Jiangxi 江西 — Porcelain and Mountains
Jiangxi is known for two things above all: Jingdezhen (景德镇), China's porcelain capital for over 1,000 years; and Lushan (庐山), a UNESCO World Heritage mountain retreat. The province also features Wuyuan (婺源), one of China's most beautiful rural areas with ancient villages and spring rapeseed flowers.
Jingdezhen 景德镇 — Porcelain Capital
For over 1,000 years, Jingdezhen has been China's premier porcelain production center. The kilns here supplied the imperial court from the Song Dynasty onward. The city is still a working ceramics center.
Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum 景德镇陶瓷博物馆
Displays the history of Chinese porcelain from the Five Dynasties period to today. Highlights: Song dynasty qingbai ware, Ming dynasty blue-and-white, and Qing dynasty famille rose.
Free (reservation required). Open: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Mondays).
Porcelain Street 陶溪川
A creative district in converted factory buildings. Weekend night markets sell ceramics from young artists. Try your hand at pottery-making workshops.
Imperial Kiln Museum 御窑博物馆
Built on the site of the Ming-Qing imperial kilns. The architecture is stunning — vaulted brick structures designed by architect Zhu Pei.
Lushan 庐山
A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cloud-shrouded peaks, waterfalls, and as a summer retreat for China's political elite. The mountain has over 100 peaks, with the highest at 1,474 meters. The "Three Stacked Spring" (三叠泉) waterfall drops 155 meters in three stages. The mountain also features over 1,000 historic villas in various architectural styles.
Admission: 160 RMB (peak season). Shuttle bus: 90 RMB. Open: All day. Access: Train to Jiujiang, then bus up the mountain (1 hour).
Wuyuan 婺源 — China's Most Beautiful Countryside
Rural Jiangxi at its finest. Ancient Hui-style villages (white walls, grey tiles, horse-head roofs) set against fields of yellow rapeseed flowers in spring. The area has dozens of villages; most popular are Likeng (李坑), Huangling (篁岭), and Sixi Yancun (思溪延村).
Huangling: 145 RMB. Likeng: 60 RMB. Best time: March-April (rapeseed bloom). Access: High-speed train to Wuyuan Station, then bus.
Nanchang 南昌 — Provincial Capital
Nanchang is best known for the Tengwang Pavilion (滕王阁) — one of China's Four Great Towers, first built in 653 AD. The current structure is a 1989 reconstruction. Also visit the August 1st Uprising Memorial Hall (八一起义纪念馆) — the 1927 Communist uprising began here.
Tengwang Pavilion: 50 RMB. August 1st Memorial: Free.
Practical Information
Classic Route: Nanchang (1 day) → Jingdezhen (1 day) → Wuyuan (1-2 days) → Lushan (1-2 days) = 4-6 days.
Transportation: Nanchang Changbei Airport (KHN). High-speed rail connects all major cities.
Best Time: March-April for Wuyuan flowers. Summer for Lushan (cool retreat). Autumn for foliage.