Plenty to Chu over

Chu culture, which traces back to the State of Chu during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), is known for its unique imagination and romantic charm.

Traveling in Hubei province's different cities offers a gateway to explore its deep-rooted Chu culture, from exquisitely crafted silk garments, elegant lacquerware, to intricate bronze objects and the melodious chimes that once filled ancient courts.

Bamboo slips and night view

Hopping on a high-speed train at Hankou Railway Station in Hubei's capital city of Wuhan, you'll arrive at Yunmeng county, Xiaogan city, in no more than 40 minutes.

While it ranks as the smallest county in the province, it is home to more than 5,000 cultural relics, including some national treasures, all of which are housed at the Yunmeng County Museum.

Among the must-sees are the precious bamboo and wooden slips, which date back over 2,000 years. They are inscribed with legal codes, mathematical texts and family letters, offering a glimpse into the society and daily lives of people during that era.

In 1975, a total of 1,155 bamboo slips were found in a tomb from the late Warring States Period to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) in Shuihudi, Yunmeng. These artifacts belonged to Xi, a low-ranking official of the Qin era. Experts believe that they are the earliest and most complete law codes discovered in China so far.

Besides detailed regulations on agriculture, warehouse management and tax collection, the slips cover fields such as official ethics and historical events.

Tourists can interact with a digital image of the tomb owner via virtual reality technology, who will patiently introduce the clauses of Qin Dynasty laws. By touching the screen, they can virtually cut their own bamboo slips, inscribe characters on them, and experience the entire process.

Other treasures include a miniature ceramic building, unearthed from a tomb dating to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), which showcases the architectural techniques of that era, featuring a well-designed layout and exquisite structure.

A great option for an evening out is a visit to Xiangyunwan scenic area because of its stunning lighting system. As a benchmark project of the night economy, it has boosted local economic vitality.

The scenic area has relocated 257 ancient buildings at the risk of damage from across China, featuring diverse architecture. These buildings include pavilions, towers, terraces, temples, and ancestral halls. Each was taken apart, numbered piece by piece, then carefully rebuilt by professional craftspeople.

It's like stepping into a living chapter of China's architectural history. Take Huizhou-style mansions for example, they showcase intricate wood carvings and dougong (interlocking brackets). Huizhou refers to the ancient geographic areas in today's Anhui and Jiangxi provinces.

Opened earlier this year, the scenic area offers intangible cultural heritage performances as well as live music that draws youngsters.

Official data revealed that from January to July, tourist visits exceeded 2.4 million, with a maximum of 50,000 visitors received in a single day.