Chu River and Han Street

Street map of Wuhan showing East Lake and Shahu Lake: the Chu River and Han Street development is located between these two lakes

Chu River and Han Street is a significant project of the Phase 1 Wuhan Central Cultural Zone in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China.^[1]

It marks the launching project of the Dadong River Ecological Water Network in Wuhan and celebrates the centennial of the Xinhai Revolution which took place in 1911 in China.^[1] Chu River and Han Street, with a total floor space of 210,000 square meters, officially opened for business on 30 September 2011.^[2]

Wuhan Central Cultural Zone is advantageously situated in downtown between East Lake and Shahu Lake in Wuchang District—a geometric center in the city of Wuhan. It covers 1.8 square kilometers with a floor space of 3.4 million square meters.^[2] Wanda Group invested RMB 50 billion in this project,^[3] which encompasses tourist attractions, business, commercial and living accommodation.

Chu River

Chu River, 2.2 kilometers in length, connects East Lake and Shahu Lake in Wuhan.^[1] It is the first of several controlling projects of 6 lakes’ water network approved by State Council of China. Chu River is 40–70 meters wide, so becomes 150 meters in width including landscaping and road. The riverside road is lined with trees, enhancing its attractiveness and recreational credentials.^[1]

Han Street

Han Street runs along the south bank of the Chu River. Stretching 1500 meters^[3] and covers 210,000 square meters, Han Street houses shopping malls, restaurants, cultural and recreational sites. Roughly 200 businesses are located on this street.^[1]

Project Scale

Han Street is 1500 meters in length and by far the longest commercial pedestrian street in China.^[2][4]

Architecture Style

Han Street has a unique architectural style, blending tradition and modernity. Most of its architecture recreates the style of the Republic of China period, marked by red-and-grey bricks, delicate architraves, black gates, bronze door rings,^[5] shikumen, brick-paved lanes and old-fashioned wooden windows. However, modern and European style building are included among the old-style architectures.

Culture Projects

Eight culture projects are set up along Chu River and Han Street.

“Han Show” Theater

At the east end of Han street, there is a “Han Show” Theater.^[6] It is the collaborative product of Wanda and Frank Entertainment Company with an investment of RMB 2.5billion.^[6] It is a stage show unrivalled by any shows across the world. The creative idea of “Han Show” comes directly from Mr. Frank Dragone,^[7][8] a renowned figure of stage art, who created and directed several famous stage shows such as O show, The Dream, and the House of Dancing Water. The “Han Show” Theater is designed by architect Mark Fisher,^[2] director of art for the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games, Asia Games in Guangzhou and London Olympic Games.^[8] Mr. Fisher draws his inspiration from the shape of Chinese traditional red lanterns.

Movie Culture Park

Wanda Group invested RMB 3.5 billion in building the world’s first indoor movie culture park at the west end of Han Street. It covers 60,000 square meters. Mark Fisher was inspired by the essence of Han culture—bronze chime bell for the design of this park. There are seven entertaining programs that combine movies and technologies including 4D cinema theater, 5D cinema theater, flying cinema theater, interactive cinema theater, experiment cinema theater, space cinema theater and magical restaurant.^[5]

Largest Cinema in China

Wanda Cinema, in the middle of Han Street, has 15 screens and 3000 seats, with a 3D movie theater and IMAX theater.

Five Squares in Memory of Great Names in History

Han Street has five squares named after well-known figures in Hubei Province. They are “Qu Yuan Square”, “Zhaojun Square”,^[4] “Square of Bosom Friends (Yu Boya, Zhong Ziqi)”, “Square of Medical Saint (Li Shizhen)” and Square of Tai Chi Master (Zhang Sanfeng). Each square features a statue of the famous person.

Public Performance Stage

At the east side of the Square of Bosom Friends there is a stage for free of charge public performances. It is constructed with artificial antique wood with an LED screen in the background. During public holidays, traditional Chinese operas shows will be staged.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is a renowned wax museum based in London, with branches in a number of major cities. Madam Tussauds on Han Street is the second one in mainland China.

Wenhua Bookshop

Wenhua, a brand in the Chinese book industry, opened the largest bookshop in Hubei Province on Han Street,^[6] covering 5,000 square meters.

Zhenggang Art Gallery

Zhenggang Art Gallery is set up by the painter Xiong Zhenggang. It offers high-end and creative paintings as well as aromatic and mellow coffee.

Commercial Achievements

Han Street houses more than 200 first-rate domestic and foreign businesses ranging from shopping, dining, culture, to entertainment. Han Street hosts flagship stores of many global fashion brands such as Zara, H&M, C&A, GAP, Muji, M&S, Uniqlo, Map and UR.^[5] Wanda Plaza, located in the middle of the street is due to open in 2012 with a floor space of 150,000 square meters, housing more than sixty luxury brands. It is the flagship store of all Wanda plazas in China. (Wanda Plaza is a leading brand of HOPSCA of China invested by Dalian Wanda Group. Nearly 100 Wanda Plazas are in business or under construction in more than 50 cities in China.)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Wuhan Central Cultural Zone Chu River and Han Street". Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties Co.,Ltd.. http://www.wanda.com.cn/en/wden/projects/wandapla/9619.shtml. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Street, two opposing powers to create the world's attention at the end of stunning debut, "New Wuhan"". Xinhua News Agency. http://www.sourcejuice.com/1475501/2011/09/21/Street-opposing-powers-create-world-attention-end-stunning-debut. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Your Guide to Wuhan’s Best Shopping and Snack Streets". echinacities.com. 2011-11-03. http://www.echinacities.com/wuhan/city-life/your-guide-to-wuhan-s-best-shopping-and-snack-streets.html. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Chu River Han Street, new landmark of Wuhan". 湖北楚天传媒网络科技有限责任公司. 2011-10-07. http://english.cnhubei.com/2011-10/07/cms1018359article.shtml. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Opposing powers poetic Wuhan Street". Comemind. http://www.dpsqw.com/news/today/nY8NbvI5yP.html. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} Liu Yang (2011-09-30). "Wanda’s Master Piece: Chu River & Han Street was Opened". http://group.wanda.cn/English/group/news/9681.shtml. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
7. ^ "Watch Dongsha Unicom Engineering Wuhan Han Street". Comemind. http://www.dpsqw.com/news/today/Q7jAXmvI5t.html. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "3 top masters together to Wuhan Cheng world-class tourist destination". www.21tradenet.com. 2011-04-19. http://www.21tradenet.com/news_2011-4-19/151264.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-14.