Nanchang (南昌; Nánchāng) is the capital of Jiangxi Province and is the cultural, economic and scientific center of Jiangxi. With deep historical ties, known as Heroes' City because it was here that the communist uprising of 1 August 1927 began.

Get in

Nanchang Airport has regular connections from many Chinese cities.

Get around

Taxis and buses are the most popular ways of getting around, bus journeys being ¥1 regardless of distance traveled (¥2 for the doubledecker buses). The taxi fare in Nanchang is also cheap compared to other cities in China with same scale and the initial starting price for a ride on taxi is ¥6 up to 2 kilometers. Beyond this mandatory starting-price-region, the rate is ¥1.9 per kilometer. It should also be noted that the taxi fare has an additional 20% surcharge in the nocturnal time period between 11:00pm and 5:00am to compensate for the low demand at night. However you will probably find that during peak times both buses/taxis are nearly impossible, at which point either walking or cycling are the only options (there is nowhere to rent bikes in Nanchang).

If visiting during the summer a bicycle is a good investment, at ¥110 from WalMart beside Bayi Square. Just like other typical Chinese cities, there are many cycle lanes covering the entire city, busy nearly all the time.

See

• Bayi Monument, Bayi Guangchang (Located in the center of Bayi Square, on Bayi Avenue). This large monument with the flag of the People's Liberation Army at the top commemorates the Nanchang Uprising of August 1 (Bayi), 1927. On this date, the People's Liberation Army was founded. Free. 

• YouMin Temple (YouMinSi， 佑民寺) (Located just north of Bayi Park (not the same place as Bayi Square)). This Buddhist temple is in wonderful condition and in active use. 

• Pavilion of Prince Teng (滕王阁). One of the Four Great Towers of China and setting for the famous poem Téngwáng Gé Xùjì by Wang Bo during the Tang Dynasty. ¥50. 

• The Star of Nanchang (南昌之星). Formerly the world's tallest ferris wheel, with a height of 160 meters. 

• Sheng Jin Tower (盛金塔). Buddhist temple South of the downtown. 

Do

Buy a bike for ¥300 at Beijing Lu, ca 200 meters off Ba Yi Square and discover the city on two wheels.

Buy

• Baihuodalou (百货大楼). 

• Zhongshan Road (中山路). 

• Shengli Road (胜利路). 

Eat

• Le Bistro 100, 100 Rongmen Road (A short walk from behind Gloria Hotel), ☏ +86 791 6100100. open 7 days a week 11AM-9:00PM. Small European style restaurant in the heart of Nanchang. Serving European bistro fare in relaxed environment. Friendly English speaking service staff. Popular with ex-pats and locals alike. 

• Cafe Roma, 129 Fuhe North Road, ☏ +86 791 6691101. open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner 11AM-10:30PM; Saturday and Sunday 10AM-11:30PM; brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Very nice Italian restaurant. It is like something that you would expect in Shanghai or Beijing. Very nice Italian style pizzas without the Shanghai price. They serve nice pastas and charcoal grilled steaks and fish. Popular with the ex-pats and locals alike. They offer a non-smoking dining room with smoking area around the bar. It has the largest selection of cocktail in Nanchang. 

Drink

There seem to be two main areas for drinking. On the main walking street in the upscale apartment complex there are 3-4 bars and a few clubs, all of which are hopping on the weekends. Another area is found around fuzhou road, there is VV club, and CD 1925.

• Robot Head (Near Bayi Lake). Interesting bar/club with multiple floors and clubbing rooms. 

• CD 1925, Fuzhou Road. Interesting bar that has four different rooms laid out like a labyrinth. If you are drunk it makes for a terribly confusing night. 

• Bar Newz, 112-113 Heng Mao, Star-walk, DingGong Rd. A friendly western style bar serving all the usual beers and some imported beers and larger, cocktails by the dozen and real western bar snacks, the ones you are missing while your here in China. Open lunch time to late. 

• JD´s Bar (JD´s Nanchang), Nan Hu Lu no.28 (Minde Lu), ☏ +86 7916760173. A German owned Bar. 
• Jin Du Crow Hotel Brazilian BBQ Restaurant, Heng Chan Lu, 99, ☏ +86429999. Jin Du Crown Hotel Brazilian Restaurant, is located on hart of downtown. Buffet service and Brazilian BBQ, Brazilian Live Music for fair price. 
• Bossa Nova Cafe (Brazilian Bar), 5, Nan Hu lu - closed to Min De lu (neer by Ba Yi Park). The only Brazilian bar of Nan Chang. Brazilian snacks, South American Drinks, more than 10 beer's brand, wines from Chile, Portugal, France, Italy and Spain. Brazilian fruits cocktails. Fair price and friendly service. 

Sleep

• Galactic Peace International Hotel (嘉莱特和平国际酒店; Jiāláitèhépíng Guójì Jiǔdiàn​), 10 Guangchang South Road, Donghu District (东湖区广场南路10号; Dōnghúqū Guǎngchǎngnánlù​) (Close to the railway station), ☏ +86 791 6111118, fax: +86 791 8865088. Five star hotel with four star hotel prices. Large rooms with free internet. Do not forget to try the pool and sauna. Listed rates for doubles from ¥1,080, discounted from ¥468, breakfast ¥50. 

• Jiangxi Hotel, Bayi Avenue (a short walk from Bayi Square). 24 hours. There are two hotels by this English name on the same short stretch of the street. Five star Jiangxi Binguan (江西宾馆) is better than four star Jiangxi Fandian (江西饭店), which probably gets its four star rating from facilities that it keeps permanently closed. Jiangxi Binguan is famous as one of the top ten architectures in Nanchang. Jiangxi Fandian was established in 1961, and although renovated in 2004, feels like it was renovated to 1960's standards. Around ¥500. 
• Gloria Grand Hotel Nanchang (南昌凯莱大饭店), 39 North Yanjiang Road (Yanjiang Bei Dadao),Nanchang. The Gloria Plaza Hotel Nanchang (Kailai Dafandian) is strategically located in the city center, just 25 minutes from the airport, 12 minutes from the railway station and within walking distance from major commercial complexes.

The hotel's 328 rooms and suites are all tastefully furnished and outfitted with individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite television, internet data port, international direct-dial telephone, mini-bar, in-room safe and hair-dryer. 

Stay safe

Pickpockets are everywhere, especially near Zhongshan Road area. They can steal things even from your shirt pocket! Never leave your belongings unattended in restaurants or shops, even if it is an upper-class one. Apart from that, the city is quite safe.

Go next

Nanchang is a good place to start other trips in Jiangxi Province. It has good connections with Lushan, Jingangshan, Jingdezhen, Wuyuan etc.

Famed Lushan is about two and a half hour bus ride to the north.

Routes through Nanchang

Beijing ← Lushan ←

N  S

→ Ganzhou → Shenzhen