From January 23 to April 7 – Wuhan has undergone more than 70 days of lockdown in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. I witnessed the entire process and saw the city's determination in overcoming the epidemic and its resilient return to its former self. 

On January 23, Wuhan, the metropolis in central China grinded to a halt. To contain the virus, the city's metro stations were shut down, inner city public transport suspended and highways closed. It came a day ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, dashing hopes of the traditional annual family reunions.

Despite the initial shortage of medical workers and supplies, doctors and nurses risked their lives by doing whatever they could in the frontline battle against the coronavirus. The medics fought courageously, their fearlessness inspiring and instilling confidence in their patients.

As people chose to stay at home to reduce the spread of the epidemic, mental health counselors stood by to help those suffering from stress and anxiety. Everyone helped out in any way they could to support the virus prevention and control efforts during the epidemic.

Volunteers stepped up their efforts to help deliver supplies to hospitals, delivering not just warmth but also a sense of community to those at the frontline, reminding them that they are not fighting this alone.

On March 28, after more than 60 days of lockdown, Wuhan's railway stations welcomed its first batch of passengers. Migrant workers returned to work, while factories and businesses gradually resumed operations.

As the COVID-19 threat receded, the city gradually lifted its quarantine measures, and residents are finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

More than two months has passed, and Wuhan is slowly returning to being the vibrant metropolis that it used to be. Some people say this is a city of heroes, where its people did not flinch from challenges and fought them head-on. It is also a city with everyone pulling together and overcoming one of its most difficult, even darkest moments.

(Zhang Youze, Meng Mingwei and Zi Di also contributed to the story.)