authentic Thai cuisine.
After that, I moved to the Wuhan Marriott Hotel. It’s committed to sharing the vibrant tourism resources of the central and western regions with more travelers and providing professional and detailed services. As the first Marriott – branded hotel in Wuhan, it’s located in the prosperous Wuhan Living Mall, a landmark cultural and art area in the city. The hotel’s design combines modern art, Wuhan’s scenery, and the elements of Jingchu culture, creating the modern aesthetic style that Marriott is known for.
The hotel has 372 elegant rooms, including 22 suites. The large windows in each room allow plenty of natural light to come in and offer a magnificent view of the city. Each room is equipped with a Marriott – branded soft – cushioned mattress, a luxury down quilt, a 55 – inch LCD TV, and high – speed wireless internet.
The hotel has three distinctive restaurants. The Wanyue Chinese Restaurant on the second floor has a design theme based on the Panlongcheng Site, immersing guests in more than 3000 years of Chinese history and culture. It offers Cantonese cuisine and Hubei specialties during lunch and dinner. The all – day Wuhan Kitchen Restaurant on the first floor uses fresh and organic ingredients to present Wuhan – style cuisine, including local fresh river fish and traditional dim sum, helping guests understand the origin of Wuhan’s food culture. The Grill House Restaurant offers classic Italian cuisine and fine – aged beef, paired with mellow wines to start a delicious journey.
Other Attractions in Hubei
Hubei is a magical place. There’s a funny saying about it: “Beijing is big, Shanghai is rich, but they can’t compare to a big banyan tree in Hubei; Hong Kong’s streets and America’s roads can’t compare to a small store in Hubei; The fragrance of roses and osmanthus can’t compare to the smell of Hubei’s tofu; Audi and BMW cars can’t compare to a bicycle in Hubei.”
I’ve visited Wudang Mountain twice with the “Southern TV” program group and the “China Tourism News” interview team of the National Tourism Administration. Only when you climb this famous mountain, listen to its stories and legends, and see the magnificent Taoist temples built on the cliffs can you truly understand its charm.
After returning to Wuhan from Wudang Mountain, I chose to stay at the Wuhan Marriott Hotel in Dongxihu District. It’s only 25 minutes’ drive from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport and Hankou Railway Station. You can also take the subway Line 2 to the airport or the railway station (it only takes 5 stops from Hongtu Avenue Station).
Due to time constraints, I visited the Wuhan Haichang Polar Ocean Park, which is only a 10 – minute walk from the hotel. As the first polar – themed ocean park in central China, it’s free of charge from August 12th to December 31st this year as part of the “Travel in Hubei with Love” tourism promotion activity. Tourists only need to make an appointment in advance to visit many attractions in Wuhan for free.
This journey in Hubei has been a wonderful experience, allowing me to enjoy the generous gifts of nature in the land of Jingchu. I hope you will also have the opportunity to explore this beautiful place one day!
