Leping City, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi – Travel Guide

Leping City, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi — a treasure trove of ancient architecture and nature in northeastern Jiangxi, known as the "Home of Ancient Chinese Stages". It boasts the Hongyan Wonderland karst cave, dozens of Ming-Qing ancient stages, and the ecological scenery of Cuiping Lake, offering a 2-day in-depth experience of ancient architecture and natural wonders.

1,980+
Square Kilometers Area
850,000+
Permanent Population
40+
Ming-Qing Ancient Stages
6
Major Featured Attractions
Hongyan Wonderland karst cave landscape in Leping City, Jingdezhen
Hongyan Wonderland – Core Natural Wonder of Leping City
Formed over 300 million years ago, this large karst cave group features stalactites of various shapes, known as the "Underground Art Palace".

Leping City 2-Day Ancient Architecture & Nature Exploration Tour

Seek wonders in caves, listen to opera echoes on ancient stages, enjoy lake vistas, explore stone forests

Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Hongyan Wonderland, Hu'e Ancient Stage, Cuiping Lake, Wenshan Stone Forest, Nanyao Kiln Site
Suitable For
Cave enthusiasts, ancient architecture lovers, photography fans, families, nature explorers
Budget per person
¥300-¥600
Day 1
Karst Wonders & Ancient Stage Elegance
Hongyan Wonderland · Hu'e Ancient Stage · Leping Ancient City Wall
Highlights

Morning: Explore the Hongyan Wonderland karst cave group and admire the hundred-million-year stalactite wonders; afternoon: visit Hu'e Ancient Stage, a living fossil of the "Chinese Ancient Stage Museum"; evening: stroll along Leping Ancient City Wall and feel the passage of history.

Attractions Schedule
Hongyan Wonderland
National AAAA-level scenic area, composed of karst caves, stone forests and waterfalls. Unique stalactite formations such as "Nine Heavens Flying Waterfall" and "Thunderclap" create spectacular sights. The stone forest outside the cave is also beautifully arranged, making it a rare cave-stone forest complex in East China.
Hu'e Ancient Stage
A masterpiece among Leping's ancient stage group, built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. It integrates architecture, carving and painting, with exquisite "three carvings" (wood, brick and stone carving), serving as an important physical artifact for studying ancient Chinese stage architecture.
Leping Ancient City Wall
First built during the Southern Dynasties, the remaining sections date from the Ming and Qing periods. Constructed with brick and stone, it retains gates and defensive structures, bearing witness to Leping's thousand-year history. Walking along the wall at dusk offers a panoramic view of the old city.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Self-driving or chartering recommended for attractions within Leping
  • About 1 hour drive from city center to Hongyan Wonderland, with tourist shuttle available
  • Hu'e Ancient Stage is a 15-minute drive from city center, accessible by rural bus
  • The ancient city wall is located in the city center, easily reached on foot or by bike
Ticket Info
  • Hongyan Wonderland: ¥80/person
  • Hu'e Ancient Stage: ¥20/person
  • Leping Ancient City Wall: Free
  • Some ancient stages are privately owned by villages; please respect local customs when visiting
Food Recommendations
  • Leping Peach Pastry
  • Yongshan Smoked Pig Head
  • Leping Dog Meat (Note: consumption subject to relevant regulations)
  • Steamed Pork with Rice Flour
  • Stir-Fried Rice Cake
Day 2
Lake Scenery & Historical Remains
Cuiping Lake · Wenshan Stone Forest · Nanyao Kiln Site
Highlights

Morning: Cruise on Cuiping Lake and enjoy the "Jiangxi Thousand Island Lake" scenery; afternoon: explore Wenshan Stone Forest and observe karst landforms; evening: visit Nanyao Kiln Site to trace Tang Dynasty porcelain-making history.

Attractions Schedule
Cuiping Lake
Originally named Communist Reservoir, one of the large reservoirs in Jiangxi Province. The vast lake is surrounded by mountains with scattered islands, earning it the nickname "Jiangxi Thousand Island Lake". Activities include fishing, boating and camping.
Wenshan Stone Forest
A karst stone forest covering approximately 20 square kilometers, with stone peaks, pillars and buds in various shapes. Famous for its "Four Treasures of the Study" shaped rock formations, legend says it was where Lü Dongbin refined elixirs, combining natural wonder with folklore.
Nanyao Kiln Site
A large Tang Dynasty kiln site dating back approximately 1,200 years, yielding a large number of celadon wares and kiln tools. One of the earliest known porcelain kiln sites in the Jingdezhen area, providing important physical evidence for the porcelain capital's history.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Cuiping Lake is about 30 minutes drive from city center, self-driving recommended
  • Wenshan Stone Forest requires self-driving or charter from city center (about 40 min)
  • Nanyao Kiln Site is 10 km from city center, take bus to Jiedu Town then walk
Ticket Info
  • Cuiping Lake: Free (boat rides extra)
  • Wenshan Stone Forest: ¥40/person
  • Nanyao Kiln Site: Free (advance reservation required)
Experience Tips
  • Cuiping Lake: boat tour recommended (about 1 hour)
  • Wenshan Stone Forest: wear comfortable sports shoes, some sections are steep
  • Nanyao Kiln Site: guide service available (¥50/session) for deeper historical insight

Must-Try Foods in Leping City

Leping Peach Pastry

A traditional Leping pastry originating from the Ming-Qing period, known for its fragrant, crispy and flaky texture. Golden in color and melts in the mouth, it is a representative product of the "Home of Chinese Peach Pastry" and an excellent gift.

Yongshan Smoked Pig Head

A specialty cured meat from Yongshan Town, Leping, made from pig heads marinated and air-dried through multiple processes. Firm texture with rich salty aroma, a must-have festive dish for locals.

Leping Stir-Fried Rice Cake

Made from local glutinous rice cakes stir-fried with cured meat and vegetables. Soft, chewy and savory, it is a beloved home-style snack in Leping.

Leping City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • April-May: Spring flowers bloom around Cuiping Lake, ideal for outings
  • September-November: Cool autumn weather, comfortable for stone forest and cave visits
  • Avoid June-July rainy season; caves may be damp
  • During Spring Festival, traditional opera performances are often held at ancient stages
Must-Do Experiences
  • Listen to the "Thunderclap" water dripping sound in Hongyan Wonderland cave
  • Watch a traditional Gan Opera performance at Hu'e Ancient Stage
  • Take a boat ride on Cuiping Lake to enjoy the scenery
  • Search for "Four Treasures of the Study" shaped rocks at Wenshan Stone Forest
  • Touch Tang Dynasty porcelain fragments at Nanyao Kiln Site
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥150
  • Meals: ¥100-200/day
  • Transport: ¥100-150/day (self-driving fuel cost)
  • Accommodation: ¥150-300/night (city hotel)
  • Total: ¥300-600
FAQ
  • How many ancient stages are there in Leping? → Over 40 remain, with Hu'e, Chengjia and Hanjia being the most famous
  • How long does it take to visit Hongyan Wonderland? → 2-3 hours recommended (including cave + stone forest)
  • Can I camp at Cuiping Lake? → Some areas allow it; please consult the management office in advance
  • Is Nanyao Kiln Site suitable for children? → Yes, it provides a direct way to learn about ceramic history

Explore Districts & Counties of Jingdezhen City