Wuyuan tour and Wuyuan travel

Wuyuan County is located at the northeast of Jiangxi Province. Ziyang,the county's central town, is 140 km away from Quzhou of Zhejiang to its east,180km from shangrao to its south,80km away from Jindezhen to its west and 114km away from Huangshan to its north;it is like a brightpearl embedded in the Huangshan-Wuyuan-Lushan golden tour line and is honoured as the "Most Beautiful Countyside in China" by the media at home and abroad.

With an 81.5%tree cover of woods,Wuyuan is one of the sixteen most ecologically advanced agriculture counties in China.Like a large parkthe county is praised as the "Last shangri La". Wengong Hill,Yuanyan Lake(the Mandarin Duck Lake) and Linyan Cave are known as ecological wonders.There are also many well-preserved ancient villages like Jiangwan,likeng,Wangkou,Yan village,Sixi and Likeng.The Hui-style ancient Buildings withpink walls and black tiles,which are faintly visible amid the green hillsand blue waters, make up a picturesque landscape depicting the symbiosisof man and nature.

Wuyuan is the hometown of Philosopher Zhuxi and Zhan Tianyou,the Father of Railroads in China.There were 550 successful candidates all together form Wuyuan who had taken the highest imperialexaminations in the past.hui Opera, the origin of Beijing Opera,the LuoDance known as the "Dance Live Fossil",the folk garret-lifting art reputedfor "A Unique in Chian"and the charming tea performance all make Wuyuan anattractive scenic spot.

Wuyuan, on the boundary of three provinces in Jiangxi's northeastern corner, has a magnificent landscape dotted with strange caves, deep secluded rocks and numerous historic sites. It has been described by some overseas photographers as the "most beautiful of Chinese villages.''

Wuyuan County is home to some of the best-preserved ancient architecture in China. Each of the numerous ancient buildings has a distinctive shape and structure. They emerge from among the emerald green mountains, clear rivers, green trees and the crisscrossing paths between the fields.

Wuyuan's structures were built in 740 during the Tang Dynasty, its remoteness and inconvenient transportation protecting its villages' beauty from too many visitors. Thus the idyllic scene remained unsullied ... pure, clean brooks, seemingly delicate wooden buildings, unique bridges and, most precious of all, the tranquil lifestyle enjoyed by local people.

Virtually every village has something special to offer, often some tiny but unique feature that can stop you in your tracks and positively beg to be photographed. So was it in Wuyuan, our no-rush itinerary allowing for a visit to one village each day. We stayed over at each, and headed for the next on the list each morning.

Yancun Villagage

Yancun is a very small village, easily traversed by foot in no more than 10 minutes. Fields surround the village, as peaceful and comfortable a spot as one could find anywhere. To me, every residential building was a masterpiece of architectural wisdom and wooden sculpting. The buildings here have up to three floors with, amazingly, between 16 and 24 rooms. Old carvings are everywhere, each with an auspicious meaning. In some houses, elderly locals told us of their building's history, including how, when and why it was erected.

Why such enormous houses? Simply, they were built by powerful Jiangxi tea merchants after they had made their fortune. Each house's gate is built in the shape of the Chinese character meaning "business" while every home is encircled by high walls. Rainwater flows into the main courtyard through a hidden tunnel, in effect meaning that "water from four directions return to one home".

Sixi Village

Just 500 meters from Yancun, Sixi is a picture-postcard village, a "real" village for ordinary peasants. Except for several huge courtyards and buildings constructed by rich men long ago, most structures are simpler in design than counterparts in nearby Yancun.

Villagers enjoy a very free life. One woman is washing clothes by the river while, by the bridge, other villagers are playing card games. Yet others are simply chatting. We and they seem from different worlds. I stopped to take some pictures, and they seemed not in the least disturbed at what might have been adjudged an intrusion on their privacy.