Jiangxi
Jiangxi (江西) is a largely agricultural province in the southern central region of China. Jiangxi was named after the Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty for setting up the Jiangnan West Road.
Jiangxi is the central hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and the West Bank of the strait.
Cities
- 1 Nanchang — the capital of Jiangxi province.It is an important central city in the Eastern China region and a central city in the Yangtze River middle reaches urban agglomeration.
- 2 Ganzhou — in the deep south of the province, rich in revolutionary sites; Ruijin is the most prestigious one.
- 3 Jingdezhen — known in China and abroad for porcelain, which it has been producing for more than 1000 years.
- 4 Jiujiang — lies by the Changjiang River, famous for Lushan, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Shangrao — in the east, Sanqingshan Mount is listed in World Heritage Sites in 2008. It is the regional center city of Jiangxi Province and shares borders with three other provinces.
- 5 Wuyuan — central city to a series of traditional villages and charming countryside.
- 6 Xinyu — site of the Fairy Lake
- Yichun — in the west of the province, the city has Mingyue Mount (Bright Moon Mount) and rich Zen Buddhist culture.
- 7 Ruijin — site of Red Army Headquarters from 1930-1934. Mao Zedong lived in the town then.
- 8 Pingxiang — best known for its Wugongshan National Geopark.
Other destinations
- 1 Lushan (庐山): UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful 1,474-m mountain. Good day trip from Nanchang or Jiujiang
- 2 Mount Sanqingshan National Park (三清山): UNESCO world heritage site. Mountain is 1820 meters high and very scenic. Hiking the popular circular trail takes 4-5 hours.
- The China Danxia landscape of 3 Mount Longhu (龙虎山) is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. Longhu is China's eighth World Natural Heritage Site, and a birthplace of Chinese Taoism in China.
Understand
Jiangxi Province, abbreviated as "Gan," is a provincial-level administrative region. Its capital is Nanchang, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. By the end of 2022, the province had a permanent population of 45.3 million.
History
The name "Jiangxi" has historical origins, as it was named after the "Jiangnan West Circuit" established during the Tang Dynasty. The province's nickname "Gan" is derived from the Gan River, which flows within the province. Jiangxi has been known as the "Land of Gan and Yue" since ancient times, with the saying "Head in Wu, Tail in Chu, and the Households of Yue and Min," representing its unique geographical advantages. It has earned a reputation as the "Land of Culture, Morality, White Cranes, and Abundant Rice."
Certain areas of Jiangxi are part of the economic zone along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait. The province boasts China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, and is also one of Asia's major centers for copper industry, earning it titles such as the "World Tungsten Capital," "Rare Earth Kingdom," "Copper Capital of China," and the "Home of Nonferrous Metals."
Jiangxi has played a significant role in Chinese history and revolution. It is the birthplace of the Chinese revoluti.
The topographical characteristics of Jiangxi Province are:
- Intersecting mountain ranges: Jiangxi's terrain is characterized by numerous mountain ranges, including the Wuyi Mountains, Wuyuan Mountains, Shicheng Mountains, and Longhushan, among others.
- Abundance of rivers: Jiangxi boasts a multitude of rivers, with the most prominent ones being the Gan River, Xin River, Poyang Lake, and Fu River.
- Plateaus and basins: Jiangxi's topography includes plateaus, such as the rolling hills of the Wuyi Mountains, as well as basins like the Fuzhou Basin and Nanchang Basin.
- Hills and plains: Jiangxi comprises hilly regions, predominantly in the southern part of the province, as well as plains, which are more concentrated in the northern areas.
Talk
As anywhere in China, Mandarin (Standard Chinese) is the official language and the main language used in education, government, and media. It is the lingua franca used for communication between speakers of other languages, and many people are bilingual in Mandarin and another language.
The main local language in the province is Gan Dialect, also called Jiangxi dialect. It is primarily used in the southern regions of Jiangxi, including cities like Ganzhou and Ji'an, as well as surrounding areas. Gan dialect has various branches and variants, such as Ji'an dialect and Ganzhou dialect.
Hakka is mainly spoken in the northeastern parts of Jiangxi, including cities like Yichun, Fuzhou, and Shangrao. Hakka is a distinctive Chinese dialect with significant differences from both Mandarin and Gan dialect.
Minnan hua is spoken by some people in the southeastern parts of Jiangxi, particularly in cities like Nanchang and Yichun. It is one of the main languages of neighboring Fujian province.
English is less common here than in the coastal provinces, but some people do speak it; the levels range from dreadful to excellent.
Get in
By plane
There are good domestic connections to Changbei Airport (KHN IATA) in Nanchang, but international flights are very few and it is usually best to arrive via Shanghai or Beijing. There are also domestic flights to Ji'an Jinggansan Airport (JGS IATA) and Jingdezhen Luojia Airport (JDZ IATA).
By train
Most cities are connected by the upgraded railway. Major railway lines connect all directions. ZheGanXian lines start from Shanghai, cross Zhejiang Province, and line up most cities and towns in Jiangxi from east to north, Yingtan, Xiangtang, Zhangshu, Xinyu, Yichun, and Pingxiang.
The latest D train is fast and comfortable. From Shanghai to Xinyu, takes 5.5 hours for the 1000 km. D train ticket can be booked 11 days ahead, and a ticket from Shanghai to Nanchang cost around ¥300.
Get around
There is an extensive rail network; Jiangxi is one of the major hubs. The system includes fast bullet trains on some routes; unless your budget is very tight, these are the best way to go — fast, clean and comfortable.
All the major cities have airports with good domestic connections; some have international connections as well. See the individual city articles for details.
Jiangxi's road transportation system is well-developed and characterized by the following features:
- Expressway network: Jiangxi boasts an extensive network of expressways that connect major cities and vital economic regions. Key expressways include the Beijing-Kowloon Expressway (京九高速公路), the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway (沪昆高速公路), and the Ganfu Expressway (赣粤高速公路).
- National and provincial roads: Jiangxi has numerous national and provincial roads, forming a comprehensive road network.
- Rural roads
- Scenic area roads: Jiangxi is home to numerous scenic spots and tourist destinations, each with well-maintained roads that allow tourists to easily appreciate the natural beauty. For instance, scenic areas like Longhushan (龙虎山) and Lushan (庐山) have excellent road connections.
- Public transportation: Jiangxi offers a variety of public transportation choices, including buses, taxis, and subways.
See
These are some tourists' hot spots when they visit Jiangxi:
- Jinggangshan (Jinggang Mountains): As the birthplace of the Chinese Revolution, Jinggangshan boasts a rich revolutionary history and culture. Visitors can explore the Revolutionary Museum and the Red Army Martyrs Cemetery to learn about the history of the Communist Party of China.
- Ruijin: This city was the birthplace of the Chinese Soviet Republic's temporary central government and holds profound revolutionary history. Notable attractions include the Ruijin Red Army Square and the Former Residence of Mao Zedong.
- Nanchang August 1st Uprising Memorial Museum: This museum commemorates the August 1st Nanchang Uprising led by the Communist Party of China. It showcases important historical artifacts and documents related to the revolution.
- Jingdezhen: Known as the birthplace of Chinese porcelain, Jingdezhen is home to numerous ceramic museums and studios where visitors can learn about the history and craftsmanship of ceramics.
Do
- Poyang Lake: As China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake is recognized by UNESCO as a significant wetland for biodiversity conservation. The lake area features abundant wetland ecosystems and aquatic flora and fauna.
- Mingyue Mountain, Yichun: Known for its spectacular peaks, canyons, and cliffs, Mingyue Mountain is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers.
- Qingyuanshan Scenic Area: Located in Ji'an City, this scenic area boasts beautiful mountain and water landscapes, offering a tranquil getaway for relaxation and leisure
- Fenghuangling, Ganzhou: Fenghuangling is a magnificent natural scenic area known for its stunning canyons, waterfalls, and caves. It's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
- Lushan: Revered as one of China's most beautiful mountain ranges, Lushan is renowned for its magnificent landscapes and hot springs. Visitors can explore attractions such as Lulin Temple and San Diequan, and enjoy the natural beauty.
- Longhushan (Dragon and Tiger Mountain): This mountain range is famous for its rugged peaks and ancient Taoist temples. Longhushan is an important Taoist pilgrimage site and a place of serene natural beauty
- Tea culture: Head to places like Jingdezhen and tea gardens to learn about the history of Chinese ceramics and tea culture. You can also visit ceramic studios and tea plantations.
- Hot spring therapy: Enjoy relaxation and wellness by visiting hot spring resorts in Mount Lu and other locations.
- Local festivals: traditional festivals and celebrations in Jiangxi can help you experience the local culture.
Buy
- Local crafts, tea leaves, ceramics, and souvenirs
- Products made of bamboo fibre like socks, towels and underwear help you to stay cool in the summer.
Eat
Jiangxi cuisine is not well known even within China, but it has a reputation for being the hottest of all Chinese cuisines, exceeding even Hunanese cuisine.
Local cuisine includies Gan cuisine, Ruijin crispy pork, and tangyuan (glutinous rice balls).
Vegetables cooked in claypot, with or without meat. They are delicious.
Yanshuibin: An ice-lolly made from salt, sugar and water. An excellent way to cool down during the warmer months.
Greentea-cum-Redbean ice-lolly: If you like green tea and redbean, try this. It is very tasty and refreshing.
Drink
- Oolong Tea: Jiangxi, particularly the Wuyi Mountains, is renowned for producing excellent Oolong tea. Wuyi Mountain Rock Tea, with its unique rocky essence and rich floral and fruity aroma, is a representative of Oolong tea. Wuyi Mountain Rock Tea is listed among the top ten famous Chinese teas and is beloved by tea enthusiasts.
- Black Tea: Jiangxi, mainly in the southern region, is known for its high-quality black tea. Jingdezhen Black Tea and Ji'an Red Tea are particularly famous and have gained a strong reputation domestically and internationally. They offer unique flavors and a rich aroma characteristic of black teas.
- Green Tea: Jiangxi's Raozhou County is the hometown of Bi Luo Chun tea, known for its tender green leaves, refreshing aroma, and distinctive tea-making techniques. Bi Luo Chun is one of China's top ten famous teas and is often used to make refreshing green tea.
- Yellow Tea: Jiangxi is also an important region for producing yellow tea. Yellow tea is recognized for its tender yellow leaves, unique tea-making processes, and mild flavor.
These tea varieties each have a long history in Jiangxi and offer distinct flavors and characteristics. Whether it's Oolong tea, black tea, green tea, or yellow tea, they enjoy widespread recognition and a good reputation in the tea market.
Stay safe
Natural disasters: Jiangxi is located in an area of China that is prone to frequent typhoons and flooding. During potential natural disaster seasons, tourists should closely monitor weather forecasts, take necessary precautions, and follow the advice of local authorities.
Traffic safety: Road traffic can be hazardous, especially in busy cities and on highways. Tourists should drive cautiously, adhere to traffic regulations, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, use seat belts, and try to avoid night driving.
Theft and scams: Jiangxi has risks of theft and scams. Tourists should take care to protect their personal belongings, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, use hotel safes to store valuables, and be vigilant about unfamiliar individuals.
Food safety: When consuming food, tourists should choose reputable restaurants and stalls, ensure food hygiene, avoid consuming raw seafood and fruits to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Outdoor activities: If you are participating in outdoor activities such as hiking or adventure, make sure you have the necessary equipment and knowledge. In unfamiliar environments, it is advisable to hire a local guide or join a qualified tour group.
Natural environment: Some scenic areas may have steep mountain paths, gorges, caves, or bodies of water. Tourists should exercise extra caution when visiting these places, follow safety guidelines, and avoid accidents.
Go next