R.P. BenDedek
DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan
By R.P.BenDedek
Oct 24, 2007 - 12:52:37 AM

DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan

(Republished from February 2006)

I have in the past written many articles about Wuhan, and one in particular about MoShan Park out by East Lake (DongHu).

Some months ago, I took a friend there for a visit, and we came across the tourist officer there, whose name is Wang Juan. 

This began a friendship for the three of us, and I have since been invited back to MoShan Gong Yuan (MoShan Park) for free visits and have agreed to assist in bringing the Park to the notice of foreigners.

It came as no surprise therefore, when yesterday I received a call from Wang Juan to visit DongHu MoShan 'Mei Yuan'.

While a part of the whole MoShan complex, it is only open for four weeks of the year; during the flower blossoming in the Lunar Month starting in February.

She gave me two explicit instructions. 1. Bring my camera and 2. Be there at exactly 2pm.  Quoted times don't seem to mean much in China, so when you are told 'exactly' the time, you 'must' be there 'on time'.

I decided to take 2 local buses rather than a taxi, but I must just have missed the 591 bus to DongHu Nan Lu, where I would connect with the 413 or 515 bus which go past the DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan. 

After about 20-25 minutes of waiting, (these buses come every 10-15 minutes) I decided that by the time the bus arrived, I would probably be late in arriving at the 'Mei Yuan'. So I decided to take a taxi.

I arrived at DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan or 'May Flower Park', about 20 minutes early.

The Street and entrances were crowded, and quite unusually, there were a tonne of uniform police standing around.

It was, I thought, a little strange.

For about 10 minutes I wandered around, waiting for Wang Juan to arrive. Then there appeared to be some unusual activity.

Two Black Police cars arrived, along with a long black stretch Limousine, bearing a foreign flag. (I've tried to look it up, but can't figure out which country it represents.)

I was tempted to take a photo, but being an ex-policeman, thought the better of it under the circumstances. However a few minutes later, upon seeing so many Chinese tourists taking photographs, I figured it was safe for me as well.  I took the shot, and continued to hang around.

Realising that this was a 'security' situation, I decided that it was probably unwise to stand around with my hands in my pockets, and deliberately removed them, keeping my hands in plain sight at all times.

At 1:55 pm I decided to stand up by the entrance to the 'Mei Yuan' complex, just in case Wang Juan was already inside the complex, and was looking 'out' to spot me.

While quite conscious of the fact that the uniform police in every direction were discreetly keeping an eye on me, it nevertheless was a surprise when the Chinese Secret Serviceman confronted me, although from the man's first step in a 15 metre walk, I knew instinctively who he would be.

He pulled out his credentials, and speaking in reasonably good English, informed me that he was a Policeman; advised me that he had been watching me for 20 minutes; and wanted to know what I was doing there.

I gave him a big smile and explained that my friend who worked there was late in meeting me.

He informed me that important dignitaries were about to leave the complex, and asked me to move away from the 'public entrance'. 

He then smiled, extended his hand for me to shake, and ushered me off to the side, and stood about 3 metres away, watching me.

I was so tempted to ask him if he wanted to search my person, but thought the better of it. 

I thought the whole thing so funny, that I almost missed seeing the dignitaries get into their Limousine.  Since they were Black, I assume that they come from Africa somewhere. Safe in their bulletproof limousine, those foreigners disappeared into the distance, and I returned to the entrance way of the Park. A few minutes later Wang Juan arrived, but didn't quite believe my story.

Accompanied by a very important person, I gained admission to the park without paying a 'fee', and spent the next hour and a half touring the complex.

It is my intention to help promote the Park in the western arena.

Foreigners coming to Wuhan, can see some of it's nicer places, without the necessity to join formal tours.

Lots of entertainment is provided during this one month access to the May Flower gardens.

MoShan Gong Yuan and DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan are located on the banks of East Lake (DongHu) in the WuChang District of Wuhan.

They can be cheaply and quickly accessed by taxi, or by taking the 413, 515 or 402 buses from DongHu NanLu (East Lake North Street) behind Wuhan University. 

When you finish your tour you can even enjoy a boat ride on East Lake.

MoShan Gong Yuan is open all year, and attracts a 30 RMB entrance fee (with other expenses able to be incurred inside), whilst DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan, is only open for the February Lunar Month.

Outside is East Lake

Other Photographs may be found at Magic City under the Title:
Australian Terrorist at DongHu MoShan Mei Yuan

and at Kingscalendar http://www.kingscalendar.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=387

R.P.BenDedek