1 May 2018
Not the west lake
Donghu East Lake of Wuhan
Today I went to the great east lake of Wuhan which is not to be confused with the great west lake of Hangzhou where I will soon be.
The East lake of Wuhan however was fabulous. Clearly very underrated as it barely even rates a mention on the wikitravel page for Wuhan despite being an absolutely huge beautiful park thats at least 30km all the way round with numerous tourist things to do at different points along your epic journey.
Today being May day, it was quite the popular location, but it was seriously hot, and very humid, Darwin levels of humid. Combining my recovery from a cold, excess fluid consumption and extreme humidity meant I looked like I had been coated in baby oil. This kept most of the locals away from me.
Actually with the whole dockless bike rental thing, everyone rides a bike, its the perfect location for doing this. The other popular form of transport are electric shuttle buses that travel at over 100 km/h with the horn stuck on missing everyone by millimetres, I really wished they would drive into the lake.
Once I reached the far side of the lake there was a hill to climb, this had me very excited, I bounded up and enjoyed the excellent view as you will see, then skipped down the far side into even more amazing gardens, as you will see, then boarded a convenient bus back to the subway which let out into a temporary underground maze to find the station entrance due to ongoing mall construction.
Time for too many photos, taken in tricky light today, very grey at times, very bright at others.
To start the day I crossed a river looking for a subway station, I found one, it was the wrong one, another line not yet shown on the map. Wuhan's subway system is extensive, some of the lines travel over 50km out into the countryside.
After a couple of quick transfers I arrived at scenic area 1 of the great east lake. The scenic areas normally cost money, but I think for May day everything is free! I celebrated by having an ice cream.
The first attraction was a mini pirate ship and fairy village. I plundered for a while.
Some areas of the park had these nice red trees to examine, in spring. Are they going red now or are they always red? I dont know, Japan is offended if reading this, because Japan owns both red leaves and blossoms, any other countries attempt at having nice versions of either is to be met by the imperial navy.
The lake, like many in China, is divided into lots of mini lakes by artificial dirt causeways lined with trees, and then concrete 'floating' walkways like this. I was grateful for the trees thats for sure.
A brave para-sailer trusting a Chinese parachute. Also if you go for a ride on one of those junks they make you put on a life jacket. I found that interesting, just as when you go on a long distance bus a guy comes on and checks you have your seat belt done up. Neither would be enforced in Australia.
There are numerous temples around the place, Wuhan is where Sun Yat-Sen started the uprising against the Qing dynasty - Chinas last dynasty. Many things are called 'First revolution' (ShouYi). I assume thats old sunny-boy in the statue.
I found a really nice looking bakery inside the park so decided to stop for an early lunch. There were also numerous KFC kiosks selling ice cream and coffee! My rather large sandwich was very delicious.
This temple and pond had a lady practicing opera, western style opera in Italian. She was very good.
Outside of garden scenic area 1 is Ocean Park. I did not go in.
Enjoy part of the lake, a bridge, part of the Wuhan skyline.
The roads were lined with wonderful shade producing trees.
I couldnt believe how green everything was. This is a wetland park that has an elevated walkway going through it. The water is all very clear.
About a kilometre of roses lined one of the banks.
No longer in the wetlands, we are now in flower island park area. There were many islands filled with flowers.
My eventual destination was those hills and the towers on top of them, fun times ahead.
Getting to the top of the hills required going through some tunnels, I enjoyed my time in the tunnels, where it was much cooler.
I had walked all the way along there, and had a great time doing it. If you told me to do it again tomorrow, I would be happy. I already have my plan for tomorrow though.
Look how hot I am! In every sense of the word. My shirt was dripping wet. My sweat is oily, probably red oil from Chongqing.
Just like the great wall you can go down via toboggan track. Just like the great wall, I did not.
Here is the temple that I showed in the distance on the hill earlier. I had climbed up around the back of the hill so entered via the rear entrance.
The lower levels have an hourly musical performance of Chinese opera with the peacock dance and jade selling ceremony. I decided I could not hang around for that.
Time for a bit of view from the top, strange blinding grey light!
The view in the other direction, I would go out that way.
More things to explore in the lake, I went through none of these areas.
Last one of the view, down there is a world famous botanical garden, I read about it on the bus ride home, I did not get to see that either! There is a botanical garden within the lake garden scenic area.
I went out the front entrance of the temple tower and down lots of steps. I had to stay here for ages to take a photo where I wasnt epically upskirting Chinese girls. In the age of #metoo even an accidental photo will get you 20 years jail.
Lots of steps down, very high quality park, nice trees.
I thought I would just follow this road to the exit gate with not much more to see.
But then there was a lot more to see, lots ponds, sakura forest, bridges.
There were heaps of areas just like this one to sit and get in the way of the photo taking people.
Here is one of numerous lotus ponds, I think I am slightly too early. Perhaps in Hangzhou which is famous for the huge sea of lotus whatevers, they will be in full bloom. I know a lot about flowers since coming to China.
And finally, this is where I got off the bus and had to find a subway station. Due to the construction this was a maze of emergency exits, through a kitchen, through a food court, over a temporary walkway, along a drainage channel, into another food court, through a tent city and finally we came up from under the station some how. I am really glad I know the character for subway (DiTie - 地铁), because it was mostly just hand written temporary signs to follow.