Wuhan History and Culture

Wuhan is a very important industrial base and a transportation hub of China with a long history of over 2500 years. It is actually a conglomeration of what were once three independent cities: Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang.

Neolithic relics excavated in the region from the Qujialing culture show that there were people living here about 5000 years ago. During the Shang Dynasty (16BC-11BC), a town known as Panlong was built here. The town was once situated in the area where is now the modern county of Huangpi.

Hanyang dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25AD-220AD), when a town known as Queyue first developed on the site to the north of the Turtle Hill. During the Three Kingdom period, Sunquan, the king of the kingdom of Wu (222AD-280AD), established the town of Xiakou which is the modern city of Wuchang. However the development of the two towns was very slow during a long period till the Tang and Song Dynasties. Hankou was established at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. It was flourishing during that time and became one of the four oldest towns of China.

The major historic relics of Wuhan are the Panlong ancient city, the Huanghe Building, and the Guiyuan Temple.

The Han and Chu operas are local traditional operas with a history of over 300 years.

Artifacts and food specialties include enamel clocks, Honghu feather fans, Wuhan bronze gongs, Wuchang fish, and Sijimei dumplings (Sijimei Tangbao).