Wangxian Valley

Wangxian Valley is an ancient-style and charming town located in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, surrounded by mountains and waters. It boasts beautiful natural landscapes and rich folk culture. The most distinctive feature of this place is the cluster of folk houses on a 110-meter-high cliff. Standing on the cliff, you can overlook the entire valley. The scenic area features spectacular canyons, cascading waterfalls, and rock walls. Walking on the suspended glass walkway allows you to experience the grandeur of the landscape up close. Besides, there are buildings and streets full of traditional Chinese characteristics, where you can experience traditional handicrafts in person and taste authentic Jiangxi snacks. The entertainment options here are diverse, including various folk art performances; in summer, you can also experience thrilling canyon drifting. When the night falls and the lights are on, the entire valley turns golden, resembling a mysterious fairyland.
 There is an interesting story about the origin of the name “Wangxian Valley”. According to legend, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD) in ancient China, a hermit named Hu Zhao once cultivated himself in this valley to seek enlightenment. His son, wishing to observe his father’s well-being, built a Pavilion at the foot of the mountain. The son would ascend the pavilion every 1st and 15th of the month and on festive occasions to look afar into the valley where his father resided, expressing his longing. Later, Hu Zhao passed away peacefully, and his fellow villagers believed he had attained enlightenment and immortality, hence they constructed a statue in his honor for worship. As time passed by, the place came to be known as “Wangxian Valley” (Valley of Looking afar at the Immortal).
 The natural beauty of Wangxian Valley is reflected in fields where mountains and water blend together. Blue Cloud Bridge and Immortal’s Tipsy Bridge are classic spots for capturing the scenery of the journey –standing on the bridge allows you to admire the harmonious scene of the surrounding green mountains and the flowing stream in a single frame. 

Walking along the waterfall boardwalk, you can get a close-up view of the waterfall clusters. Especially in summer, the water cascades down from a height layer by layer, splashing water droplets everywhere, making you feel exceptionally cool and refreshing. 

The most challenging part in Wangxian Valley is undoubtedly the White Crane Cliff climbing trip. The glass walkway here hangs high above the ground, and walking on it you can clearly see the canyon and terraces below, which is thrilling and exciting. People with a fear of heights are advised to try it with caution. Standing on the Crane Tower at the top of the mountain, the view is particularly expansive, and the entire scenery of the valley can be seen at a glance.

Such scenery, paired with a traditional Chinese costume, will make your trip even more enjoyable and help you take travel photos that exude the ancient charm of traditional Chinese landscapes. About one kilometer outside the scenic area entrance, there are several Han costume rental shops where you can choose the style that suits your preference.
 The Wangxian Valley at night is the highlight and you are really recommended to stay here overnight for more immersive experience. As dusk falls, golden lights cover the entire valley, creating a magical atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale world. The suspended buildings on the White Crane Cliff are outlined by the lights, complementing the night sky. Standing on the Moon-Gazing Bridge or the Sailboats Bridge at the foot of the cliff, you can gaze up at this magnificent scene resembling a celestial palace.

At 8 p.m., the bonfire party will be held at the Bonfire Square, where people gather around the flames to interact, forming a lively and vibrant atmosphere. Strolling through the illuminated valley, the interplay of lights, flowing water, and ancient architecture blends seamlessly, allowing you to effortlessly capture stunning night scenes and immerse yourself in this unique fairy-tale-like ambiance.
 If you are interested in traditional handicrafts and Chinese folk culture, Wangxian Valley will not disappoint you. In the workshop area, you can participate in making brown sugar, try plant -dyeing so as to experience traditional Chinese fabric crafts. In Cicada Lane, you can learn woodcarving and lantern-making from master artisans. You can also take the handmade artworks as souvenirs home—how meaningful that is!

The folk atmosphere of Yanpu Street is even more vibrant, featuring performances such as Gan Opera parades, traditional iron flower performance that delivers a more stunning visual effect than fireworks, as well as the Nuo opera, face-changing, storytelling, and Folk Ballad Singing. Additionally, the Han wedding performance at Yang Mansion Square is a must-see: actors in gorgeous traditional Han costumes fully recreate the ancient Chinese wedding ceremony. 

Note: Visitors can obtain the schedule for the performances at the entrance of Wangxian Valley. Remember to plan your itinerary wisely if you want to have a look.
 Wangxian Valley not only boasts breathtaking scenery, but also offers an abundance of delicious food. While strolling along the Yanpu street and Flavor Street, you can see diversified snacks are exhibited for you to try, coupled with the vendors’ passionate shouts for customers’ patronage. If you want to have a proper meal, it is recommended that you go to Humble Valley Street where there are more types of dishes and you can taste authentic Jiangxi cuisine. However, Jiangxi cuisine tends to be spicy overall, so tourists who can’t handle spicy food are better to inform the restaurant owner in advance.
 Wangxian Valley has a vast total area of 6.1 square kilometers. The scenic area is arranged in a circular pattern, and there is only one main entrance located on the south side. It is recommended that after entering the valley, you walk in a counterclockwise direction to form a closed-loop tour route. This not only avoids retracing your steps but also connects the core attractions.

For most visitors, a tight one-day tour will do. You can enter the valley early in the morning when it’s not very crowded yet, and start the day by enjoying a leisurely canyon hike from the Blue Cloud Bridge, the waterfall landscape, to White Crane Cliff. After descending the cliff, head straight to the Hu Clan Ancestral Hall and Yang Mansion to catch the Han wedding performance. In the afternoon, it’s suitable for you to stroll around the workshop area or the Yanpu Commercial Street. After the lights gradually turn on at 17:30-18:30, you’re advised to visit the Moon-Gazing Bridge to admire the golden view of the suspended buildings on the White Crane Cliff. Finally, return to the entrance along Cicada Lane and Sailboats Bridge to complete the loop.

For visitors who want to stay overnight in the valley, it’s advisable to book a guest room on the White Crane Cliff. This way, you can enjoy the splendid night view here without hurry and explore this fairyland in depth, like experiencing the handcrafts, joining the bonfire party, and watching folk performances. Also, it’s more convenient for you to continue your itinerary the next day. 

Tips: 
1. There are no cable cars or ropeways in the scenic area, which means that the entire journey requires climbing and descending stairs as well as walking. Therefore, make sure to wear comfortable and slip-resistant shoes. 

2. The temperature in the valley varies greatly between day and night, so remember to bring appropriate clothing according to the season.
 Wangxian Valley has unique features throughout the year. No matter when you visit, there are different kinds of pleasures waiting for you. The spring in March to May and autumn in September to November have pleasant temperatures, making them the best times to experience the harmonious integration of natural scenery and cultural landscapes; The summer in June to August is a perfect time for cooling off in the valley with a vibrant scene in the canyon, abundant activities and thrilling drifting. If you want to enjoy the snow scenery of the valley, then winter in December to February is also a good choice.

However, be aware of the Labor Day holiday from May 1st to May 5th, the National Day holiday from October 1st to October 7th, and the Chinese Spring Festival approximately in late January to mid-February, as the number of tourists will increase significantly during these periods, and accommodation prices will be much higher than usual. It may also lead to the situation where all the accommodation rooms are sold out inside the scenic area.
 Staying overnight inside Wangxian Valley is definitely worthwhile, which is beneficial for you to extend your schedule for more immersive visits. For instance, you can start your day earlier and go back to accommodation later, which also allows you to avoid the crowds to a large extent, especially during holidays.

For better panoramic views of the valley, you’re recommended to reserve the folk house on the cliffside, from which you can enjoy a more tranquil and extraordinary landscape. As a bonus, the entrance ticket is also included in the accommodation reservation, and free re-entry of the valley is permitted.
 Folk houses and hotels outside the scenic area are more cost-effective. Nevertheless, you need to spend extra time to enter the scenic area since they are approximately 2-3kilometers (1.2-1.9 miles) away. This maybe a bit inconvenient for traveling with children or the elderly. Besides, if you stay overnight outside the valley and want to continue your itinerary the next day, you have to purchase the entrance ticket once again.
 Wangxian Valley is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Shangrao city center, Jiangxi Province, China. To get here, you might need to transfer for several times.
 There is only one airport called Sanqingshan Airport in Shangrao city and no international flights available. Thus, if you’re not in China, you need to take an international flight to one of the major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi’an first, and then transfer to Shangrao by domestic flight. Direct flights to Shangrao from domestic cities include Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi’an.

There are also many bullet trains available to Shangrao, including the lines between Shangrao and Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Nanchang, etc.
 a. Transfer from Shangrao Sanqingshan Airport to Wangxian Valley
After landing at Shangrao Sanqingshan Airport, you can take the airport bus K001 which costs CNY 5 to Shangrao Railway Station, and then take the scenic spot shuttle bus at the Bus Station opposite the railway station for about one hour to Wangxiang Valley Scenic Area. If you want to avoid transferring, you can directly take a taxi near the airport, which takes about one hour and costs about CNY 200.

b. Transfer from Shangrao Railway Station to Wangxian Valley
You can either choose to take the scenic spot shuttle bus at the Railway Station or take a taxi for about 40 minutes at the cost of around CNY 80 to 100 to Wangxian Valley Scenic Area.

Note：The scenic spot shuttle buses depart at 7:40 and 8:30 in the morning, then every half an hour thereafter. The last departure is between 20:00 and 21:00. The one-way fare is CNY 30 per person.

Tip: There may be unlicensed taxi drivers actively soliciting passengers near the airport, railway station, and outside the scenic area. If you encounter this situation, it is recommended not to take the ride. Instead, you can hail a taxi at the station or use ride-hailing services via Alipay.
 

Type	Price	Ticket Selling Hours
Entrance Ticket	CNY 140	08:30-20:30
	CNY 70 for children with a height of 1.2-1.5 meters (3.9-4.9 feet) (1.2 meters excluded)
	CNY 110 for seniors aged 65-75
	Free admission for children aged 6 and under or 1.2 meters in height and under
Notes: 1. Entrance ticket is mandatory and you need to book it through the official WeChat mini program. However, the booking interface is only partially translated in English and only WeChat Pay is supported. If you find it troublesome to purchase tickets by yourself, you can choose travel agents like TCG for worry-free reservation. 2. Additional ticket is required to experience the Glass Walkway on the White Crane Cliff at CNY 50/ per person. 3. Only seasonal services are provided for drifting activity, approximately from May to the end of September, and from 12:00-15:30 daily. The specific timing of the activity is also subject to the weather and water conditions on the day. Separate ticket for drifting: CNY 180 per person; Entrance Ticket + Drifting: CNY 238 per person

 09:30 – 23:00 all year round