At the confluence of the Yangtze and the Han rivers lies Wuhan, central China’s largest metropolis and the region’s most important industrial, educational and economic hub. Also popularly known as the ‘thoroughfare of nine provinces’, in which the number nine also has a symbolic connotation of multiple directions in Chinese culture, it is a major transportation pivot of China with railways, roads and expressways emanating out from its core to other parts of the vast Chinese land. Aside being at the middle of it all geographically, Wuhan is also one of the oldest cities in China strewn with more than 3,500 years of heritage and is beautifully endowed with plenty of cultural treasures and scenic sites for the inquisitive traveller to explore and marvel at. To experience China at its very heartland, plan a customised Wuhan tour package with Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours and dive straight into the middle of the Chinese heartland of central China.
Legend of Mulan Disney brought the heroic story alive with its blockbuster movie “Mulan” but few are aware that the legendary figure of the female warrior that inspired the script lives on forever in the hilly and mysterious cliffs of the Mulan Mountain Scenic Area. The hometown of this Chinese heroine of the times is shrouded with religious holiness and cloaked in folkloric tales. With a multitude of seven palaces, eight Taoist temples, and thousands of Buddhist relics, it is one of the few places in China where Taoism and Buddhism are venerated together in equal regards. Spend a day in the pleasant hilly climate and while away your time visiting its four themed spots that showcase a plethora of fabled religious and celestial sites, mysterious stone structures and a wondrous scene of waterfalls and blooming flora everywhere you turn.
Slide on grass at Heaven Lake Not far away from the hilly Mulan Mountain lies the equally stunning Mulan Tianchi (Heaven Lake) scenic area offering 4,800 acres of gargantuan canyons, swift waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers and pristine mountain lakes. Fans of the scenic spot claim that the area delivers constant visual surprises to its visitors in every 10 steps that they take. The main draw is the fairyland-like namesake of Heaven Lake which sits firmly on top of the mountain, 506 metres above sea level. Clear, clean and relishing in an elegant jade-coloured hue, the pool is an unmissable highlight for a photo opportunity. For adrenaline junkies or travellers simply looking to inject some fun amid the scenic tour, take on “grass skating” where you slide down fast, from a height of 100 metres, on slide ways carved into the grassy slope and feel the fresh mountain air blowing past your cheeks.
Time for school Wuhan University is considered by many Chinese to be the most beautiful university in the whole of China due to its exquisite setting and splendid architecture. Surrounded by the resplendent Donghu Lake and dotted with magnificent buildings featuring a varied combination of both Chinese and Western architectural styles, its supermodel look goes as far as such that plenty of students proclaim that the beauty of the campus is what attracts them to study there in the first place. The university grounds offer plenty of visual stimulation all year round changing its hues for the seasons but puts on its most gorgeous coat come spring when nearly 200,000 admirers flock to its grounds during the Wuhan Cherry Blossom Festival each year to fall under its mesmerising magic.
For other breathtaking destinations in China, try:
Head into the heartland of China and unravel the inner workings of the Chinese nation with a customised Wuhan tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg for more information.
Highlights
Every itinerary can be fully customised according to needs, special interests, personal preferences and defining style of just about anyone who wants to travel privately and exclusively.
Dinner
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Wuhan. Proceed to relish in a scrumptious dinner at a local restaurant. Thereafter, proceed to your hotel for a good night’s rest.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
After breakfast, explore Hubu Alley and ascend Yellow Crane Tower, one of China’s most renowned towers, and admire picturesque views of Yangtze River’s bridge. Then, visit Hubei Provincial Museum to catch sight of China’s largest amounts of historic and cultural relics, inclusive of bronze vessels and lacquer woodware. Spot the top 4 highlights of the collection, which are the bronze sword of Goujian, No. 1 human skull fossil of Yun County, chime-bells of Marquis Yi and the blue-and-white vase of the Yuan dynasty. Thereafter, make your way to Yichang. Relish in a speciality dinner at Fangweng Restaurant, which is a uniquely picturesque restaurant with part of the dining hall seemingly hanging out of a cave.
Yellow Crane Tower
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Today, head to Three Gorges waterfall, which not only boasts a spectacular waterfall but also surrounded by precipitous mountains. Then, head to Shennongjia, China’s most primordial forest, at your own expense. The mystic nature reserve derived its name from the legend, where it is said that Emperor Shennong built a ladder there to collect rare medicinal herbs in a bid to heal his people of illnesses and diseases. En route, admire the scenic highway along the river valley. This picturesque highway is shaped like a dragon and acclaimed as one of China’s most scenic roads. Thereafter, proceed to Shennong Altar, which is embraced by luscious green mountains. Next, explore Tiansheng Bridge Scenic Area, which consists of scenic caves, bridges, waterfalls and lakes.
Shennongjia
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
This morning, explore some of Shennongjia’s core scenic spots such as Shennong Peak Scenic Area, Shennong Valley National Park and Banbi Rock. Next, head to Guanmenshan to meet the giant pandas, Ao Yun and Yun Yun. Next, return to Yichang for your overnight stay.
Shennongjia
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
This morning, proceed to Chexi Folk Custom Tour Site, renowned for its beautiful landscape and Tujia folk customs. There, you will also find China’s 1st waterwheel museum and other cultural sites such as a national farming museum and China’s largest ancient workshop exhibition display. Next, head to Enshi. In the evening, enjoy a night tour of Tujia Daughter’s City which features the unique culture of the Tujia people and consists of inns, teahouses, restaurants, snack stalls and more than 300 folk and craft shops. Also, relish in a Tujia speciality dinner, where you will experience the unique custom of drinking wine from a bowl and smashing it to pieces thereafter for good fortune.
Note:
Chexi Folk Custom Tour Site is subject to closure and will be replaced with Sanyou Cave if unavailable.
Enshi
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Today, explore Enshi Grand Canyon on an electric sightseeing car ride and return cable car ride. The nature site comprises of Qixingzhai scenic spot and Yunlong Ground Fissure, embraced by soaring mountains, sheer cliffs and deep canyons. Yunlong Ground Fissure is one of the world’s rare geological formations in which its cliffs on both sides are formed in 2 different periods.
Enshi Grand Canyon
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
This morning, visit Tangya Tusi City, the ancient Tujia site in China which consists of the well-preserved architecture of the Tujia, Miao and Dong minority tribes together with numerous cultural relics inclusive of sculptures, carvings, paintings and folk art. Next, travel to Jingzhou where you will get to stop by the ancient city wall and Temple of Guan Yu.
Jingzhou ancient city wall
Breakfast
After breakfast, spend some time at leisure before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.