Heart Of Wuhan
Marian Teo ventures into the heart of Wuhan, enjoying the food, shopping, and witnessing the lives of the locals in Liang Dao Jie (粮道街).
way from the hustle and bustle of the city, one can discover unique clothes, enjoy mouth-watering food and interact with the warm residents of Liang Dao Jie (粮道街).
In contrast to the modern European architecture and commercialised shops of Tan Hua Lin (昙华林), Liang Dao Jie has no trace of tourists’ influence. Instead, it is filled with local businesses and residences. The low lying flats lined with grime and dirt and the windows of rusted steel created a rustic ambience.
On the ground level of these flats are shops owned by the locals. Their colourful signboards flooded the street, adding splashes of colour to Liang Dao Jie.
A
“ Apart from the good food and
affordable clothes, everyone is warm
and friendly, ”
- Mrs Wang, 65, owner of Chang Jiang Nuo Mi
Bao You Tiao.
I ventured into a thrift shop, Gewan (阁万), which had a myriad of clothes and accessories. Racks after racks of clothing from local brands were displayed. From dainty dresses to graphic t-shirts, the shop had pieces that appeal to both genders. The clothes were clean and in good condition, despite being second hand.
Other local clothing stores along Liang Dao Jie offered a variety of items as well. Some stores appealed to teenagers, showcasing their take on trendy pieces through unique colours and patterns. Others targeted working adults, tailoring to a more mature look.
Walking further down the street which headed towards Hubuxiang (户部巷), I discovered that food at Liang Dao Jie had a unique take to it.
I chanced upon a snack store - Chang Jiang Nuo Mi Bao You Tiao (昌江糯米包油条), which sold glutinous rice rolls with fried dough fritters for less than 5 yuan (SGD1). I had not seen this snack at any other food streets of Wuhan.
I witnessed the elderly snack store owner flashing a little boy a friendly grin and beckoning him forward. It appeared that he did not have enough money to buy a roll but instead of chasing him away, she placed extra pork floss in a roll and gave it to him.
Welcomed with the same warm smile, Ms Wang ( 王女士) offered me an original roll for free so that I could “experience Wuhan”. It had the perfect blend of sweet and salty from glutinous rice and dough fritters.
She went on to explain that the idea of wrapping the rolls in fried dough fritters was her own take on the trend of using glutinous rice.
"I wanted to stand out from the others! Also, to create something that can be enjoyed by the little kids here," she said.
Her friendliness and ability to innovate drew many locals to become frequent customers.
“Be sure to try the original rolls. They are my childhood favourites,” recommended Xiao Tian (小天), 35, a loyal customer, who still came to buy Ms Wang’s rolls even though he moved away from Liang Dao Jie years ago.
"Apart from the good food and affordable clothes, everyone is warm and friendly," Ms Wang proudly stated.
From eateries to hair salons, there are many shops to explore.
Friendly and lovable Ms Wang is kind and very open towards tourists.
Directions to Liang Dao Jie:
Nearest Metro station: Line 2 Pangxiejia (螃蟹夹).
Walk up Exit A2, past the main Zhongshan Rd, Liang Dao street will be on your right.
