Brief Introduction of Hubei Province



** Geography and Natural Conditions
Hubei is situated in central China, extending across two major river systems, the Yangtze River and Hanjiang River. It adjoins Henan Province on the north, Anhui Province on the east, Jiangxi Province on the southeast, Hunan Province on the south, Chongqing Municipality on the west and Shaanxi Province on the northwest. Hubei covers an area of 185,900 sq km, accounting for 1.94% of the national total. At the end of 2005, the total population stood at 60.31 million.
Hubei is located in the transitional region from the second to the third terrace in the terrain of China, thus having a variety of landforms. Wuling, Wushan, Daba, Wudang, Tongbai, Dabie and Mufu mountains on the west, north and east, surrounds it. Lying in the central and southern parts is the Jianghan Plain, which extends to Hunan Province to link with the Dongting Lake Plain. The proportion of various landforms to the total area of the province is as follows: Mountains, 55.5%; hills and hillocks, 24.5%; and plain and lake areas, 20%. The elevation of different parts varies greatly. Shennong Summit, the highest peak of Shennongjia in west Hubei, which is known as the "Roof of Central China," is 3,105 meters above sea level, while Tanjiayuan of Jianli County on the eastern plain has an elevation of zero.
** Climate
Hubei has a subtropical monsoon climate. It enjoys abundant sunlight, with the annual amount of solar radiation totaling 85-114 kilocalories per square cm and annual duration of sunshine averaging 1,200-2,200 hours. Temperature is on the high side, with annual temperature averaging between 55.4F to 64.4F. The highest temperature can reach 105.8F, while the lowest temperature can drop to 5.18F. There are 230 to 300 days free of frost in a year and the annual rainfall has stood at 1,182.3 mm for many years. However, rainfall is unevenly distributed. The amount of precipitation in the Wuling mountainous area is as high as 1,600-1,700 mm, while that in west Hubei is as low as 700-800 mm.

** World Cultural Heritage
1. Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (1994)
2. Xian Tomb of Ming Dynasty  in Jingmen City (2000)
** National AAAAA Level Tourist Attractions in Hubei Province
1.Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan City
2. The Great Dam Scenic Area of Three Gorges in Yichang City
** National AAAA Level Tourist Attractions in Hubei Province
1. Dong Lake Scenic Area in Wuhan City
2. Guiyuanchan Temple in Wuhan City
3. Tanziling Scenic Area at Yangtze Three Gorges Project in Yichang City
4. Longzhong Scenic Area in Xiangfan City
5. Hubei Province Museum in Wuhan City
6. Jingzhou Museum in Jingzhou City
7. Wudang Mountain in Shiyan City
8. Red-bricked Building in Wuhan City
9. Wuhan Arboretum in Wuhan City
10. Tianyan Original Zoology Scenic Area in Shennongjia Forest District of Hubei Province
11. The top of Shennong Scenic Area in Shennongjia Forest District of Hubei Province
12. Hongping Scenic Area in Shennongjia Forest District of Hubei Province
13. Shennong Stream Scenic Area in Badong County of Enshi Tujia & Miao Autonomous Prefecture
14. Honghu Lake Zoology Scenic Area in Jingzhou City
15. Lianhua Mountain Scenic Area in E'zhou
16. Jingzhou Old City in Jingzhou City
17. Xilin Gorge in Yichang City
18. Chexi Customs Scenic Area in Yichang City
19. The Renjia Scenic Area of Three Gorges in Yichang City
** National Key Scenic Area in Hubei Province
1. Dong Lake Scenic Area in Wuhan City
2. Wudang Mountain in Shiyan City
3. Dahong Mountain in Suizhou City
4. Longzhong Scenic Area in Xiangfan City
5. Jiugong Mountain in Tongshan County of Xianning City
** National famous historic and cultural cities in Hubei Province
Wuhan City, Jianglin City, Xiangfan City, Suizhou City, Zhongxiang City

Wuhan is situated in the middle of Hubei Province of China. The east of Jianghan Plain and the intersection of the middle reach of the Yangtze River and Hanshui River. The Yangtze River and Hanshui River divide Wuhan into three parts: Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang, which are generally known as Wuhan's Three Towns. Wuhan occupies a land of 8494.41 sq meters, most of which is plain and decorated with hills and a great number of lakes and pools. It has a population of 7,811,900 by the end of 2003.
Climate: Wuhan belongs to subtropical humid monsoon climate. There are sufficient rainfall and sunshine as well as four distinct seasons. In recent thirty years, the average annual rainfall is 1269 mm, mainly from June to August; annual temperature is 60.44F to 63.5F, annual frost-free period lasts 211 to 272 days and annual sunlight duration is 1810 to 2100 hours.
Brief History: Wuhan is a famous historical and cultural city in China with a history of 3500 years. According to recent archaeological findings, Wuhan was inhabited as early as ten thousand years ago. The relics of Ancient Panlong Town is studied and verified as the palace of Fang Kingdom in Shang Dynasty (1675 BC--1029 BC), the first ancient town in Shang Dynasty so far discovered in the Yangtze River basin. The name Wuchang dates back to the time of Three-States Period (220--280). In Ming Dynasty (1368--1644) Wuchang, Hanyang and Hankou was formed. In 1861, Hankou was opened to trade with foreign powers. In 1927, National Government announced that Hankou, Wuchang and Hanyang were integrated to Jingzhao Region and named Wuhan.Wuhan was liberated on May 16, 1949.