Wuhan

WuhanWuhan is a generic name, referring to the three linked mid- Yangtze River cities of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang.

Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, is the largest city in Central China. Its subtropical climate is characterized by humid weather and a monsoon season. Located at the junction of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and the Yangtze River waterway, Wuhan has always been known as the "Thoroughfare of Nine Provinces." Covering an area of 8,410 square kilometres the City of Wuhan has a population of 7.4 million.

Wuhan has a long history and rich cultural heritage. Archaeological findings indicate that Panlong, a city north of Wuhan, dates back more than 3,500 years, to the Shang Dynasty(1600-1046 BC). Wuhan is also home to Chu culture, which has a history of over 2,500 years. The Yellow Crane Tower is one of three famous historical towers south of the Yangtze River (the other two being Yueyang Tower in Hunan Province and the Prince Teng Tower in Jiangxi Province). East Lake is a state-recognized scenic spot loved for its natural beauty. And the Guiyuan Buddhist Temple is known as "the ancient temple at the Buddhist centre." It is also the most convenient base from which to explore the Three Gorges and other famous prime sights in Central China. The city has a solid industrial foundation, with metallurgy, machinery, light industry, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics and building materials as its pillar industries. Some promising high-tech sectors are rising, including fiber optics, biological engineering. lasers, microelectronics, and new materials.