Wuyuan Cultural and Ecotourism Area

Wuyuan Cultural and Ecotourism Area

The Wuyuan Cultural and Ecotourism Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

China’s most beautiful countryside—Wuyuan—is a green ecological and ancient cultural gem embedded in the international golden tourism route of Huangshan–Jingdezhen–Lushan. It borders Quzhou of Zhejiang to the east, connects to Shangrao to the south, adjoins Jingdezhen to the west, and faces Huangshan to the north. Historically a place of thriving literary culture, today it serves as a key transportation hub linking the provinces of Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi. The county covers an area of 2,947 square kilometers, with a total population of 330,000. The region features more mountains than flat land, often described as “eight parts mountain, half part field, and a half part waterways and estates.” It has a mid-subtropical humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 16.7°C and annual precipitation of 1,821 mm. Wuyuan was historically part of the southern Wu and the northern Chu regions and was officially established in the 28th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (740 AD). With its profound cultural heritage, Wuyuan has long been honored as the “Confucius’ Hometown of the South” and the “Land of Literati.” From the Song Dynasty onward, its literary influence grew even stronger, producing 2,665 officials and over 3,100 works, including 172 included in the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries. The land nurtures its people, and generations of literary spirit have given rise to legendary figures. Literary master Zhu Bian, philosopher, educator, and master of Neo-Confucianism Zhu Xi, Ming Dynasty seal carver He Zhen, Qing Dynasty classicist scholar Jiang Yong, scientist Qi Yanhuai, Father of China’s Railways Zhan Tianyou, modern medical expert Cheng Menxue—all of them stepped onto the national and global stage from here. In addition, Wuyuan boasts rich folk arts. The elegant Huizhou opera is one of the origins of Peking Opera; the rustic Nuo dance is hailed as a “living fossil of classical dance”; the Jialu elevated opera art enjoys the reputation of being an “unparalleled wonder of China”; and the uniquely charming tea ceremony performances are mesmerizing. The Wuyuan Museum houses an exceptionally large and high-quality collection, rare in China, and is known as the “No. 1 County-Level Museum in China.”

Wuyuan’s ecotourism resources are abundant. The county has 3.76 million mu of forested land, with a forest coverage rate of 82%, making it one of China’s sixteen advanced counties in ecological agriculture. The landscape is picturesque everywhere, resembling a vast park. Some call it “China’s most beautiful countryside,” while others dub it “the last Shangri-La.” Wenyuan Mountain, Mandarin Duck Lake, and Lingyan Cave National Forest Park are known as “ecological wonders.” Many well-preserved ancient villages such as Jiangwan, Likeng, Wangkou, Sixi, and Likeng, together with green mountains, clear waters, white walls, black tiles, upturned eaves, and ridges, form serene, harmonious paintings that reflect the unity of man and nature. In Wuyuan, spring offers a riot of colorful blooms, summer invites exploration of cool, mysterious caves, autumn presents sweeping red foliage, and winter allows visits to mandarin duck-inhabited lakes. Wuyuan’s produce is famous both in China and abroad. The “Four Colors” (red, green, white, and black) are local specialty products with long histories and unique cultural significance, just like the “Four Antiquities” (ancient villages, ancient caves, ancient architecture, and ancient culture). Red stands for the “gem of the waters”—the purse-red carp, known for its tender, delicious meat and valued for its culinary, medicinal, and ornamental qualities, even selected for state banquets. Green represents Wuyuan green tea, renowned for its “emerald-green broth, high fragrance, rich juice, and mellow taste.” Black is the “king of inkstones,” the Longwei inkstone, famous for its “copper-like sound, iron-like color, firm and smooth texture, and excellent ink absorption.” White is the Jiangwan snow pear, large, thick-fleshed, crisp, sweet, and considered top-tier among fruits. Additionally, there are folk crafts such as Jialu artisan umbrellas, bamboo weaving, embroidery, wood carving, and root carving, as well as specialty mountain foods like Qinghua Wuyuan liquor, Fuchun wine-soaked fish, mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots, and dried ferns—all excellent gifts for family and friends.

Transportation in Wuyuan is also quite convenient. Scheduled buses run directly to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Wenzhou, Ningbo, Jinhua, Changshu, Nanchang, Jiujiang, and Huangshan. There is one tourist bus fleet, and from the county’s large parking lot to various scenic spots, a bus runs every 20–30 minutes, making travel very convenient. In terms of communication, mobile phone service reaches every township, and all scenic areas have telephone access. Wuyuan currently has one three-star hotel, two quasi-three-star hotels, five two-star hotels, eighteen designated tourist hotels, as well as many affordable small hotels and guesthouses. The county now has over 5,000 beds, with an additional 980 beds available at various scenic spots. There are four designated shopping venues in Wuyuan, all rich in local character, offering a wide variety and complete range of goods for visitors to choose from. There are also eight leisure and entertainment venues with Wuyuan flair, ten travel agencies as tourism service providers, and the Wuyuan Cultural and Ecotourism Area was rated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction in 2002. In 2003, it passed ISO9000 quality system certification and ISO14001 environmental system certification. Wuyuan’s tourism industry is rapidly maturing, growing in scale, and the tourism market is becoming increasingly prosperous and vibrant.

Wuyuan Jiangwan Scenic Area

Dazhang Mountain Wolong Valley

Likeng

Huangling Village

Wangkou

Changxi Village

Taoxi Village

Qinghua Rainbow Bridge

Wuyuan Museum

Dazhang Mountain

Yantian Ancient Camphor Folk Garden

Jiangling Terraces

Likeng

Wuyuan Wulong Mountain

Wuyuan Moon Bay

Qinghua Town

Guankeng Village

Qingyuan Village