Utopia 4—China’s Most Beautiful Small Town
Explore China’s most beautiful small town, tour Lushan West Sea, climb the West Sea Bay night view, visit the ancestral Zen temple, ride the glass water slide, a complete guide to hidden natural scenery + culture + night tours!
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I’m Danqing, having traveled through over 80 counties in Jiangxi, and one of the most stunning “hidden gem small towns” is Wuning!
Nestled in northwest Jiangxi, embraced by Lushan West Sea, it boasts a breathtaking layout of “half mountain and half water, half city,”
Selected for years as one of “China’s Most Beautiful Small Towns,” yet still low-key and niche.
In three days, I’ll help you unlock:
✅ Boat tour of the thousand-island starry Lushan West Sea
✅ Climb to the West Sea Bay night view corridor, see the dazzling lights of the “Little Bund”
✅ Visit the millennium-old Amitabha Temple, listen to the serene Buddhist chants
✅ Challenge the thrilling glass water slide + rainbow slide (a must for families)
✅ Stay in a lakeside guesthouse, soak in selenium-rich hot springs, enjoy a Poyang Lake fish feast
This in-depth three-day, two-night guide under 3000 RMB per person,
Is perfect for couples, families, or friends traveling by self-drive or high-speed rail,
Spend little, enjoy grand scenery, and live a poetic life of “walking in a painting”!
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✈️ Total Budget: 2980 RMB (per person)
| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Round-trip transportation (high-speed rail + local taxi) | 900 RMB (from Nanchang/Changsha/Wuhan) |
| Accommodation (two nights of cost-effective stays) | 800 RMB (one night lakeside guesthouse 500 RMB + one night city 300 RMB) |
| Meals (six meals + snacks) | 600 RMB (300 RMB/day, including specialty meals) |
| Attraction tickets + boat tickets + experiences | 630 RMB |
| Emergency/souvenirs | 50 RMB |
| Total | 2980 RMB |
> 💡 Tip: For two travelers, it’s only 1490 RMB per person, extremely cost-effective!
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🚄 Recommended Departure Points (choose one)
- From Nanchang:
- High-speed train to Yongxiu Station (40 minutes, 35 RMB) → taxi to Wuning (1 hour, about 120 RMB);
- Or self-drive for more convenience (2 hours, toll about 100 RMB);
- Round-trip transportation about 300 RMB.
- From Changsha:
- High-speed train to Nanchang West → transfer to high-speed train to Yongxiu → taxi to Wuning, round-trip about 500 RMB.
- From Wuhan:
- High-speed train to Nanchang West → transfer to high-speed train, round-trip about 550 RMB.
> ✅ Recommended self-drive: Wuning’s attractions are scattered, self-driving offers more freedom, roads are smooth, suitable for SUVs or sedans.
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📅 Itinerary: Three days, two nights, lakes and mountains + city lights + Zen wellness
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Day 1: Arrive in Wuning + West Sea Bay Night View + Night Light Show
- Arrive in Wuning County (by taxi or self-drive), check in:
West Sea Bay · Yunqi Lakeside Guesthouse (500 RMB/night, lake view from the window, walking distance to night view corridor);
- Afternoon:
- Visit Wuning Museum (free): learn about the history of “King Fuchai of Wu’s territory” and the millennium culture of West Sea;
- Stroll through Shatian Peninsula Wetland Park (free): cycling, birdwatching, and lake photography.
- Evening: Head to West Sea Bay Scenic Area (free entry):
- Climb the Observation Tower for panoramic views of Wuning, where lake and city blend poetically;
- Walk the Rainbow Bridge (night light show at 19:30 and 20:30), known as “Jiangxi’s Little Bund”;
- Optional night boat ride (40 RMB/person, 30 minutes), glide on the lake and see the lights reflected.
- Dinner: West Sea Bay Fisherman’s Feast, about 80 RMB per person, must-try dishes:
- Poyang Lake Fat Fish Head (rich white soup), silverfish scrambled eggs, river shrimp, stir-fried wild vegetables with cured meat.
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Day 2: Lushan West Sea Boat Tour + Qingshan Island + Glass Water Slide
- Morning: Drive or taxi to Lushan West Sea Jinkou Pier (40 minutes from town, about 80 RMB);
- Take the Lushan West Sea boat tour (combo ticket 160 RMB, includes boat + 3 islands):
1. Canghai Island: climb high for a panoramic view of the thousand islands, perfect for photos;
2. Guanyu Island: feed koi, watch fish formations, great for family fun;
3. Sunshine 29 Resort (main attraction):
- Experience the glass water slide (50 RMB/person): 800 meters long, thrilling curves and splashes, refreshing!
- Play on the rainbow slide (30 RMB/person), Instagram-famous swing, and sky mirror photo spots.
- Lunch: Resort restaurant, about 50 RMB per person, simple fresh lake dishes.
- Afternoon: Return to town, check in at Wuning Vienna Hotel (300 RMB/night, convenient parking);
- Dinner: Old Wuning Flavor Restaurant, about 60 RMB per person, recommended dishes:
- Stone chicken stewed with black fungus (mountain delicacy), Aimi fruit, selenium-rich rice.
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Day 3: Amitabha Temple Zen Meditation + Return Trip
- Morning: Visit Amitabha Temple (30 minutes from town, taxi about 60 RMB):
- Free entry, a millennium-old temple, one of the Pure Land sect’s ancestral sites, peaceful incense atmosphere;
- The temple is nestled by mountains and water, grand architecture, perfect for sitting quietly, listening to bells, copying sutras, and praying;
- Surrounding bamboo forest trail loop of 2 km, ideal for meditative hiking.
- Lunch: Vegetarian restaurant outside the temple, about 30 RMB per person, enjoy a pure vegetarian meal.
- Afternoon:
- Shop for souvenirs on the way:
- Wuning dried stick fish (50 RMB/bag), wild kiwi fruit (30 RMB/jin), West Sea silverfish (60 RMB/can);
- Self-drive or taxi back, ending a poetic three-day journey.
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🍜 Wuning Must-Try Food List
| Food | Specialty | Recommended Place |
|------|-----------|-------------------|
| Poyang Lake Fat Fish Head | King of lake delicacies, rich white soup | West Sea Bay Fisherman’s Feast |
| Silverfish Scrambled Eggs | West Sea specialty, crystal clear and fragrant | Resort restaurant |
| Dried Stick Fish | Small fish dried crispy, perfect with rice | Old Wuning Flavor Restaurant |
| Aimi Fruit | Made from Qingming grass, soft and sweet | Morning market stalls |
| Selenium-rich Rice | Wuning soil rich in selenium, fragrant rice | Various restaurants |
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🏡 Accommodation Recommendations
1. West Sea Bay · Yunqi Lakeside Guesthouse: 500 RMB/night, lake view from the window, unbeatable night view;
2. Wuning Vienna Hotel: 300 RMB/night, city center, clean and convenient;
3. Sunshine 29 Resort Wooden Cabin: if you want to stay inside the scenic area, optional (about 600 RMB/night).
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💡 Danqing’s Insider Tips
1. Take the West Sea boat tour in the morning for better light, fewer people, and less sun;
2. Bring a change of clothes for the glass water slide, you will definitely get wet!
3. Wear non-slip sports shoes, as Qingshan Island and Amitabha Temple require walking;
4. Wuning has excellent air quality, ideal for elderly and children to escape summer heat and for wellness;
5. Buy some dried stick fish, silverfish, and kiwi fruit as souvenirs, all within 100 RMB.
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3000 RMB for three days and two nights of lakes, mountains, and city lights.
In Wuning, you can boat among a thousand islands and stroll the night view corridor;
You can challenge the water slides and quietly visit ancient temples.
It’s not noisy, but rich; it’s niche, but stunning.
If you want a small town with picturesque scenery, slow life, and diverse experiences,
Come to Wuning—
A “China’s Most Beautiful Small Town” gently embraced by West Sea, waiting for you to step softly into its painting.
—Danqing, a travel blogger who helps you discover hidden beauty ❤️