Huangling Village, located in Jiangwan Town of Wuyuan County, Shangrao City, has a rich history spanning nearly 600 years and is celebrated as the origin of China’s renowned “sun-drying” culture. In 2023, it was recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization as one of the “Best Tourism Villages.”
This village, perched on a cliffside, offers diverse attractions: scenic aerial views from the cable car, a traditional mountain street lined with historic buildings, terraced fields brimming with flowers, and an immersive experience of rural customs. Throughout the year, residents dry various items in colorful displays: tea leaves in spring, chili peppers in summer, fruits and vegetables in autumn, and festive goods in winter. The traditional homes with sun-drying racks form a picturesque scene like a never-ending fairytale.
As the sun sets, casting its final rays on the blue-gray roofs and white walls, Huangling is bathed in a pink twilight glow. Located in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi, known as the “Home of Books” and the “Tea Village,” this area is famous for its Huizhou culture and is widely regarded as one of China’s most beautiful rural landscapes.
If Wuyuan’s ancient villages reflect China’s traditional architecture, then Huangling is its refined, enchanting highlight. With hundreds of Huizhou-style homes scattered along slopes with a hundred-meter vertical drop, Huangling is covered in a misty, ethereal atmosphere each sunrise.
Suspended on this steep hillside, the village has very limited flat land, and residents have adapted by ingeniously drying their crops on racks placed on rooftops, windowsills, and around their homes. This use of space not only optimizes the land but also showcases the residents’ creativity, born of necessity.
The village, nestled in the mountains, displays vibrant, bountiful harvests on earthen walls, sun-drying racks, and round drying baskets. Throughout the year, you’ll see mountain fern and bamboo shoots drying in spring, preserved vegetables and fresh produce in summer, peppers and chrysanthemums in fall, and dried fruits in winter. As fields grow barren, these displays against clear skies present a unique “sun-drying” landscape, which the Ministry of Culture has honored as one of China’s most beautiful cultural symbols.
Famous for this “sun-drying” tradition, Huangling’s “Sky Street” connects classic Huizhou architecture like a jade belt, lined with Huizhou-style shops featuring traditional front stores and rear workshops. It’s like a moving, miniature version of the ancient “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” scroll.
Huangling Village is both a masterpiece of nature and a cultural gem. It’s a year-round paradise for painters and photographers.
The Rural Charm of Shicheng’s Ancient Paths
Shicheng, a small village nestled in the mountains in the northwest corner of Wuyuan, derives its name from its steep, fortress-like terrain. Every autumn, it transforms into a dreamlike scene as its foliage deepens in color.
In the evening, cresting a small hill reveals a stunning view: three sides of the village are encircled by ancient, fiery red maple trees, while a limestone slope borders the fourth. The white-walled, black-roofed Huizhou village exudes a warm, unhurried charm as wisps of smoke rise and the setting sun casts a soft glow.
Visitors staying overnight can immerse themselves in village life, conversing with locals, then rise early to catch the sunrise. With a camera or sketchbook in hand, the beauty of Shicheng awaits to be captured. Mist and smoke gather in the valley, and the vibrant red leaves peek through morning fog, touched by warm sunlight.
The combination of red leaves, morning mist, dew, and smoke creates a layered, dreamlike scene. The pink and gray tones of ancient architecture contrast with vast expanses of maple forests, presenting an unparalleled rural beauty.
This enchanting scenery reflects the changing seasons, blending rich colors and captivating light. Shicheng is like a classical beauty, graceful and alive with spirit and charm.
This guide takes you to experience two major attractions in one day. It’s all full of essential tips! Strongly recommend bookmarking and saving it!
