Shangyou County

Shangyou County is located in the western part of Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, in the upper reaches of the Gan River and the source of the Zhang River. It covers an area of 1,543 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 320,000 (2023). Shangyou has a long history, established in the tenth year of Baoda of the Southern Tang Dynasty (952 AD), named after the Shangyou River within its territory. It is known as China's 'Hometown of Hydropower', 'Hometown of Tea', and 'Hometown of Ornamental Stones', with abundant forest and hydropower resources. The forest coverage rate is as high as 81.4%, and the air quality ranks among the best in the province year-round. Shangyou is an important inheritance site of Hakka culture, preserving numerous Hakka enclosed houses, folk customs, and cuisine, such as the intangible cultural heritage of 'Nine Lions Worshiping the Elephant' and 'Hakka Door Plaques'. As the core area of eco-tourism in Ganzhou, Shangyou is famous for natural landscapes like Yangming Lake (formerly Doushui Lake) National Forest Park and Wuzhi Peak Provincial Nature Reserve, making it an ideal destination for leisure, vacation, and ecological wellness.

## I. Recommended Core Attractions

**1. Yangming Lake National Forest Park (formerly Doushui Lake)** - Location: About 30 km from the county seat, 40-minute drive - Features: The lake area covers 31 square kilometers, with 427 bays and 42 islands. Water quality remains at Class I standard year-round. Must-see attractions include Fengyue Island, Gannan Arboretum (with over 1,700 rare plant species), and Folk Customs Garden. - Tickets: Park entrance 60 yuan, boat ticket 50 yuan (including island visits), open 8:00-17:30 - Tips: It is recommended to take a boat tour, which takes about 3 hours; azaleas bloom by the lake in spring, and maple leaves are fiery in autumn.

**2. Wuzhi Peak Provincial Nature Reserve** - Location: Northwest of the county seat, about 50 km away - Features: The main peak is 1,607 meters above sea level, named for its five peaks resembling five fingers. It preserves a complete subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystem, with rare plants such as yew and Bretschneidera sinensis, and protected animals like clouded leopard and white-necked long-tailed pheasant. - Tickets: Free, but registration required at the entrance; bring food and water for the hike, which takes about 5 hours - Best season: Summer and autumn, for viewing sea of clouds and sunrise.

**3. Yuancun Village** - Location: Meishui Township, about 15 km from the county seat - Features: Known as 'the first Hakka village in southern Jiangxi', it has well-preserved Hakka enclosed houses, ancient ancestral halls, and tea gardens. Visitors can experience tea picking and making, and taste 'Shangyou Green Tea'. The village also has a 'Forest Train' (Gannan Forest Railway), the only well-preserved narrow-gauge forest railway in southern China, about 12 km long. - Tickets: Free; train ticket 30 yuan/person

## II. Special Cuisine

Shangyou's cuisine is mainly Hakka-style, with a savory and rich flavor. Must-try dishes include: - **Bao Mi Guo**: Steamed rice rolls wrapped with bamboo shoots, minced meat, etc., smooth and tender. Recommended at 'Old Brand Bao Mi Guo Shop' (Dongshan Avenue, about 15 yuan per person). - **Shangyou Fish Head**: Made with wild bighead carp head from Yangming Lake, stewed with tofu and chili, delicious soup. Recommended at 'Doushui Lake Fish Village' (Doushui Town, about 60 yuan per person). - **Huang Yuan Mi Guo**: Made from glutinous rice and pagoda tree flowers, golden in color, can be pan-fried or stir-fried, a traditional Hakka New Year item. - **Hakka Stuffed Tofu**: Tofu stuffed with meat filling, steamed and topped with sauce, available at farmhouse restaurants.

## III. Transportation Guide

**External Transportation**: - High-speed rail: Ganzhou West Station is about 50 km from Shangyou county seat, 1-hour drive. After exiting, take the 'Ganzhou to Shangyou' bus at the west station bus hub, fare 20 yuan, every 30 minutes. - Air: Ganzhou Huangjin Airport is about 60 km from the county seat. Take airport bus to Ganzhou Bus Station and then transfer to a bus. - Self-driving: Xiamen-Chengdu Expressway (G76) has an exit in Shangyou, about 1 hour from downtown Ganzhou.

**Internal Transportation**: - Within the county, take buses (fare 1 yuan) or taxis (starting fare 5 yuan). - To scenic spots, it is recommended to charter a car or self-drive. There are tourist shuttle buses between major attractions (e.g., county seat to Yangming Lake, fare 10 yuan, 6 trips daily).

## IV. Accommodation Recommendations

- **Yangming Lake International Resort Hotel**: Four-star, lakeside, standard room about 400 yuan/night, phone: 0797-8508888. - **Yuancun Village Homestays**: Experience Hakka life, standard room about 200 yuan/night, recommended 'Tea Fragrance Inn'. - **County Budget Hotels**: Such as 7 Days Inn, GreenTree Inn, standard room about 150 yuan/night.