Wuhan is situated at the confluence of the Yangtze River and its longest branch, the Hanjiang River.Yangtze River and Hanjiang River divided the city into three parts, Hankow, Wuchang and Hanyang. Hanyang Iron Plant kicked off China’s modern industrialization.

Since Hankow was forced to open the commercial port in 1861, foreigners established leased territory, set up companies and factories which made Hankow a busy port.

Hanyang Iron Plant started construction in January 1891.

The plant was designed and supervised by the British men while all the materials were imported from Britain and Belgium. The working staff included 40 foreign engineers and over 3, 000 Chinese workers. It was completed October 22, 1893.

It was the biggest of its kind in Asia as well as earliest industrial enterprise in China which aroused sensation worldwide.

The plant played a significant role in China’s modern history as it led China into the industrial civilization.