Xiangfan

Xiangfan is the combination of two cities: one built by the Western Zhou dynasty, which ruled from the 12th century BC to 771 BC, and the other built by the Han Dynasty, which ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD. Fought over several times over the centuries, the southern district of Xiangcheng still contains the old city walls, moats, and fortifications where markets are still held. In the summer, residents go to swim in the river outside it.

Sitting astride the Han River, Xiangfan is the second-largest city in central China’s Hubei Province. Even so, its population is only a fraction of the 5 million people in the prefecture. This gives the city a smaller, more laid back, and comfortable atmosphere. At the same time, it has become developed enough to provide many western comforts without that influence being intrusive. Several foreign auto-manufacturers have set up factories outside the city limits. This has provided an economically stimulated region without causing noticeable pollution within the city.

The local cuisine contains a lot of the spicy flavor that central China is known for as well as several unique dishes. River fish are sliced paper-thin and flash-boiled in soup at the table for a tender and delicious hot-pot dinner. Along the waterfront in the morning, hundreds of people crowd around the busy noodle-soup venders. For a taste of home, there are several locations of the ubiquitous McDonald’s and KFC.

Springs and autumns are pleasant in Xiangfan with temperatures averaging 16°C (61°F). Summers are hot, but the occasional light rainfall makes temperatures much more moderate than its neighbors in the province. Winters in Xiangfan are cold but beautiful, with yearly snowfall.

Transportation around the city is a breeze with bicycle rickshaws and taxi-cabs starting at 35¢. The train station is centrally located (5 minutes by taxi from the school) with daily trains to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and all points in between.

The scenic Wudang Mountain Range is nearby, accessible by a tourist bus from within the city. Wudang Mountain is home to many Taoist temples, the earliest constructed during the Tang dynasty. These temples have become famous in recent years due to the historical interest in them as a place of worship and original inspiration for everything from Tai-chi to the naming of modern hip-hop ensemble the Wutang Clan. Its notoriety and increased popularity have warranted its adoption as a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.