Flights to Wuhan with Air France

Air France flight to Wuhan, in the Hubei province

Air France is renewing its range of travel offers with departures from London. Wait no more, make the most of it and fly off to Wuhan and the rest of China, to discover Asia's many mysteries.

Set along the banks of the Blue River, about 900 km to the West of Shanghai, Wuhan is the capital of the Hubei province in China. Home to close to 19 million people in its entire urban area, it is the eighth most populated city in the Middle Kingdom. Wuhan is also the largest inland port in China - and thus a hub for inland transport. Yet the city also encompasses many unique historical monuments likely to charm any adventurous traveller that would make the long trip to see them. *H2-3* Wuhan: a city at the crossroads of the Middle Kingdom *Contenu 3* As a huge trade city - sometimes even referred to as the “Chicago of China”, the city of Wuhan played a real part in the country's history, and boasts several architectural and artistic wonders. The anecdote goes that it was in Wuhan, and more specifically the barracks in Wuchang, that the rebellion leading to the Chinese Revolution in 1911 began. The Revolution Museum and statue of Sun Yatsen commemorate this founding event. Yet the city's most iconic building in undoubtedly the Yellow Crane Tower - a real masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. Though it was often destroyed and rebuilt over the years, the tower inspired many poets and is still today an important monument in Chinese artistic history. The temple of Guiyuan is another marvel, perfect for meditation, dating back to the Qing dynasty. History of art lovers will enjoy visiting the Hubei Province Museum, home to a large collection of ancient objects and calligraphies. The city of Wuhan is a dynamic hub counting many little shops selling local food. Tourists will no doubt relish the delicious Nuomiji (chicken with sticky rice) and Re gan mian - hot noodles in a sesame and chilli sauce. There are also lots of fish soup recipes to taste. However, the most famous dish perhaps in Hubei cuisine is the Wuchang bream (freshwater fish), that is steamed and served with lotus root soup. A tasty way to discover the traditions of the Middle Kingdom region.

It should however be noted that given the subtropical humid climate and monsoon influence, temperatures around Wuhan can dip very low in winter and climb very high in the summer (with peak at 40°C). To get some fresh air, informed visitors can head to the Eastern Lake - a splendid landscaped park, considered a national park since 1982. This place is namely home to a botanical garden and wonderful lotus-filled lakes - so typical in that region - as well as a few unusual buildings such as the Chu fortress that gives the site its charm.

Wuhan: a city at the crossroads of the Middle Kingdom

As a huge trade city - sometimes even referred to as the “Chicago of China”, the city of Wuhan played a real part in the country's history, and boasts several architectural and artistic wonders. The anecdote goes that it was in Wuhan, and more specifically the barracks in Wuchang, that the rebellion leading to the Chinese Revolution in 1911 began. The Revolution Museum and statue of Sun Yatsen commemorate this founding event. Yet the city's most iconic building in undoubtedly the Yellow Crane Tower - a real masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. Though it was often destroyed and rebuilt over the years, the tower inspired many poets and is still today an important monument in Chinese artistic history. The temple of Guiyuan is another marvel, perfect for meditation, dating back to the Qing dynasty. History of art lovers will enjoy visiting the Hubei Province Museum, home to a large collection of ancient objects and calligraphies. The city of Wuhan is a dynamic hub counting many little shops selling local food. Tourists will no doubt relish the delicious Nuomiji (chicken with sticky rice) and Re gan mian - hot noodles in a sesame and chilli sauce. There are also lots of fish soup recipes to taste. However, the most famous dish perhaps in Hubei cuisine is the Wuchang bream (freshwater fish), that is steamed and served with lotus root soup. A tasty way to discover the traditions of the Middle Kingdom region.

It should however be noted that given the subtropical humid climate and monsoon influence, temperatures around Wuhan can dip very low in winter and climb very high in the summer (with peak at 40°C). To get some fresh air, informed visitors can head to the Eastern Lake - a splendid landscaped park, considered a national park since 1982. This place is namely home to a botanical garden and wonderful lotus-filled lakes - so typical in that region - as well as a few unusual buildings such as the Chu fortress that gives the site its charm.