Wangxian Valley in Jiangxi: What to Do, Best Time to Visit & More

Wangxian Valley is a hidden gem located in Shangrao, Jiangxi. It's a dreamlike world for martial arts fans, featuring traditional Chinese-style buildings built along the mountains, intertwined with waterfalls and rivers, and staff members all dressed in ancient-style clothing. If you're interested in Chinese martial arts culture, this is definitely a place to put on your list.

Wangxian Valley Hillside Buildings

Basic Facts of Wangxian Valley

Wangxian valley in Jiangxi

Wangxian Valley, located in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, is a unique scenic area built near cliffs with dramatic elevation differences. It recreates a fantasy world for martial arts and Wuxia enthusiasts, featuring traditional-style architecture, waterfalls, and bridge scenes that resemble classical Chinese landscape paintings.

Since its opening in 2020, Wangxian Valley has gradually become a popular tourist destination. One recommended route is to travel from Huangshan to Jingdezhen and then to Wangxian Valley, as these places are quite close to each other.

Keywords: Ancient Chinese architecture, Chinese fantasy Wuxia world

Ticket price: RMB 140/ USD 20; drifting (RMB 280/ USD 40) not combined with the entrance ticket

Opening hours: 8 AM to 11 PM; entry not allowed after 9 PM

Recommended duration: Half a day to one full day (best if you stay a night in the valley)

Top Things to Do in Wangxian Valley

Wangxian Valley isn't very large, but there's plenty to see and do. You can choose what to explore based on your own interests.

Admire the Waterfalls & Bridges

Waterfalls in Wangxian Valley

Wangxian Valley features three main waterfalls: Sanqing Waterfall, Guanyin Waterfall, and Rainbow Waterfall. Each cascades down from the cliffs, with widths of less than 5 meters and gentle water flow. These waterfalls add a poetic touch to the landscape, creating a scene reminiscent of a traditional Chinese ink painting.

There are also nine bridges scattered throughout the scenic area. Some of them span the river at the site, while the others cross the valley. It takes about three hours on foot to visit all nine bridges.

Enjoy Nightview

At night, the buildings in Wangxian Valley are illuminated, creating a stunning view. We recommend going to a higher vantage point or the mountaintop to overlook the entire scenic area for the best view of the lights.

For a better photoshoot experience, you can rent traditional Chinese costumes for photography. The studio staff will also help you with suitable makeup. Walking through the scenic area at night in these outfits feels like stepping into an ancient Chinese lantern festival.

Try Water Drifting

Drifting is one of the most worthwhile activities to try in Wangxian Valley. It requires a separate ticket and is not included in the main entrance fee. After entering the Wangxian Valley site, you'll hike uphill to the highest point, where the drifting course begins. Before starting, you'll need to store your valuables and backpack in a locker. The locker will be transported to the endpoint and will be waiting for you there.

At the starting point, the staff will provide you with protective gear, including a helmet and a life jacket. Make sure to wear them properly before setting off, as the rafting slide can be bumpy, with rocks on both sides along the way. And the rescue staff will stationed along the route to ensure your safety. Since rafting will leave your clothes completely soaked, it's best to bring a change of clothes. 

When you reach the endpoint, you can rinse off briefly. If you want to continue exploring the scenic area, you can use your rafting ticket to re-enter from the main entrance and head up the mountain again.

Have Local Foods

Local food in Wangxian Valley

There is a food street in Wangxian Valley offering a wide variety of snacks and full-meal restaurants. Some of the most distinctive local snacks include winter melon tea and fried winter melon, both made from a type of melon unique to Asia, including China. You can also try desserts and drinks made with southern Chinese wild jujube (Nan Suan Zao), a fruit native to Jiangxi. They're definitely worth a taste.

In addition to these, there are many Jiangxi-style restaurants serving home-style stir-fried dishes. Overall, Jiangxi cuisine is known for its rich and savory flavors. Although some dishes use chili peppers, they're usually not spicy. They're added mainly for decoration and to enhance the aroma.

Watch Traditional Performances

Wangxian Valley offers at least ten types of themed performances, all inspired by traditional Chinese culture. You can enjoy folk music shows, costume skits, acrobatics, live bands, and more. Each program is performed two to four times a day, starting as early as 9 a.m. and running until around 8:30 p.m. The detailed schedule is displayed on the electronic screens near the entrance of the scenic area.

During major holidays such as National Day and Labor Day, the number of performances increases. Sometimes up to twenty different shows. However, visitor crowds also tend to be much larger during these times.

Best Time to Visit

Wangxian Valley's Waterwheel and Old Houses

Wangxian Valley is suitable to visit year-round, but we highly recommend going between March to May or September to November. During these months, there are fewer tourists, and the scenery is particularly beautiful.

During the day, we suggest you explore the food street, try local delicacies, go rafting, and enjoy various performances within the scenic area. Also, if you arrive after 1 PM, you'll be able to avoid the peak crowds. In the evening, you can take a leisurely stroll around the scenic area and admire the night views from different perspectives.

How to Get to Wangxian Valley

Wangxian Valley is located in the northern part of Shangrao, not far from the city center. If you're departing from Shangrao Railway Station, it takes just about an hour by car to reach Wangxian Valley. The key factor is the travel time required to reach Shangrao from other cities.

From nearby cities like Huangshan, Nanchang, and Jingdezhen, you can take a bullet train that takes around one hour. If you're coming from cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, or Hangzhou, the journey will take about 2 to 3 hours by bullet train.

However, if you're traveling from cities further away, such as Beijing or Xi'an, you'll need to take at least a 2-hour flight.

Where to Stay

For an immersive experience in a world of ancient Chinese fantasy, we recommend staying within the scenic area. The hotels here feature a unique architectural style, with traditional Chinese exteriors and more modern, contemporary interiors. One of the hotels is built on a cliff, nestled against the mountainside, offering one of the best viewpoints to admire the entire scenic area.

Alternatively, you can choose to stay in the center of Shangrao city, where internationally renowned hotel chains like Wyndham and Hilton have branches. In addition, there are several local Chinese hotel brands ranging from 3 to 5 stars. We can recommend a hotel that fits your budget and preferences.

Visit Wangxian Valley With Us

To ensure a relaxing and unforgettable trip to Wangxian Valley, consider traveling with us. We can create a customized China tour that includes Wangxian Valley. Our travel experts have over 20 years of experience in trip planning. Once you submit your inquiry, they'll contact you as soon as possible for a one-on-one consultation to design an itinerary that suits your budget and preferences.

Contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com today for your exclusive itinerary to China.