Jinggangshan Scenic Area is located in Jinggangshan City, Ji'an City, Jiangxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, a national nature reserve, and a national classic red tourism scenic area. The total area of the scenic area is 261.43 square kilometers, and the highest peak has an altitude of 1,841 meters. It integrates red culture, green ecology, and ancient humanities, and is known as "the Cradle of the Chinese Revolution" and "the Number One Mountain under Heaven".
History and Culture
Jinggangshan is a sacred place of the Chinese revolution. In 1927, revolutionary predecessors such as Mao Zedong and Zhu De established the first rural revolutionary base here, opening up the revolutionary path of "encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing power by armed force". The revolutionary sites left over from the Jinggangshan struggle period are scattered throughout the scenic area, forming rich red cultural resources.
Jinggangshan has a long history. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were human activities here. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhist culture thrived here, and many temples were built. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a large number of Hakka people migrated in, forming a unique Hakka culture. Jinggangshan is also a famous Taoist mountain and is said to be one of the Thirty-six Heavenly Caves in Taoism.
In 2017, Jinggangshan was rated as a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. There are currently more than 100 revolutionary sites in the scenic area, including 22 national-level cultural relic protection units and 6 provincial-level cultural relic protection units. It is an important base for carrying out revolutionary tradition education and patriotism education.
Main Attractions
Huangyangjie
One of the five major outposts of Jinggangshan, with an altitude of 1,343 meters, it has a strategically location and was an important defensive project of the Red Army in those days. There are existing sites such as the Red Army barracks and trenches. Mao Zedong wrote famous poems such as "Xijiangyue · Jinggangshan" here. The sea of clouds at Huangyangjie is spectacular, making it an excellent place to watch the sunrise.
Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum
It is one of the first batch of national patriotism education demonstration bases. It has a collection of more than 30,000 revolutionary cultural relics and comprehensively displays the history of the Jinggangshan revolutionary struggle. The museum uses modern display means such as sound, light, and electricity to vividly reproduce the scenes of the Jinggangshan revolutionary struggle.
Longtan Waterfall Group
It is a waterfall group composed of Wulongtan and Jinshimian, etc. The highest drop is up to 82 meters. The waterfalls have different shapes, some are like the Milky Way pouring down, and some are like pearls falling on a plate. Ancient trees reach into the sky in the scenic area, and the content of negative oxygen ions in the air is extremely high, making it a natural oxygen bar.
Ciping Scenic Area
It was the central area during the Jinggangshan revolutionary struggle period and is now the political, economic, and cultural center of Jinggangshan City. The main attractions include the former residence of Mao Zedong, the Red Army Hospital, the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, etc. The architectural style of Ciping Town is unique, integrating red culture and Hakka customs.
Wuzhifeng (Five Fingers Peak)
One of the main peaks of Jinggangshan, it gets its name because the five peaks resemble five fingers, with an altitude of 1,586 meters. The view from the peak is wide, and you can overlook the panoramic view of Jinggangshan. The pattern on the back of the 100-yuan banknote of the fourth set of RMB is taken from here.
Delicacies
Jinggangshan Bamboo Shoots
It is a specialty of Jinggangshan, growing in the mountainous areas above an altitude of 800 meters. The meat is tender and the taste is delicious. It can be stir-fried, stewed, or made into soup, and stir-fried bamboo shoots with cured meat is the most famous.
Red Rice and Pumpkin Soup
It is a traditional delicacy in Jinggangshan and was the staple food of the Red Army during the revolutionary war period. Red rice is rich in nutrition, and the pumpkin is sweet and delicious. The combination of the two is both delicious and healthy, and it is a must-try delicacy to experience the life of the Red Army.
Hakka Braised Tofu
It is a traditional famous dish of the Hakka people. The middle of the tofu is hollowed out and filled with minced meat, and then it is fried until golden brown. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the fragrance of the tofu and the meat are perfectly integrated, reflecting the essence of Hakka food culture.
Jinggangshan Yunwu Tea
Growing in the cloud and mist belt above an altitude of 1,000 meters in Jinggangshan, the tea leaves are plump and the aroma is elegant. After brewing, the tea soup is clear, the taste is fresh and sweet with a lingering aftertaste, and it has the effect of refreshing the mind.
Ticket Information
Jinggangshan Scenic Area implements a through-ticket system. The ticket price is 165 yuan per person during the peak season (February 16th - November 15th) and 150 yuan per person during the off-season (November 16th - February 15th of the following year). The ticket is valid for 5 days and includes all scenic spots in the area. The sightseeing bus ticket is 80 yuan per person (valid within 5 days). Seniors over 60 years old, students, etc. can enjoy a 50% discount, and children under 1.2 meters are free of charge.
Itinerary Recommendations
A recommended two-day itinerary: On the first day: Visit the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum → Tour the Ciping Scenic Area (the former residence of Mao Zedong, the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, etc.) → Taste the red rice and pumpkin soup; On the second day: Tour Huangyangjie → The Longtan Waterfall Group → Wuzhifeng. If you have enough time, you can add one more day to visit attractions such as the former residence of Mao Zedong in Dajing and the Red Army Hospital in Xiaojing.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Nanchang, take the Daguang Expressway to the Jinggangshan Toll Station, and then drive along the provincial highway to the scenic area.
- By train: Take a high-speed train to Jinggangshan Station, and then transfer to the scenic area bus.
- By plane: The nearest airport is Jinggangshan Airport, which is about 80 kilometers away from the scenic area.
- Transportation within the scenic area: The sightseeing bus covers the main scenic spots, and for some scenic spots, you need to walk.
Must-visit Attractions
- Huangyangjie - One of the five major outposts of Jinggangshan, with an altitude of 1,343 meters, a revolutionary site.
- Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum - A national patriotism education base with a collection of 30,000 cultural relics.
- Longtan Waterfall Group - A waterfall group with a maximum drop of 82 meters, a natural oxygen bar.
- Ciping Scenic Area - The central area of the revolution, with sites such as the former residence of Mao Zedong.
- Wuzhifeng - The main peak of Jinggangshan, with an altitude of 1,586 meters, the background of the 100-yuan banknote.
Tour Tips
- The best tourist season is from April to October, with pleasant weather.
- Prepare comfortable walking shoes, as some scenic spots require mountain climbing.
- The temperature difference on the mountain is large, so even in summer, you should bring a coat.
- Learn about the red history in advance for a more profound experience during the tour.
- Purchasing a sightseeing bus ticket can save your energy, as the distance between scenic spots is relatively far.
- Set aside enough time, as the scenic area is large and rich in content.
Notes
- Keep quiet in the revolutionary site area and do not make loud noises.
- Protect cultural relics and do not touch the exhibits and sites.
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area, and pay attention to fire prevention.
- The mountain road is slippery, so pay attention to safety when walking.
- Protect the ecological environment and do not litter.
- The signal is weak in some areas, so it is recommended to download the tour guide map in advance.