Jingzhou, Ancient Capital of the Chu State, Encountering the Old and Modern of the Famous City of the Three Kingdoms

Jingzhou is a riverside city where ancient culture and modern civilization complement each other. 'Yu divided the nine provinces, and Jingzhou was the first.' This is my first visit to the renowned cultural city of Jingzhou. The moment I stepped into the Chu King's Chariot and Horse Array, I was awed by the grand chariot and horse pits before me. Approaching the Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Inheritance Institute, I was deeply captivated by the ancient arts. Riding a sea motorcycle across the Weishui Lake, I felt the thrill and fun of water sports. At the Xiaomeisha Ocean World, I saw adorable penguins, smiling beluga whales, and thousands of various marine creatures appearing before my eyes. At that moment, it felt like stepping into a blue ocean. And the delicious food left me reluctant to leave. Jingzhou is a city you don't want to leave once you arrive.

In the evening, as the lights came on, the Binyang Tower of Jingzhou Ancient City shone brilliantly under the illumination. Taking a boat to cruise along the banks at night and enjoy the light and shadow show—what a beautiful sight.

At Xiaomeisha Ocean World, I encountered lovely beluga whales. Their swimming figures attracted many visitors. The dancing jellyfish were mysterious and dreamlike.

Spending a night in a fairy-tale wooden cabin in the forest of the Weishui Auto Campground, surrounded by lush green trees, enjoying a peaceful time.

Watching a splendid performance at Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage. As hundreds of bronze bells descended from the sky, accompanied by the Chu dance with raised sleeves and bent waists, the scene was grand and magnificent, immersing everyone in wonder.

Strolling along the Binyang Tower of Jingzhou Ancient City, taking a night boat cruise, enjoying the light and shadow show.

Every night in Jingzhou, there is a light and shadow show for free. In the evening, as the lights came on, we arrived early outside the ancient city wall. The best way to enjoy the light show is to take a boat and circle along the riverbank. Watching the light show on the river is the best. Before the light show started, we boarded the boat. The boat slowly moved along the river, passing the Nine-Arch Bridge, where the colorful lights reflected on the water like a rainbow.

Walking to the bow, I saw the streetlights on both banks like shining pearls in the darkness, winding endlessly. The brilliant lights and colorful neon on both sides of the river were reflected on the rippling surface, transforming into thousands of twisting ribbons. As the boat slowly passed, the water became dancing silk.

After a while, lights and sounds rose from the other bank, and the spectacular light show began. Colorful beams from the ancient city wall shone into the sky, constantly changing directions. Various images were projected onto the wall, from ancient to modern times, changing with the music and sounds, giving us a deeper understanding of some stories of ancient Jingzhou.

The boat slowly traveled on the river. While enjoying the beautiful light show and looking at the colorful scenery on both banks, I was reluctant to leave. Jingzhou's night was so beautiful—I experienced it for the first time.

During the day, the ancient city wall was crowded with people. Walking on the well-preserved city wall, you might find bricks with inscriptions. Such inscribed bricks are rare archival evidence of the construction history of the Jingzhou Ancient City Wall and also a special attraction for visitors to study and appreciate. Walking on the city wall, one side is close to the river, the other side breathes the life of the ancient city.

First, I climbed the first gate of the ancient city wall, called Binyang Tower. You can go up this tower. From the balcony upstairs, on one side you see modern high-rise buildings, on the other side the buildings inside the ancient city. A long stone road connects the gate to the interior of the city. Standing here, it felt like seeing the bustling street scene of those days.

Entering Xiaomeisha Ocean World in Jingzhou, swimming in the blue ocean world.

Before coming to Jingzhou, I didn't know there was a popular check-in spot called Xiaomeisha Ocean World. This oceanarium opened not long ago and is quite large. Upon entering, the blue ocean atmosphere greeted me. It has several floors; even walking for a whole morning couldn't cover everything. There are so many marine creatures. Seeing a white whale up close for the first time—how adorable it was! It would even act cute and spit water, making it the most popular attraction in the oceanarium. Children wanted to touch its soft skin.

The smiling manta rays: when we walked under the transparent glass, manta rays would swim above our heads, very cute. Their natural smiles were much loved by visitors, who came to take photos.

There is also a dreamy jellyfish pavilion worth visiting. In the transparent glass tanks, many jellyfish swam around as the lights changed colors, very dreamy—definitely worth checking out. The arapaima is a large freshwater fish, also a very ancient species.

Adorable seals, some swimming while grooming their fur. There were so many kinds of fish that I couldn't finish seeing them all floor by floor. Besides marine fish, there were also ornamental freshwater fish. The colorful fish made me slow down, wanting to watch each one carefully, but time didn't allow. I had to leave some unseen marine life for my next visit.

Entering the Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Institute, experiencing Chu culture.

Visiting China's first Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Inheritance Base—the Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Institute. Upon entering, I saw the representative of Jingchu culture: the Tiger-Sitting and Phoenix-Rack Drum. Here gathered Chu embroidery, pyrography, Chu-style lacquerware, grinding-eagle kites, and other scattered folk 'intangible heritage treasures.'

The lacquer sacred tree, a symbol of life worship in Chu culture. Further inside, I saw an ancient lacquer workshop, with tools for each process displayed. Walking along the corridor, I came to a hall showcasing lacquerware.

Chu-style lacquerware techniques matured during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, representing the peak of Chinese 'lacquerware' craftsmanship, with magnificent colors and exquisite skills. Every piece was extraordinary.

The making of grinding-eagle kites is a traditional craft involving tying, pasting, painting, and flying. To make a grinding-eagle kite, you first need to draft a design. Each part must conform to aerodynamics, with appropriate proportions and solid materials. Generally, the skeleton is made of tough, high-strength bamboo, and other parts are made of silk paper.

Using a heated iron to burn marks on a gourd to create a painting. Pyrography requires controlling the heat and force while paying attention to the work itself. I saw a student making a pyrography painting, holding a gourd in one hand and an iron in the other, slowly painting on the gourd.

There was also a bookstore in the museum. When you finish exploring and get tired, you can sit down, have a drink, grab a book, and enjoy a leisurely time.

'In the north, the Terracotta Warriors; in the south, the Chariot and Horse Array.' Understanding the historical depth.

Visiting the Chu King's Chariot and Horse Array for the first time. From the entrance, I was attracted by the unique umbrella-shaped gate, called the Huagai Umbrella Pillar design. Taking a car to the exhibition hall, as I entered, the words 'Unique in China, First Under Heaven' greeted me. I hadn't fully felt the awe yet. When I walked further into the hall, suddenly before me, through the glass, I saw a long row of chariot and horse pits. The grand, majestic array was immense in scale and remarkably well-preserved. Walking further inside, row after row of neatly arranged chariots and horses were fully preserved. There were still some pits not yet excavated. I kept saying to myself, this place is really huge! It was extremely震撼 (awe-inspiring).

Looking at the chariots and horses in the pits, what impressed me most was the grand scale, the prominent status of the tomb owner, the magnificent formation, and the complete layout system—breathtaking. Standing before the chariot and horse array, I could vaguely imagine the spectacular scene of 'chariots rumbling, horses neighing' in those days.

The ancients were truly remarkable. The large scale of this chariot and horse array showed the prominent status of the Chu king, who even had such rich burial objects. It is said that these horses were first given poisoned wine to die, then buried as sacrifices, so they are arranged more neatly and vividly, full of imagery. Only after seeing it can you feel the shock.

Staying in a fairy-tale wooden cabin at the Weishui Auto Campground, reaping joy.

Entering the first national five-star Weishui Auto Campground, it felt like stepping into a fairy-tale world. Surrounded by forests, walking among the trees, there were many little wooden cabins. In the lush woods, rows of cabins, and castle-like houses. If you bring your family, staying here will make children love this fairy-tale castle.

The two castles were connected by a suspension bridge. To go from one side to the other, you just walk across the bridge, though it sways a bit.

Strolling through the lush forest, with birdsong and flowers, fresh air, rows of wooden cabins appeared. The children's castle cabin felt like Alice in Wonderland. How pleasant it would be to bring the family for a weekend getaway here!

The warm interior decor style, with the living room bright and airy under warm lighting.

At Weishui Water Park, we had a blast.

What I never expected was that water parks are usually at the sea, but experiencing water activities on a lake let me feel what speed really means. Sitting on a water motorcycle, I revved the throttle and shot off like a rocket, skimming across the lake surface. The water motorcycle instructor even performed high-difficulty drift moves, making our hearts race with excitement.

Weishui Water Park had so many fun activities, such as banana boats, water sofas, water motorcycles, and more. Riding a water motorcycle, opening the throttle, speeding through the water, splashing waves—experiencing the thrill of the water motorcycle. The banana boat gave you a different kind of speed. Kayaking and water skiing are known as 'water ballet,' like dragons playing in the water, pleasing to the eye and thrilling.

The first dam in Asia, known as the 'Chu Southern Paradise Thousand Island Lake.'

The Weishui Dam in Songzi City, Hubei, is the largest man-made earth dam in Asia, with 159 islands, known as the 'Chu Southern Paradise Thousand Island Lake.' The lake water is crystal clear, spectacular from afar. Next to the dam, there is a green lawn with a huge stone engraved with 'First Dam in Asia.'

At the dock next to the water park, there are boats to another island. You can take a boat to the opposite island for a panoramic view of the lake.

Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage, a historical and cultural theme park.

This is the largest and highest-grade historical and cultural theme park in Hubei. Entering the park, tradition and modernity blend perfectly, history and art collide passionately. Stepping inside, every step brings a new scene—a perfect playing experience. The first thing I saw upon entering was an actor holding an umbrella blending into a photo frame.

There was a wishing tree covered with visitors' blessings. The park had many architectural styles from all over China. Walking through, you feel the park's unique visual impact. You can pull out your phone anytime and get great shots. The park is quite large, with many fun rides. When we were there, we tried bumper cars—really fun. But the queue was long, so it's best to plan ahead: go to the rides you want first, or you'll wait forever.

There is also a children's playground. If you bring kids, they will love it.

Watching 'Chu Music,' which continues the style of ancient Chinese traditional architecture. The whole building features gray tiles, red walls, painted beams, carved rafters, and upturned eaves—grand and charming. No wonder I saw trendy young people taking photos there; I envied those girls who know how to pose.

The Jingchu culture we often talk about is named after the Chu state and its people. 'Chu Music' selects four different perspectives: Chu shamanism, Chu dance, Chu songs, and bronze bells, leading us to experience the magic and splendor of Chu culture. At the end of the performance, hundreds of bronze bells descended from the sky, accompanied by Chu dances with raised sleeves and bent waists. The scene was grand and magnificent, immersing us in the magical and romantic Jingchu style.

The show lasts nearly 20 minutes. In these 20 minutes, you can travel through a time tunnel, seeing the frenzy of Chu shamans communicating with heaven and earth, praying for blessings and warding off disasters; appreciating the graceful Chu dances with slender waists; listening to the soft and mournful Chu songs by the Xiang River.

Jingzhou cuisine should not be missed, satisfying the taste buds.

In travel, the most unforgivable are beautiful scenery and delicious food. Coming to Jingzhou, Hubei, you must not miss the food here. Jingzhou has many delicacies. Jingzhou fish cake, where you eat fish but don't see the fish, with fish flavor in the meat and meat flavor in the fish—light, smooth, and melts in your mouth—everyone who tries it says it's delicious. Eels with skin cut into long strips after removing old bones, cooked to look like leather strips, hence the name. Golden color, crispy on the outside, tender inside. Sanhui eight-treasure rice is a traditional famous snack in the Jingzhou area, shiny and bright, sweet and moist, oily but not greasy, sweet but not cloying. There is a saying: 'Sip slowly and taste carefully; the aftertaste lingers long after leaving the table.' There are so many more Jingzhou delicacies. Perhaps the most memorable is the taste of the food there, unforgettable.

Jingzhou fish cake originated in the Warring States period. Legend has it that during the Warring States, in the Chu capital Ji'nan City, there was a restaurant specializing in cooking fresh fish. One summer, the owner bought a lot of fresh fish, but few customers came, and the fish was about to spoil. The owner had a brainwave and made fish cake. Customers found it delicious, tender, and with an endless aftertaste, all praising it. From then on, the restaurant became famous for its fish cake. Later generations continuously improved it in ingredients and preparation: take large fresh fish, remove bones, rinse, add an appropriate amount of pork fat or fatty meat, chop into paste, then add egg whites, starch, ginger, and other seasonings, mix well, steam in a steamer, and it's ready to eat.

There were also desserts: pumpkin inside, peanut brittle outside—tasted good. Dessert lovers said it was delicious.

My four-day trip to Jingzhou ended too soon. After coming to Jingzhou, I realized there are so many fun places and delicious foods. Jingzhou is a city you don't want to leave. I felt the city's rich cultural heritage.