Hengjiang Gongtang Village Grape Garden

Hengjiang Gongtang Village Grape Garden

I. General Information: Gongtang Village is situated in the northwest corner of Hengjiang Town, Ji’an County. It lies about 1 kilometer from the Ji Yong Highway and Ji Jing Railway, and roughly 3 kilometers from the Gan Yue Expressway exit. With convenient transportation and rich resources, the village currently has 96 households and 320 residents, with 490 mu of cultivated land and over 2,000 mu of mountainous terrain. A grape orchard spanning more than 1,000 mu has been established, primarily featuring the Hengjiang Jufeng grape variety.

The ancient village of Gongtang has thrived here since the Southern Song Dynasty for over 800 years, boasts a long and rich history. The village has traditionally valued literature and education, embodying the cultural characteristics of the Lu Ling region. Many scholars and military jinshi (successful imperial examination candidates) have originated from the village. Today, over 50 Ming and Qing dynasty buildings and ruins remain, showcasing grand scale, unique architectural styles, and well-preserved complexes. The village streets crisscross in an orderly fashion, densely lined with structures. Notably, buildings such as the Xiangguo Mansion, Panlong Mansion, ancestral halls, memorial archways, Guangfu Buddhist Temple, and grocery workshops hold significant historical, cultural, and artistic value.

Gongtang Ancient Village also has a proud revolutionary heritage. During the Agrarian Revolutionary War, Marshal Peng Dehuai led the Red Fifth Army to establish a base here. They mobilized peasants to overthrow local tyrants, redistribute land, and organize a Soviet government. Villagers once raised 100,000 silver dollars to support the Red Army and the revolutionary cause. The village also hosted a Red Army hospital, where slogans such as “Treat Wounded White Army Soldiers” can still be seen on the walls today.

II. Key Features: 1. Leveraging the brand strength of Ji’an County’s “Hengjiang Grapes,” a “Hengjiang Grapes” picking and sightseeing demonstration base has been established on the foundation of Gongtang Village’s 1,000-mu grape garden; 2. During the grape harvest season, the area offers sightseeing services including photography in the vineyards, grape picking, and other agritourism experiences, integrating tourism, grape harvesting, dining, and accommodation into a comprehensive rural cultural tourism project. It has become a key node in the “Hengjiang Grape Valley,” combining grape cultivation, sightseeing, leisure, and tourism into an ecological new countryside. 3. The village has been designated as a Jiangxi Province “One Village One Product” demonstration village, a Jiangxi Province “Ecotourism Demonstration Village,” a Jiangxi Province “Beautiful Village,” a Jiangxi Provincial Leisure Agriculture Demonstration Site, a Jiangxi 4A-level Rural Tourism Destination, and a National Leisure Agriculture and Rural Tourism Demonstration Site. It serves as an outstanding model and driving force within Ji’an County.

III. Services Offered: The site can accommodate up to 105,000 visitors annually, with 15 dining tables seating 150 people. There are 2 meeting rooms that can host up to 300 people. The village also features a vegetable garden covering over 50 mu. Additionally, there are more than 10 reservoirs and ponds equipped with pleasure boats and a fishing area with 100 spots.

IV. Travel Directions: By Bus: Take the Da Guang Expressway from Nanchang to the Ji’an County exit, then follow the Ji Yong Highway for three kilometers to reach the entrance of Gongtang Village.