Dayu County, Ganzhou, Jiangxi – Travel Guide

Dayu County in Ganzhou, Jiangxi — the location of the First Pass South of the Five Ridges, featuring attractions such as Meiguan Ancient Trail, Ya Mountain Scenic Area, Peony Pavilion Park, and Jiayou Temple Pagoda. Enjoy a 1-day in-depth experience of the fusion of Meiling culture and natural landscapes.

2000+

Years of History (Meiguan Ancient Trail)

1368

km² Area

310K+

Resident Population

20+

Historical & Natural Attractions

Panoramic view of Meiguan Ancient Trail in Dayu County, Ganzhou

Meiguan Ancient Trail – Iconic Landscape of Dayu County

A thousand-year-old post road connecting Jiangxi and Guangdong, famous for 'plum blossoms adorning Yuling Ridge as the fragrant kingdom', serving as a vital north-south transportation route and cultural exchange channel in ancient times

Dayu County One-Day Meiling Culture Tour

Ancient Trail Exploration, Famous Mountain Scenery, Peony Sentiments, Ancient Pagoda Discovery

                        
Duration
1 Day

                        
Main Destinations
Meiguan Ancient Trail, Ya Mountain Scenic Area, Peony Pavilion Park, Jiayou Temple Pagoda, Sanjiangkou Primeval Forest

                        
Best For
History enthusiasts, nature explorers, culture seekers, photography lovers

                        
Budget per Person
¥180-¥450

Full Day

Dayu Meiling Culture Discovery Tour

Meiguan Ancient Trail · Ya Mountain Scenic Area · Peony Pavilion Park · Jiayou Temple Pagoda

Highlights

In the morning, walk the Meiguan Ancient Trail to admire Meiling scenery and trace ancient transportation history; visit Ya Mountain Scenic Area to see waterfalls and sea of clouds, experiencing natural ecology. In the afternoon, explore Peony Pavilion Park to discover the cultural origins of 'The Peony Pavilion'; view Jiayou Temple Pagoda to touch the pulse of a thousand years of history. In the evening, explore Sanjiangkou Primeval Forest to experience secluded wilderness.

Attractions

Meiguan Ancient Trail

First built in the Qin and Han dynasties and expanded by Zhang Jiuling of the Tang Dynasty, it is one of the best-preserved ancient post roads in the country. Famous for plum blossoms, featuring the scenic beauty of 'Yuling Cold Plum'. Existing structures include pass towers, steles, and ancient bridges, serving as an important node of the overland route of the 'Maritime Silk Road'.

Ya Mountain Scenic Area

National 4A-level scenic area, renowned for 'green mountains, dense forests, secluded springs, and spectacular waterfalls'. Features include Wolong Valley Waterfall Group, Ya Mountain Zen Temple, and Glass Walkway. Forest coverage rate reaches 92%, making it a natural oxygen bar and eco-tourism destination.

Peony Pavilion Park

Built in memory of Ming Dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu's creation of 'The Peony Pavilion' in Dayu. The park features replicas of the Peony Pavilion, Peony Balustrade, and Liniang's Tomb, blending garden art with opera culture, making it an important site for exploring the cultural heritage of 'Four Dreams of Linchuan'.

Jiayou Temple Pagoda

First built in the Sui Dynasty and rebuilt in the Song Dynasty, it is a provincial cultural relic protection unit. The pagoda is 40 meters tall, hexagonal with nine stories, brick-and-wood structure with exquisite carvings, bearing witness to Dayu's historical status as 'Nan'an Prefecture'.

Practical Information

Transportation

Take city bus Route 5 from Dayu county town to Meiguan Ancient Trail entrance
Ya Mountain Scenic Area accessible by self-drive or tourist shuttle bus
Peony Pavilion Park and Jiayou Temple Pagoda are within the county town, walkable or by taxi
Sanjiangkou Primeval Forest recommended by self-drive (about 30 km from county town)

Ticket Info

Meiguan Ancient Trail: ¥40
Ya Mountain Scenic Area: ¥80
Peony Pavilion Park: Free
Jiayou Temple Pagoda: ¥10
Sanjiangkou Primeval Forest: ¥20

Food Recommendations

Nan'an Pressed Duck specialty restaurant in the old town district
Eco-restaurant at Ya Mountain Scenic Area
Hakka farmhouse cuisine around Meiguan Ancient Trail
Huanglong Town specialty fish restaurant

Must-Try Foods in Dayu County

Nan'an Pressed Duck

A traditional specialty of Dayu, originating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Made from local shelducks through curing, sun-drying, and other processes. White skin and tender meat with a unique flavor, it is the iconic food of the 'Hometown of Pressed Duck in China'.

Dayu Tangpi (Rice Skin Wrap)

A traditional Hakka snack of Dayu, made from rice into rice skins that can be pan-fried or stir-fried. Filled with pickled vegetables, chili, and other fillings, it has a crispy texture and is a common street-side delicacy.

Hakka Stuffed Three Treasures

A classic Hakka dish of Dayu, stuffing meat filling into bitter melon, eggplant, and green peppers for cooking. Balanced meat and vegetable pairing, savory and flavorful, reflecting the Hakka culinary wisdom of 'making the most of everything'.

Meiling Green Plum Wine

Made from the specialty green plums of Meiguan Ancient Trail. The wine carries the sweet and sour taste of green plums with a refreshing flavor, making it a specialty beverage and souvenir choice of Dayu.

Travel Tips for Dayu County

Best Time to Visit

Winter (Dec-Feb): Plum blossoms in full bloom at Meiguan Ancient Trail, 'Yuling Cold Plum' is a scenic highlight of southern Jiangxi
Spring (Mar-May): Ya Mountain Scenic Area with mountain flowers in full bloom and abundant waterfall flow
Autumn (Sep-Nov): Cool climate, suitable for hiking Meiguan Ancient Trail and Ya Mountain
Avoid summer heavy rain periods as some mountain paths may become slippery

Must-Do Experiences

Hike Meiguan Ancient Trail, experiencing the unique 'one step across Jiangxi and Guangdong'
Watch waterfalls and walk the glass walkway at Ya Mountain Wolong Valley
Listen to classic arias of 'The Peony Pavilion' at Peony Pavilion Park
Taste authentic Nan'an Pressed Duck and purchase green plum products as souvenirs
Take photos in front of Jiayou Temple Pagoda, capturing the elegance of this thousand-year-old pagoda

Budget Reference

Tickets: approx ¥150
Meals: ¥70-150
Transport: ¥50-120 (self-drive fuel cost)
Shopping: ¥50-200 (pressed duck, green plum wine, etc.)
Total: ¥180-450

FAQ

How long does it take to hike the entire Meiguan Ancient Trail? → About 1.5 hours one way, approximately 3 hours round trip
Is Ya Mountain Scenic Area suitable for elderly and children? → Has gentle walking paths, some areas require climbing, choose according to needs
Where can I buy the most authentic Nan'an Pressed Duck? → Old brand shops in the county town or large supermarkets
What accommodation is recommended in Dayu County? → Hotels in the county town center or guesthouses within Ya Mountain Scenic Area