Tanhualin Street (昙华林), located to the north of Wuchang’s Garden Mountain and to the south of Phoenix Mountain, stretches from Zhongshan Road in the east to Desheng Bridge in the west, encompassing a vibrant block of approximately 1,200 meters. This street is home to dozens of century-old buildings and has a rich history dating back to 1371, when it began to take shape following the expansion and development of Wuchang City.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this area served as a haven for scholars from various counties in Hubei, who came to study and prepare for their examinations. It was also the administrative center for local military affairs during the Qing Dynasty and featured military encampments named after weapons and armor (戈甲, gejia). With the opening of Hankou as a trading port in 1861, Tanhualin gradually evolved into a place where Eastern and Western cultures coexisted side by side. Missionaries from Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland established schools, provided medical services, and spread Christianity in the area. Influenced by Western culture and the values of freedom, equality, and philanthropy, the first public library in China specializing in various subjects was established here, and a group of democratic activists formed the earliest anti-Qing and anti-feudal revolutionary organization in Hubei.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Tanhualin
- Vlog about Tanhualin Street
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Tanhualin Street
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day |
Location and Transportation
Tanhualin is a charming and historic area located in the western part of Wuchang District in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This picturesque neighborhood is situated in close proximity to the Wuhan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Wuchang campus. Tanhualin lies between the northern foothills of Huayuan Mountain, located within the city walls, and the southern slopes of Pangxie Cape. The area follows an east-to-west orientation, running parallel to these two hills.
To get there, you can choose the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 14, 15, 511, 521, 530, 566, 576, 578, or 606, get off at Zhongshan Road Fenghuang Hill Stop (中山路凤凰山站), and walk about 350 meters to the southwest to reach the area.
Metro: There are two metro stations close to Tanhualin. One is Pangxie Cape (螃蟹岬) on line 2 and line 7 at the eastern end of the street, and the other is Tanhualin Wusheng Gate (昙华林武胜门) on line 5 at the western end of the street.
Highlights of Tanhualin
Renji Hospital
Renji Hospital, formerly known as the London Mission Hospital, is closely associated with the British missionary, Yang Gefei. In 1861, Yang Gefei built a chapel near Tanhualin and later established a clinic and school for the local community and residents. Seven years later, the missionary relocated the clinic and school to Tanhualin and expanded it, officially renaming it Renji Hospital in 1883. The hospital’s architecture is a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western styles, featuring Renaissance-style columns and Chinese-style sunken corridors, as well as unique relief patterns on the annex’s stone arches.
Wenhua Academy
Wenhua Academy, founded by the American Episcopal Church in Wuchang on October 20, 1871, began as a boarding school for boys named Boone Memorial School, also known as Wenhua Academy in Chinese. In 1890, it added a high school program, evolving into a complete six-year middle school. In 1901, with Jacob Douthit as the principal, the institution expanded, eventually becoming Wenhua University. In 1924, it was renamed Huazhong University.
Christmas Church
Constructed in 1870, Christmas Church is a Western-style building with its column design inspired by ancient Greek architecture. In 2002, it underwent renovations, with the wooden flooring replaced by marble, and the triple-arched doors changed to square doors. This building was originally a campus chapel built by the American Methodist Church within Wenhua University. Religious activities on campus ceased in 1958, and the property now belongs to the Hubei Provincial Hospital, serving as the hospital’s club hall. Christmas Church is unique in the province and stands as one of the earliest and longest-standing chapel buildings on campus in Hubei.
Convent of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul
The Convent of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul on Garden Mountain is a well-preserved building. The original structure consisted of a chapel and a residence for the nuns, with the headquarters located in Rome. In 1868, this convent, responding to an invitation from the Bishop of Hubei Diocese, established a branch on Garden Mountain and initiated various charitable endeavors, including teaching, vocational training, and running an infant care facility.
Infant Care Facility
Situated at No. 2 Garden Mountain, this infant care facility was constructed in 1928 and is a brick and wood structure. Archbishop Ai Yuandao initiated the establishment of this facility and entrusted it to a German woman to manage. Initially, infants taken in were cared for by wet nurses outside the facility, resulting in a relatively high survival rate. Subsequently, the facility expanded and began caring for infants inside its premises. In 1929, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s Orphanage were established, with their main responsibility being the management of this infant care facility. In 1951, a large number of deaths at this facility were exposed, causing outrage in various sectors of society, and the government took over the facility on June 4. The Wan Ying Cemetery was built to inter the collected remains on the mountain, and it bears inscribed inscriptions. Today, original infant care facility serves as the city’s Children’s Welfare Home.
Weng Shouqian’s Former Residence
Originally, this was the residence of Weng Shouqian, a naval officer in the Beiyang Fleet in the late Qing Dynasty. It was purchased around 1895 and is now a private residence. During the First Sino-Japanese War, several of Weng Shouqian’s brothers died in battle, leaving him as the sole surviving member of his family. Later, he abandoned his official position and retired to this residence, where he immersed himself in Buddhism, seeking a lasting peace of mind.
Chongzhen Hall
Located at No. 44 Gejia Ying, Chongzhen Hall was built in 1864 by Pastor Yang Gefei of the London Mission of the Protestant Church in the United Kingdom. It was the first Christian church established by foreign powers in Wuchang. In 1924, the church underwent renovations and preservation efforts. The main building of Chongzhen Hall is a single-story, Gothic-style structure in the shape of a Latin cross, with the capacity to accommodate up to 600 worshippers. The construction of Chongzhen Hall symbolizes the beginning of the spread of Christianity (Protestantism) in Wuchang. Today, of all the churches Pastor Yang Gefei established in Wuhan, only Chongzhen Hall remains. Its historical and cultural significance is even more pronounced.
Catholic District
The Catholic district encompasses both the Italian and British Catholic areas and is situated on the mountaintop of Garden Mountain in the middle of Tanhualin Street. It boasts the largest area and the most well-preserved buildings among all the historical relics in Tanhualin. Currently, there are four religious buildings. The first is the Jia Nuo Sa Small Church, located on the west side of Hubei Provincial Hospital and built in 1888. The second is the Episcopal Palace building designed and constructed by Italian Bishop Jiang Chengde in 1880. The third is the Garden Mountain Cathedral, which was built in 1891 and is said to be a sister cathedral to the one on Shanghai Road in Wuhan. The fourth is the Infant Care Facility building established in 1928 by Bishop Ai Yuandao of Wuchang.
Vlog about Tanhualin Street
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Ideal Timing: Plan to spend around 2 hours exploring Tanhualin, with the late afternoon to early evening being the most suitable. During this time, you can enjoy the picturesque street scenes and visit various museums, bookstores, etc. The area is especially beautiful for photography. As evening approaches, the nightlife begins, offering opportunities to sample authentic local snacks and experience the nightlife of old Wuhan.
Dress Appropriately: The overall ambiance of Tanhualin is colorful and vibrant. It’s recommended to wear simple, solid-colored clothing, as it will complement the surroundings and enhance your photoshoots.
Food Recommendations: Indulge in the local delicacies while visiting Tanhualin. Some must-try dishes include hot dry noodles, fish paste noodles, Jingwu Braised Duck Neck, crispy roasted pork, and various evening snacks. You can also enjoy breakfast options in the morning. It’s suggested to try some snacks in the evening, then head to Yellow Crane Tower and the Yangtze River Bridge to admire the night view.
