Shicheng County

Shicheng County is located in the northeastern part of Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, at the western foot of the Wuyi Mountains and the source of the Gan River. It is named for its 'surrounding mountains full of rocks, towering like a city.' Covering an area of 1,567 square kilometers with a population of about 330,000, it is one of the important birthplaces of Hakka culture. Shicheng has a long history, established in 953 AD during the Southern Tang dynasty, and is known as the 'Cradle of Hakka,' 'Hometown of Chinese White Lotus,' and 'Hometown of Chinese Lanterns.' It is also a famous 'Hometown of Hot Springs' in China, with abundant geothermal resources, and is renowned for intangible cultural heritage items such as 'Shicheng Inkstone' and 'Shicheng Meatballs.' Shicheng was an important part of the Central Soviet Area, with many red revolutionary sites, such as the Shicheng Blockade Battle Site and the Qiuxi Reorganization Site. The unique Danxia landforms, clear streams of the Gan River source, ancient Hakka enclosed houses, and rich folk customs together form the core charm of Shicheng tourism.

I. Core Attractions 1. Tongtianzhai Scenic Area (National 4A): 5 km from the county seat, famous for typical Danxia landforms, featuring wonders like 'Stone Bamboo Shoots Piercing the Sky,' 'Tongtian Rock,' and 'Immortal Plowing Fields.' Ticket: 50 yuan, open 8:00-17:00. Recommended visit time: 3-4 hours for hiking and viewing geological wonders. 2. Ganjiangyuan National Nature Reserve: Located in Hengjiang Town, 30 km from the county seat, it is the source of the thousand-mile Gan River. The reserve has dense virgin forests and clear streams, with attractions like 'Ganjiangyuan Waterfall Group' and 'Longtan Waterfall.' Free admission but requires advance reservation. Best hiking season: late spring to early summer. 3. Jiuzhai Hot Spring Resort: Located in Qinjiang Town, 8 km from the county seat, it is a comprehensive resort integrating hot spring bathing, water entertainment, and vacation accommodation. The hot spring water is rich in fluoride and metasilicic acid. Ticket: 168 yuan (including hot spring and water park), open 9:00-23:00. 4. Shicheng Blockade Battle Memorial Park: Located in the northern suburbs of the county seat, built to commemorate the 'Shicheng Blockade Battle' on the eve of the Red Army's Long March in 1934. The park features a monument, memorial hall, and trench ruins. Free admission, an important red tourism site.

II. Folk Culture Experiences 1. Shicheng Lanterns: During the Lantern Festival, the county seat holds lantern parades including dragon lanterns, lion lanterns, and tea basket lanterns, creating a spectacular scene. Shicheng lanterns are listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. 2. Shicheng Inkstone: Carved from the local 'Shicheng inkstone stone,' with a long history. Visit the 'Shicheng Inkstone Culture Museum' in the county seat to view and purchase, prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of yuan. 3. Hakka Enclosed Houses: Represented by 'Chenlian Enclosed House' and 'Dashe Enclosed House,' distributed in Qinjiang Town and Xiaosong Town. Some are free to visit, offering a taste of Hakka architectural culture.

III. Food Recommendations 1. Shicheng Meatballs: Made mainly from pork and sweet potato starch, with a chewy texture, a must-have dish at local banquets. Recommended: 'Shicheng Meatball Old Shop' (No. 45 Qinjiang Road), about 30 yuan per person. 2. Shicheng White Lotus: Named after the 'Hometown of Chinese White Lotus,' lotus seed soup and lotus seed paste are specialties. Fresh lotus pods can be enjoyed in summer. 3. Shicheng Moldy Tofu: A traditional fermented soybean product, great with porridge. Available at the county farmers' market, 10 yuan per bottle. 4. Hakka Lei Tea: Made by grinding tea leaves, peanuts, sesame, etc., refreshing and thirst-quenching. Mostly experienced at farm stays, such as 'Dashe Village Hakka Tea House.'

IV. Transportation Guide 1. External Transportation: Take high-speed rail to 'Ganzhou West Station,' then transfer to a bus to Shicheng (about 2.5 hours); or take a regular train to 'Shicheng Station'; self-drive via the Jiguang Expressway (G35) to the 'Shicheng North' exit. 2. Internal Transportation: Bus routes within the county cover major attractions, fare 2 yuan; taxi starting fare 5 yuan; shared electric scooters (Hello, Meituan) available for rent. 3. Recommended Itinerary: D1: Tongtianzhai + Jiuzhai Hot Spring; D2: Ganjiangyuan Hiking + Shicheng Blockade Battle Memorial Park; D3: Hakka Enclosed Houses + Lantern Experience.