Nanchang

Nanchang combines the character of an old city with a revolutionary history, and costs are relatively affordable, making it suitable for weekend and short trips.

• Pavilion of Prince Teng: One of the three famous towers south of the Yangtze, it offers views of the Gan River sunset and illuminated night scenery from the top at dusk. Reciting the complete *Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng* from memory gets you free admission.

• Bayi Square: An important landmark in the city center, with the solemn August 1 Nanchang Uprising Memorial Tower. Nearby Jiangxi Provincial Art Museum has a distinctive architectural style and is free to visit.

• Jiangxi Provincial Museum: The Houhaihun exhibition areas on the second and third floors deserve priority, with many gold artifacts and signature collections. Admission is free, but advance reservations are required.

• Wanshou Palace Historical and Cultural District: Gan-style historic buildings make an appealing backdrop for red lanterns. Browse intangible cultural heritage shops by day; after the lights come on at night, the area becomes livelier, with many local snacks to try.

• Qiushui Square: Home to a large musical fountain, whose main jet reaches 128 meters. There is one show each evening at 19:30 and 20:30, and you can also look across at the Twin Towers lit up at night.

• Nanchang Star Ferris Wheel: As the world's third-tallest Ferris wheel, it offers views at dusk over the Gan River at night and the cityscape of Honggutan from above.

• August 1 Nanchang Uprising Memorial Museum: Learn about the history of the Nanchang Uprising through its exhibitions. Admission is free, online reservations are required in advance, and the museum is closed on Mondays.

• Museum of the Haihunhou Kingdom Ruins: The museum houses many gold cakes and one of the earliest known images of Confucius. It suits visitors interested in history; plan to spend most of half a day here.

Classic Three-Day, Two-Night Itinerary

• Day 1 (Revolutionary history, culture, and old-city atmosphere): Start at Bayi Square in the morning, visit the memorial tower, then walk to Jiangxi Provincial Art Museum; in the afternoon, learn about the history at the August 1 Nanchang Uprising Memorial Museum, with advance reservations required; have dinner and explore Wanshou Palace Historical and Cultural District at dusk, then head to the Pavilion of Prince Teng at night to see it illuminated.

• Day 2 (River views, night scenery, and science): Have mixed rice noodles and soup from a clay pot at Dashi Courtyard in the morning; visit Jiangxi Provincial Museum, focusing on the Haihunhou exhibition area; head to Honggutan District in the afternoon for a ride on the Nanchang Star Ferris Wheel; watch the musical fountain at Qiushui Square in the evening.

• Day 3 (In-depth sightseeing or nearby attractions): History enthusiasts can spend most of the morning and afternoon at the Museum of the Haihunhou Kingdom Ruins; alternatively, stay in the city to visit Shengjin Pagoda and Youmin Temple, enjoy a quick-fried Gan cuisine meal, and then depart.

Must-Try Local Foods in Nanchang

Gan cuisine is generally quite spicy. Travelers who prefer mild food or cannot tolerate spice may want to bring stomach medicine and state their preferred spice level when ordering.

• Nanchang mixed rice noodles + Nanchang soup from a clay pot: A common local breakfast pairing. The noodles are served with soup from a clay pot containing preserved egg and pork patty; around 10 yuan per person is enough for a filling meal.

• Nanchang shuizhu: A local-style spicy hot pot, with lotus root balls, dried tofu, and pig's feet among the signature ingredients. The flavor is fragrant, spicy, and rich.

• Sugar rice cakes: A traditional rice snack with a crisp exterior and soft, chewy center, coated in white sugar. They taste best freshly fried and cost 1 yuan each.

• Crab-leg noodles: The rice noodles absorb the crab-leg broth, creating a richly savory flavor with a spicy kick. Suitable for a main meal or late-night snack.

• Stir-fried wild mugwort with cured pork: Wild mugwort from Poyang Lake is paired with smoked cured pork and quickly stir-fried over high heat for a crisp, tender texture and pronounced aroma.

• Youtiao stuffed with mochi: A fried dough stick filled with glutinous rice mochi and coated in sesame sugar, making a good street snack.

Accommodation and Transportation Guide

• Where to stay: Bayi Square, Wanshou Palace, and Dashi Courtyard are in the center of the old town, with many restaurants nearby. Attractions can be reached on foot or by shared electric scooter. For river views, consider hotels near Qiushui Square in Honggutan District.
• Getting around: If arriving by high-speed rail, Nanchang Station is the most convenient choice because it is close to the old town. From Nanchang West Station or the airport, take a taxi or metro to the city center; the trip takes about 40 minutes. Within the city, combine the metro with shared electric scooters. Nanchang Metro serves the main attractions, and three-day metro passes are available. Attractions in the old town are close together, so electric scooters can save time.

Travel Tips

• Reservations: Jiangxi Provincial Museum, the August 1 Nanchang Uprising Memorial Museum, and Jiangxi Provincial Art Museum are all closed on Mondays. Make reservations through their official WeChat accounts before visiting.
• Free admission to the Pavilion of Prince Teng: Reciting the complete *Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng* from memory gets you free admission. Sessions are held in both the morning and afternoon; scan the Alipay QR code to get a number. Prepare in advance.
• Adjusting spice levels: Gan cuisine is quite spicy. If you cannot eat spicy food, ask for “mildly spicy” or “no spice.” Also confirm whether chili is added to the mixed rice noodles and soup from a clay pot.
• Transport and dining: Be cautious about cheap day tours or private transfers offered at stations and attraction entrances, and use reputable platforms for taxis. For mixed rice noodles and soup from a clay pot, local neighborhood shops are usually a better choice; snack streets near attractions tend to be more expensive, and the taste may not be as good.
• Fountain schedule: The Qiushui Square musical fountain has shows at 19:30 and 20:30 every day. Shows may be canceled in rainy weather, so confirm the schedule before setting out.