4 Days 3 Nights Shangrao Slow Travel Guide
Journey through Sanqingshan's Sea of Clouds, Wuyuan's Ancient Villages, and Gexian Village's Night Lights, Stay in a tea-scented B&B by the terraced fields! The most beautiful scenic route in East China, perfect for self-driving or high-speed rail from Guangzhou/Shenzhen/Jiangsu/Zhejiang/Shanghai
Who says Jiangnan only has Wuzhen and West Lake left?
Come to Shangrao—
Here lies China's most underestimated scenic wonderland:
To the east are the strange peaks and rocks of the Huangshan mountain range,
To the south are the rapeseed flowers and horse-head walls of Wuyuan, "China's Most Beautiful Village",
To the west is the hidden thousand-year-old Zen-inspired town of Gexian Village,
To the north, bordering Poyang Lake, with lush grass in spring and migratory birds in winter.
Over four days and three nights, we'll explore the best of Shangrao,
No rushing through attractions, no falling into traps,
Only choosing high-value, immersive, and slow-paced experiences,
Even the kids said: "Dad, I think this mountain breathes."
🗺️ Itinerary Overview|Perfect for Families/Couples/Photography Enthusiasts
📍 Route Design:
Day 1: Depart from various locations → Wuyuan (Likeng/Xiaoqi) Overnight Stay
Day 2: Huangling Sun-drying Ancient Village + Night Tour of Gexian Village (Light Fantasy) → Stay in a 'Xiansu' (Immortal Inn) within Gexian Village
Day 3: Extensive Hike in Sanqingshan Core Scenic Area (Nanqingyuan + Sunshine Coast) → Stay in a B&B at the foot of the mountain
Day 4: Easy Hike to Yulian Waterfall or Pass through Lingshan Terraced Tea Plantation on the way back
✅ High-Speed Rail Friendly: Hangzhou 2.5h|Shanghai 3h|Guangzhou 5h|Nanchang 1h
✅ Convenient Self-Driving: Hangrui and Deshang Expressways run through the entire region, easy parking
✅ Suitable for All Seasons: Spring for flowers|Summer for escaping heat|Autumn for sun-drying harvest|Winter for snowscapes
🌸 Day 1: Wuyuan·Slow Life in an Ink Wash Painting|From High-Speed Rail Station to a Poetic Morning
🚄 Arrival: Take high-speed rail to [Wuyuan Station] (scenery right outside the station)
🕐 Recommended to arrive in the afternoon to avoid the midday sun
Recommended Route: Likeng → Xiaoqi Village (or Wangkou)
🎯 Play Highlights:
Likeng: Small bridges, flowing water, and homes; bamboo raft ride ¥60/person, kids love it
Wangkou: Thousand-year-old ancient pier, stunning carved Hui-style ancestral hall
Xiaoqi Village: Imperial chrysanthemum tea garden + century-old camphor tree clusters, the air is filtered sweet
🏡 Recommended Accommodation:
✅ [Wuyuan·Shilili Panmi Dream Manor] (from ¥980)
High-end wild luxury style, infinity pool overlooking rice fields
✅ [Houtang Jingshe] (from ¥680)
Converted from an old house, offers tea ceremony experience + children's picture book corner
🍜 Must-Try Food:
Pouch Red Carp (local unique variety)
Glutinous Rice Steamed Chicken, Tofu Paste, Qingming Fruit
Xiaoqi Imperial Chrysanthemum Tea (fragrant and soothing, take home as a souvenir)
📸 Photo Tips:
Wear a plain long dress! The ancient village in the morning mist is like a meticulous painting.
🏮 Day 2: Huangling Sun-drying Harvest + Gexian Village Night Tour|Daytime for Human Life, Nighttime for Immortal Dreams
📍 Morning: Huangling Ancient Village ("World's Most Beautiful Terraced Village")
Time: 9:00-12:00
Admission + Cable Car: ¥145/person (recommended to purchase tickets in advance)
Features:
"Sun-drying Harvest" spectacle (chili peppers, corn, chrysanthemums covering rooftops)
Glass skywalk suspended over the valley, brave kids scream with delight
Check-in at the filming location of "Peach Blossom Spring"
🎯 Parent-Child Bonus: Participate in the "Little Sun-drying Officer" activity (register on-site ¥38)
Kids get an apron + winnowing basket, personally dry grains, and receive a certificate!
📍 Afternoon Transfer: Drive 1h → Gexian Village Resort
Night Tour Ticket: ¥80/person (entry after 16:00)
Features:
Thousands of river lanterns floating on the water
Mountain light show "Guizhen Ji"
Can wear Hanfu for photos, rental ¥60/set
🌙 Must Stay One Night:
✅ [Gexian Village·Zhenshan Qigu Xiansu] (from ¥1280)
Truly living on the mountain, open the window to see the sea of clouds, fall asleep to the sound of bells
Room names like "Songtao Ju" (Pine Wave Residence) and "Tingyu Xuan" (Listening to Rain Pavilion), full of ritual
🍽️ Recommended Dinner:
"Xian Shitang" (Immortal Canteen) vegetarian buffet in the scenic area, light and healthy, child-friendly
⛰️ Day 3: Sanqingshan Core Hike|Climb the First Marvelous Mountain in East China, Challenge Your Child's First "Perilous Peak"
📍 Full-Day Itinerary: Sanqingshan Scenic Area (enter from the south, exit from the east)
Admission + Round-trip Cable Car: ¥245/person (half price for students)
Recommended Route: Jinsha Cable Car up → Nanqingyuan Scenic Area (Giant Python Out of Mountain, Goddess of Spring) → Sunshine Coast Plank Road → Yutai Station Cable Car down
🎯 Hiking Parameters:
Walking Distance: Approx. 8km
Elevation Gain: Approx. 600 meters
Estimated Time: 5~6 hours (including photos and rest)
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ (has stairs, but gentle slopes and stable paths)
📌 Parent-Child Tips:
Give kids a "Mountain Quest Card": "Find three divine beast sculptures", "Take a picture of a cloud that looks like cotton candy"
Implement a snack bank system: Reward a soft candy for completing each section
Mountain temperatures are low, be sure to bring a jacket!
🏡 Recommended Accommodation at the Foot of the Mountain:
✅ [Sanqingshan Hilton Garden Inn] (from ¥580)
Clean and comfortable, suitable for families, provides children's slippers
✅ [Xiaoyao Valley Ecological B&B] (from ¥420)
Run by locals, the owner makes authentic Huaiyushan fried noodles
🌿 Day 4: Choose One to Conclude|Quiet Ending or Terraced Tea Picking
✅ Option A: Yulian Waterfall Easy Hike (Relaxed Version)
Only a 20-minute drive from Sanqingshan
Admission ¥50, few people, secluded scenery
White silk-like waterfall drops a hundred meters, emerald green pool water
Can arrange a half-hour loop, suitable for relaxing before returning
✅ Option B: Lingshan Terraced Tea Plantation Experience (Must-go for Culture Enthusiasts)
Convenient stop: On the way back, pass by the foot of Lingshan Mountain in Shangrao County
Participate in tea picking + tea making experience (¥68/person)
Kids can take home their self-made tea bags, write their names as a souvenir
Drink pre-Qingming green tea while watching farmers and oxen plow the fields
🚗 Return Travel Suggestions:
High-Speed Rail Travelers: Navigate to [Shangrao Station] (approx. 40 minutes from Lingshan)
Self-Driving Travelers: Take the Hukun Expressway back, with well-equipped service areas along the way
🎒 Essential Checklist|Concise and Practical
Category Recommended Items
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Clothing Quick-drying clothes/pants, windbreaker, comfortable hiking shoes, raincoat (mountains often have showers)
Food Water bottle, energy bars, individually packaged small snacks
Photography Camera, drone (requires registration), power bank
Parent-Child Magnifying glass, small notebook to record "nature discoveries", portable cushion
Other Common medicines (motion sickness patches, band-aids), sunscreen, Octopus card (backup for transportation payment)
⚠️ Pitfall Guide|Things You Must NOT Do!
🚫 Don't rush to Huangling during holidays!
Crowded during National Day/May Day, recommended to visit during off-peak spring (March-April) or autumn (late October)
🚫 Don't drive to the top of Sanqingshan!
Private cars are prohibited from going up the mountain, park uniformly at "Jinsha Parking Lot", then transfer to cable car + scenic bus
🚫 Don't miss Xingangshan Service Area!
A hidden gem on the Hangrui Expressway: authentic Wuyuan soy milk and fried dough sticks + free refills of imperial chrysanthemum tea
🚫 Don't treat Gexian Village as an ordinary ancient town!
It's a modern "immortal world" created, focusing on night light shows + immersive experiences; daytime can be a bit empty
✨ A final word for travelers:
Shangrao is not a place that stuns at first glance,
But it's like a cup of pre-Qingming tea,
Initially bitter, with a sweet aftertaste.
When you stand at the peak of Sanqingshan,
Watching the clouds surge like a thousand galloping horses,
And your child pulls you, saying: "Dad, did that cloud turn into a dragon?"
At that moment, you'll understand:
The most beautiful scenery is never on the map, but in the eyes of a child.