Tucked into the northern countryside of Jiangxi Province, Wuyuan is home to some of China’s most spectacular hill country. This regional must-see rewards visitors with views of historic bridges, mountain rivers, and traditional villages with cobblestone alleys.
Wuyuan is actually the gateway to this region, and most tourists are routed here before heading out to any number of villages in the countryside. Each of these villages boasts their own combination of scenic overlooks, rustic bridges, ancient temples and historic cores. Many villages in the Wuyuan area have a selection of charming inns.
Outside of the villages, Wuyuan’s countryside is heavily forested, concealing rivers, waterfalls and caves. China’s forestry department estimates more than 80 per cent forest cover in Wuyuan, due largely to a deeply-ingrained, local conservation ethic. In all there are at least 50 villages scattered throughout, so a hiking tour of Wuyuan is a great way to discover the region’s hidden charm.
Getting There & Away
Wuyuan is a local transport hub with connections to cities and towns throughout Jiangxi Province. The fastest avenue in and out of the country is through Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, which can be reached in eight hours by bus. If the timetables are friendly, it may be faster to take a bus to provincial capital Nanchang first and then fly to Shanghai (1 hour).
Things to Do
Wuyuan Attractions
- Wuyuan Museum
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Located in an old section of rapidly modernizing wuyuan city, this museum houses interesting exhibits related to the region’s history, culture and traditions.
Side trips from Wuyuan
- Small Likeng
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Is a stoic village built on the confluence of several mountain streams and home to farms, teahouses and buddhist temples.
- Quinghua
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This city’s name translates as ‘rainbow bridge’, a reference to the defining landmark at the center of town.
- Sixi Yancun
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The maze-like alleyways of this town are delightful for leisurely walks.