Basics

Hubei Geography

Situated north the middle reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze)  River, Hubei, a province with numerous rivers and lakes, has been called the "land of thousand lakes". The Changjiang (Yangtze) River cuts through the Wushan Mountain as it flow eastwards, forming the famous gorges linking Hubei with the neighboring Sichuan. The Province has an area of 180 thousand square kilometers and a population of 60 million (by 2005) comprising the Han, Tujia, Hui, Manchu, Miao and Mongolian nationalities. The capital city is Wuhan.

Hubei Climate

Hubei has a sub-tropical, humid and monsoon climate. It has distinctive for seasons with a changeable spring, a humid and hot summer, a clear and peasant autumn and a dry and cold winter. Its annual mean temperature ranges from 13ºC to 18ºC (55.4 ºF to 64.4 ºF) with lowest monthly mean in January being 1C to 6C and highest monthly in July being 24ºC to 30ºC (75.2 ºF to 86 ºF). Its annual precipitation averages is between 750-1,500mm, which is concentrated in summer.

Brief History of Hubei

Hubei has a long history and magnificent culture. Painted pottery dating back to Neolithic period was excavated at Qujialing of Jingshan county in 1955, which was hence named th Qujialing culture. Five kilometers north of Jiangling County town lies the remains of Ji'nan, the capital of Chu in both the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

For almost four hundred years from 689 to 278 B.C, a total of twenty kings made Ji'nan their capital, which was not only the political, economic and cultural centre of the state of Chu but also the largest city in south of China. Sun Quan, King of the Kingdom of Wu in the three Kingdoms Period, built fortifications in Wuhan, then called Jiangxia. It was not until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) that Hubei was made a province.

Hubei Local Products

Hubei abounds in fish, lotus seeds and roots, water caltrop, water fowl and pearls, and boasts a highly developed fishery and aquatic farming operation. The Wuchang black bream is considered a delicacy throughout the country. Fir of Shennongjia, China's dove tree of Gongtong and met sequoia in southwest Hubei are three species unique in the world.

Other local products are Tung oil of Laifeng, lacquer of Lichuan and Enshi, silver fungus of Baokang and Fangxian, osmanthus flowers of Bodun, Xianning, Yihong black tea of Yichang, brick tea of Puqi and Fuling in eastern Hubei. There are many traditional handicraft items in this province. Wuhan's jade carving, bamboo ware and bassinets, Guangji's bamboo furniture, Jiangling's Jing satin, Yicheng's bamboo mates, Macheng's pottery and Mianyang's straw woven items are the most famous.

Hubei Places of Interests and Tourist Attractions

HUANGHELOU (Yellow Crane Tower)

Located on the south bank of the Yangzi River, the Yellow Crane Tower is perhaps China's most badly treated historical monument. It is said to have been built in 333 during the Three Kingdoms period. In the centuries that followed, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In history, the tower inspired many poets and artists. It was last rebuilt in 1983.

WUDANG MOUNTAINS

A trip to Wudan Mountains is a very worthwhile outing from Wuhan. Located in western Hubei, Wudang is an ancient sacred Taoist shrine.

The first Taoist temple there, the "Five Dragon Temple, " was built 1,300 years ago in the Tang Dynasty. In the 15th century, the Ming court sent 300,000 soldiers and workers there to build 160 monasteries, temples, pavilions and other structures. It took more than 10 years to complete the construction. It then became a major center of Taoism. Although many of the old structures deteriorated in the ensuing centuries, there are still many well-preserved temples.

The mountains are also linked with a school of martial arts. It is said that Taiji boxing was invented there by a Taoist priest.