May 25, 2023
Stories from China (Part 11)
By Simon J. Lau
For my last day in Wuhan, I visited Yellow Crane Tower, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This structure has existed in some form since AD 223, rebuilt over the centuries after fires and wars but always returning as a symbol of the city. Today it stands with bright yellow tiles and curved eaves, perched on a hill overlooking the Yangtze River.
From the top, the view stretched across the river and the downtown skyline, bridges arching over the water and boats drifting far below. It felt like a place where history and modern life meet.
It rained in the afternoon, but it didn’t deter me. The moment it let up, I headed back out to explore new neighborhoods and sample more street food, including this bamboo sticky rice. Glutinous rice is packed into a hollow bamboo tube with bits of dried fruit, then roasted until it takes on a subtle, smoky flavor. You crack the tube open and scrape out the warm, sticky rice inside. It’s a simple snack, but surprisingly satisfying. The street food here is excellent.
Lastly, my hotel deserves five stars. Not only was my room affordable and comfortable, but the service was outstanding too. The housekeeping staff noticed my laundry pile and left a handwritten note letting me know there was a washing machine available for guests. Thanks to them, my clothes are now fresh and clean, even if they’re still drying. 🧼
I should admit, I couldn’t read the handwritten note on my own. Printed text is fine for me, but stylized handwriting is still a challenge. Luckily, the front desk translated it for me, and that’s how I found out about the washing machine.
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