Shangrao: The Night - Time Wonderland Recommended by National Geographic

2025-7-6

Hey, fellow travelers! If you're looking for a summer escape with stunning nighttime attractions, let me introduce you to Shangrao. This hidden gem in Jiangxi Province offers some of the most mesmerizing nighttime experiences you'll ever encounter. Unlike Jingdezhen, Shangrao is less crowded and full of surprises. Here's a four-day, three-night itinerary to help you explore the best of Shangrao's nighttime beauty!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival: Take the high-speed train to Wuyuan Station.
Evening: Head to Wunüzhou for a nighttime tour. Stay overnight at Wunüzhou.

Day 2

Travel: Take the high-speed train to Shangrao Station.
Evening: Explore Wangxian Valley at night. Stay overnight in Wangxian Valley or the city center.

Day 3

Travel: Take a taxi or bus to Gexian Village.
Evening: Enjoy the nighttime tour of Gexian Village. Stay overnight at Gexian Village.

Day 4

Departure: Head to the high-speed train station and return home.

Must-Visit Night - Time Attractions

1. Wunüzhou

Wunüzhou's nighttime tour is a dreamlike experience filled with Eastern aesthetics and romance. The entire scenic area is illuminated with beautiful lights, creating a magical atmosphere. The golden eaves seem to float on the water, and the reflections create a dazzling spectacle. You can take a boat tour to enjoy the interplay of light and water. The area also features numerous intangible cultural heritage performances, such as the breathtaking iron-flower-beating show, where 1600-degree-Celsius iron water creates stunning sparks in the sky. The fire-pot performance is also unique, with fire-knives, fire-sticks, and fire-pots dancing in the dark. Additionally, there are weekly fireworks shows on Fridays and Saturdays and dragon-lantern parades that start from Huishi Street, creating a lively atmosphere.

2. Wangxian Valley

Wangxian Valley's nighttime tour feels like stepping into a real-life fairyland. As you enter, the warm yellow lanterns along the steps, rivers, and pavilions create an ancient and charming atmosphere. The cliff-side rammed-earth buildings are illuminated by thousands of lights, making the glass rooms, libraries, and other suspended structures look like "jade palaces." The lights outline the eaves and corners of the buildings, and the stream reflects the sparkling lights, merging with the stars in the sky. There are also bonfire parties and Nu dance performances, and the market at the foot of the mountain is bustling with life.

3. Gexian Village

Gexian Village's nighttime tour offers a taste of the Han-and-Tang-Dynasty-era splendor, allowing you to immerse yourself in traditional culture. As you enter the central water system scenic area in the evening, you can enjoy light shows, water-screen movies, intangible cultural heritage performances, and various song-and-dance acts. The area is surrounded by seas of flowers, and you can enjoy the lively street atmosphere in the cool, fairy-like valley. The light show performance at Zhongmiao Pavilion is spectacular and tells various folk stories. At night, the Star-Picking Tower lights up, showcasing Chinese aesthetics, and the Thousand-Light Festival features winding lights that create a beautiful scene.

Tips for Your Trip

Accommodation: Since many performances end late at night, it's highly recommended to stay within the scenic areas for convenience.
Transportation: The scenic areas are a bit spread out. During the day, you can rent a car to visit some cooler spots.

Shangrao is a perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty of traditional Chinese culture and architecture at night. With its stunning light shows, unique performances, and charming atmosphere, it's a place that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Pack your bags and get ready for a magical nighttime adventure!