Chongyi in Ganzhou: Gaze upon Myriad Mu of Terraced Fields, and See Peach Blossoms in Full Bloom in the Forest Park

I once came across a saying that Jiangxi seems to be one of the most obscure provinces in China. But precisely because of its obscurity, Jiangxi has preserved many beautiful landscapes and many flavors that are gradually disappearing with industrialization.

This time I came to Chongyi, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, to see the county established by Wang Yangming, to witness its forests and terraced fields, and to escape the city. Unexpectedly, this little-known county brought me quite a few surprises.

Day 1: Guangzhou ✈️ → Chongyi → Shangbao Terraced Fields

Day 2: Shangbao Terraced Fields → Wenchang Tower

Day 3: Yangming Mountain → Yangming Garden Hotel

Day 4: Yangming Museum → Guangzhou

1. Chongyi is a county under Ganzhou, so if you take high-speed rail or plane, you need to use Ganzhou as a transfer point. After arriving in Ganzhou, there are shuttle buses directly to the Chongyi Tourist Distribution Center. The entire route is on expressways and takes about 1.5 hours. 2. Alternatively, you can choose to drive or semi-self-drive. Renting a car at the airport or high-speed rail station is very convenient. If you drive all the way from Guangzhou to Chongyi County, it takes about 6 hours, and the Daguang Expressway is in very good condition. 3. There are direct shuttle buses from Chongyi to Shangbao, which take about one hour.

1. Remember to bring all your personal documents. If you plan to drive, don't forget your driver's license. 2. Now Jiangxi has also entered the transition between spring and summer, with warm and comfortable temperatures. A single layer is enough during the day, and a thin jacket is recommended for the evening. 3. Many places in the itinerary require walking, so wearing comfortable and easy-to-walk shoes is very important. 4. You can bring some mosquito repellent. 5. The taste in Jiangxi tends to be spicy; if you can't eat spicy food, remember to remind the chef.

For this trip, I chose a semi-self-driving approach. From Guangzhou to Ganzhou, taking the train takes about 7 hours. The morning train arrives at noon. After getting off, I picked up the car and headed straight to Chongyi County and then to Shangbao. The whole process went very smoothly, and I arrived at Chongyi County at 4:30 PM. There is an expressway from Ganzhou directly to Chongyi County. Upon leaving the expressway, you can see the Chongyi Tourist Distribution Center, where the journey truly begins. It takes about one hour to drive from Chongyi County to Shangbao. The road conditions are good, but there are many mountain roads, so remember to be careful. By the time I arrived in Shangbao, it was already late, so I quickly moved on to dinner.

In the evening, I stayed directly at a guesthouse in Shangbao. I had assumed that the guesthouse in the mountains of Shangbao would only be barely acceptable, but unexpectedly, the guesthouse was very exquisite.

The rooms were originally old local houses, but after renovation, the yellow-clay houses retained their original characteristics while the interiors were beautifully decorated.

I chose to stay at the Muzi Pai Guesthouse. It used to be just a loess house on the mountainside, but after renovation, the simple loess house had a unique charm.

Moreover, the interior of the guesthouse was very finely decorated. Whether it was the tea table or the large bathtub, it provided an excellent experience for the journey.

Dinner was eaten at the Muzi Pai Guesthouse.

Shangbao Terraced Fields have long been a place where Hakka people farm and live. As a result, a variety of natural ingredients are produced here. The local cuisine is very special, blending Hakka tastes with Jiangxi flavors, creating a rich layering of tastes.

On the second day, I woke up naturally. The air at Shangbao Terraced Fields was quite fresh, so sleeping here had an especially sweet quality. After waking up, I tasted the local specialty breakfast and had plenty of time to slowly admire the beauty of Shangbao Terraced Fields and appreciate the wisdom and charm of the ancient farming culture.

At the entrance of Shangbao Terraced Fields, there is a huge waterwheel. In Chinese farming culture, the waterwheel has always been an indispensable tool. With waterwheels, even fields on mountains or far from water sources could be irrigated.

The large waterwheel in front of the terraced fields has a rustic charm, forming a beautiful pastoral picture.

In Chinese farming culture, different seasons have different tasks. Hence the Twenty-Four Solar Terms.

At the Nongleng Folk Culture Park, you can see the farming culture of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. From spring plowing and rice transplanting to summer, and then to autumn harvest, each different season and its folk customs are displayed through realistic scenes or paintings.

If I had to pick the most special, it would be autumn. Not only can you see the scenery of rice harvest, but you can also see Hakka marriage customs. The festive bright red dragon and phoenix wedding gowns, and the once-indispensable three turns and three sounds, are full of folk traditions and flavors.

Here, you can also put on the bright red wedding gown and experience the joy of being a Hakka bride.

When I arrived, although the rapeseed flower season had slightly passed, the still-unfading rapeseed flowers dotted among the buildings were full of the flavor of spring.

Along the mountains of Shangbao, the terraced fields are layered one upon another.

In ancient times, because the mountains were many and the environment harsh, the wise ancient people invented terraced fields—carved along the cliffs, layer upon layer, making planting and irrigation easier.

Shangbao Terraced Fields cover a vast area. The ancestors of the Hakka people cultivated countless terraced fields here, plowing in spring and harvesting in autumn, multiplying and living ever since. The terraced fields are very spectacular. When I came here, it was spring, and many terraces had just been planted with green seedlings. The mountains were lush and green, full of the flavor and beauty of spring.

Walking up from the foot of the mountain, you can see terraced fields of different shapes in the mountains, forming different special sceneries.

At Shangbao Terraced Fields, there are viewing platforms at various excellent vantage points where you can overlook the scenery below.

If I had to name the most special, the Guifan Guesthouse would definitely be one.

Guifan Guesthouse has built a huge swimming pool here, which was really surprising in Shangbao Terraced Fields.

The pool is an irregular circle, and the tiles at the bottom of the pool are arranged into a famous painting by Van Gogh, which is very special. Here you can overlook the beauty of the terraced fields and feel the cool breeze by the pool, which is a leisurely time unique to Shangbao.

The Eight Trigrams hold a very special position in ancient Chinese culture. In a sense, the Eight Trigrams in Taoism encompass everything in the universe. The Bagua Field in Shangbao Terraced Fields is located at the highest point here.

Although it's the mountaintop, the terrain here is quite gentle. Looking at the terraced fields extending from the mountaintop as far as the eye can see, it is exceptionally magnificent.

At the mountaintop, there is also a viewing platform. From there, you can overlook the green and lush terraced fields and feel the wisdom and diligence of the ancient Hakka people—a miracle created by their hands in the mountains.

Going down from the Bagua Field, you can slowly walk and see various quiet pastoral scenes. The rice fields and wooden houses in the fields, the small ponds in the fields—all form special landscapes.

A Straw Art Festival has also been held here. The scarecrows were made into various interesting shapes, whether it's mice welcoming a bride or various cute cartoon figures. Made from interesting straw, they become even more fun.

1. Shangbao Terraced Fields cover a large area. If you don't want to walk, you can take an electric car up the mountain for convenience. 2. It takes about a day to tour Shangbao Terraced Fields. 3. There are very convenient restaurants and accommodations on the mountain.

On the second night, I returned directly to Chongyi to continue the itinerary. From Shangbao to Chongyi, it takes only an hour.

After dinner, it was still early, and I didn't want to go to bed yet. So I went to the Wenchang Tower at the foot of Yangming Mountain to see the night view of Chongyi.

When I arrived, the gate of Wenchang Tower was already closed, so I couldn't go to the top. However, the bright lights on the tower were still very moving.

At the foot of Wenchang Tower, you can see the night view of the entire Chongyi County. The quiet Chongyi County had a night view that pleasantly surprised me. Various buildings in Chongyi are covered in golden lights at night, bright and sparkling.

This also adds a bit of prosperity and liveliness to the night of Chongyi County.

On the second day in Chongyi, I decided to spend most of my time at the famous Yangming Mountain National Forest Park.

Yangming Mountain, originally called Yangshan, is a national 4A-level tourist scenic area. Yangming Mountain National Forest Park has also been recognized by the Guinness World Record as the scenic area with the highest concentration of negative oxygen ions. Here, every breath feels especially sweet.

Entering the gate of Yangming Mountain Scenic Area, the first thing you see is Yangming Lake.

Beneath the green mountains of Yangming, the water of Yangming Lake is crystal clear. This is a backup drinking water source for Chongyi, which shows how clear the lake water is.

The river flowing down from the mountain is very clear and gathers here, forming a piece of emerald green jade embedded in the green mountains, bright and moving. There is a lake pavilion in the center of the lake, elegant and classical. Crossing the small connecting bridge to the pavilion, you can look at the clouds and mist on the distant mountains and watch the ripples on the lake, which makes you feel very relaxed.

Walking along the lake, you can also see the Hundred Bamboo Grove.

Chongyi is one of China's bamboo towns. Various types of bamboo grow here, giving the county a delicate beauty and a unique elegance. In the Hundred Bamboo Grove, different species of bamboo are planted. The crisp green bamboos have different shapes, but they all share a sense of elegance and freshness.

By the lake, there are also interesting projects like the Shouting Spring and VR Experience Hall. Experiencing various fun activities amidst the beautiful mountains and waters is quite a nice thing.

Going forward from Yangming Lake, you reach Lanxi Valley.

Yangming Mountain is a typical temperate rainforest landform, and Lanxi Valley is the winding valley within the rainforest. Entering Lanxi Valley, the valley is quiet and secluded, giving a very tranquil feeling.

On both sides of Lanxi Valley are trees that have grown quietly for countless years. Some trees have grown wildly, forming strange shapes that are very interesting.

In the valley, there is a mountain stream flowing through. The stream is so clear that you can see the bottom. If you look closely, you can see various small fish swimming and growing in it, adding a sense of life to Lanxi Valley.

Where the stream flows over a drop, it splashes white water flowers, bringing a refreshing coolness, clear and moving.

The bridges connecting the banks of Lanxi Valley are all designed as stone arch bridges. The classical stone arch bridges are named after various terms from Wang Yangming's philosophy, which is very interesting.

At the top of Lanxi Valley are the Longtushui Waterfall and the Lanxi Waterfall. The mountain stream flowing down from the peak cascades down through this large drop, forming a spectacular waterfall landscape.

The two waterfalls are only a few hundred meters apart. The Longtushui Waterfall has a greater water flow, while the Lanxi Waterfall has a slower water flow but a more open view. The waterfalls in the mountains are like the Milky Way, and the misty water adds a beautiful charm.

Next to the Lanxi Waterfall, there is also an antique corridor. Sitting in the corridor, resting your tired legs, and breathing the sweet air is also a pleasure here.

When I first heard the name 'Writers' Village,' I thought it was a place where many writers lived. But when I arrived, I found it quite different from the old village with countless white-bearded writers that I had imagined.

Arriving at the edge of the Writers' Village, what I saw was an expanse of peach blossoms and various flowers and trees whose names I didn't know. In the predominantly green Yangming Mountain, the pink expanse gave a strange feeling of a paradise away from the world.

The Writers' Village has a strong pastoral flavor, but with the addition of peach blossoms and other plants, it also has a unique brightness and prosperity.

There is a small restaurant in the Writers' Village. The decoration is not luxurious, and there are no expensive dishes, but most of the dishes use natural ingredients produced on Yangming Mountain. Whether it's the slightly bitter wild vegetables or the tender and sweet bamboo shoots, these high-quality ingredients grown in the pollution-free mountains have a unique rustic flavor and sweetness. These mountain flavors have a special natural taste.

Continuing forward from the Writers' Village, you can reach the summit of Yangming Mountain.

From the parking lot at the summit to the highest point, there are still several dozen meters. This distance has a stairway of 838 steps. Only by climbing to the top can you reach the peak.

The stairs are a bit steep, and climbing requires some courage and physical strength. But when you reach the top, you'll find that climbing more than 800 steps is quite worthwhile. The view from the top is excellent, and you can overlook the entire Chongyi County.

Chongyi County is not large, and the summit offers a panoramic view. The well-arranged buildings of the county appear and disappear in the mist, giving a hazy feeling of being in a fairyland.

Walking on the summit, there are rugged rocks. It's the time when azaleas are in bud. If you come in April, you can also see the spectacular sight of azaleas blooming all over the mountain.

1. The ticket for Yangming Mountain is 20 yuan. You can drive up the mountain yourself. If you drive, the vehicle ticket is 10 yuan. 2. If you don't drive, you can take the scenic area's electric car, which charges by section, costing about 50 yuan for the full route. 3. Choosing to walk the entire route takes about 3-4 hours. 4. The scenic area is all mountain roads, so remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.

For the night in Chongyi, I chose to stay at the Yangming Garden Hotel.

Yangming Garden Hotel is located opposite the Yangming Museum, which is very convenient. The hotel is fully decorated and built to five-star standards, with a very comfortable environment.

The rooms here are spacious, including comfortable sofas and desks for simple work. In your free time, you can brew a pot of tea in the room, daydream, or take a comfortable nap—all great options.

The hotel also has a comfortable swimming pool. Next to the outdoor pool is a river that runs through the county. The river water is clear, and together with the clean pool, it has a special peaceful flavor.

For dinner, I tried the local cuisine at the hotel's Chinese restaurant.

Jiangxi cuisine has always been famous for its heavy spiciness, but in the Ganyuexuan Chinese restaurant at the Garden Hotel, perhaps because many of the chefs come from Guangzhou, the spiciness is accompanied by a lot of gentle flavors.

These gentle flavors go well with the various natural high-quality local ingredients, highlighting the original taste of the ingredients.

The high-quality ingredients, combined with the careful cooking of a chef who once worked at a five-star hotel in Guangzhou, give the fresh ingredients richer flavors. Whether it's the fresh bamboo shoots or the various fish from the clear waters of Yangming Lake, the freshness is emphasized.

For the last stop in Chongyi, I chose the Yangming Museum.

When it comes to the development of ancient Chinese philosophy, Wang Yangming is definitely a shining name. With a chivalrous temperament capable of commanding troops in battle, and the ability to govern the country and bring peace, he also founded the Yangming School. Wang Yangming, who always pursued the unity of knowledge and action, left his own deep mark in history, both academically and ideologically.

Chongyi was a county established by Wang Yangming back then. It bears the footprints of Wang Yangming and has a glorious history. The Yangming Museum is a place that records Wang Yangming's entire life. When I came here, I thought a county-level museum wouldn't have much worth mentioning, but unexpectedly, the Yangming Museum truly amazed me.

In front of the museum is a fairly wide square paved with stone slabs, which has also become a venue for many Chongyi residents. The museum's exterior uses an antique architectural design, with blue bricks and black tiles, very imposing.

Entering the museum, it records the trajectory of Wang Yangming's life. From his school days, to passing the imperial examinations and becoming an official, to leading troops to suppress rebellions, and finally becoming a great philosopher, the museum completely records Wang Yangming's legendary life.

The exhibits in the museum are also quite interesting. Many places use realistic scenes for display. The antique settings make Wang Yangming's life vividly appear before you. Whether it's his quiet student days or the clashing of weapons in battle, everything has a particularly moving flavor.

1. The museum is closed on Mondays. 2. The museum visiting hours are until 5 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM. 3. Visiting the museum requires registering your ID card, so remember to bring it.

During my few days in Chongyi, the green mountains and clear waters, the local customs and culture left me with countless beautiful memories. During my few days in Chongyi, the green mountains and clear waters, the local customs and culture left me with countless beautiful memories. Sometimes escaping the city is a very happy thing. Coming to Ganzhou, encountering its elegance and tranquility, is both an expectation and a reward of this trip.