Puqi
Introduction
Chibi is a county-level city in southeastern Hubei province, known as the "South Gate of Hubei" for its position between Wuhan to the north and Yueyang to the south. It falls under the administration of Xianning prefecture-level city.
The city was called Puqi until 1998, when the State Council approved its renaming to Chibi, after the site associated with the Battle of Chibi fought in the winter of 208/9 CE. That name change is the key to understanding the place: the city's identity is bound up with one of the most famous battles in Chinese history.
Getting around
Puqi is the historic name of the county-level city now known as Chibi, and you will see both names on signs, tickets and maps — they refer to the same place. There is no subway or tram system, so getting around means ordinary local transport: buses link the city centre, the outskirts and Puqi Railway Station, which anchors the network on the Wuhan–Jiujiang line. Fares are low, buses stop running relatively early, so plan your evening accordingly. Cash is rarely used; WeChat Pay and Alipay are standard and international Visa/Mastercard are rarely accepted, so set up a mobile payment app before you rely on it. Electric scooters and bicycles are popular with locals for narrow streets and avoiding peak congestion.
- Taxis are common, and ride-hailing through Didi is widely used; because public transport stops early, these are the recommended option for night travel.
- English is practically not spoken, so carry an offline translator and your destination written in Chinese characters.
- Keep an eye on your belongings around markets and near the station, and avoid the poorly lit industrial outskirts at night.
- Walking suits central Puqi: the Central Square and the old central streets with their 1980s–90s architecture are best explored on foot, and the Yangtze riverbank is an informal walking area rather than a developed embankment.
- Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking; summers are hot and very humid with heavy rainfall, and winters are mild but damp.
Three days in Puqi
Day one: Start in Puqi itself, getting your bearings around Central Square, the city's main gathering point. Puqi sits in Hubei, within reach of Xianning, and the railway station, Puqi Railway Station, is your link onward to Wuhan, Yueyang, Jiujiang and Chibi. Walking is a good way to cover the centre. Keep some cash on you, though WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used; Visa and Mastercard are less reliable. Electric taxis and Didi are options if you'd rather ride.
- Central Square
- Puqi Railway Station
Day two: Use Puqi as a base for the wider area. Chibi, the site associated with the Battle of the Red Cliffs, lies within reach, as do Yueyang and Jiujiang. Check fares and timings at the station before you set out. English is not widely spoken, so have place names written down.
- Chibi
- Yueyang
- Jiujiang
Day three: Head toward Wuhan or Xianning for your final day, both connected by rail from Puqi. The Yangtze shapes the region, and the South Gate is a landmark worth seeking out. Spring is a pleasant time to be here. Keep your plans flexible around train times.
- Wuhan
- Xianning
- South Gate
- Yangtze