When we arrived at the jetty to board the Zhi Yin Hao 知音号 for a cruise on the Yangtze River, I was expecting the usual nice dinner on the boat and a grand view of the Wuhan skyline as the boat glides down China's longest river. It turned out to be that - and more, a lot more.
Zhi Yin Hao did take us down China's Mother River but it also took us down the river of time. We were immersed in a total sensory experience which involved us personally in the inner world of people struggling to find their way in tumultuous 1920s Wuhan, a sprawling megapolis on the Yangtze in central China.
As the sun sets on the Yangtze, we boarded the four storey boat. Some people were bidding their loved ones good bye as they embarked into the unknown alone. The more lucky ones go on the same uncertain journey but with the support and company of a loved one.
The jetty slowly faded away in the distance as Zhi Yin Hao stole away silently in the night.
Stepping into the cabins, we were face to face with seekers who were on the same journey, in the same boat. The question is, will we remain strangers or will the journey bond us, fellow sojourners?
Some were on a journey to seek fame and fortune. Fame and fortune can substitute for meaning..... or not?
Others were in search of themselves - the hardest journey of all. Their eyes say they are doomed to be lost forever.
Whatever they were searching for, all have hope, perhaps hope was all they have.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget.
Others look for soul mates on the dance floor. At least, you can be dizzily happy, dancing to the same tune. But, what next when the music stops?
If the spirits here don't rise your spirit, you can drown yourself in it.
She is always singing your song - the song of your soul.
Is she singing your life with her words? Killing you softly with her song?
The Mother River is calm, asleep but some souls remained uncomforted.
The bridge looked like a large harp. Such a beautiful bridge, it's simply called Wuhan Yangtze Second Bridge. When you are beautiful, you don't need fancy monikers.
How many troubled souls have passed under this bridge over placid waters?
As the boat edged towards the jetty, the beginning of another journey looms. Maybe it is better to be a permanent passenger - stay on the boat forever, let the Captain take us. Trust or blind faith? It doesn't matter - it's easier than deciding our own destiny. Freedom to choose is not freedom, is not free. Taking charge of our own destiny can be frightening.
Who is waiting for me? Is there anyone? I can't see anyone.
Not everyone can disembark. Some have to stay. Others remained by choice. Who will have a better future? Stayers or leavers?
I must leave. Anyway. Good bye. Good luck. Hope you find what you are searching for.
Would you stay a passenger on a small vessel or would you cross the bridge?
Zhi Yin Hao 知音号 is touted the Drifting Multidimensional Immersive Theatre - an accurate, if slightly clumsy description. It is indeed, a unique theatrical experience not to be missed. The boat leaves the 老汉口五福码头 jetty in Hankou every Tuesday to Sunday at 7:30pm. Boarding starts at 7:00pm. The cruise takes 108 minutes. The easiest way to get here is by metered taxi.
At the moment, the Zhi Yin Hao website is only available in Chinese 👈 click
Adult tickets at RMB228 per person. The ticket does not include food and drinks (which can be purchased onboard).
👉 A trip to Wuhan is incomplete without a journey on the Zhi Yin Hao 知音号.
✈ AirAsiaX flies direct from Kuala Lumpur to Wuhan via Flight D7 878 every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Departs KLIA2 at 6:00pm and arriving at Wuhan Tienhe International Airport at 11:10pm.
✈ Flight D7 879 flies from Wuhan direct to KL every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday departing Wuhan at 00:25am and arriving in KLIA2 at 05:25am.
Pictures for this post were shot with a S$200+ Panasonic LUMIX point-and-shoot camera as I just lost my DSLR in Shanghai airport. Turns out, I quite like the tough little camera 👈 click
Date: 11 Jun 2017
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