Tanhualin

昙华林 · tán huá lín

A hillside lane of century-old churches, mission schools and courtyard houses in Wuchang, now full of small cafés, ceramics studios and postcard shops.

The story

Foreign missionaries, revolutionaries and scholars all lived on this 1.2 km lane; the Wuchang Uprising of 1911 that ended imperial China was plotted nearby. It is where Wuhan feels quiet.

Getting there

Metro Line 7 → Xiaodongmen (小东门)

Local tips

• Go on a weekday morning.
• Walk downhill to Hubu Alley for lunch.
• Look for the Swedish church and the old Wenhua College buildings.