6 Days Trendiest East China Tour: Wangxian Valley Jingdezhen Wuyuan Huangshan

Welcome to Shangrao, the gateway to Wangxian Valley (望仙谷). Upon your arrival at Shangrao Railway Station, a local guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to Wangxian Valley (about 50 km, 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, your guide will help you check in and take a short break.

Arrival Ideas:

Shangrao is easily accessible by high-speed train from several major cities across China. You can reach Shangrao from Shanghai (2.5 - 3 hours, chosen by 80% of tourists ), Hangzhou (2 hours ), Nanchang (1 hour ), Jingdezhen (1 hour ), Beijing (8 hours ), Xi'an (8.5 hours ), etc.

By day, Wangxian Valley (望仙谷) feels like stepping into timeless ancient town. Time truly slows down here, revealing the charming Gan-style (Jiangxi) ambiance. Above cascading waterfalls, an ancient town clings to the mountainside. Its earthen walls with yellow plaster, dark grey tiles, and rammed earth houses meticulously preserved, showcasing the original architectural style of Northeast Jiangxi.

Stroll through the intricate network of narrow alleys, discovering unique shops along the way. Admire lanterns, bamboo weaving, and intricate carvings - each handcrafted item a testament to the artisan's dedication and wisdom. The air in the alleys is filled with the tempting aromas of hot noodles (烫粉) and tofu pudding (豆腐脑), inviting you to savor these delicious local flavors.

For the adventurous, take a walk along the glass walkways built directly into the sheer cliffs. Stretching nearly 100 meters above the ground, with rushing rapids and cliffs below, these paths offer a thrilling test of courage while revealing breathtaking views of the canyon’s rugged beauty and undulating mountains.

Wangxian Valley boasts abundant rainfall, ensuring a constant flow of water. Everywhere you look, you'll find trickling streams, serene springs, and magnificent waterfalls like Wangxian Waterfall and Three-Tiered Waterfalls. These dramatic cascades, springing from sheer cliffs, combine with gushing springs and winding streams to form a series of unique and stunning landscapes.

It’s hard to believe that such an ethereal wonderland was crafted from an ABANDONED QUARRY. This transformation is undeniably a bold, ambitious, and brilliantly creative endeavor.

As dusk settles and the lights begin to glow, the contours of the cliffside buildings In Wangxian Valley become clearly outlined in warm, soft light. The entire mountain cliff transforms, seemingly a "Heavenly Palace on Cloud Nine" descended from a myth.

It's truly a sight that brings to mind the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's lines:

"危楼高百尺，手可摘星辰。不敢高声语，恐惊天上人。"

"High towers reach a hundred feet, one can almost pluck the stars. Dare not speak aloud, for fear of startling the immortals in the heavens."

Strolling through Wangxian Valley, you'll feel as if you've stepped into a vibrant "Wuxia" (martial arts hero) world, with an ancient and mysterious Eastern realm unfolding before your eyes. Winding paths, flanked by perilous cliffs and cascading waterfalls, lead you past quaint tea houses and pavilions that seemingly teeter on the mountainside. You might even stumble upon an acrobatic "Jianghu 江湖" street performance or learn a "sword dance" from an NPC, as if you've walked right into a scene from a Jin Yong novel.

Stay overnight in Wangxian Valley.

Today, drive to Jingdezhen (about 3 hours), the world’s “Porcelain Capital” with over 1,000 years of ceramic heritage.

First, visit the Ancient Kiln & Folk Customs Museum（古窑民俗博览区), a 5A-rated cultural park that brings traditional porcelain craftsmanship to life. This open-air complex lets you watch how porcelain was actually made in ancient Jingdezhen. Wander among reconstructed kilns from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, explore old workshops, and observe artisans demonstrating key techniques such as throwing, trimming, carving, painting, glazing, and firing.

DIY Experience: Roll up your sleeves for a DIY Ceramic Class. Under the guidance of a teacher, try your hand at the potter's wheel to create your own piece.

Then, explore the vibrant Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue (陶溪川文创街区), a creative district transformed from old porcelain factories into a lively space of galleries, artisan studios, design shops and cafés. It’s the perfect place to discover modern Jingdezhen ceramics, meet young artists, and find unique souvenirs.

Stay overnight in Jingdezhen.

This morning, begin your immersion at the China Ceramics Museum (中国陶瓷博物馆), Jingdezhen’s most authoritative and comprehensive museum. The exhibits systematically trace the entire history of Chinese ceramics, spanning from the Neolithic Age right up to modern design. The museum houses an exceptional collection, including Tang sancai, Song qingbai, Yuan blue-and-white, and exquisite Ming–Qing imperial porcelain. A single visit offers a clear understanding of why Jingdezhen is known as the world-famous Porcelain Capital. Note: The museum is closed on Mondays.

Don’t miss internet-famous "Speechless Buddha" (Contemplating Arhat). His hilariously expressive face - looking like he is "speechless at the world" - has made him a social media sensation. Be sure to also say hello to his neighbors: the "Happy Arhat" (who looks like he is making a peace sign) and the "Long-Eyebrow Arhat" ( who looks wise yet amusing).

After your museum visit, drive about 2 hours to Wuyuan County to explore Huangling Village.

Huangling (篁岭) Village is often called "village hanging on the cliff”, “Terraced Cloud Homes”. Nestled within the Shi'er Mountain at an elevation of 500 meters, this ancient Huizhou-style village truly clings to the cliff face like a "Potala Palace." It's embraced by ancient trees and surrounded by vast terraced fields, creating a breathtaking panorama.

Imagine stepping into a painting: white walls and dark roofs dot the hillsides, and wisps of smoke curl from ancient alleys, all nestled in rolling mountains. It's a scene so picturesque, it's no wonder National Geographic called it one of China's most beautiful villages.

Ever heard of "Shaiqi 晒秋"? This is Huangling's most unique and vibrant tradition. Because the village has virtually no flat ground, for centuries, villagers have ingeniously dried their harvests in bamboo sieves under eaves and on platforms. Think vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges from chilies, corn, and grains, all laid out on bamboo sieves against black roofs and yellow walls. It's an explosion of color and culture!

Huangling Village is encircled by layers of stunning terraced fields. In spring, these fields become a magnificent sight as the golden rapeseed flower sea beautifully contrasts with the emerald green rice paddies, forming an exquisite pastoral landscape. And here's the best part: as the seasons change, the colors and beauty transform, offering a new spectacle with every visit.

After your visit, continue to Huangshan City (about 1.5 hours) for overnight stay.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. Today you are going to visit two iconic sites in the Huangshan region: Hongcun Village and the Yellow Mountain (Mount Huangshan).

Discover Hongcun Village (宏村) - One of the Ancient Huizhou-style Villages

There are many ancient villages in China, while the ancient villages in southern Anhui have their own unique tradition. The ancient villages in southern Anhui are predominantly designed in the Huizhou architectural style, a school of design that showcases intricate wood carvings, walls of pristine white, and roofs of contrasting black tiles. The “Horsehead” walls, named for their shape, are another characteristic feature. These architectural elements come together to create scenes that seem plucked right from a traditional Chinese ink painting- serene, timeless, and profoundly beautiful.  Huizhou villages often have a rich history tied to the Huizhou merchants, one of the three major commercial groups in ancient China. Upon amassing wealth, they often returned to their hometowns to build luxurious mansions, ancestral halls, and archways, contributing to their family-residing villages.

Today, you will visit one of the most representative Huizhou villages - Hongcun. It is renowned for its well-preserved ancient architecture and layout from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Often described as a "village in a Chinese painting", Hongcun has become a magnet for photographers and artists, eager to capture its idyllic scenery and architectural grace.

Established in the Song Dynasty, Hongcun Village is over 900 years old. The lay of the Hongcun was remodeled according to geomantic (feng shui) ideas. It is common to see Hui-style villages often situated near mountains and water sources, aligning with the people Huizhou’s belief that harmony with the natural environment promotes the well-being and prosperity of the villagers. In the embrace of southern Anhui's rolling hills, Hongcun unfolds like a living ox-shaped tapestry. Leigang Hill forms its majestic “head,” crowned by two ancient trees as “horns.” The Moon Pond forms its “heart”, and South Lake is the “belly.” Four timeworn bridges stand as the ox's “feet”, straddling the tranquil Jiyin stream, while a meandering canal - the village's “intestines” - adds a flowing cadence to daily life. All these elements converge at the serene South Lake, a natural mirror that not only reflects the village's ethereal beauty but also anchors its feng shui harmony.

Step inside and you are led through labyrinthine cobblestone streets, meandering like poetic verses. These lanes, narrow yet inviting, seem to whisper the stories of generations past as they guide you through the village's “body,” a collection of white-walled, black-tiled Hui-style buildings. Here, 103 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and 34 buildings from the Republican era are preserved. The villagers uphold time-honored traditions and customs, living a pastoral life that feels as if suspended in another era. The most beautiful sites are the expansive South Lake and the crescent-shaped Moon Pond. These tranquil bodies of water act as natural mirrors, capturing the timeless beauty of ancient bridges and classic Huizhou architecture as if they were scenes on a painted scroll. It is especially beautiful during the season when lotus flowers are in full bloom.

The ancient inhabitants of this village have left a rich legacy of material and spiritual wealth. On the north bank of Southern Lake, you will find South Lake Academy, a private ancient school that served the village, and was a good architectural representative of the family academies of Huizhou. Scattered throughout the village are several mansions, courtyards, and ancestral halls, such as Chengzhi Hall, Wang Ancestral Hall, Jingxiu Hall, Jingde Hall, and Lexu Hall. Among these, the Wang Ancestral Hall stands as the largest and most well-preserved family shrine in the village. A portrait of the Wang family's grand matriarch hangs on the left wall inside the hall - Hu Zhong who designed and led the construction of Hongcun's water management system, shaping the village into what it is today. Chengzhi Hall, founded by a salt merchant, is the largest private residence in Hongcun and is often referred to as the "Folk Forbidden City." The mansion is renowned for its intricate Huizhou "Three Carvings," which include brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings. Among these, the wood carvings are particularly exceptional. Some are even gilded, exuding magnificence and opulence that testify to the wealth and prestige of its original owners.

Hiking Mount Huangshan/Yellow Mountain (黄山) - One of China's Five Sacred Mountains

Route: Yungu Cable Way - Begin-to-believe Peak - Dispelling Cloud Pavilion - Bright Summit - Flying-over Rock

Walking Distance: about 6km/5 hrs

After lunch, drive to the foot of Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Five Sacred Mountains. Yellow Mountain is famous for its stunning natural scenery, which includes ancient pine trees, oddly-shaped granite peaks, winter snow, hot springs, and a sea of clouds that often envelops the mountain range, also known as the "Five Natural Wonders". Huangshan has been a subject of inspiration in Chinese art, literature, and traditional landscape paintings for centuries. More than 400 years ago, during the Ming Dynasty, Xu Xiake, a renowned geographer and traveler, visited Huangshan Mountain twice and uttered the famous phrase, "After visiting the Five Sacred Mountains, one does not need to see any other mountains; after visiting Huangshan, one does not need to see the Five Sacred Mountains". This illustrates the status and importance of Huangshan Mountain among the famous mountains in China.

To maximize your time and energy and experience the mountain's most mesmerizing sceneries on the top, a sightseeing bus will transfer you directly from the foot of the mountain to Yungu Temple. From here, you'll board the cableway to White Goose Ridge Station (8 mins). As you ascend, give you breathtaking aerial views of the forests below—a canvas of endless green, with granite peaks and twisted pines veiled in mist. Upon arrival, you'll notice the air is cooler and crisper. Now begins your trek to the poetic Begin-to-Believe Peak. Huangshan is famous for its ancient and oddly shaped pine trees. En route, you'll admire several like Black Tiger Pine, and Harp Pine, each with its unique shape and character. When you reach Begin-to-Believe Peak, you'll understand how it got its name. The stunning vistas, which include a mixture of cliffs, valleys, and uniquely shaped rocks, will make you begin to believe in the mystical aura that Huangshan is famous for. After soaking in the views at Begin-to-Believe Peak, you will trek for about 40 minutes to your mountaintop hotel for a break.

After the break, you have a couple of choices for watching the sunset: Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion or the higher-altitude Bright Summit. From Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion, it takes about 30 minutes to get back to the hotel. The Cloud-dispersing Pavilion is called so because the cloud will disperse upon reaching here. It is a good place to admire the absurd stones, cloud sea, strange peaks, and deep valleys. If time and energy allow, consider extending an hour-long trek to the Sky Sea Scenic Area to see Flying-over Rock. This massive rock, estimated to weigh around 360 tons and standing approximately 12 meters high, appears to balance precariously on a narrow base atop another boulder. Enjoy the sunset from the second highest peak - Bright Summit (1840m). After the sunset, it's a 40-minute trek back to your hotel.

Good to know:

1. Travel light! There is a lot of walking involved on the mountain, so it's recommended to carry only essential items and pack light. Alternatively, you can store your luggage at the mountain's base.
2. For environmental protection, some hotels on the mountain do not provide disposable toiletries, so it's advisable to bring your own.
3. Staying on the mountain allows you more time to appreciate additional scenic views of Huangshan, especially sunrise and sea of clouds. However, due to the high transportation costs on the mountain, hotel facilities may be limited.The star-rated hotels might not be up to the standard of those in big cities like Shanghai. Due to the moist weather on the mountains, the rooms could be a little humid. Despite the lack of choice, we will select a relatively comfortable hotel for you.

Route: Sunrise - West Sea Grand Canyon - Lion Peak - Begin-to-Believe Peak - Yungu Cable Way

Walking Distance: about 5km/4 hrs

Today begins in the dark, pre-dawn hours (usually around 5 am to 6 am), as you'll want to catch the awe-inspiring sunrise that Mount Huangshan is celebrated for. Make sure you're dressed warmly and adequately - mountain temperatures can be surprisingly chilly in the morning. As the sky gradually lightens, you'll witness one of nature's most glorious spectacles: the sun rising over the fabled peaks and valleys of Mount Huangshan. With hues of orange, pink, and gold illuminating the sky, it's a moment so sublime that it has been the muse of countless poets and painters for centuries. After the sunrise, get back to your hotel for breakfast. (Tip: The sunrise is influenced by the weather, but Huangshan in different weather conditions can unveil different forms of beauty. Even if the sky is overcast or foggy, it can create a mystical and ethereal atmosphere.)

After breakfast, it’s time for the grandeur of the West Sea Grand Canyon. Walking into the Xihai Grand Canyon is like stepping into a Chinese ink painting, with numerous peculiar rocks and towering stones standing before your eyes. The scenery is magnificent, and the Huangshan pine growing on the rocks takes on myriad poses and postures. The hike can be tailored to your energy level and time constraints; a 2-hour round-trip will get you to the 1st ring, while a 2.5-hour expedition will take you to the 2nd ring. (Please note: The thrilling and rugged trails make this activity challenging and physically demanding. Also, the West Sea Grand Canyon is usually closed during winter)

Then proceed to Lion Peak (1690m) to see the Dawn Pavilion, Refreshing Terrace, Stone Monkey Watching the Sea, and various shapes of pines and rocks along the route. Lion Peak, as its name implies, really looks like a crouching lion. "Monkey Gazing at the Sea" is an evocative rock formation that resembles a monkey contemplating the ocean of clouds below. It's a visual treat that also offers the perfect photo opportunity. Afterward, walk to the White Goose Ridge Cable Station to take the Yungu cableway (8 mins) down the mountain.

Our driver will be waiting for you at the foot of the mountain and will transfer you back to Huangshan City.

After, take a relaxing stroll on the 900-year-old Tunxi Ancient Street (屯溪老街). Tunxi Old Street is paved with maroon flagstones, over 1,000 meters long, consisting of a main street, three cross streets and 18 alleys. The buildings along the street have a distinctive local style known as Huizhou style, featuring white walls and black tiles, elaborate carvings. As you wander, you'll discover that many shops have been family-owned for over a century, offering a curious array of wares from inkstones and brushes to local teas and Mao badges. Don't miss the chance to savor local gastronomic delights like Mao Tofu (毛豆腐), Shaobing (烧饼), and the pungent Smelly Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼).

Then, it's time to end your East China Tour. Your will be escorted to the Huangshan train station for your train to Shanghai or your next destination.

Departure Ideas: From Huangshan, you have excellent high-speed rail connections to several major cities: Shanghai (2.5~3.5hrs, chosen by 80% of tourists for international departure), Hangzhou (1.5~2hrs), Suzhou (2~3.5hrs), Beijing (5.5~7hrs), and Guangzhou (7hrs), etc.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!