Shangli County, Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province – Travel Guide

Shangli County, Pingxiang, Jiangxi — a folk treasure trove in western Jiangxi, famous for "Fireworks Culture" and "Zen Ancestral Court". Home to Nie Long Cave, Yangqi Putong Temple, Fireworks Culture Expo Park, Jiguan Mountain and other featured attractions, a 2-day deep experience of intangible cultural heritage and cave ecology.

720
sq km County Area
520,000+
Permanent Population
20+
Fireworks Intangible Heritage Sites
5
Major Featured Attractions
Nie Long Cave in Shangli County, Pingxiang
Nie Long Cave – Karst Cave Wonder Core Scenic Area of Shangli County
A national 4A-level scenic area, famous for its myriad stalactite formations. Underground rivers wind sinuously inside, earning it the reputation of "Underground Art Corridor", a well-known karst cave landscape in East China.

Shangli County 2-Day Folk Eco In-Depth Tour

Fireworks roots tracing, Zen inquiry, cave exploration, mountain and water leisure

Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Nie Long Cave, Yangqi Putong Temple, Fireworks Culture Expo Park, Jiguan Mountain
Suitable For
Folk culture enthusiasts, religious culture researchers, cave explorers, families
Budget per person
¥180-¥350
Day 1
Folk Culture & Zen Heritage
Fireworks Culture Expo Park · Yangqi Putong Temple · Shangli Old Street
Highlights

Morning: Visit the Fireworks Culture Expo Park to trace intangible cultural heritage skills; afternoon: Ascend Yangqi Putong Temple to feel Zen atmosphere; evening: Stroll through Shangli Old Street to experience local life.

Attractions Schedule
Fireworks Culture Expo Park
The first expo park in China themed around fireworks culture, showcasing over 300 years of Shangli fireworks development history. Features production craft halls, folk experience halls, and modern fireworks technology halls, with miniature fireworks displays available.
Yangqi Putong Temple
A Zen ancestral court first built in the Tang Dynasty, birthplace of the Yangqi School. The temple preserves Tang Dynasty stone Buddhas, Song Dynasty ancient bells and other cultural relics. The existing buildings are in Ming and Qing styles, one of the national key temples.
Shangli Old Street
An ancient street carrying a hundred years of Shangli memory, preserving buildings from Ming, Qing and Republican periods. Along the street are traditional fireworks workshop ruins, time-honored shops, and a folk culture museum. Charming when lanterns light up in the evening.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Attractions in the county town are reachable by bus routes 1 and 3
  • Yangqi Putong Temple is 10km from the county town, take Yangqi special line bus or self-drive
  • Old Street is in the county center, recommend walking
  • Free parking available at the Expo Park
Ticket Info
  • Fireworks Culture Expo Park: ¥30/person
  • Yangqi Putong Temple: Free (incense donation voluntary)
  • Shangli Old Street: Free
  • Students and seniors enjoy half-price discount with ID
Food Recommendations
  • Shangli Stir-Fried Rice Noodles
  • Smoked Cured Meat
  • Spicy Snacks
  • Yangqi Vegetarian Cuisine
  • Glutinous Rice Cake
Day 2
Cave Wonders & Mountain Ecology
Nie Long Cave · Jiguan Mountain · Quanjiang Wetland
Highlights

Morning: Explore Nie Long Cave to admire stalactite wonders; afternoon: Climb Jiguan Mountain to enjoy mountain scenery; evening: Stroll through Quanjiang Wetland Park to experience ecological beauty.

Attractions Schedule
Nie Long Cave
A national 4A-level scenic area, the cave is 4.2 kilometers long with over 30 sights including "Cave Sky Flying Waterfall" and "Dragon Palace Treasure Hall". Stalactites come in myriad forms, underground rivers are crystal clear, and the cave maintains a constant temperature of about 18°C.
Jiguan Mountain
Named for its rooster-comb-like shape, the main peak is about 500 meters above sea level. Features primitive forests, streams and waterfalls, and Red Army trench ruins. From the summit, you can overlook the border scenery of Shangli and Liling, a great hiking and leisure destination.
Quanjiang Wetland Park
An ecological wetland park centered around the Quanjiang River, featuring waterfront platforms, cycling greenways, and a wetland science museum. Over 20 species of water birds including egrets inhabit the area, a natural oxygen bar for birdwatching and leisure.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Nie Long Cave is 15km from the county town, take Futian special line bus or self-drive
  • Jiguan Mountain is 20km from the county town, self-driving or charter recommended
  • Quanjiang Wetland Park is directly accessible by bus route 5
  • Walking inside the cave, recommend wearing non-slip shoes
Ticket Info
  • Nie Long Cave: ¥60/person (guided tour included)
  • Jiguan Mountain: Free
  • Quanjiang Wetland Park: Free
  • Cave + boat combo ticket: ¥80/person
Experience Tips
  • Nie Long Cave is relatively cool inside, bring a light jacket
  • Bring enough drinking water and snacks for Jiguan Mountain hiking
  • Early morning is best for birdwatching at the wetland, binoculars recommended
  • No flash photography inside the cave to protect stalactites

Must-Try Foods in Shangli County

Shangli Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Classic snack of Shangli, made with local rice noodles quickly stir-fried over high heat with eggs, bean sprouts, cured meat and more. Chewy texture with rich sauce aroma, a top choice for locals' breakfast and late-night cravings.

Smoked Cured Meat

Traditional farmhouse cured meat of Shangli, made from local pork smoked with cypress branches. Firm texture with unique smoky flavor, can be steamed or stir-fried, a winter table essential.

Yangqi Vegetarian Cuisine

Vegetarian dishes originating from Yangqi Putong Temple, made with wild mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and soybean products. Using Zen cooking techniques, light and elegant, embodying Buddhist dietary culture.

Shangli County Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Mar-May: Spring mountain flowers in bloom, perfect for hiking and outings
  • Sep-Nov: Pleasant autumn climate, comfortable for cave visits
  • Dec-Feb: Experience Fireworks Festival folk activities (during the first lunar month)
  • Avoid summer heavy rain periods, possible flash flood risks in mountainous areas
Must-Do Experiences
  • Make miniature fireworks by hand at the Fireworks Culture Expo Park (reservation required)
  • Take a boat tour of the underground river at Nie Long Cave
  • Participate in morning chanting at Yangqi Putong Temple
  • Taste authentic stir-fried rice noodles on Shangli Old Street
  • Watch sunrise and sea of clouds from Jiguan Mountain summit
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥100
  • Meals: ¥60-120/day
  • Transport: ¥60-100/day
  • Accommodation: ¥100-200/night (county town hotels)
  • Total: ¥180-350
FAQ
  • Specific dates for the Fireworks Festival? → Every year from the 13th to the 15th of the first lunar month, with large fireworks displays
  • How long does it take to visit Nie Long Cave? → About 1.5-2 hours following the guided tour route
  • Can I stay overnight at Yangqi Putong Temple? → Layman rooms available, contact the reception office in advance
  • Which shop serves the most authentic Shangli stir-fried rice noodles? → "Time-Honored Fried Rice Noodle Shop" at the entrance of Old Street has good reviews

Explore Districts & Counties of Pingxiang City

Anyuan
Xiangdong
Lianhua
Shangli
Luxi