Shangrao Guide｜A Fairy-Tale Town Hidden in Jiangxi, Explore Mountains, Waters, and Ancient Villages in 3 Days

Shangrao Guide｜A Fairy-Tale Town Hidden in Jiangxi, Explore Mountains, Waters, and Ancient Villages in 3 Days✨ Speechless from the beauty of Shangrao in autumn! This treasure town tucked away in northeastern Jiangxi offers ancient villages quieter than Hongcun and sea of clouds that rival Huangshan. Here’s a well-organized guide to unlock this low-key romance~ 🌿Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions (with Best Visiting Times) 1. Wuyuan Huangling The ancient village hanging on the cliff is absolutely stunning! During the autumn harvest, every household’s rooftop is covered with pumpkins and chili peppers, creating a palette of orange, red, and green. Morning mist wraps around the horse-head walls, and walking on the bluestone paths in Hanfu instantly turns you into a scene from an ancient drama. ⚠️Tips: After taking the cable car up, visit the Autumn Scenery Viewing Platform first; the light is best before 10 AM. Watching the sunset at the terraced rice fields’ cloud cable in the evening is breathtaking~ 2. Sanqing Mountain Rated by "Chinese National Geography" as the “Most Beautiful Granite”! The Giant Python Emerging from the Mountain and Goddess Peak appear faintly in the mist. Walking on the skywalk feels like stepping on clouds. Recommended to stay on the mountain; climb Yujing Peak at 5 AM to watch the sunrise. When the sea of clouds surges, it feels like being in heaven. Remember to bring a jacket—the wind at the summit is strong~ 3. Poyang Lake Wetland Park The autumn at China’s largest freshwater lake is so healing! The sea of smartweed flowers forms a pink ocean, migratory birds fly south here for winter, and riding a boat through the reed marshes, you can see flocks of white cranes and swans skimming the water. Navigate to “Wujincha Pier,” rent a bike to ride along the lake—every snapshot looks like a Japanese-style fresh photo~ 4. Gexian Village A fairy-tale town with night views that will make you scream! When the lantern corridor lights up, it feels like stepping into "Spirited Away." There’s a light show at 8 PM, and the water curtain movie combined with ancient architecture is super impressive. Stay a night at Gexian Village Hotel, watch Taoists practicing Tai Chi at the Tai Chi Square in the morning, sip some Gexian tea, and fully immerse yourself in the experience~ 5. Likeng Ancient Village A more pristine ancient village with fewer tourists than Huangling! A stream runs through the village, flanked by old houses with white walls and black tiles. Villagers wash vegetables and clothes by the stream, full of everyday life charm. The century-old camphor tree at the village entrance is perfect for photos. Sitting on the stone bench under the tree, listening to elders tell stories of the ancient village, time slows down~ 🍜 Shangrao Food You Can’t Miss - Steamed Dishes: Must-try steamed pork and steamed fish wrapped in glutinous rice, soft and fragrant, especially delicious with chili sauce. Recommended old-brand restaurants in Likeng. - Dengzhan Guo: The soul of Shangrao breakfast! The rice batter skin looks like little lanterns, filled with shredded radish and dried shrimp, pan-fried crispy outside and tender inside. Street stalls sell 3 for 5 yuan. - Steamed Rice Cake: Rice cakes steamed in wooden buckets, topped with shiitake mushrooms and minced meat, sprinkled with chili powder. Freshly steamed, the aroma fills the street. - Jiuzao Fish: A specialty of Poyang Lake! Fish dried and marinated in glutinous rice wine lees, steamed to bring out a strong wine aroma. Perfect as souvenirs~ 🚗 Itinerary & Accommodation Suggestions - 3-Day Highlights: Day 1 Sanqing Mountain (stay on the mountain to watch sunrise) → Day 2 Huangling + Likeng (stay at Huangling Autumn Scenery Homestay) → Day 3 Gexian Village (enjoy night views) - Accommodation Picks: Huangling recommends “Autumn Scenery Boutique Stay,” with terraced fields right outside the window; in the city, choose near “Shangrao Wanda” for convenient dining and shopping. - Travel Tips: There are direct buses from Shangrao High-Speed Rail Station to Wuyuan and Sanqing Mountain; walking is recommended inside ancient villages; for Sanqing Mountain, take the cable car (climbing is very tiring). The beauty of Shangrao is hidden in the morning mist, in the smoke of ancient villages, and in the autumn sunshine. No need to rush here—walk slowly and you’ll encounter the most healing scenery~