Upper and Lower Xiaoke

Upper and Lower Xiaoke

Xiaoke is located at the confluence of the Duanxin River and the Xiaoke River, 45 kilometers northeast of Wuyuan County in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. It is the hometown of Jiang Renjing, the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai during the Qing Dynasty. Established in 787 AD, Xiaoke is a shining pearl of Wuyuan’s cultural and ecological tourism and has been designated as a National Agricultural Eco-Demonstration Village.

With its simple and elegant Ming and Qing dynasty residences, tranquil and winding streets, stone-paved paths, and a natural environment of lush greenery and fresh breezes, shaded by ancient trees that blot out the sky, Xiaoke is a uniquely charming ancient cultural eco-village where nature and humanity coexist in harmony. Surrounded by mountains and bisected by a river, most of Xiaoke’s village houses are Ming and Qing dynasty structures, each with its own distinctive style. Official residences such as the “Jinshi Mansion,” “Daifu Mansion,” and “Ronglu Mansion” are grand and imposing, featuring front and rear courtyards, spacious and deep halls, and three-tiered high steps at the entrance along with exquisitely carved brick gate patterns that flaunt the noble status of their owners. At the village entrance, there are also ancient roads with bluestone railings, old pavilions, as well as clan announcements of “successful imperial examinations (for Jinshi)” still faintly visible on beams and pillars, and the barely legible “Jiang Clan Ancestral Hall,” all of which easily conjure images of the village’s former prominence and prosperity.

Xiaoke’s Precious Ancient Tree Viewing Garden showcases a collection of over a thousand ancient camphor trees, as well as the rare large-leaf red nanmu and the national first-class tree species, the southern yew. These trees are not only powerful evidence of the ancestors’ reverence for greenery and commitment to environmental protection, but they also add a touch of spiritual charm to today’s Xiaoke.

“Ancient trees tower above low houses, slanting sunlight bathes distant and near hills, forest treetops curl like smoke belts, and water encircles the village beyond.” This classical poem vividly and strikingly depicts the beautiful mountain and water scenery of Xiaoke, giving one the feeling that “such exquisite beauty could hardly be captured in a painting.”

Upper and Lower Xiaoke can be considered two of the most scenic villages in Wuyuan. Upper Xiaoke features hillside and pastoral landscapes; heading uphill from Upper Xiaoke to Jiangling, you can enjoy mountain pastoral views. This area is among the most beautiful parts of Wuyuan. Lower Xiaoke, on the other hand, is characterized by water surrounding the village. Take a bus from Wangkou Town toward the Duanxin direction, turn onto an earthen road, pass through Maotan Village, and you’ll arrive at the old-tree-embraced Lower Xiaoke. Two streams converge here, creating a serene scene.

Lower Xiaoke is home to many inns and restaurants, making dining and accommodation very convenient. The village retains its authentically quaint charm, with narrow lanes crisscrossing in every direction—you could easily get lost. Hidden between these alleys are small craft shops, mostly selling antiques, inkstones, and wood carvings. At the village entrance, there are two century-old houses that are relatively large by village standards. You can eat and stay there, but advance booking is required, as business is brisk.

Walking from Lower Xiaoke to Upper Xiaoke, you’ll climb a small hill and come across a very tall and lush thousand-year-old camphor tree. Camphor trees abound here, and you’ll often see locals cutting camphor wood slices on-site—the rich fragrance is said to repel insects. From the hillside, you can take in the full view of Lower Xiaoke, making it a great spot for photography.

Wuyuan Jiangwan Scenic Area

Dabuzhang Mountain Wolong Valley

Likeng

Huangling Village

Wangkou

Wuyuan Cultural and Ecological Tourism Area

Changxi Village

Taoxi Village

Qinghua Rainbow Bridge

Wuyuan Museum

Dabuzhang Mountain

Yantian Ancient Camphor Folk Custom Garden

Jiangling Terraces

Lige

Wuyuan Wulong Mountain

Wuyuan Moon Bay

Qinghua Town

Guankeng Village