On April 14, 2010, my sister and I embarked on a journey to find happiness. Guangzhou South Station is a modern and grand building, resembling a small airport. Entering the gate, the vast space is awe-inspiring, with a simple structure like an elegant brushstroke that passes by swiftly. The charm of life lies in its unpredictability and the ability to adapt to circumstances, being straightforward and not dragging behind. At 8:05 PM, we boarded the most fashionable high-speed train "Harmony" heading towards Wuhan. Its body was pure white with "Harmony" written in large characters on the windows. The seats inside were spacious and could rotate front to back, showcasing advanced technology. The train started moving slowly, swaying slightly from side to side, yet the water in the cup remained unusually calm. Looking out the window, only distant scenery moved continuously. It was raining then, and the raindrops on the window were not vertical but lines slanting backward due to the speed of 350 kilometers per hour. After a four-hour journey, we arrived at our destination, Wuhan, at 11:56 PM. Before getting off, we all put on our thick coats as it was only 3 degrees Celsius in Wuhan. Getting off felt like entering an icy world; the temperature change was noticeable, making us all shout from the cold. My sister couldn't sit still in such cold weather, hopping around amusingly. With excitement and tension, we set foot in the world-famous ancient city - Wuhan. Passing through the Wuhan Yangtze River Second Bridge reminded me of a primary school text about the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge. Experiencing this place firsthand gave a unique feeling. Nighttime Wuhan was peaceful without the hustle and bustle of the city. Neon lights illuminated the entire city beautifully, with old skyscrapers scattered under the soft glow. After a 20-minute ride, we reached our destination, the Wuhan International Holiday Grand Hotel. After settling our luggage, we found a nearby noodle shop where everyone exclaimed after taking a bite: "It's so delicious, indescribably good!" This kind of noodles is called Re Gan Mian, a major specialty of Wuhan. My sister and May both ate two large bowls, indicating how incredibly tasty they were.
April 15, 2010
The next morning, the weather cleared up, and the traces of rainwater gradually disappeared as time passed. The sunlight brightened the entire Wuhan city, giving a fresh and comfortable feeling after the rain. We took the elevator to the 27th floor revolving restaurant for breakfast. The restaurant had panoramic glass windows, allowing us to enjoy the scenery of Wuhan while eating, which was extremely pleasant.
After breakfast, we officially set out. Our first stop was to visit two distinctive hotels - Shangri-La Grand Hotel and Sentosa Grand Hotel. The car moved slowly through Wuhan's streets and alleys, a two-kilometer road taking about half an hour due to traffic congestion worsened by the opening of the Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed railway. Wuhan is an old city lacking overall planning. After over 20 minutes of bumping, we arrived at the Shangri-La Grand Hotel. It is a five-star hotel in Wuhan, with very characteristic architecture filled with Indian style, where many Indians can be seen dining in traditional attire.
After visiting the two grand hotels, we headed to the famous Hubei Library. Upon entering, the palace-like architectural complex greeted us, reminiscent of the Forbidden City. Most of the collections come from archaeological excavations and various regions, mainly focusing on unearthed relics. These have distinct local characteristics and era features, reflecting the ancient culture of Hubei province. Some artifacts hold significant positions in the development history of Chinese ancient culture. Having studied history for three years in high school, seeing these ancient relics in person felt refreshingly different.
Subsequently, we returned to the hotel for lunch and met the renowned Ms. Wen. She didn't appear particularly young but exuded elegance. The table was full of Wuhan's most distinctive dishes. The cucumbers were much shorter than those in Guangdong, uniformly sized, vivid green, clearly freshly picked, and exceptionally fresh. A bite revealed their crisp sweetness. That day, we also enjoyed many other distinctive dishes, but the cucumber left the deepest impression. After lunch, we headed to the next attraction - East Lake Park in Wuhan. After a rest post-meal, we felt like gods. Although we were all tired, upon getting off the bus, we immediately became energetic. Inside the park, many people leisurely strolled, their faces serene. The surface of East Lake was as calm as a mirror, occasionally floating with gentle willow catkins. Wuhan gave me the feeling of being a provincial capital with the famous Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge and the timeless Yellow Crane Tower. Despite towering skyscrapers everywhere, it lacked the hustle and bustle of Guangdong, remaining tranquil, perfect for calming a restless heart. In the park, we leisurely walked around, even posing like ancient beauties for photos. My sister joked, "Learn from them, but don't fall into the lake - no one will save you." After some banter, though exhausted, we wanted to sleep, so we headed to Wuhan University to take a nap during the ride.
Wuhan University - a university I once dreamt of attending, a century-old prestigious institution preserving many buildings from the Republic of China era. One could imagine the intellectuals of the past conducting reforms here, numerous academic exchanges taking place, and various schools of thought converging. There's also a distinctive cherry blossom avenue lined with cherry trees on both sides. Every March, the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully here, but we came at the wrong time; the blossoms had already fallen, leaving the avenue quiet. This made me think of my own university days, fleeting over four years, turning into fragmented memories before I could fully experience them. Whether laughing or crying, life must continue, and so must the tour. "An old friend bid farewell to the Yellow Crane Tower, setting off for Yangzhou amidst spring flowers." Li Bai's famous poem has made the Yellow Crane Tower world-renowned. Now, I've been fortunate enough to see it in person. It's a group of buildings with similar styles surrounding the Yellow Crane Tower, along with a large bell. We encountered a couple ringing the bell, the man shouting his love for the woman while ringing, making us bystanders feel quite "chilly."
Today's cultural journey was fruitful. With lingering interest in Wuhan's culture, we arrived at a local Wuhan restaurant known for its distinctiveness. This restaurant was detailed in Chi Li's "People Come People Go," attracting many visitors, including ourselves as admirers. The restaurant wasn't large, nor luxuriously decorated, and wasn't quiet. Each table had an accompanying "singer," enjoying spicy food while tasting songs of various styles, adding a unique flavor. In this distinctive restaurant, our friends from all over the country laughed and chatted, listening to a sincere Mongolian man sing "Love Meeting," and fiery Hunan girls' love songs. Though not drinking wine, we toasted with delicious soy milk instead.
Our one-and-a-half-day trip to Wuhan concluded, and our next stop is Wuyuan, Jiangxi. We look forward to experiencing the bridges, streams, Zhu Xi's hometown, and gray-white architecture. Tonight, we'll rest well, ready to continue tomorrow.