Located in Wangxian Town of Shangrao City, Wangxian Valley is a newly developed and popular tourist attraction that integrates natural landscapes of mountains, streams, and waterfalls as well as folk customs. With the forest coverage rate reaching 81%, this scenic area is famous for its cliff-side hanging houses, peculiar rock formations, and a spectrum of delicious food. Wearing traditional Han Chinese costumes and wandering the ancient street, you’ll have a feeling of traveling back to the old times.
If you are interested in this fairyland and planning a trip there, we can customize your Wangxian Valley tour from Shanghai, Nanchang, Jingdezhen, Wuyuan, Beijing, and other cities in China, ensuring an extraordinary travel experience.
Wangxian Valley Facts
- Location: Wangxian Town, Guangxin District, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province
- Opening time: 8:00 – 22:00
- Area: 6.1 km²
- Type: Vacation restort
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
- Time needed: 1-2 days
- Ticket: CNY 120 per person(excluding CNY 50 for Glass Bridge and CNY 130 for rafting); CNY 140 per person during the Chinese New Year, May Day, and National Day
- Suited to: Anyone keen on traditional Chinese culture and architecture, hikers, photographers
Why Is It called Wangxian Valley?
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the famous calligrapher Hu Zhao refused Cao Cao’s solicitation and traveled south with his wife and children. After arriving at Wangxian Valley, Hu Zhao lived alone in the mountains. Hu Zhao’s son built a platform at the bottom of the mountain to observe his father.On the first and fifteenth days of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, as well as on New Year’s festivals, he would go up to the platform to pay homage, and on weekdays he would look at Bugu Peak from a distance on the platform.
After Hu Zhao died without any illness, people in the village said that he had attained immortality and built a shrine and statue to honor him. After his death, Hu Zhao was repeatedly honored by the emperor as the founder of Taoism in Lingshan, which gave the place the name “Wangxian”.
Why Visit Wangxian Valley
- Stunning natural scenery: Features deep gorges, steep cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls and streams.
- Dazzling night views and light shows: As night falls, the illuminated cliffside accommodations and ancient buildings transform the scenic area into an otherworldly landscape.
- Rich traditional architecture: The scenic area houses a large number of rammed earth houses, stone-paved roads, and Jiangxi-style dwellings, restoring the original appearance of local ancient villages.
- Immersive experiences: Visitors can experience many intangible cultural heritage projects, such as pottery making, iron flower performances, etc., and watch diverse cultural performances.
- Thrilling outdoor projects: Challenge yourself with the gorge farting, glass walkways, and cliffside paths.
- Cliffside accommodations: The cliffside lodgings allows you to enjoy views of the gorges, and sea of clouds through the windows.
Top Attractions in Wangxian Valley
1. Sankouguo (Three Kettle Holes)
This natural wonder of Wangxian Valley is formed by water and wind erosion throughout time. Under the influence of the waterfall, the rushing waters carrying stones have continuously scoured the rock, creating the remarkable sight of the three kettle holes, known as “Sankouguo.” The green ponds are said to be so deep enough that “three taels of the fishing line can’t reach the bottom of it,” according to local legend.
2. Wangxian Waterfall
Wangxian Valley has rich water resources for its abundant rainfall all year round, ensuring a continuous flow of streams and waterfalls. As the highest waterfall in the scenic area, Wangxian Waterfall drops 120 meters and it resembles a jade belt hanging on the cliff. Along with the flowing streams and forests surrounding it, the magnificent Wangxian Waterfall attracts numerous tourists to stop for it.
3. Yang Mansion
Built to commemorate Yang Shiqiao (1531-1609), the Minister of Personnel from Shangrao during the Ming Dynasty, this mansion in Wangxian Valley is a residence of the Ming and Qing styles. With its brick walls and green-tiled roof, this mansion features intricately painted rafters and exquisite courtyard craftsmanship. Besides, it applies numerous brick, wood, and stone carvings depicting lively figures, flowers, birds, insects, and fishes, showing a high level of architectural artistry.
4. Glass Bridge
The Glass Bridge of Wangxian Valley is built along the cliffs with a vertical height of about 100 meters. Walking on the Glass Bridge is like walking in the air, as you can see the rushing streams under your feet. Besides, you can overlook the whole valley, view the green surroundings, and gaze into the rolling mountains in the distance.
Top Things to Do in Wangxian Valley
1. Trekking to Explore Natural Wonders
Wangxian Valley offers an unparalleled trekking experience not only for its beautiful canyon but also for its waterfalls, caves, and rugged landscapes. The mountain and valley are covered with dense forests, and you can hear streams flowing through and birds chanting from time to time.
2. Marvel at the Ancient Architecture
Wangxian Valley boasts many well-preserved ancient villages like the Yanpu Ancient Village where you can see ancient residences of the Ming and Qing architectural styles. Wandering along the ancient village to marvel at the unique architecture, you’ll feel it’s like time travel, through which you can experience the appearances of rural areas as well as the history and culture there.
3. Go on an Exhilarating Rafting at Wangxian Valley
It is also a popular activity to go rafting at Wangxian Valley on your Jiangxi tours. The full length of the rafting route is about 3km, during which you’ll pass through various bends, pools, and waterfalls. Embark on an inflatable raft and flow downstream from the rafting dock, hear the sounds of babbling water, breathe the fresh air, and look at the dense trees afar, you’ll feel relaxed.
4. Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts
One of the best things to do during your Wangxian Valley tour is to experience the charm of Intangible Cultural Heritage crafts. There are many workshops at Mingchan Lane like Ouyang Art Studio, the Bamboo Weaver’s Shop, the Wood Arts Workshop, and the Lantern Shop. Draw pictures or make handicrafts there, and take them home as souvenirs, which is meaningful.
5. Try Local Delicious Food
Wangxian Valley in Shangrao is not only a fairy island for tourists but also a paradise for foodies. There are hundreds of snacks awaiting you to try, including deep-fried dough sticks with glutinous rice cakes, taro dumplings, Shangrao rice noodles, and many other delicacies. Also, don’t hesitate to hang around Zuixian Street, which is packed with various bars for beers, red wines, barbecues, and more.
6. Immerse in the Stunning Night View of Wangxian Valley
When the lights are on in the scenic area, Wangxian Valley Town tends to be more charming with the flagstone road, ancient bridges, and running streams forming a wash painting. Besides, Baihe Cliff is known as the best place for viewing the whole valley with a wide horizon, and Lanyue Bridge also allows you to view the stunning scenery of the site. Don’t forget to take breathtaking pictures of the valley.
7. Discover the Flora and Fauna
The forest coverage rate of Wangxian Valley has reached 81%, and the content of air ions, plant spirits and microorganisms in the air is better than the standard of “natural oxygen bar”. Wangxian Township, where Wangxian Valley is located, has 204 species of trees and plants, 12 species of bamboo and 221 species of Chinese herbs. There are also more than 20 species of birds, more than 20 species of mammals, 9 species of amphibians, and 30 species of snakes and insects. Among them are eagle turtle, pangolin, monkey eagle, monkey, frog fish, leopard, stone chicken, bison, cobra, agkistrodon, badger civet and other national protection animals.
8. Watch Folk Performances and Opera Shows
Every day from 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM, visitors can witness a series folk performances, intangible heritage activities, UNESCO-recognized performances, and opera shows held at different stages.
Based on your preference, you can enjoy the beautiful singing of the century-old Yiyang opera at the ancient theater, join the villagers in a lively bonfire party, or unveil the magical story of the Medicine God Hu Lingguang in the Lingguang Pharmacy.
Best Time to Visit Wangxian Valley
Wangxian Valley has a subtropical monsoon humid climate, with four distinct seasons, a warm climate, and an abundance of rainfall. The average annual temperature is 17.9℃, with 270-300 days of frost-free weather and 1950 mm of precipitation.
Shangrao Wangxian Valley Town is open in all seasons, but the best time to visit there is during Spring and Autumn when the climate is mild and the scenery is at its most beautiful, which is pleasant for traveling there. You may like Best Time to Visit Jiangxi & Jiangxi Weather
Recommended Route to Explore Wangxian Valley
Wangxian Valley Tourist Center – Camping Area – Waterfall Clusters – Yanpu Square – Baihe Cliff Viewing Platform – Lanyue Bridge – Baiwei Street – Hu’s Ancestral Hall – Yang Mansion Square – Baige Bridge – Mingchan Lane – Workshop Street – Chaohelou Building – Glass Bridge – Leimu Bridge – Opera Stage Square – Exit
Wangxian Valley Hotels
Wangxian Valley Town offers many options for accommodation that allow you to see stunning views, and the homestays within the scenic area are also a highlight.
Cliffside Homestay: Baihe Cliff houses 38 varying guest rooms along the cliff face and top. The suspended room with a glass bridge offers a visual impact from over 100 meters high. Staying in a Wangxian Valley house there allows you to meet your desire of living in clouds accompanied by stars and moon.
Resort Hotels: Seated at the hillside in Wangxian Valley, the resort hotels boast rammed earth walls and black tiles with luxurious interior decorations. Each room is different. Staying there, you can open the window to see flowing streams, stone bridges, and busy streets, or close the window to immerse in your own world.
Tips for Visiting Wangxian Valley
- The peak time for entering the scenic area will be after lunch, and you can arrive before lunch to avoid heavy traffic and crowds. If you prefer trekking the Wangxian Valley, get there before 10:00 AM.
- There are many activities after 3:00 PM in the scenic area, including Pingshu at Yanpu Square, opera shows at the Opera Stage Square, and a bonfire party at Yang Mansion Square. You can watch the performances and dive into the cultural atmosphere there in Wangxian Valley.
- Han people’s wedding performance will be held at Hu’s Ancestral Hall from 15:30 to 16:00, featuring a wedding ceremony of Han Chinese traditional style, never miss it on your China tours.
How to Get to Wangxian Valley
By driving: Driving is an optimal way for you to get to Wangxian Valley. Just turn on the navigator and it will guide you to the scenic area.
By train: If you find yourself in major cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an, you can take a high-speed train to Shangrao Railway Station, and then take the direct bus to Wangxian Valley, which costs CNY 30.
Attentions nearby Wangxian Valley
- Sanqing Mountain Scenic Area: Located 78km from Wangxian Valley, this is a sacred site of Taoism and is famed as “the world’s most magnificent fairyland.” Aside from its Taoism culture, it boasts stunning landscapes of peculiar peaks and stones as well as a sea of clouds.
- Wuyuan Huangling Village: It is famous for its “Dry Crops inAutumn” tradition where villagers dry crops such as chili peppers and corn on bamboo racks outside their homes, presenting excellent views of mixed colors.
- Gexian Mountain Scenic Area: Situated 100km from Wangxian Valley, Gexian Mountain greets tourists with ancient palaces and natural beauty. Besides, it’s a heaven for hiking.
