240-Hour Pass in China: Where Pavilions Meet Peaks

Meaning "south of the lake" and "north of the lake," the provinces of Hunan and Hubei in central China are named after their locations relative to Dongting Lake – the country's second-largest freshwater lake. Both provinces sit along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, a mighty waterway known as one of China's "mother rivers." Each is rich in history and culture, blessed with breathtaking landscapes, and alive with diverse local traditions.

In Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, the Yellow Crane Tower stands proudly atop Snake Hill, offering sweeping views of the Yangtze River, its iconic bridges, and the city's dynamic skyline. Inside the Hubei Provincial Museum, visitors can admire the legendary Sword of Goujian and the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng – the largest and best-preserved set of ancient bronze bells ever discovered in China. Unearthed from the Tombs of Marquis Yi in Suizhou in 1978, these 2,400-year-old chime bells, now inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, can still be played today. Remarkably, each bell produces two distinct tones depending on where it is struck.

From the historic pavilions of Hubei to the dramatic peaks of Hunan, the journey continues at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark famous for its towering quartz-sandstone pillars – the inspiration behind the floating Hallelujah Mountains in "Avatar." Then, do not miss Fenghuang Ancient Town, one of China's best-preserved ancient towns. Here, riverside wooden stilt houses reflect in the water, and the rich traditions of the Tujia and Miao peoples warmly welcome visitors from near and far.

Join CGTN reporter Lucy as she travels through Hubei and Hunan provinces in our latest episode of "240-Hour Pass in China," titled "Where Pavilions Meet Peaks"!