Xingguo County

Xingguo County, located in the north-central part of Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, lies at the intersection of the Wuyi Mountains and the Yushan Mountains. It covers an area of 3,215 square kilometers and has a registered population of approximately 850,000. Xingguo is renowned as the 'County of Generals,' having produced 54 founding generals during the revolutionary war era, including Xiao Hua, Chen Qihan, Zhu Ming, Kang Zhiqiang, and Xie Youfa, making it the third largest county of generals in China. Xingguo has a long history, established as a county in 236 AD during the Three Kingdoms period, originally named Pingyang County, later renamed Xingguo for its auspicious meaning. It is one of the important birthplaces of Hakka culture, with Hakka people accounting for over 98% of the population, preserving rich Hakka folk customs and intangible cultural heritage, such as Xingguo folk songs, which are listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Xingguo is also a famous 'red tourism' destination in China, with numerous revolutionary sites and memorial facilities. Its natural landscapes are unique, featuring Danxia landforms, waterfalls, and primeval forests. In recent years, Xingguo has actively developed eco-tourism and modern agriculture, forming a comprehensive tourism system characterized by red culture, green ecology, and Hakka customs.

I. Red Tourism Attractions

Xingguo County is an important revolutionary base in China, rich in red tourism resources. Must-visit attractions include: 1. General Park (south end of Jiangjun Avenue, Xingguo County): Free admission, open all day. The park features statues of 54 generals and a General Memorial Hall displaying their life stories and revolutionary relics. About 2 km from the county center. 2. Xingguo Revolutionary Memorial Hall (Hongjun Road, Lianjiang Town): Ticket 20 yuan, open 8:00-17:30. The hall houses a large collection of revolutionary historical materials, including documents, weapons, and daily necessities from the Soviet area. 3. Changgang Township Investigation Memorial Hall (Changgang Village, Changgang Township): Free, open 8:30-17:00. In 1933, Mao Zedong conducted a social survey here, leaving the famous 'Changgang Township Investigation.' The hall recreates the survey scene. 4. Central Red Army Arsenal Site (Guantian Village, Xinglian Township): Free, open all day. This was the first large-scale arsenal of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, where you can visit production workshops and ammunition depots. 5. Fangshiling Battle Site (Fangshiling, Dinglong Township): Free, open all day. In 1934, the Red Army fought a blocking battle here; trenches and a monument remain.

II. Natural Ecological Scenic Areas

Xingguo is known for its Danxia landforms and waterfalls. Main attractions: 1. Lingshan Scenic Area (15 km northeast of county town): Ticket 50 yuan, open 8:00-18:00. The main peak is 461 meters above sea level, composed of red sandstone with unique shapes. Key attractions include Lingshan Temple, Immortal Cave, and Yixian Tian. Rhododendrons bloom spectacularly in spring. 2. Taipingyan Karst Cave (Gaoduo Village, Gaoxing Town, 20 km from county town): Ticket 30 yuan, open 8:30-17:00. The cave features well-developed stalactites, an underground river, and stone curtains, stretching about 2 km. 3. Bingxin Cave (Hefu Village, Changgang Township, 10 km from county town): Free, open all day. Named for its year-round low temperature, it is a summer resort with waterfalls and bamboo groves. 4. Danxia Lake (Dinglong Township, 25 km from county town): Free, open all day. The clear lake reflects the Danxia mountains, suitable for boating and fishing, ideal for photography.

III. Hakka Culture and Folk Experiences

Xingguo is a Hakka settlement where you can experience: 1. Xingguo Folk Songs (heard in county squares or village festivals): National intangible heritage, characterized by impromptu duets. An annual folk song competition is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month. 2. Hakka Enclosed Houses (mainly in Gaoxing Town and Lianjiang Town): Typical houses like 'Dafudi' and 'Jiuting Shibajing' can be visited to see interior structures and Hakka daily utensils. 3. Sanliao Fengshui Cultural Village (Meijiao Town, 60 km from county town): Free, open all day. Known as 'China's No.1 Fengshui Village,' it is where Yang Yunsong (Fengshui master) taught. The village preserves many Fengshui buildings and compass-making skills.

IV. Food Recommendations

Xingguo specialties: 1. Xingguo Rice Noodles with Fish: Steamed grass carp fillets with rice noodles, seasoned with chili and garlic, spicy and delicious. Recommended restaurant: 'General Tower' (middle of Jiangjun Avenue). 2. Four Stars Gazing at the Moon: A dish named by Mao Zedong, consisting of four dishes (steamed pork with rice flour, taro, pumpkin, etc.) surrounding a central plate of rice noodles with fish. Try it at 'Red Memory' Restaurant (Hongjun Road). 3. Xingguo Lei Tea: A traditional Hakka drink made by grinding tea leaves, peanuts, sesame, etc. Several tea houses on the old street serve it. 4. Sweet Potato Vermicelli: A local specialty with a chewy texture; dried vermicelli can be bought as a souvenir.

V. Transportation Guide

External Transportation: - Railway: Xingguo Station is on the Beijing-Kowloon Railway, with over 20 trains daily. From Ganzhou West Station, take a high-speed train to Xingguo West Station (about 30 minutes). - Highway: G72 Quannan Expressway and G45 Daguang Expressway pass through. Driving from downtown Ganzhou takes about 1.5 hours. - Long-distance Bus: Buses from Ganzhou Bus Station depart every 30 minutes to Xingguo, fare about 30 yuan, journey 2 hours.

Internal Transportation: - County buses (Routes 1 and 2) serve major attractions, fare 1 yuan. - Taxi starting fare 6 yuan; from county town to General Park about 10 yuan. - It is recommended to charter a car for rural attractions, about 200-300 yuan per day.

VI. Recommended Itineraries

One-day tour: Morning visit General Park and Xingguo Revolutionary Memorial Hall, lunch with rice noodles with fish, afternoon hike at Lingshan Scenic Area, evening stroll on the old street. Two-day tour: Day 1 visit red attractions and Lingshan; Day 2 visit Sanliao Fengshui Cultural Village and Bingxin Cave, evening enjoy folk song performance.