How to transform "the biggest county" and how to change "slums" to world-class streets: follow me!

[AndrewJin]

Wuhan is famous for a nickname, "the big county"(大县城), which originated from former PM Zhu Rongji (That's why I dislike him).

That was in 1998 when he was inspecting Wuhan accompanied by local officers. Instead of praising Wuhan as what the local officers would like to hear, he came to an conclusion in the end, "It is for sure that Wuhan is the biggest county in China".

At that time, there were only two bridges over Yangtze river in Wuhan, no metro, no riverside park, no car industry and of course no HSR or Wanda Mall. What was even worse, thousands of workers lost their jobs in SOE and half a city was filthy “urban villages” (城中村, i.e., villages in the city, similar to "slums" in other developing countries).

There comes another popular Chinese phrase to describe this situation, "脏乱差" (dirty, disorderly and bad).

Now, I have just finished an one-day spring outing in Wuhan and will upload today's photos in several chapters, including cherry blossoms in Wuhan University（武汉大学), East Lake（东湖), Chu River Han Street(楚河汉街) and HSR in Hubei Province.

I hope my depiction will "ignite" reasonable discussions in the following days, such as inadequacy of Chinese education, merits and demerits of urban redevelopment, success and problems of HSR, etc. Deliberate trolling is exceedingly unwelcome.

Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, Central China

 

[Jlaw]

I waiting for the train back to Wuhan. Will update later.
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Mr. Chow sell good and expensive jewelry

 

[Yizhi]

you are back to Wuhan for Qingming? that's quite early.

i can't leave until next weekend.

I waiting for the train back to Wuhan. Will update later.
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nice pics.

 

[cirr]

The night is still young for those who shuttle along on high-speed trains。

That has become a way of life。

Travelling by the most safe、comfortable、efficient、cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of transport that is。

 

[AndrewJin]

The night is still young for those who shuttle along on high-speed trains。

That has become a way of life。

Travelling by the most safe、comfortable、efficient、cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of transport that is。

Exactly, my HSR train is all full, a couple of passengers are standing.

 

[AndrewJin]

you are back to Wuhan for Qingming? that's quite early.

i can't leave until next weekend.


nice pics.

Actually I spent most of the day in Wuhan University and Han street. I left Wuhan at 8pm just to have a visit at Xianning Station. That's a loyal railway fan! (And some railway fan discussions with Xianning Station stuff)

 

[AndrewJin]

Nice pics! Where was it?
Looks like another Xintiandi (新天地) leisure district to me.

Wuhan, a Wanda project. Honestly speaking, it's much more fun than Xintiandi, I'll give u my viewpoints later.

 

[AndrewJin]

Mr. Chow sell good and expensive jewelry

Mr. Chow is too greedy.

 

[Shotgunner51]

I waiting for the train back to Wuhan. Will update later.
A preview:
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Nice pics! Where was it?
Looks like another Xintiandi (新天地) leisure district to me.

 

[AndrewJin]

Nice pics! Where was it?
Looks like another Xintiandi (新天地) leisure district to me.

?

 

[Yizhi]

Actually I spent most of the day in Wuhan University and Han street. I left Wuhan at 8pm just to have a visit at Xianning Station. That's a loyal railway fan!

i can see you are on train now..

to your loyalty.

 

[AndrewJin]

i can see you are on train now..

to your loyalty.

I have just interchanged from Line4 to Line2. Today is a little overwhelming, but I am still exited and don't feel even the slightest fatigue.

 

[AndrewJin]

Chapter One: from home to Wuchang by Wuhan Metro
How to balance infrastructure construction and people's desire for better air?

Wuhan is comprised of three parts separated by Han River and Yangtze River: Hankou(where I live), Hanyang and Wuchang. These three "towns" were combined as one city when Wuhan was appointed as the capital of China in 1920s.(I bet most Chinese members here have no idea of this history).

Wu(Wuchang) + Han(Hankou/Hanyang) = Wuhan
Wuchang（武昌）: prosperous(Chang, 昌) by military force(Wu,武)
Hankou（汉口）: the river mouse(Kou, 口) of Han River(Han, 汉)
Hanyang（汉阳)：north to Han River (Yang阳, as in "Yin and Yang", means north to the river or south to the mountain，"山南水北为阳"; However, historically, Hanyang County was north to the river before Han River rechannelled. Now ,Hanyang is south to Han River)

OK, follow me!

My neighbourhood in Hankou, a mixture of chaos and modernity.
I wouldn't say Wuhan is not "the biggest county in China" any more but I have strong anticipation.

Take Metro Line 2 to Wuchang. For more on Wuhan Metro click My CRH trip from Shanghai back to Wuhan | Page 4
Wuhan Metro by Dec.2014 (late this year, Line 3 will be inaugurated)

I will mostly upload some "special one", like this:
Whom was she frowning at?

Arriving at the nearest station to Wuhan University
I wouldn't expect so many passengers in non-rush hours on a workday. I was sure they came to this station for cherry blossoms in Wuhan University.

Outside of the metro station, a major thoroughfare of Wuchang.
I haven't been here for at least 5 years, totally different.

An independent Cafe, let's shut down all Starbucks or Costa in Wuhan
@Nihonjin1051

This place used to be a street which separated Wuhan Univeristy's two campuses.
Now, there is an underground boulevard and finally, a park links the northern campus and the southern campus!

 

[AndrewJin]

Chapter One ends here.
Wuhan's infrastructure ambitious, however, in BBC's controversial documentary, HOW CHINA FOOLED THE WORLD(2014), was confronted with their "sour grape" jealousy. I think this documentary is utterly biased and ridiculous.

But citizens' biggest concern is environmental problems caused by these construction sites and other sources. I've read tons of comments from Wuhanese in Moji Weather(an APP on weather report and air-quality index, users can upload instant photos and make comments).

Screenshots of Moji Weather (1am, March 28, 2015)

What's your opinion?
How to make a balance?
a. infrastructure construction on a large scale
At least another 10 years of massive construction, boulevards, metro, CBD, another railway hub, redevelopment of "slums", intercity HSRs, shopping centres, etc.

b. people's desire for cleaner air
why should I suffer when this new line will not benefit me? Isn't it too fast by one finished new line per year? Why does the government give those "slum dwellers" excessive compensation and other merits?

@Shotgunner51 Shanghai has almost done with her major projects. Having witnessed the whole process, u must have something to say.
@Yizhi @Shotgunner51 @JSCh @Keel @Place Of Space @ChineseTiger1986 @yusheng @TaiShang @Edison Chen @kankan326 @Pangu @dragonrider1984 @dlclong @Chinese-Dragon @cirr @sweetgrape @Jlaw @Martian2 @xuxu1457 @Martian2 @Hu Songshan @xunzi @welcomeJason @Chinese Bamboo @StarCraft_ZT @Tractor @terranMarine @cnleio and all other Chinese members
And friends from abroad @powastick @Rajaraja Chola @Georgeclark @Indos @liubang @ahojunk @opruh @Armstrong @ManavKalia @Azizam @onebyone @Gufi @Pomegranate @Echo_419 et al
@Yizhi @Nihonjin1051

 

[Jlaw]

Chapter One: from home to Wuchang by Wuhan Metro
How to balance infrastructure construction and people's desire for better air?

Wuhan is comprised of three parts separated by Han River and Yangtze River: Hankou(where I live), Hanyang and Wuchang. These three "towns" were combined as one city when Wuhan was appointed as the capital of China in 1920s.(I bet most Chinese members here have no idea of this history).
Wu(Wuchang) + Han(Hankou/Hanyang) = Wuhan
Wuchang（武昌）: prosperous(Chang, 昌) by military force(Wu,武)
Hankou（汉口）: the river mouse(Kou, 口) of Han River(Han, 汉)
Hanyang（汉阳)：north to Han River (Yang阳, as in "Yin and Yang", means north to the river or south to the mountain，"山南水北为阳"; However, historically, Hanyang County was north to the river before Han River rechannelled. Now ,Hanyang is south to Han River)

OK, follow me!
View attachment 208171

My neighbourhood, a mixture of chaos and modernity.
I wouldn't say Wuhan is not "the biggest county in China" any more.
View attachment 208149

Take Metro Line 2 to Wuchang. For more on Wuhan Metro click My CRH trip from Shanghai back to Wuhan | Page 4
Wuhan Metro by Dec.2014 (late this year, Line 3 will be inaugurated)
View attachment 208153

I will mostly upload some "special one", like this:
Whom was she frowning at?
View attachment 208151

Arriving at the nearest station to Wuhan University
I wouldn't expect so many passengers in non-rush hours on a workday. I was sure they came to this station for cherry blossoms in Wuhan University.View attachment 208152

Outside of the metro station, a major thoroughfare of Wuchang.
I haven't been here for at least 5 years, totally different.
View attachment 208154

An independent Cafe, let's shut down all Starbucks or Costa in Wuhan
@Nihonjin1051
View attachment 208155

This place used to be a street which separated Wuhan Univeristy's two campuses.
Now, there is an underground boulevard and finally, a park links the northern campus and the southern campus!
View attachment 208156

She's thinking why is this 堕落者 taking a picture of me??