Shangrao City, formerly known as Xinzhou, is located in the northeastern part of Jiangxi Province, named after its "abundant mountains and rich treasures." It is not a city renowned for urban prosperity, but rather for its breathtaking natural scenery and tranquil pastoral charm. Home to Wuyuan, hailed as "China's Most Beautiful Countryside," and Mount Sanqing, a Taoist sacred mountain listed as a World Natural Heritage site, it is a land of beautiful mountains, clear waters, and profound historical charm.
Shangrao is situated at the junction of four provinces—Jiangxi (Gan), Zhejiang (Zhe), Fujian (Min), and Anhui (Wan)—and has been known since ancient times as a "thoroughfare of four provinces." Its unique geographical location has fostered a culture of inclusivity. The region boasts diverse landscapes, from the fertile plains of the Poyang Lake area to the majestic mountains of the Wuyi Range. A subtropical monsoon climate brings abundant rainfall, nurturing the lush greenery and vitality seen everywhere.
Shangrao's charm lies half in its countryside, half in its celestial mountains. Wuyuan County, under its jurisdiction, is an important component of ancient Huizhou culture. In spring, acres of rapeseed flowers bloom, their golden seas contrasting with the white walls and black tiles of ancient villages, forming a moving pastoral tableau. Mount Sanqing, another world-class calling card, is renowned for its unique "most beautiful granite on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean," featuring peculiar peak formations and ever-changing clouds and mists, embodying the ethereal spirit sought after in Taoist culture.
Shangrao's culture is deeply imprinted with the characteristics of regional cultures such as Gan, Huizhou, and Min. Particularly in Wuyuan, the tradition of valuing education, exemplified by "three Jinshi from one family and four Hanlin from one village," is preserved. The rustic folk customs and the philosophy of combining farming with scholarship blend seamlessly with the serene natural environment. The pace of life here is relaxed, making it a creative haven for many photographers and artists seeking inspiration, and a longed-for "poetry and distant lands" for city dwellers.
In the process of modernization, Shangrao regards "green ecology" as its core competitiveness. The local economy is supported by eco-tourism and modern agriculture, with a commitment to preserving its beautiful mountains and clear waters. Simultaneously, leveraging its advantageous position as a "thoroughfare of four provinces," Shangrao is developing into a regional transportation hub and logistics node, transforming its beautiful ecological resources into a powerful engine for sustainable development.
What is there to do in Shangrao China?
The best time to visit Shangrao is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Spring, especially March and April, is the prime season to visit Wuyuan and witness the sea of rapeseed flowers. The golden fields stretching across the mountains, set against traditional Huizhou architecture of white walls and black tiles, form a breathtaking scenic picture.
In autumn, the weather is cool and pleasant. The autumn foliage of places like Mount Sanqing and Mount Lingshan is vibrant, making it an ideal season for hiking and enjoying natural scenery.
During the Jian'an period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Shangrao County was established by partitioning Yuzhang Prefecture, marking the beginning of Shangrao's administrative history spanning over 1800 years.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Shangrao became a cultural center. Neo-Confucian master Zhu Xi lectured here, and the renowned patriotic poet Xin Qiji settled here in his later years, leaving behind numerous timeless literary works, making Xinzhou a flourishing hub of scholarship.
During the Agrarian Revolutionary War, revolutionary pioneers like Fang Zhimin established the Fujian-Zhejiang-Anhui-Jiangxi (Northeast Jiangxi) Revolutionary Base here, making it one of the early important revolutionary activity areas for the Communist Party of China.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Shangrao
Listed in the "World Heritage List" in July 2008, it is renowned for being "a superb example of the unique landscape and diversity of granite landforms," showcasing the formation and evolution of granite on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean.
Explore Shangrao's rich intangible cultural heritage and learn about traditional crafts and cultural essence
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Yiyang Opera is one of the oldest Chinese opera styles, originating in Yiyang County, Shangrao, during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. It is characterized by its high-pitched and passionate singing, with one lead singer and a chorus, accompanied by gongs and drums without orchestral instruments. It has had a profound influence on the formation of various later opera styles, earning it the title of the "ancestor" of Chinese high-pitched operas.
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Wuyuan is one of the main production areas for She Inkstones, known for the excellent quality of its Longwei Inkstone material and exquisite carving techniques. Wuyuan She Inkstone craftsmanship has a long history, integrating carving, painting, poetry, and epigraphy, possessing high artistic and practical value, and is a treasured item among China's Four Treasures of the Study.
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Qianshan Liansi Paper is an ancient traditional handmade paper, made from tender bamboo through seventy-two processes. Its paper is pure white and lustrous, fine and soft, resistant to insects and heat, and allows ink to spread without bleeding, earning it the reputation of "paper lasting a thousand years." It was once an important paper for ancient books, contracts, calligraphy, and paintings.
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Wuyuan has been a renowned tea region since ancient times, with its green tea processing techniques passed down for millennia. The tea leaves are meticulously processed through multiple steps including de-enzyming (sha qing), rolling, and drying. The finished product features tightly rolled leaves, a vibrant green color, lasting fragrance, and a mellow taste, guaranteeing the quality of famous teas like "Wuyuan Xianzhi."
Transportation you must know when visiting Shangrao
Shangrao Sanqingshan Airport has opened routes to major domestic cities such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Kunming.
The airport is approximately 8 kilometers from the city center. Transportation is convenient, and you can take the airport bus line or taxi to and from the city.
Shangrao Station is an important railway hub, where the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway and the Hefei-Fuzhou High-Speed Railway intersect.
High-speed rail from Shangrao provides direct access to most major cities across the country. It takes about 1.5 hours to Nanchang, about 1.5 hours to Hangzhou, and about 1.5 hours to Fuzhou. class="text-red-500">1 hour.
Shangrao's bus system covers the main urban area and surrounding counties and towns, with over 60 operating routes.
Bus fares within the city are generally 2 yuan, and WeChat, Alipay scan code payment, and bus cards are supported.
The starting fare for a taxi in Shangrao is 8 yuan (including 2.5 kilometers).
After 2.5 kilometers, the renewal price is approximately 2.4 yuan/kilometer. Online ride-hailing services such as Didi Chuxing are also very popular in the city.
What to eat in Shangrao, you need to know
Yiyang Rice Cake
A national geographical indication product, famous for its characteristics of being 'as white as frost, as soft as jade, tough but not hard, and not getting mushy even after long cooking.' It is a must-have food for locals during festivals.
Dengzhan Guo (Lamp Shade Dumpling)
A characteristic traditional snack on the streets of Shangrao, named for its resemblance to an ancient oil lamp. Its production process is complex, using rice as the main ingredient and made through several traditional steps such as stone grinding the rice into a slurry, stir-frying the dough base, hand-shaping, filling, and steaming.
Yanshan Scalded Rice Noodles
The most representative breakfast in Qianshan County. The noodles are white and smooth, with a chewy texture, and are served with the vendor's secret sauce and rich toppings, making the taste fresh and memorable.
Fried Dough Stick with Glutinous Rice Cake
A highly creative and characteristic snack that perfectly combines two classic traditional foods. The crispy texture of the outer fried dough stick contrasts sharply with the soft, sweet, and sticky inner glutinous rice cake, creating a unique mouthfeel.
Qingming Guo (Qingming Dumpling)
A seasonal snack popular in the northeastern part of Jiangxi Province, typically made and eaten around the Qingming Festival. The skin has the unique fragrance of mugwort, and the texture is soft and chewy, a flavor unique to spring.