Winter Trip to Jiujiang: A Romantic Winter Love Song

Preface: Winter Trip to Jiujiang, Encountering the Most Beautiful Jiangxi

Jiujiang is a celebrated city in Jiangnan with over 2,200 years of history. It brings together renowned mountains, rivers, lakes, and a historic city. It is a place where waters converge—one river, one lake, one mountain—endowing it with an exquisite grace unmatched by any other city. Here, mountains, rivers, lakes, and the city complement one another perfectly, with profound cultural heritage and exceptionally rich tourism resources. In such a beautiful city, a winter getaway is a must. Let's go to Jiujiang together and experience its winter charm.

Part One: Admire Lushan, Soak in Hot Springs, and Watch Migratory Birds

Admire Lushan, soak in hot springs, and watch migratory birds—three reasons you must visit Jiujiang in winter.

1. Snow Scenery on Mount Lushan

Every snowfall on Lushan is a visual feast that dazzles the entire winter. We were incredibly lucky to catch the first snow of the year. The valley in winter snow, draped in thick white layers, with Lulin Lake and Ruqin Lake looking otherworldly, was so beautiful it felt unreal.

In early winter, Lushan's valleys are often filled with unpredictable clouds and mist. The day before we arrived, the mountain was blanketed in thick fog. We hadn't held much hope for snow, but the next day amazed everyone.

The verdant pines and cypresses, the budding wintersweet blossoms, and the jagged rocks piercing the clouds, covered in thick snow, looked like blooming snow lotuses, adorning the valley with striking beauty.

This scene was simply perfect for hanfu. As I walked through the snow holding a lantern, I couldn't help but hum softly: "I'm slowly listening to the sound of falling snow, closing my eyes and dreaming it will never stop..."

After the snow, besides Guling Street and Meilu Villa, I especially recommend Lulin Lake or Ruqin Lake as the best photo spots. Hanfu pairs wonderfully with pavilions. Unfortunately, the thick fog hadn't fully cleared, and visibility was so-so, but we still captured a kind of misty beauty.

Ladies who love hanfu like me, make sure you don't miss the snow on Lushan. I suggest wearing red or simple, cool-toned, elegant hanfu. Just keep it simple, and you're bound to get a lovely surprise. Lastly, roads are slippery in snow, so I advise not driving. Take the cable car up the mountain—safety first!

2. Soaking in Tang Taizong Hot Springs

Soaking in a hot spring in winter is the ultimate pleasure. Tang Taizong Hot Spring Resort is located at the southern foot of Lushan in Xingzi County's Wenquan Town, right in the heart of the hundred-mile green tourism corridor around Lushan. Surrounded by green hills and babbling streams, the scenery is beautiful.

Tang Taizong is a mountain hot spring with ancient charm and Tang Dynasty elegance. The entire resort is much larger than it appears in photos, covering about 130 mu. Whether in architecture or details, it exudes Tang Dynasty style.

The extremely popular "brew tea around the stove" activity is available here too. Have you ever tried brewing tea around the stove while soaking in a hot spring? Stealing a half day of leisure, enjoying tea and a hot spring with friends, and roasting persimmons—truly cozy!

Tang Taizong Hot Springs are also known as "Beauty Soup." The hot spring pools are built along the mountain, with water temperatures around 72°C year-round. This is a beautifying complex sodium bicarbonate spring, rich in various minerals and trace elements beneficial to the body. It not only beautifies the skin but also promotes circulation and health.

Here, you can freely choose from a variety of hot springs with different styles, allowing true relaxation for body and mind. Surrounded by small trees and lush greenery, the open view lets you admire nature's masterpieces. Lying in the pool feels like lying in nature's embrace.

3. Bird Watching at Migratory Bird Town

Poyang Lake is an internationally important wetland, a major wintering ground for white cranes and white storks globally, and Asia's largest migratory bird wintering site. Every winter, vast flocks of migratory birds gather here. "When they fly, they obscure the clouds and moon; when they land, the lake's grasses disappear."

I've visited Wucheng Migratory Bird Town at Poyang Lake twice before, both times in summer. But the best bird-watching season is winter. This time, I finally saw flocks of birds as I'd hoped.

It's said that every winter, hundreds of thousands of rare migratory birds come here to the world's most important ecological habitat to feed and spend the winter. This is thanks to Poyang Lake's highly suitable ecological environment and climate, influenced by warm, humid southeast monsoons, creating a humid monsoon climate of "lush green marshes, plum blossoms yellowing in misty rain"—very conducive to the birds' survival.

Migratory Bird Town has three bird-watching spots: Dahu Pond, Changhu Pond, and Zhushi Pond. Dahu Pond offers a wide view; you can walk on the wooden boardwalk and use binoculars to watch birds. The nest structures are quite distinctive, making it an unmissable spot.

If you're a photography enthusiast, bring a telephoto lens. I recommend Zhushi Pond observation point. Here, you can walk right to the lake's edge and observe birds at the closest range. With a telephoto lens, you can capture birds taking flight—truly poetic.

Part Two: Don't Miss the Unique Flavors of Wuning and De'an

Jiujiang's cuisine will soothe your taste buds with wonderful flavors...

1. Wuning Cuisine

When in Jiujiang, how can you skip the authentic local food? At Wuning Yumi Xiangqing Restaurant, the chef prepared Wuning Mixed Soup, Clay Pot Stick Fish, and Preserved Pork with Tofu. Delicious food really can heal everything.

Wuning Mixed Soup is prepared with great care. It requires many ingredients, and the order in which they're added to the pot is strictly prescribed. As a genuine Wuning dish, it's a must-serve when entertaining guests...

The most unique and authentic pot dish in Wuning is undoubtedly Stick Fish. It's made using wild fresh fish processed through special techniques into stick-shaped fish. The flesh is delicate, the broth rich, and it leaves a lingering aftertaste.

Preserved Pork with Tofu is made by slicing local preserved pork and stewing it with tofu. The thoroughly cooked preserved pork turns semi-transparent, fatty but not greasy, richly flavorful, and utterly irresistible.

A good meal is a comfort to the stomach, an indescribable delicacy that lets your taste buds enjoy wonderful flavors. A good meal is like a beautiful landscape, capable of resisting all the sadness and confusion in the world.

2. De'an Cuisine

When mentioning Jiangxi cuisine, everyone immediately thinks of spicy food. But Jiangxi cuisine isn't only about spiciness! If you visit De'an, you must try these two dishes: the first is Passion Fruit Sour Fish Soup, and the second is Hanging Roast Sunflower Chicken.

Passion Fruit Sour Fish Soup uses locally grown passion fruit from De'an and perch. The fruit is freshly picked, the fish is fresh, and the preparation is quite meticulous, requiring various spices and lemon.

The resulting fish soup is perfect with rice, with a tangy fruity aroma. And with zero calories, you can eat it without guilt. It tastes a lot like Thai food. One spoonful and the aftertaste lingers.

Hanging Roast Sunflower Chicken is made from chickens raised on sunflower seeds and leaves, giving them crispy skin, yellow bones, crunchy bones, and little fat. Why is the roasted chicken so fragrant and crispy, unforgettable after just one bite? That's because of the secret spice blend!

At Boyang River Scenic Area, the chef first coats the chicken all over with a secret spice mix, then bastes it with rich broth in a pot, and lets it air-dry well. Every step is essential, and the marinating and drying times are crucial to the chicken's texture.

Finally, it's placed in an oven and roasted slowly over fire. You mustn't rush; wait until the fragrance gradually wafts out. An experienced chef strictly controls the heat until it's done, then carves it up and serves it. The Sunflower Chicken is truly delicious—fragrant, crispy, rich but not greasy. Be sure to eat it while it's hot.

Part Three: Stroll through Markets, Savor the New Year Flavor, Celebrate the Holiday

Stroll through markets, savor the New Year flavor, and come to Jiujiang for a lively and prosperous New Year!

1. Liansheng Market

The Year of the Rabbit has arrived. At Jiujiang's Liansheng Market, New Year's goods are plentiful. People happily stroll through the big market, buying New Year's supplies, celebrating the New Year in a lively way. After dinner, we also visited Liansheng Market to soak up the rich festive atmosphere.

The supermarket was incredibly lively, with a near-frantic buying spree in recent days. All kinds of gift packs for New Year visits and children's favorite foods were splendidly displayed.

The supermarket was lined with hanging red lanterns, radiating joy! Broadcasts played the clamor of gongs and drums with rousing music. A vast array of New Year goods piled up like mountains, as people shuttled among them, carefully selecting favorite items for their families.

All kinds of Year of the Rabbit dolls, hand-written spring couplets, and "fu" characters filled the shop windows. Writing spring couplets, welcoming the festive season, and sending New Year wishes—people carried bags large and small, bringing home their good wishes.

2. Jiangzhou Courtyard

Jiujiang was called Jiangzhou during the Tang and Song dynasties. Stepping into Jiangzhou Courtyard by Bali Lake feels like entering a wealthy household from 700 years ago. The ground floor has a rockery pond with fish. It happened to be snowing, adding a touch of lively elegance to the courtyard.

Timely snow promises a bountiful year. Here, too, there's a strong New Year atmosphere. Red hanfu and red lanterns fit the occasion perfectly. At Jiangzhou Courtyard, you can also enjoy characteristic Jiujiang dishes and even pre-order a whole fish banquet, symbolizing abundance year after year.

The Spring Festival is here, and the New Year flavor grows stronger. Red lanterns are hung high, joyfully welcoming the New Year! Amidst the earthly hustle and bustle, as the festive atmosphere intensifies, may you have happiness year after year and everything go smoothly.