Wuhan Old Buildings Tell New Stories

Compiled & Translated by Cheng Guo

In Wuhan, historic buildings such as Tan Hualin,the Hankou Customs House, and the Guiyuan Temple recount their stories to us through each of their bricks. These familiar names not only present a vivid picture of the history and the development of Wuhan, but also embody the unique spirit and temperament of the city.

Nowadays, with the development of a new artistic and cultural movement in Wuhan, these historic buildings are being renovated into new cultural landmarks.

武汉老楼说新事

编/成果

武汉是座有故事的城市，昙华林、江汉关、归元寺……每一个耳熟能详的名字背后，都铭刻着武汉鲜活的历史，传承着武汉独特的精神与气质。

而如今，这些老旧建筑作为与武汉历史联系紧密的新型文化遗产，借由新人类的奇思妙想，变身成为城市的新文化地标。

1. 昙华林

昙华林地处武昌旧城东北部，全长1.2公里，距今有645年历史，具有深厚的历史内涵与丰富的人文资源。旧城改造后，昙华林将变身为囊括艺术、旅游、商业结合的文化街区。

1. Tan Hualin

Located in the northeast section of the Old City of Wuchang (one of the three towns of Wuhan), Tan Hualin, with a total length of 1.2 kilometers, has enjoyed a history of 645 years—years full of profound cultural connotations and abundant human resources. After the renovation of the Old City, Tan Hualin will be transformed into a cultural street colored with art, tourism, and commerce.

2. 403国际艺术中心

由原武汉锅炉厂编号403号双层车间的工业遗址改造而成，现在是国际品牌艺术中心，新潮先锋文化艺术地标，文化创意跨界融合发展示范区。

2. 403 International Art Center

This center for the arts was renovated from the No.403 double floor workshop of the original Wuhan Boiler Factory. Now it is an international art center—a pioneering cultural and artistic landmark, as well as a demonstration zone of cultural and creative cross-field integration development.

3. 楚天181

位于武昌区东湖路181号，原为湖北日报传媒集团的印刷厂房，现已建成集孵化、展示、交易、原创为一体的复合性创意园。

3. Chutian 181

Located at No. 181 Donghu Road, Wuchang District,this building was originally the printing workshop of the Hubei Daily Media Group. It is now a complex creative park integrating incubation, exhibition,trading, and originality.

4. 汉阳造创意园

位于汉阳龟山北路，原为中国洋务运动时期张之洞所创办的汉阳兵工厂和解放后824工厂的一部分，现已改造成一座集文化艺术、创意设计、商务休闲为一体的综合性文化创意产业园。

4. Hanyang Zao Creative Industry Park

Located in Guishan North Road, Hanyang, Hanyang Zao (literally meaning “made in Hanyang”) was originally a part of both the Hanyang Arsenal established by Zhang Zhidong during the Westernization Movement in China and the 824 Factory. It has been renovated into a comprehensive cultural and creative industry park, integrating culture and art, creative design, and business recreation.

5. 归元寺

武汉佛教四大丛林之首，也是汉阳归元文化的标志性建筑。远洋集团计划投资300亿元，将该片区改造成为包括购物中心、酒店在内的大型商业综合体，建筑面积超过100万平方米，预计于2021年建成开放。

5. Guiyuan Temple

This temple is the biggest among the four major Buddhist temples in Wuhan. It is also the landmark building of the Guiyuan Cultural District in Hanyang(another town of the three of Wuhan). The Sino-Ocean Group plans to invest 30 billion yuan to transform the area into a large commercial complex with an area of over 1 million square meters,including shopping centers and hotels. It is expected to open in 2021.

6. 江汉关

汉口老租界的核心建筑，武汉市标志性建筑之一。它是汉口开埠的见证人，是武汉沧桑历史的纪念碑。目前江汉关已变身为博物馆对公众开放。

6. Jianghan Customs House

This building is the core building of the old concession in Hankou, and one of the landmark buildings in Wuhan. It witnessed the development of the port opening in Hankou, which is a monument to the history of Wuhan’s vicissitudes.This historic and beautiful landmark has been transformed into a museum open to the public.

7. 武汉美术馆

原汉口金城银行大楼，落成于1931年，曾被日占领军总司令部作为办公地。2005年改造为美术馆，2015年入选为第二批国家重点美术馆。

7. Wuhan Art Museum

The Wuhan Art Museum was originally the Kincheng Bank Building built in Hankou in 1931. The building was once used as the headquarters of the Japanese occupation army. In 2005, it was transformed into an art museum. It is one of the most important cultural facilities in Wuhan. In 2015, it was selected in the second batch of key national art museums. (Photos: Shi Hai)