Sights

Yellow crane tower

Huanghelou (Yellow Crane Tower), located near the southern end of the Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, is one of China's most famous towers. The tower inspired many ancient poets and artists. Following is one example, written by Li Bai during the Tang Dynasty: 

My old friend 

Bids farewell to me 

In the west at Yellow Crane Tower. 

Amid April's mist and flowers 

He goes down to Yang-jou. 

The distant image 

Of his lonely sail 

Disappears in blue emptiness, 

And all I see 

Is the Long more..

Guiyuan Temple(Temple of Original Purity)

Guiyuan Temple(Temple of Original Purity), situated on Cuiwei Street, is one of the four biggest temples for Buddhist meditation in Hubei as well as an important Buddhist temple in China.

First built in the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911) by two monks named Baiguang and Zhufeng on the base of Sunflower Garden owned by a poet, the temple got its name form Buddhist chants: "With purity kept in mind, one has the thoroughfare everywhere." Guiyuan Temple has survived through more than 300 hundred years of repeated cycles of prosperity and decline, above all else, it is always more..

Daxiongbaodian Hall

It is the main hall of the temple. Statue of Sakyamuni, who preached Buddhism for 45 years as the founder of Buddhism, is enshrined in this hall. On his right is a statue of Mahakasyapa, one of the ten disciples of Sakyamuni. It is said that he was of eminent virtue and was reckoned to be the first patriarch. After Sakyamuni died he continued his career. On the left is a statue of Ananda. Also one of the ten disciples of Sakyamuni, Ananda was the master of hearing and memory and was reckoned to be the second patriarch. He followed Sakyamuni for more than 20 years and is said to more..

Arhat Hall

First built in 1850AD during the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing dynasty, the hall is the most characteristic building of the Temple with its constructional layout being in the four-in-one-square shape. In the Arhat Hall are five hundred statues of the disciples Buddha sculpted by two artists between 1822 and 1831. Sitting, standing or reclining, in anger, sadness or delight, they stimulate people's imagination. The 500 arhats are now the best-preserved and very high artistic-valued group carvings in China.

Sutra Collection Pavilion

Built in 1696AD during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing dynasty, this structure is an indicative building in the temple for collecting Buddhist scriptures and art treasure. In this hall, a statue of Sakyamuni carved from a single block of white jade is most attractive. The statue, harmonizing well with the tranquility of the chambers and pavilions, companying with the incense smoke filtering through the sky, gives the temple a majestic magic. Besides, over 7000 Buddhist sutras and sutras from Japan, India, Burma, Thailand, etc are all stored in this hall.

Heptachord Terrace

Heptachord Terrace, also named Boya Terrace, is located on the bank of Moon Lake, western foot of Tortoise Hill in Hanyang district. 

Story goes that Yu Boya used to be a famous musician in Chu kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 B.C.). Although good at musical instrument, he was always depressed for few people can keenly comprehended his music. One day, on his way back to his country after a diplomatic mission, he was blocked here by a sudden heavy rain. When it cleared up, Yu Boya played a piece of music. Zhong Ziqi, a woodcutter, understood more..

Chairman Mao's Villa

A retreat house for Chairman Mao.