Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province. The Yangtze River and its biggest tributary, Hanshui River, divide the city proper into three towns-Wuchang, Handkou and Hanyang. Covering an area of 8,467 square kilometers and with a population of 7.18 million, Wuhan is one of the largest inland cities in China. It is a center of industry, finance, commerce, science, culture and education, and a hub of railways, waterways, highways, aviation, post and telecommunication of Central China. In history, Wuhan flourished through its trade and commerce, and was the site of many wars. Located in a region of rivers and lakes with favorable natural ,conditions, it abounded in rice, the staple food of the Chinese. People in ancient times lived along the banks of the water, which brought them prosperity and abundance. The city was also a distribution and trade center for agricultural and sideline products, and thanks to its convenient water transportation merchants flocked to the place. Its position as aneconomic and commercial center naturally made it the envy of the place. Its position as an economic and commercialcenter naturally made it the envy of the politicians and warlords, who continually fought to seize and hold the city and its environs. Evidence of these struggles are the ruins, discovered five kilometers to the north of Hankou, of Panlong City of the Shang Dynasty which dates bace 3,500 years and Xiaguo City of the Three Kingdoms period. Wuhan was a provincial, prefectural and regional seat at different times. Of the three towns, Wuchang is the oldest, followed by Hanyang and Hankou. It is said that some 300 years ago, nine tenths of the citizens in Hankou were merchants. In modern and contemporary history, Wuhan was also a revolutionary center on various occasions. The revolution of 1911 led by Du. Sun Yat-sen began in Wuchang, resulting in the overthrow of the last feudal dynasty in China.
Since the founding of new China in 1949, Wuhan has been a key area of national construction. at present, it is an industrial
and commercial city with iron and steel, textiles, machine building, communication and commerce as its main lines. Modern industrial and commercial activities have not detracted from the charm of Wuhan as a tourist city. The East Lake on the outskirts, a vast expanse of water surrounded by green peaks and hills, luxuriant trees and flowering plants, is the largest and most beautiful scenic spot in the Wuhan area. Yellow Crane Tower on Snake Hill, with its glittering gold-colored walls, is the most impressive manmade attraction. Climb to the top of the tower and you command a panoramic view of the whole city. Additionally, there are beautiful legends about this tower handed down from generation to generation which tourists and visitors will like to hear.