An urban narrative centered on water

Renovating and adapting

Across the river, on Tortoise Hill, another experiment in cultural reinvention is unfolding.

Zhiyin Hall, a newly renovated performance venue overlooking the confluence of the Yangtze and Hanjiang rivers, stages an immersive dinner theater production inspired by the Three Kingdoms period, the era of warfare and political intrigue that still occupies an enormous place in the Chinese imagination.

The building itself was originally constructed in 1999 as part of a larger "Three Kingdoms City" tourism complex. "When we took over operations, we kept almost everything structurally intact," says Liu Bin, the project manager. "We just adapted the interior and added performance functions."

He describes it as "micro-renovation". The production, A Banquet of Beauties from the Three Kingdoms, combines historical storytelling, dance and regional cuisine. Each course corresponds to a dramatic episode involving legendary female figures from the era.

The venue accommodates around 150 people daily and frequently sells out during weekends and holidays, Liu says.

Yet the site's most popular feature may be its second-floor observation deck that offers access for free. From there, visitors can see six bridges stretching across the rivers on clear days. The Yangtze flows outward in one direction, while the Hanjiang River curves inward from another. Ferries move slowly beneath the skyline.

The view reveals Wuhan's greatest advantage: not individual landmarks, but the relationship between them. Historically, many of the city's tourism resources operated independently — Yellow Crane Tower, Qingchuan Pavilion, the Yangtze light shows, river cruises, museums and historical neighborhoods.

Now officials are attempting to weave them into a single urban narrative centered on water, history and cultural continuity.

The strategy accelerated after 2022, when the city experienced a sharp rise in domestic tourism.

"For a long time, Wuhan was mainly considered a transportation hub," says Su Xing, deputy director of the Wuhan culture and tourism bureau. That perception, he says, has changed dramatically.

Compared with five years ago, the city's visitor numbers and tourism revenue have risen by more than 50 percent. International tourism has also rebounded sharply.

During cherry blossom season this year, local authorities report that Tortoise Hill Park received 10 times its previous average daily visitor volume.

The city's tourism campaigns increasingly emphasize experiential imagery rather than traditional sightseeing alone, as evidenced by offerings such as nighttime ferry rides, riverside concerts, historical reenactments, poetry recitals and seasonal flower-viewing.

Fan Yunlong has a simple way of explaining Wuhan.

"Hold out your right hand," he says."The thumb is the Hanjiang River. The four fingers are the Yangtze. Between them is the city."

For centuries, Wuhan's rivers made it one of China's great crossroads — a place people moved through on their way elsewhere.

Now the city is trying to turn those same waterways into reasons to stay.

Contact the writers at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn