As the capital of Jiangxi, Nanchang represents the cultural and economic heart of the province. Yet the city itself has something of a chequered past. Most of the time, it remained an urban centre of little significance but, at times, it found itself the stage for some of the most pivotal events in Chinese history. It was founded as early as 201 BC and was given the name Nanchang or “Southern Flourishing”, which was derived from a statement by Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) about the importance of expanding his influence in southern China. However, it wasn’t until the Tang Dynasty (618-907) that the city saw its first major developments.

In 653, the magnificent Tengwang or “Prince Teng” Pavilion was constructed and, although it would find itself destroyed and rebuilt several times, it soon came to be known as one of the Three Great Towers in southern China. This was in part due to a poem written by the illustrious Wang Bo in 675, known as “Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng”. This literary masterpiece extols the beauty of the pavilion and helped skyrocket the city into national fame. Wang’s work is living proof that the pen is truly mightier than the sword!

In 959, Nanchang experienced another spot of good fortune when it was made the southern capital of the Kingdom of Southern Tang (937–976). However, as the old saying goes, all good things come to an end! Towards the close of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the city became a battleground between Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and a local warlord named Chen Youliang. Similarly, at the start of the 16^th century, it was used as a power base from which Zhu Chenhao, the Prince of Ning, launched a rebellion against the Ming government.

The tragedy deepened when the city was further damaged during the brutal Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) and, in the late 19^th century, its commercial importance began to decline as overland routes were gradually replaced by coastal steamship services. Yet this was all set to change on August 1^st 1927. The city became the site of a series of revolts, led by pro-communist Kuomintang[1] officers and organised by the Chinese Communist Party, known as the Nanchang Uprising.

Although they only managed to hold the city for a few days, the soldiers involved provided a core of troops and a method of organisation which eventually inspired the founding of the People’s Liberation Army. For this reason, the Communist Party often regard Nanchang as “the place where the People’s Liberation Army was born”, and the city itself holds a coveted place in the history of Communist China. It is now a popular destination for Red Tourism, but the city has so much more to offer than that!

Situated along the right bank of the Gan River and just 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Lake Poyang, the largest freshwater lake in China, it is an ideal base for those wishing to embrace the natural beauty of Jiangxi province or experience the migration of some half a million birds that flock to Lake Poyang every year. During winter, the lake is a focal bird-watching spot, as it becomes home to a substantial number of rare Siberian cranes.

If you’re more interested in the city’s ancient history, then the Tengwang Pavilion and the Bada Shanren Memorial Hall are must-see attractions. Although the most recent manifestation of the pavilion was built during 1989 after it was virtually destroyed in 1926, it follows the Song Dynasty (960-1279) style and was based off of Song paintings of the pavilion at the time. These same paintings also served as the inspiration for the corner-towers in the Forbidden City, which were designed to imitate the Tengwang Pavilion. Talk about one serious claim to fame!

From one famous work of art to another, the Bada Shanren Memorial Hall is dedicated to the celebrated painter Zhu Da, who adopted the pseudonym Bada Shanren during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) in order to hide the fact that he was a descendant of the Ming Dynasty prince Zhu Quan. The memorial hall itself is based on the design of the Qingyunpu Taoist Temple, which is where Zhu Da took refuge during the early years of the Qing Dynasty.

For over 300 years, his ink wash paintings have been regarded as some of the finest masterpieces of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking through the tranquil gardens of the complex and marvelling at his delicate brushwork, you’ll be sure to lose yourself in the beauty of Nanchang. That being said, if you’re after a little more excitement, you can always take a turn on the 160-metre (525 ft.) tall Ferris wheel known as the Star of Nanchang!

[1] Kuomintang: Also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. They were the ruling party from 1928 until their defeat at the hands of the Communists in 1949. They retreated to Taiwan, where they still play an active political role.

Resting at the base of Wulao or “Five Old Men” Peak on Mount Lu, the White Deer Grotto Academy acts as a testament to the importance of education throughout Chinese history. It is regarded as one of China’s Four Great Academies and, in many ways, it helped to shape the education system we see in the country today. Yet this illustrious seat of learning had humble beginnings. It was once simply a cave, where the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bo and his brother secluded themselves as hermits and dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge.

When Li Bo rose to prominence as the Governor of Jiangzhou (modern-day Jiujiang), he expanded the cave into a complex of study halls, libraries, and temples. Since Li Bo was famous for keeping a white deer as a pet, he was known as Master White Deer and the complex was named the White Deer Grotto. After Li’s death, it was tragically damaged during the collapse of the Tang Dynasty.

At the beginning of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the complex was restored and transformed into a school known as the White Deer Grotto Academy. It was particularly favoured by Emperor Taizong, who donated innumerable books to its libraries and awarded an official rank to the academy’s headmaster. However, it seemed that history was tragically doomed to repeat itself, as warfare eventually led to the academy falling into disrepair yet again.

It wasn’t until 1179 that it was rebuilt and expanded by a revolutionary philosopher named Zhu Xi. Zhu is widely regarded as the founder of Neo-Confucianism, one of the most influential schools of thought in East Asia, and thus he played a pivotal role in Chinese history. At the time, he was serving as prefect of Nankang Prefecture (modern-day Nankang), and decided to redesign the academy based on the layout of the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong province. By 1180, the new academy opened its doors to its eager students, and Zhu personally taught several classes there.

Its main function was to educate its students, collect and preserve books, act as a site for religious sacrifices, offer lectures from notable scholars, and expand on established philosophies. Throughout its venerable history, celebrated scholars such as Lu Jiuyuan, Lü Zuqian, and Wang Yangming would give lectures in its halls. Thanks to Zhu Xi’s admirable efforts, the prestige of the academy lasted for over eight centuries and it became the model for Neo-Confucian institutions throughout East Asia.

Nowadays the academy acts as one of the many spectacular scenic spots that can be found scattered throughout Mount Lu. Its main buildings include Lingxing Gate, Lisheng Gate, Lisheng Hall, Zhuzi Temple, the White Deer Grotto, and the Imperial Writing Pavilion. Zhuzi Temple was constructed in honour of Zhu Xi and contains over 120 stone tablets, some of which were engraved with inscriptions by the philosopher himself. At the back of the temple, there is a large cave with a stone statue of a white deer lying inside it, acting as a reminder of the complex’s original founder. After all, Zhu Xi’s story may be inspiring, but Li Bo’s relationship with his beloved pet is positively en-deering!

Jiangxi province has long been renowned for the blue-and-white porcelain that has been produced in the region for over 1,800 years. You could almost say that this province puts the china in China! Yet it has much more to offer than just fine teacups and saucers. Bounded by the Huaiyu Mountains in the northeast, the Wuyi Mountains in the east, the Jiulian and Dayu ranges to the south, and innumerable mountain ranges to the west and north, Jiangxi has long been celebrated as a haven of great natural beauty. Lake Poyang, the largest freshwater lake in China, shimmers at its southern tip, while the Gan River winds its way gracefully through the province from south to north.

Surrounded by mountain ranges as it is, you’d expect Jiangxi to be reasonably isolated from its neighbouring provinces. However, as if by design, these mountains rise in disconnected masses and contain numerous corridors, which allow access to the nearby provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong. Historically, this meant that Jiangxi played a crucial role as the connecting province between the maritime trading hub of Guangdong in the south and the Grand Canal[1] in the north. Armies, traders, monks, and migrants; all invariably passed through Jiangxi on their way north or south.

Throughout history, its importance as a cultural and commercial hub meant that Jiangxi gave birth to numerous celebrated talents, including the great Jin Dynasty (265-420) poet Tao Qian and the Song Dynasty (960-1279) philosopher Zhu Xi. It was Zhu Xi who pioneered the development of Neo-Confucianism, arguably one of the most influential schools of thought in Chinese history. The White Deer Grotto Academy where he once taught is still a popular tourist attraction in the province. With such a strong tradition of Confucian principles, it may come as quite a surprise that Jiangxi was also notorious for its peasant rebellions!

The provincial capital of Nanchang was even the site of the Nanchang Uprising in 1927, the first major clash between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang[2]. The Communists used the Ruijin area in southeastern Jiangxi as their first major revolutionary base, from which they began their famous Long March in October of 1934. Thus the province has long been a hot spot for Red Tourism, with numerous attractions catering to those fascinated by China’s modern history.

In terms of climate, Jiangxi’s southerly location means that it’s largely subtropical, with long humid summers and short damp winters. Winter temperatures average at a mild 3 to 9 °C (37 to 48 °F), while the sweltering summer heat can reach elevations of 27 to 30 °C (81 to 86 °F). This climate, coupled with the mountainous terrain and marshy areas, makes Jiangxi the ideal home for numerous animal species, including the endangered Chinese giant salamander, the South China tiger[3], and the Siberian crane. Nearly 3,000 white cranes migrate to Lake Poyang every winter, creating a scene that looks as if it was taken straight from a watercolour painting!

Other areas of exceptional natural beauty include Lushan National Park and Mount Sanqingshan National Park, which were both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996 and 2008 respectively. From the Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang to the Donglin Temple near Jiujiang, you’ll be spoilt for choice among the more than 2,400 scenic sites dotted throughout the province. Yet the highlight of Jiangxi has always been its unparalleled handicrafts.

During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhenzong decreed that the town of Fouliang should be made the country’s centre for porcelain production, and renamed it Jingdezhen. For over a thousand years, this quaint town has supplied the Chinese people with porcelain wares of impeccable quality, ranging from everyday items to artistic works of spectacular beauty. It is such an ingrained part of their culture that most modern-day residents of Jingdezhen are still involved in the porcelain industry. The nearby city of Jiujiang is famous for its yunwu or “cloud-and-fog” tea, which is grown on Mount Lu. So, if you’re traveling in Jiangxi, be sure to treat yourself to a cup of yunwu tea in a Jingdezhen teacup!

[1] The Grand Canal: It is the longest canal in the world and starts in Beijing, passing through the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang before eventually terminating in the city of Hangzhou. It links the Yellow River to the Yangtze River and the oldest parts of it date back to the 5^th century BC, although most of its construction took place during the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

[2] Kuomintang: Also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. They were the ruling party from 1928 until their defeat at the hands of the Communists in 1949. They retreated to Taiwan, where they still play an active political role.

[3] South China tigers have not been sighted in the wild for more than 25 years, so they are classified as functionally extinct.