Optical Valley, Wuhan
The Optical Valley, also known as Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, was established in 1988. As the cradle of China’s optoelectronic industry, it is approved as one of the first national-level high-tech zones in 1991. It is located in the Hongshan District, southeast of Wuhan City.
The Optical Valley covers an area of 518.06 square kilometers (about 128,015 acres), including 8 streets and 8 industrial parks, and gathering 42 universities and 56 national-level and provincial-level research institutes and 66 academicians from Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Engineering Academy. Optical Valley was identified as the national optoelectronic information industry base in 2001. There are over 200,000 technology professionals and more than 800,000 university students. It has become one of the three talent-concentrated areas in China, and the world's important optical communication research and design and production base.
Close to the central city, near mountains and lakes, the Optical Valley not only has many famous universities and scientific research institutes, with the gradual development of the economy, cultural tourism has also become a major feature here.
With the 1,350 meters (1,476 yards) in length, the Optical Valley Walking Street is planned from west to east as Modern-style Street, Spanish-Style Street, German-Style Street, Italian-Style Street and French-Style Street. The main street gathers culture shows, recreations and food. Romantic exotic architecture, thousands of fashion brands shops and specialty stores are sure to meet your needs of eating, drinking, playing and shopping.
World City Plaza - Modern-Style Street: At night, here is ablaze with lights, which shows fashions and modernity. Music fountain, popular apparel, latest movies, all kinds of food, cosplay are all shown here. There’s also a popular ice rink where you can show off your skills.
Spanish-Style Street: Spanish architectural complex and Bullfight Square are the highlights of the street.
German-Style Street: It’s the first commercial block in Wuhan that is open for 24 hours. Nightlife: pubs, IMAX cinema, KTV and so on.
Italian-Style Street: Romance is the theme here. It is the first choice for the wedding ceremony that the young people all over China yearn for. The Gothic-style Duomo Church is the landmark building in this street.
French-Style Street: Here mainly sells well-known international brands and the first-class restaurants will let you enjoy the high-end quality of life.
In addition, the world’s largest cluster of colorful lasers forms a glowing galaxy in the sky of the Optical Valley Walking Street, visible throughout Wuhan City. It has become the most unique night sky scenery in Wuhan.
Recommended Attractions in East Lake Scenic Area:
1. Wuhan University - Known as “the most beautiful university campus in China", it is the best place in Wuhan to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom from mid to late March.
2. Ma’an Mountain Forest Park - Featured by forests and wetlands, it has 6 scenic woodlands: plum blossom, peach blossom, bamboo forest, rhododendron, crape myrtle and red leaf. In addition, visitors can enjoy some entertainment projects such as self-service barbecues, hikes through the forest, dodgems and forest cycle racing.
3. Wuhan Happy Valley - It is a popular theme amusement park with 9 themed parks, providing more than 50 recreation facilities for both adults and kids.
4. Hubei Provincial Museum - Collecting over 200,000 cultural relics, it displays the varied and passionate culture of Hubei.
1. Take subway line 2 to Optical Valley Square Station.
2. Take airport bus line 1 from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to Fujiapo Station and transfer bus line 703 to Lu Lane, Luoyu Road and walk 100 meters (110 yards) to Optical Valley Square.
3. It takes about 1 hour by taxi from the airport to the Optical Valley and costs CNY120 - CNY140, around 40 minutes from the city center to Optical Valley, which costs CNY 60 - CNY 80.
The Optical Valley covers an area of 518.06 square kilometers (about 128,015 acres), including 8 streets and 8 industrial parks, and gathering 42 universities and 56 national-level and provincial-level research institutes and 66 academicians from Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Engineering Academy. Optical Valley was identified as the national optoelectronic information industry base in 2001. There are over 200,000 technology professionals and more than 800,000 university students. It has become one of the three talent-concentrated areas in China, and the world's important optical communication research and design and production base.
Close to the central city, near mountains and lakes, the Optical Valley not only has many famous universities and scientific research institutes, with the gradual development of the economy, cultural tourism has also become a major feature here.
Top Places to Visit
Optical Valley Walking Street
World City Plaza - Modern-Style Street: At night, here is ablaze with lights, which shows fashions and modernity. Music fountain, popular apparel, latest movies, all kinds of food, cosplay are all shown here. There’s also a popular ice rink where you can show off your skills.
Spanish-Style Street: Spanish architectural complex and Bullfight Square are the highlights of the street.
German-Style Street: It’s the first commercial block in Wuhan that is open for 24 hours. Nightlife: pubs, IMAX cinema, KTV and so on.
Italian-Style Street: Romance is the theme here. It is the first choice for the wedding ceremony that the young people all over China yearn for. The Gothic-style Duomo Church is the landmark building in this street.
French-Style Street: Here mainly sells well-known international brands and the first-class restaurants will let you enjoy the high-end quality of life.
In addition, the world’s largest cluster of colorful lasers forms a glowing galaxy in the sky of the Optical Valley Walking Street, visible throughout Wuhan City. It has become the most unique night sky scenery in Wuhan.
East Lake Scenic Area
The East Lake Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and one of the first key national parks of China, covering an area of 88 square kilometers (21,745 acres). With a large lake as its core, it is surrounded by 12 lakes, 34 peaks and more than 1,647 acres of forest. Besides the lakes and mountains, East Lake provides visitors with leisure activities and science popularization services. Recommended Attractions in East Lake Scenic Area:1. Wuhan University - Known as “the most beautiful university campus in China", it is the best place in Wuhan to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom from mid to late March.
2. Ma’an Mountain Forest Park - Featured by forests and wetlands, it has 6 scenic woodlands: plum blossom, peach blossom, bamboo forest, rhododendron, crape myrtle and red leaf. In addition, visitors can enjoy some entertainment projects such as self-service barbecues, hikes through the forest, dodgems and forest cycle racing.
3. Wuhan Happy Valley - It is a popular theme amusement park with 9 themed parks, providing more than 50 recreation facilities for both adults and kids.
4. Hubei Provincial Museum - Collecting over 200,000 cultural relics, it displays the varied and passionate culture of Hubei.
Transportations
2. Take airport bus line 1 from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to Fujiapo Station and transfer bus line 703 to Lu Lane, Luoyu Road and walk 100 meters (110 yards) to Optical Valley Square.
3. It takes about 1 hour by taxi from the airport to the Optical Valley and costs CNY120 - CNY140, around 40 minutes from the city center to Optical Valley, which costs CNY 60 - CNY 80.
- Last updated on Apr. 13, 2020 -