鄂州市

Why this place

Ezhou was the capital of the State of Wu in the Three Kingdoms period, and it sits beside Liangzi Lake, one of the largest lakes in China. It is a small city with a long history and a lot of water.

What to see

• The Wu dynasty sites and the Xi family mountain, with old temples
• Liangzi Lake and its wetland, with lotus, fish and birds
• The Yangtze riverfront and the old town's lanes

What to eat

• Hubei river food — crab and fish from Liangzi Lake
• Ezhou is known for its 'Wuchang fish' heritage and its lotus-root dishes

Best time

March–May and September–November; July–August for lotus