Images Below: These photographs were teken at Wuchang. The city of Wuchang
is part of modern-day Wuhan which is comprised of three cities separated
by the Yangtze and Han rivers. Hankou (Hankow) and Hanyang are located
to the northwest of the Yangtze with the Han River separating them. Wuchang
is on the southeast side of the Yangtze across from the aforementioned
cities.
Much of what is seen in these photograpghs was either destroyed during World War II or demolished and replaced by other buildings. It is difficult to determine, but the area where these buildings stood is probably known as Snake Hill and the church-like building may have been the police bell tower (Russian Concession?). Behind the bell tower are a group of traditional Chinese buildings which most likely consisted of the then Yellow Crane Tower. The original construction of this tower occurred in 223 A.D and it has been rebuilt on numerous occasions over the centuries. Nearest the Yangtze (in front of the bell tower) is seen the White Cloud Tower, a large, round orb-like structure. The two structures form the symbol of Wuchang, "The home of the yellow crane in white clouds" (with the bell tower being quite inappropriately constructed between them). This is a fairly educated guess about what appears and modern reconstruction in this area has reproduced the buildings on a much larger scale. In 1983 the Chinese constructed a new Yellow Crane Tower in the traditional Chinese style, reaching six stories in height. The White Cloud Tower also exists in the area but it may not be the same structure seen in these photographs. To complicate the matter, a major roadway and bridge across the Yangtze has been constructed in proximity to the Yellow Crane Tower, taking advantage of the elevation of the site.
The first image below shows all of the areas seen in the next seven photographs
and all of the buildings and the wharf can be recognized from this photograph.
.
|
|
Below: The bell tower as seen from the wharf with the the White Cloud Tower
to right.
|
|
Below: The wharf as seen from the bell tower.
|
|
Below: The bell tower as seen from behind.
|
|
Below: The traditional Chinese buildings seen immediately behind the Bell
Tower (probably consisting of the then present day Yellow Crane Tower).
|
|
Below: The then present day Yellow Crane Tower seen from behind.
|
|
Below: The very last building behind the Bell Tower, as seen in the first
photograph. (this is probably the location of the modern day Yellow Crane
Tower).
|
|
Below: The Wiite Cloud Tower which is located in front of the bell tower..
|
|
|
 |
