Xixia Reservoir Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Xixia Reservoir Water Conservancy Scenic Area

The Xixia Reservoir Water Conservancy Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

The Xixia Scenic Tourist Area is located in Xixia Town, on the northern outskirts of Nanchang City, just 20 kilometers from downtown Nanchang. It is traversed by the Beijing-Kowloon Railway, the Changjiu Expressway, and National Highway 105. Changbei Airport faces the scenic area across the way, and a cement road connected to National Highway 105 leads directly to the site. A special bus line from Nanchang City’s public transport company to the scenic area has been opened. A memorial archway inscribed with seven golden characters — “Xixia Scenic Tourist Area” — handwritten by Comrade Bai Dongcai welcomes visitors from all directions.

The picturesque Xixia Scenic Area covers a tourable area of 30 square kilometers and features over 40 scenic spots. The area boasts high gorges and flat lakes, as well as peculiar mountains and unusual rocks, making it one of the most scenic spots in southern China. At its center lies Xixia Reservoir, the largest artificial lake in the Nanchang area, spanning 480 hectares. Shao Shiping, Jiangxi Province’s first governor, once inscribed eight striking characters here: “Moving mountains to make seas, united in purpose.” The reservoir is surrounded by strange rocks and caves, with winding paths leading to secluded spots and caves within caves that seem bottomless. Major attractions include the West Sea Palace Rock Formation, known as the Dragon King’s Palace; the Buddhist site of Fochan Temple; the Huanglong Curtain Bamboo Forest Waterfall, where water cascades down dramatically; the legendary Hanging Stone of Iron-Crutch Li and the Stone Chair and Bed of Zhang Guolao; Taoyuan Mountain Villa, an ideal spot for vacationing, summer retreats, and leisure; and thrilling activities such as the Milky Way Rafting and water yacht rides. It is a perfect destination for tourism, sightseeing, leisure, and vacation.

I.

The Origin of the Name Xixia

Legend has it that in ancient times, Xixia was a barren, wild land. One day, dark clouds gathered, and fierce winds blew. Suddenly, a black fish demon emerged from the mountain stream of Meiling. The fish demon was dozens of meters long, with a mouth as big as a bucket and eyes like silver bells. It brought wind and rain as it surged eastward, shaking mountains and toppling trees along the way before disappearing into the Gan River. From then on, wherever the fish demon had passed, a large black fish-shaped waterway formed, creating crisscrossing ravines, abundant water sources, and lush vegetation. Later, Taoist Master Wu Yuan came to the area, harnessed the landscape, and managed the water systems. Since then, the region has enjoyed favorable weather and prosperous, peaceful lives for its people. To honor Master Wu Yuan’s contributions, the Black Fish Waterway was renamed Wu Yuan Waterway.

The waters of Wu Yuan Waterway flow gently, soft as a silk ribbon and clear as mountain spring water. One day, a group of fairies passed by while wandering the skies. Seeing the beautiful mountains, clear waters, unique peaks, peculiar rocks, lush forests, bamboo groves, and crystal-clear streams, they descended from the clouds to enjoy the scenery. When they reached Dujiawan in the Wu Yuan Waterway, their poetic mood took over, and they eagerly took off their clothes to play in the water. Their beauty caused countless splashes in the clear stream and showers of rosy light across the sky.

People noticed the babbling streams and shimmering rays of rosy light around the Wu Yuan Waterway and realized it was a feng shui treasure land. As a result, more and more people settled here, giving rise to the name Xixia.

Xixia Town: [Overview] Xixia Town in Xinjian County is located on the northern outskirts of Nanchang City, 20 kilometers from the city center. It lies at the heart of the Changjiu Industrial Corridor in Jiangxi Province and is one of the five pilot market towns along the corridor. In 1992, it was approved by the Nanchang Municipal People’s Government as the Xixia Tourism Agriculture Scenic Development Zone. The town covers a total land area of about 80 square kilometers, with 15 administrative villages and 113 natural villages, and a total population of 21,000. It is an emerging town with superior location, abundant resources, beautiful scenery, and a thriving, open economy.

Xixia enjoys a superior location. The Changjiu Expressway, National Highway 105, Beijing... More details about Xixia Town++