Nanchang Travel Guide

Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located 60 km south of the Yangtze River and sits on the banks of the Gan River with Poyang Lake in the northeast and Jiuling Mountain in the west. Nanchang is a stated historical and cultural city, also a revolutionary hero city which contains profound cultural deposits and historical relics.
 

History
 

For many centuries, Nanchang was a storage and distribution center for the famous porcelain from nearby Jingdezhen. It did not make a name for itself until August 1, 1927, when the famous revolutionary Zhou Enlai led an uprising against Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalist army at Nanchang before retreating to the nearby Mt. Jinggangshan to form one of the first active wings of the Chinese Red Army. Today, the anniversary of the uprising is celebrated each year in China as the day the People's Liberation Army was founded.
 

Attractions
 

Nanchang is known for the Tengwang Pavilion, a towering pavilion dating to 653 and Bayi Square is the second largest public square in China Nanchang. Many men of letters left their handwritings here which tremendously enhance its classical charm. Dragon and Tiger Mountain (Longhu Mountain) is a famous Taoism mountain which has been noted as the 'Residence of Celestials' and 'Blest Earthly Abode'. Poyang Lake is rich in aquatic plants, which create a hospitable environment for many rare species of freshwater fish.

There are also many other beautiful attractions, such as Star of Nanchang, Lushan National Park, Dragon and Tiger Mountain and Poyang Lake.
 

Transportation

By air: Nanchang Changbei International Airport provides daily flights to Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Fuzhou, Sanya, Beijing, Kunming, Guiyang, Qingdao, Chongqing, etc.

By train: Nanchang Railway Station has trains for Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chongqing, Shenyang and other cities daily. You can easily find long-distance buses traveling from Nanchang to cities, towns and counties within Jiangxi Province as well as Nanjing, Shenzhen, Hefei and other cites outside Jiangxi Province.

By ferry: Nanchang Port is the most important water transportation transfer point. From this Port you can travel by ships to visit Poyang Lake, Stone Bell Hill, Poyang Lake Bird Protection Area, Dagu Hill and other attractions.

Weather
 

Normally speaking, Nanchang enjoys a warm climate and abounds in rainfall. But in summer, the weather is hot and humid due to its basin location. The city is listed among one of the four hottest cities in China, together with Nanjing, Chongqing and Wuhan, the so-called "Four Furnaces".

Food and Restaurant

The traditional Nanchang Cuisine (Gan Cuisine) plays a very important role in Chinese food culture. When traveling there, you should have a taste of Gan Cuisine. You can also enjoy other nice cuisines, like Sichuan Cuisine, Guangdong Cuisine, Hunan Cuisine, etc. It is a must for you to taste the nice local snacks, such as the Rice Noodles and Shitou Jie Mahua.

Nanchang snacks are a must for all visitors. The best places to go to taste the genuinespecialties such as Nanchang Rice Noodles and Shitou Jie Mahua are Ruzi Lu and Fuzhou Lu.

There are also the fast food restaurant chains: KFC, McDonald's, etc. that will bring great convenience to your trip.

Jiachang Fan- Gan Cuisine
Address: No.659, Hongcheng Lu

Cafe Roma –a taste of Europe
Address: No.129 Fuhe North Road
Phone: 0791-86691101

JD's Bar
Address: No. 28Nan Hu Road
Phone: 0791-86760173

Accommodation

As a capital city, Nanchang offers numerous accommodation options from star rated hotels to small inns.

Galactic Peace International Hotel
Address: No.10 South Plaza Road,Xihu District

The 1st Square Hotel
Address: The Crossing of Honggu Middle Avenue and Chunhui Road, Honggutan New District.
 

Shopping

There are large and modern shopping departments, featured business streets and famous supermarkets can definitely meet your demands.

The main business streets in Nanchang can be found as Zhongshan Lu, Shengli Lu, Minde Lu, Xiangshan Lu and Bayi Dadao. Some of the streets still keep their original flavor to present visitors with their glistening history. What's more a street devoted specifically to the needs of women, known as Women Street here in Nanchang, needs a particular mention. This street mainly deals in various fashionable dresses, shoes and other items which certainly draw the attention of women. If you are a female visitor or if ever you travel with your female counterparts do remember to visit this street. It won't disappoint you.
 

Nightlife

Nanchang is a city that allows various cultures to mix together. You will find traditional performances and entertainment centers mixed with modern nightclubs, saloons, and pubs. There's always something for everyone in Nanchang's nightlife scene. Each night, Nanchang is dressed by the varicolored neon lights. The city is charming and enchanting. Lights from the dance halls, night clubs, amusement centers and bars spread over the streets and lanes. Dinner shows and other entertainment at medium-to-high grade hotels are rich and colorful. A pretty walk along the lake and down the Minde Lu seems to come alive at night for there are little shops and restaurants, well worth a second look.

May Flower
Address: Intersection of Minde Lu and Supu Lu

Magritte
Address: No.300, Ruzi Lu, Xihu District
 

Tips for travel

1. Masses in Nanchang catholic church/cathedral are on sunday mornings, at 7 and 8, and the next one is in the afternoon at 3:30.

2. Do remember take sunglasses and sun cream.

3. Be sure to be well-prepared for the sunstroke prevention.