KNOWN for fields of yellow canola flowers in Wuyuan, the lofty Lushan Mountain, and Jinggang Mountain, the cradle of the Chinese revolution, Jiangxi is home to many low-key but amazing attractions. One good example is Yongxiu County. Located along the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake, Yongxiu is endowed with the amazing scenery of the Longyuan Gorge, the “Thousand-Island Lake” Xihai of Lushan Mountain, a major habitat for migratory birds at Poyang Lake and the sacred Buddhist haven Yunju Mountain. It’s also one of the shooting locations for the documentary “Aerial China.” Longyuan Gorge Some people said the most beautiful season for Longyuan Gorge is autumn, for its stunning view in this season trumps that of Jiuzhaigou Valley. However, not many people know that the scenery in spring is also a delight. Longyuan Gorge in spring looks like an ink wash painting. The forest reflects in the jade-green water of the lake. The mountains, the trees, the water together with the golden sunshine create a fairytale-like effect. Longyuan Gorge in summer is replete with greenness. The long stretch of green trees on the mountain, the jade-green water and the fresh air are sure to refresh your mind and body. It has breathtaking views throughout the whole year. Most importantly, very few people know about this place, thus keeping the landscape in a pristine state. Add: Longyuan Gorge, Yanshan area, Yunshan Farm, Yongxiu County, Jiujiang City 九江市永修云山墾殖場燕山地區 Xihai of Lushan Mountain Though not a real sea, Xihai (West Sea) of Lushan Mountain is dotted with over 1,600 islands. The islands are of different shapes, with some resembling a heart and others looking like a boat. Originally called Tuolin Lake, Xihai spans Yongxiu and Wuning counties. Covering an area of 680 square kilometers, the lake consists of six scenic zones. The water and air quality meets the national first grade standard. There is a large number of historical sites in Xihai of Lushan Mountain scenic area, such as the Huangjing Waterfall, celestial burial tombs, fossil group of primitive jellyfish dating back to 650 million years, stone carvings by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) during his tour to the South, and the ancient cultural relics of the King of Wu in the Three Kingdoms period. Add: Tuolin Town, Yongxiu County, Jiujiang City 九江市永修縣柘林鎮 Yongwu Highway As a part of Yongwu Highway, Dahuchi High Road has a total length of 5 kilometers. The road sometimes is submerged under water when the water level of Poyang Lake, China’s largest fresh-water lake, rises. Every year during the flood season, when the water level of Poyang Lake rises to 18.67 meters, the section of Yongwu Highway along the lake will be covered by water. Even when the water recedes, the highway still looks magnificent with the surrounding vast lake, the grasslands and the sky. Add: Yongwu Highway, Wucheng Town, Yongxiu County, Jiujiang City 九江市永修縣吳城鎮 Poyang Lake birds reserve Situated in northern Jiangxi, Poyang Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in China, lies to the south of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The lake has been well-known as “a land of abundance” and is reputed as a “bright pearl” in the basin of the Yangtze River with its rich aquatic resources and flourishing crops in surrounding fertile lands. The abundant natural resources of the lake provide a welcoming habitat for birds, attracting tens of thousands of migratory birds to spend their winter there, thus turning Poyang Lake into one of the world’s most famous migratory bird sanctuaries. Add: Poyang Lake, Wucheng Town, Yongxiu County 九江市永修縣吳城鎮 There are also many other attractions in Yongxiu that are worth checking out including the peach blossom garden on Fenghuang Mountain, the yellow canola flower sea in Sanjiao Village, the sacred Buddhist heaven Yunju Mountain and the time-honored Wucheng Ancient Town. (Chen Xiaochun) | 