Quanfeng Lantern

 
The Quanfeng Lantern

The Quanfeng Lantern, originally from Quanfeng, Xiushui county of Jiangxi province, is an art performance that combines lanterns, opera and dancing.

The main feature is the lantern team performance, which has a strong folk-custom flavor. During the Spring Festival period, the lanterns are decorated in the village, and performers sing from the first day to the fifteenth day from morning to night. In addition, lantern teams also perform during folk holidays, birthdays, and weddings.

The Quanfeng Lantern has eight lamps, and the performers have eight skills. The talking and singing are all done using the local Quanfeng dialect. Quanfeng has over 20 lantern teams with performers from 16 to 70 years old. The lantern is popular in Quanfeng.

The lantern teams live in remote regions and the dense forests. The performance is so simple that it can be performed anytime and anywhere, bringing happiness and luck to the people in the mountainous region.

Yihuang Opera

 

Yihuang Opera

The Yihuang Opera is a multi-tune opera. It absorbed the aria of Qinqiang, also dubbed Luantan, which is characterized by its simple, bold, exquisite and penetrating, yet exaggerated style. It originated during the late Ming and Early Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The opera is now mainly popular in Jiangxi and Fujian provinces.

There are over 500 kinds of traditional repertoires, most of which have been lost. A few examples are: A Volume of Honest and Upright Officials, Jiangdong Bridge, The Male and Female Whips and A Picture of Qingyang. The aria is very primitive and unsophisticated.

There are up to 12 roles. The performance is simple yet beautiful. For example, to show the movement of riding a horse, the performer ties a prop in the shape of a horse to his body, imitates its movement and dances to the beat of clops which is played by gongs and drums. Only in Yihuang Opera can one see such a primitive method of performance.

The Yihuang Opera, whose formation, development and decline have become the epitome of the history of Chinese opera, is an ideal specimen for the study of the laws of evolution. However, the Yihuang Opera is in danger of dying out, so protective measures shall be taken as soon as possible to keep this piece of cultural heritage alive.

Jiangxi Tea-picking Opera

 
Gannan Tea-picking Opera

The Gannan Tea-picking Opera originated on Jiulong Mountain, Anyuan county, Jiangxi province over three hundred years ago. It was popular in southern Jiangxi province, northern Guangdong province and western Fujian province.

Developed from local folk dances and songs, the Gannan Tea-picking Opera representative of all tea-picking operas in Jiangxi province. The opera is humorous and portrays people's daily lives.

The Hakka live in southern Jiangxi province and make a living by picking tea leaves. The Tea-picking Opera uses strong rural flavor and elements of Hakka culture in its performances. This has made it popular among the Hakka. After the establishment of the PRC, some of the plays from the Tea-picking Opera were adapted into television shows or movies.

The Gannan Tea-picking Opera is very important for the study of language, art, folk culture and customs. Nowadays, there are less and less people interested in learning how to perform the Gannan Tea-picking Opera, so it is in great need of protection.

Jiangxi Acrobatics Troupe

 
Jiangxi Acrobatics Troupe performs with elements of blue & white porcelain

The Jiangxi Acrobatics Troupe was founded in 1961. For more than 40 years after its establishment, the troupe has developed a unique performing style and distinct local flavor through its rich performing experience and persistent hard work. The troupe performances include acrobatics, magic and comedy shows. The Jiangxi Acrobatics Troupe is composed of several teams with a strong cast of many versatile members.

At the Third National Acrobatics Competition, all three shows by the troupe won medals. Among them, "Going Through Whirling Hoops" won the Golden Lion and Innovation prizes awarded by the Ministry of Culture and the only "Cup of Innovation" specially awarded by the China Acrobatics Association. This program is among the most popular acrobatics performances in China.

"Balancing Bowls on the Swaying Ladder" has won first place among winners of the Silver Lion Prize. It was also awarded the Golden K Prize by the Kiwanis Club of Monaco at the Fourth International Acrobatics Among Teenage Acrobats in 1991. "Plank Jumping" was also honored with the Bronze Lion Prize. At the International Acrobatics Competition Among Teenagers held in Italy in 1991, "Balancing Tricks on the Nose" was also recognized by the Italian Ministry of Culture.

The troupe staged more than 60 kinds of programs in its domestic and foreign performances. The troupe has paid performing visits to more than 40 countries like the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Holland, Austria, India, Japan, Tanzania, Thailand, Korea, Dominica and Porto Rico, with a total million audience members. Such frequent exchanges not only help introduce Chinese culture to foreign countries, but also promote the understanding and friendship between people in China and all over the world.

Address: No 3, Huoshen Temple, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, PRC

Tel: +86-791-6774080
Fax: +86-791-6774232

Yiyang Tune

The Yiyang tune -- one of the four great tunes from the Southern Opera (the other three are Yuyao, Kunshan and Haiyan tunes) -- played a significant role in the development of Chinese opera.

The Yiyang tune was formed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Yiyang county, Jiangxi province. As early as the Yongle reign (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty, the Yiyang tune was not only prevalent in Jiangxi province, but also in Anhui, Fujian, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces.

In fact, the tune first emerged by combining operas around the Yiyang region with its local dialects. Reputed as the overlord of Chinese opera, together with the Kunshan tune, the Yiyang tune exerted great influence on the 44 types of Chinese opera, including Peking Opera, Sichuan Opera, Hunan Opera, Qinqiang Opera, etc. The Yiyang tune is therefore regarded as the absolute forefather of Chinese high-pitched operas.

As a highly refined opera, the Kunshan tune was favored by scholars, bureaucrats and literati, but only captured the attention of the Wuzhong region in the Ming Dynasty; the Yiyang tune, on the other hand, which was almost completely neglected by scholars, became a folk art adored by ordinary people.

Torturing Jin Zhen (photo from cjwy.net)

II. Main features

During a Yiyang tune performance, an actor performs a solo on stage, with others joining in offstage to accompanying percussion instruments. Yiyang tune artists have created "gun diao" -- a type of spoken word, where each sentence of the same length is added after the long or short aria. Gun diao can be subcategorized into "gun bai", where a paragraph is recited between two arias, and "gun chang ", where a paragraph is sung between two arias.

The Yiyang tune, which does not have musical scores, is performed according to the local folk tune patterns. Free from the restriction of musical scores and embracing local dialects, Yiyang has a competitive edge over the refined Kunshan tune.

Since the Yiyang tune features one singer with others joining in, it can be performed in squares and on grasslands, and caters to the tastes of ordinary people. Therefore, the tune could be enjoyed by people in different places and because of this, spread quickly across the nation.

III. Influence on other tunes

After the mid-Ming Dynasty, the Yiyang tune was introduced to Beijing, Nanjing city, Jiangsu province, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Combined with local dialects and folk songs, it quickly gave birth to many new local operas, such as the Jiangxi province Leping tune, the Anhui province Huizhou tune, the Qingyang tune (also called "Chizhou tune"), and the Beijing Jing tune.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Qingyang tune improved the gun diao performance style created by the Yiyang tune, where spoken words of equal length are added after the long or short aria, thus boosting the development of the high-pitched opera system. The high-pitched operas then spread to Hubei, Sichuan, Henan, Shanxi andShandong provinces, and were collectively called "qing xi" ("pure opera").

At present, high-pitched operas mainly include Sichuan Opera, Hunan Opera, Chenhe Opera and Ganju Opera, which have inherited such characteristics of the Yiyang tune as beating time with a drum, featuring one singer with others joining in, and adding spoken words between two arias. Some operas also use wind and stringed instruments.

Coming across the Son in the Pavilion (photo from cjwy.net)

IV. Current situation

Compared to the Kunshan tune, which has been placed under systematic protection, the survival of the Yiyang tune is currently being threatened. Due to the passage of time and changes in people's aesthetic tastes, the Yiyang tune has gradually declined.

First of all, fewer and fewer people are paying attention to the Yiyang tune, and its remaining artists, who have graduated in the 1950s, are all around 60 years of age. Currently, only five to six old artists can still master the opera.

Due to funding shortages, the collection and arrangement of related materials have been put on the back shelf. And no troupes or venues currently exist to stage public performances. Some experts warn that this ancient art form is on the verge of extinction; they say it will die out in 20 years unless new blood is trained.

Construction of Jingdezhen traditional porcelain workshop and kiln

 
A traditional porcelain workshop and kiln

I. Origin

Jingdezhen (Jingde Town) is located in northeastern Jiangxi province. As the world-famed ceramic capital, Jingdezhen has a long history of making ceramics and a rich cultural heritage.
According to historical records, Jingdezhen, formerly Xinping, began to produce pottery during the Han Dynasty. It is evident that pottery was first made in Jingdezhen during the Han Dynasty. In the first year in the Jingde Reign of the Song Dynasty (AD 1004), the royal court decreed the city make porcelain wares for imperial use with the wording "Made during the Jingde Reign", printed on the bottom of every piece. Hence the city got its name "Jingdezhen".
II. Porcelain workshop
The porcelain workshop in Jingdezhen, a special place for shaping operations, is a courtyard architecture composed of three individual buildings: the main hall, the granary (a storehouse of raw materials) and the clay house, of which the main hall is mainly used for shaping operations and usually faces south. The granary is looking to the north. The two buildings are parallel with each other.
The clay house is located at the western end of the main hall and extends southwards till it is joined to the granary. The clay house is mainly for the aging and refining of clay.

In the middle of the structure is a rectangular yard, surrounded by walls.
Under the roof of the main hall are wooden racks. The two groups of wooden racks are joined with wooden rods. The rack structure is a ready-make rack for drying molds.
A drying-rack basin (also called a drying-rack pond) is dug out in a place between the inner yard and slope. The drying-rack basin is composed of mold-drying racks and the water basin.
The mold-drying racks set up above the basin are mainly for adjusting the biscuit-drying temperature by changing vapors.

There is only a corridor between the drying-rack basin and the mold racks in the main hall and it is quite easy for potters to turn around quickly when they shift the long board. It is also convenient to move the mold quickly when it rains, saving time and effort. Such a rational design is perfect.

III. Kiln

The famous Jingdezhen kiln was set up and improved by drawing from the best of the Dragon Kiln, the Stairs Kiln and the Gourd Kiln and the Mantou Kiln in the North.
It has no type of shape bricks, complicated fume extractors, or any auxiliary equipment in its structure. The gaseous atmosphere and temperature in the kiln is appropriately controlled only by judging the time and amount of wood to throw on the fire. . It has overcome the shortcomings of the Dragon Kiln and the Stairs Kiln both of which have difficulties in heating up the tail sections, and the high temperature difference of the Gourd Kiln. Therefore, the Jingdezhen Kiln has held an important position in the history of porcelain kilns in China.

Nowadays, few of the porcelain workshops in Jingdezhen are set up completely adhering to these design criteria. The majority of traditional kilns and workshops have been dismantled in the process of industrialization and urbanization, while old builders have passed away. Statistics show that only 23 traditional workshops exist in Jingdezhen. The traditional techniques and architecture are in imminent need of rescue.

Yongxin Shield Dancing

 
Yongxin Shield dancing

Shield dancing is a form of folk dance prevalent in Yongxin county, Jiangxi province. According to Yongxin county and Nantang village records, a shield was used to practice wushu during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), indicating that shield dancing is over two hundred years old.

Only men perform it. Normally there are nine warriors, whom all wear white headbands, black clothes, and jute shoes. One of them holds a steel fork with a ring; the others hold the shield with one hand while the other one holds short knives. The music is accompanied by the sounds of weapons clashing and the shouts of the dancers. The plot of the play is comparatively simple and mainly revolves around the theme of two army groups' fighting. But the forms are various.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the government started to effectively develop and protect artistic folk heritages. As a 'living fossil' of folk culture, the shield dance is popular throughout Yongxin county. It's favored by all local residents, and enriches people's cultural lives. It is a great example of the local customs of Jiangxi province and displays a spirit of teamwork. In terms of artistic value, it's a combination of wushu and dance.



The Shield dancing

Guangchang Meng Opera

 
Meng Jiangnv Crying Bitterly over the Death of Her Husbandat during the Construction the Great Wall
The Guangchang Meng Opera, dating back to the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), features the legend of Mengjiang Crying at the Great Wall. It was popular in Guangchang county, Jiangxi province and is over 500 years old.
The legend has it that 2,000 years ago, during the construction of the Great Wall, a young man called Fan Xiliang was forced to work on the massive project -- even on his wedding day. Before Fan went away, his bride, a girl named Meng Jiangnu, broke her white jade hair pin in two, giving her husband half as a token of her love.
Meng waited for her husband for five years without a word from him. One night, Meng dreamed that her husband was yelling, "Cold, cold!" Remembering that Fan went away wearing very thin clothes, Meng made some padded clothing and set off alone to look for him.
After crossing many mountains and rivers on foot, Meng finally reached the construction site of the Great Wall where she was told her husband had died and was buried under the Great Wall.
Hearing this, Meng sat at the foot of the Great Wall and started crying. She cried day and night and her wailing finally made the Wall come down, revealing her husband's bones. This made the emperor Qin Shihuang very angry, and he ordered Meng to be punished.
But when he saw the young lady, he was struck by her beauty and asked her to marry him. Having no choice, Meng agreed under the condition that her Fan received a proper burial.
After the funeral, when Meng and the emperor went on a trip to the Bohai Sea, Meng realized that she simply could not marry the tyrant who had killed her beloved husband. Unseen by the guards, Meng jumped into the sea.
The Guangchang Meng Opera had three genres. The Zeng and Liu genres are still performed now. The Meng Opera is now only performed once during the first month of the lunar calendar. The Guangchang Meng Opera aria is in high pitched music, a singing style characterized by the very high, forceful falsetto in which it is sung.
The Zeng and Liu Meng Opera genres provide precious materials for the study of Chinese Opera and folk customs, and are valuable in terms of art and sociology.

Nuo culture of jiangxi

 

The Nuo opera

Nuo, also called the "Nuo sacrifice" or "Nuo ceremony," was originally a type of sacrificial and magical ritual held to expel evil spirits and pestilence. Its name is derived from one of such rituals, where people shouted "nuo, nuo" to drive away the devil.

Nuo culture is composed of Nuo Temple, Nuo dance, Nuo mask, Nuo opera, Nuo symbol and Nuo weapon, etc, related to anthropology, folklore, religion and drama.

Jiangxi province is a cradle of Nuo operas, which are also staged in some southern and southwestern provinces and autonomous regions. Jiangxi's Nuo, also called Gan Nuo, began from the early Han Dynasty. Gan Nuo integrally preserves the original Nuo rituals in ancient times.

Nuo temple, Nuo mask, Nuo ritual and Nuo opera form the Nuo culture groups with distinct Jiangxi local characteristics. After thousands of years, Nuo performances are still very popular as a folk custom. According to the statistical data in 1995, 25 counties (cities) had Nuo performances; and 247 Nuo dances and Nuoxi shows were still remaining in the whole province.

Jiangxi Nuo is honored the “living fossil” of ancient culture by academe and was invited several times to France, Japan, Korea, Singapore and other countries and regions for performance and communication.

Nuo dance

Jiangxi Nuo dance

The Nuo dance was originally performed during the 12th lunar month to drive away evil spirits and pray for a harvest during ancient times. The Nuo ceremony was first recorded on bones and tortoise shells during the Shang Dynasty (16th - 17th century BC), and flourished in the Zhou Dynasty (11th century – 256 BC). As the number of its participants increased from 100 to 1,000, the ceremony became more and more magnificent. At the time, besides the grand Nuo ceremony held by the royal court, the folk Nuo ceremony also appeared in the countryside.

Evolving over centuries, the content and technique of Nuo dance grow richer. Yet with the development of science and technology, Nuo dance has gradually become more of a recreation than a ritual. In recent decades, the ceremony is more a theatrical performance for entertainment and expresses farmers' longing for good weather, bumper harvest and family prosperity.

Nowadays, the Nuo dance drama still prevails in a number of Chinese provinces, including Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Anhui, Shandong and Hebei.

Nuo mask

The Nuo masks

The main characters in the dance dramas all wear vivid, lifelike, wooden masks, featuring the distinctive folk styles of the Yellow River Valley.

The masks play a very important role. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, when the sacrifice was prevalent, the emcee of the ritual wore a golden mask with four eyes to frighten away ghosts and devils.

In Nuo drama performances, masks are the most important prop and a major characteristic that distinguishes this drama from the others.

Each Nuo mask has a fixed name, represents a certain role and has legendary stories to tell about its origins.

The masks can appear valiant and martial, stern and tough, or gentle and kind, and they come in various styles to represent different figures. For instance, since the responsibility of valiant gods is to emit awe and dispel ghosts and devils, their masks usually have horns and buckteeth, with a very ferocious countenance.

Nuo masks are the result of primitive religion and totem worship. From sun, to earth, to deity worship, Nuo performances reveal the secrets of the evolution of ancient societies. After thousands of years of evolution, some heroic figures in history were deified and became the incarnation of kindness, bravery and justice. Thus, Nuo masks became richer and more loved by ordinary people.

Jiangxi cuisine

 

Like the cuisines of neighboring provinces, Jiangxi cuisine favors overtly spicy flavors.

Jiangxi Cuisine, also known as Gan Cuisine, was derived from the native cooking styles of the Jiangxi province and formed the unique native cuisine with a long history. Like the cuisines of neighboring provinces, Jiangxi cuisine favors overtly spicy flavors; in many regions of the provinces, chili peppers are directly used as vegetable instead of as a flavoring, as in most other Chinese regional cuisines. 

Another characteristic of Jiangxi cuisine is that there are rarely any cold dishes or anything served raw in contrast to other Chinese cuisines. The reason is: tea oil is the primary cooking oil used in Jiangxi cuisine, if the raw tea oil is consumed uncooked, it would cause severe stomach problems for most people.

Jiangxi Cuisine is famed for freshwater fish banquets and the heavy utilization of douchi (fermented black beans) and tofu. Fried tofu is a must for everyone during the celebration of Chinese New Year.

Moreover, there are various kinds of Jiangxi local snacks and pastries cooked by different methods, all of which have their own characteristics.

Due to the spiciness, the dishes are close to Hunan and Sichuan dishes. However, Jiangxi dishes focus mainly on the cooking processes. In terms of cutting skills, there are eighteen varieties and three categories in total. The sliced materials should be equal in length and thickness and the raw materials blended to enhance the nutritional value and medicinal herbs included where possible.

High protein and low fat are major considerations for ingredient selection and flour or starch is used when thickening. Seasoning and cooking timing are also of vital importance.
After the dishes are cooked, fine cutleries are selected to improve the overall shape of the finished dishes. Meanwhile, trays of irregular shapes might be utilized to emphasize the theme so as to stimulate the guests’ appetite.

There are the detailed sequences with which to serve the dishes all containing corresponding scientific theories. For instance, hot dishes are normally served after cold ones, strong tasting dishes after light and sweet after salty.

Famous Jiangxi dishes are Stewed Chicken with Three Cups of Sauce (Sanbei Zaiji, 三杯仔鸡), Steamed Streaky Pork with Soy Sauce and Cooking Wine (Xiang Zhi Rou, 香质肉) , Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots (Dongsun Ganshao Rou, 冬笋干烧肉), Sautéed Preserved Pork with Artemisia Selengensis Turcz (Lihao Chao Larou, 藜蒿炒腊肉), Steamed Streaky Pork and Spare Ribs with Glutinous Rice Flour (Yuanlong Chuanban Rou, 原笼船板肉), Braised Shredded Herring (Xunyang Yupian, 浔阳鱼片) , Deep Fried Frog (Zha Shi Ji, 炸石鸡) , Steamed Deep Fried Tofu with Meat Fillings (Xingguo Doufu, 兴国豆腐) , Steamed Beef with Rice Flour (Mifen Niurou, 米粉牛肉) , Boiled Wonton and Noodles (Jinxian Diao Hulu, 金线吊葫芦), Steamed Daikon Dumplings with Pork and Fish (Xinfeng Luobo Jiao, 信丰萝卜饺), Zhangshu Wonton (Zhangshu Baomian, 樟树包面) , Huangyuan Glutinous Rice Cake (Huangyuan Miguo, 黄元米果).

Climate of Jiangxi

Jiangxi has a warm and humid climate with cold springs and winters, hot summers and dry autumns thus accounting for its four distinct seasons.

Located in the north of Tropic of Cancer, Jiangxi province is classed as a typical northern subtropical monsoon climatic region. The average temperature for a year is 18°C (64°F), in January it changes to 6°C (44°F), when it comes to July, it increase to 29°C (84°F).

In genera, Jiangxi province will start a rainy period in April; the most rainfall time is the May and June. After July, you will enjoy fine days, but the climate will change to hot and sunny weather quickly. As for October, the temperature begins to drop, and you will need a coat then.

The climate is always changing in spring and the temperature is not stable. Till mid summer, there is plenty of rain. From mid summer to early autumn, it is sunny, hot and dry. There is rare rainfall in winter.

Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi province, has four distinct seasons. The summer is very hot，as one of the “Four Stovepipes In China”, you can imagine the temperature in Nanchang. As a result, you can choose spring and autumn as your travel time. What you will enjoy is abundant sunshine and the annual average temperature is 18°C (64.4°F), with the maximum temperature reaching 41°C (106°F) and the lowest temperature to -15°C (5°F). The range of temperature is very big.

Different from Nanchang, summer is the best time to visit Lushan Mountain as the weather is very comfortable and the scenery at its best. It usually has a big difference in temperature from mountain foot to the mountain top. So Lushan Mountain is a good place to avoid the hot weather.

General introduction to Jiangxi province

 

Loaction of Jiangxi within China

Jiangxi province is situated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It borders Zhejiang and Fujian provinces to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei and Anhui to the north. It covers an area of 1,669,000 square kilometers (644,440 square miles) with a population of about 40 million.

Mountains surround Jiangxi province on three sides. The southern half of the province is hilly with ranges and valleys interspersed; while the northern half is flatter and lower in altitude. The highest point in Jiangxi is Huanggang Mountain in the Wuyi Mountains, on the border with Fujian province. It has an altitude of 2,157 meters.

The Gan River dominates the province, flowing through the entire length of the province from south to north. It enters Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake of China, in the north.

Nanchang, the region's capital and the most densely populated city, is one of China's largest metropolises. It’s the hub of Jiangxi civilization throughout its history, which plays a leading role in the commercial, intellectual and industrial and political fields. Ganzhou city is the largest subdivision of Jiangxi province.

Climate: Jiangxi has a warm and humid climate with cold springs and winters, hot summers and dry autumns thus accounting for its four distinct seasons. Annual rainfall averages 1,400-1,800 millimeters and the average temperature of the province is 3-9℃ in January and 27-31℃ in July.

Brief history: The name "Jiangxi" derives from the circuit administrated under the Tang Dynasty in AD 733, Jiangnan Xidao. Circuits were established during the Tang Dynasty as a new top-level administrative division. Because the Gan River runs through this province from north to south, it is also called Gan for short.

The history of Jiangxi stretches from Lower Paleolithic times to the present, as Jiangxi was already inhabited by humans one million years ago. The first recorded people inhabited in Jiangxi are Baiyue and their influence is still found in nowadays Gan language.

Centered on the Gan River valley, Jiangxi provides the main transport route from the North China Plain and the Yangzi River valley to the territory of modern Guangdong province. As a result, Jiangxi has been strategically important throughout much of its history.

Tourism: If you are a traveler looking for a place that will give you a variety of interesting options, then Jiangxi province in southern China is definitely the place for you! The pristine beauty of its misty mountains and fresh water lakes will enchant you. Its modern as well as ancient Chinese historical sites will whet your appetite for learning about its culture.

Jiangxi province is a showcase for natural beauty. Tourists will find it hard to leave its beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers. Particularly attractive is Poyang Lake, which is not only the biggest fresh water lake in China, but also the largest winter habitat for white cranes. When winter approaches, about 2,800 white cranes will migrate to Poyang Lake to spend their winter. What a spectacular sight!

Poyang Lake is the biggest fresh water lake in China and the largest winter habitat for white cranes.

On the east side of Poyang Lake is Lushan Mountain, a wonderful summer resort with its lush mountains, enveloping clouds and mists, rapid streams and numerous deep pools and waterfalls. Mysterious and enchanting sceneries nestle in its secluded valleys and deep ravines. Su Dongpo, a well-known poet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), in honor of the 'Cloud Sea' of Lushan Mountain for its ever-changing mist, wrote, 'the failure to get a real perspective of the mountain only results in the fact that you are right in the midst of it'. The Lushan National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The Hanpo Valley on Lushan Mountain in Jiujiang city

Another mountain -- Jinggang Mountain enjoys a dual reputation. It is more widely known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution rather than for its natural beauty, which is, in fact, comparable to the more famous Lushan Mountain.

The historical sites of Jiangxi province also attract guests from all corners of the world.

To top it off, 'China's Capital of Porcelain'—Jingdezhen—is located here, thus satisfying the shopper in us all. Ceramics were produced here as early as 1,800 years ago in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Today, Jingdezhen remains a national center for porcelain production. While in this ancient town, tourists can visit many pottery factories and ancient kiln sites. They can also handmake porcelains themselves.

Jingdezhen is deemded 'China's Capital of Porcelain'. While in this ancient town, tourists can visit many pottery factories and ancient kiln sites. They can also handmake porcelains themselves.

Tengwang Pavilion is located just west of the provincial capital Nanchang and is one of the three famous pavilions south of the Yangtze River. This pavilion gained its reputation to a great extent because of a well-known poem called 'Preface to Tengwang Pavilion' by Wang Bo, a reputable poet of the Tang Dynasty.

Donglin Monastery is located at the foot of Lushan Mountain. It was built in 386 BC for the monk Hui Yuan (334-416), founder of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism. Hui Yuan spent many years translating Buddhist scriptures in this temple.

In addition, Jiangxi is one of the ancient tea-producing areas in China. The Black Tea produced in Ningzhou city and the Green Tea produced in Wuyuan city are well-known throughout China.

Tengwang Pavilion west of the provincial capital Nanchang

Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition held in Santo Domingo, Dominica

A woman visits the Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)


The Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition is held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen pottery and porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)



People visit the Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)



The Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain exhibition is held in Santo Domingo, Dominica, July 18, 2011. More than 2,000 pieces of Chinese porcelain were displayed at the month long Chinese Jingdezhen pottery and porcelain exhibition that was opened on Monday in Santo Domingo. (Xinhua/Liu Guoqiang)

Porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen to bid for intangible cultural heritage

Wei Jingou, an experienced porcelain craftsman, carries the semifinished products in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, July 14, 2011. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Wang Shenfang, an experienced porcelain craftsman, dries the semifinished products in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, Nov. 9, 2008. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming) 



Wang Shenfang, an experienced porcelain craftsman, draws on the ceramic in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, Nov. 9, 2008. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Chen Shengfa, an experienced porcelain craftsman, makes a porcelain products in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, Nov. 9, 2008. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



A gourd kiln of Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) is seen in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province, June 12, 2011. Recently, the porcelain-making art in Jingdezhen has been under the stage of evaluation when applying for being listed into the United Nation's intangible cultural heritages. Known as the porcelain capital of China, Jingdezhen has a porcelain-making history of more than 1,000 years since Song Dynasty (960 to 1279). (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Veteran craftsman Wei Jingou prepares clay in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, July 14, 2011. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Veteran craftsman Wang Yansheng does throwing on a potters' wheel in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, Sept. 26, 2009. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)


Veteran craftsman Wang Yansheng throws bowls from clay in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, Sept. 26, 2009. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)



Veteran craftsman Wang Shenfang draws designs on a blank procelain in an old kiln in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province, July 14, 2011. The famous Jingdezhen procelain art, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has been short listed for the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage, and was in the evaluation stage recently. (Xinhua/Shi Weiming)

The idyllic forests of Lushan Mountain

 
A waterfall rushes down a mountain like a silvery serpent. Lushan Mountain is situated south of Jiujiang city in China's Jiangxi province. With thick forest coverage and wondrous water resources, it has become one of nation's most popular summer resorts. In this latest photo album, distributed by the administration of the resort, the many scenic spots inside the mountain are shown as being full of life in summer. [Photo/CRI/Administration Office of Lushan Mountain Resort]


A sea of clouds shrouding the mountain tops. [Photo/CRI/Administration Office of the Lushan Mountain Resort]


Lotus flowers in bloom in a pond at the foot of Lushan Mountain. [Photo/CRI/Administration Office of the Lushan Mountain Resort] 

The white and red Azalea flowers burst open at the botanical gardens at the foot of Lushan Mountain. [Photo/CRI/Administration Office of the Lushan Mountain Resort]

China's largest freshwater lake parched

 

Red flowers and green grass thrive on a piece of dried exposed riverbed of Poyang Lake, the China's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi province, Oct 26, 2011. The water level of the lake's gauging station had declined to 9.98 meters on Oct 27, below the critical level of 10 meters, which marks the lake formally entering low water season. It is roughly 10 days earlier than the average date since 2000. The water surface of Poyang Lake has contracted to 536 square kilometers from about 1,000 square kilometers in September.[Photo/CFP]


The once submerged bank of Poyang Lake is exposed. It is China's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi province, Oct 26, 2011. [Photo/CFP]


A flocks of cormorants fly over the exposed riverbed of Poyang Lake, the China's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi province, Oct 26, 2011. [Photo/CFP]





The once submerged rocks are exposed on Poyang Lake, the China's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi province, Oct 26, 2011. [Photo/CFP]


A man fishes on the exposed bank of Poyang Lake, the China's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi province, Oct 26, 2011. [Photo/CFP]

Autumn photos:Beauty of lakeshore

Tourists enjoy an autumn view of flowers on the lakeshore of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province on Oct 23, 2011.


Tourists enjoy an autumn view of flowers on the lakeshore of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province on Oct 23, 2011.


Tourists enjoy an autumn view of flowers on the lakeshore of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province on Oct 23, 2011.

Site Memorial of August 1 Nanchang Uprising

 
It is a five-storied grey brick-and-wood building constructed in 1922.



Site Memorial of August 1 Nanchang Uprising

Site Memorial of August 1 Nanchang Uprising lies at Xiamachi, Zhongshan Road in Nanchang city of Jiangxi province. It is a five-storied grey brick-and-wood building constructed in 1922, and used to be the Grand Hostel of Jiangxi province. The planar shape of the building is like the Chinese character "中", which means "center" and is a square with a patio in the middle.

On April 12, 1927, Chiang Kai-shek rose up against the revolution. He slaughtered the members of Communist Party and the masses supporting the revolution without restraint. To save the revolution, the Communist Party dispatched Zhou Enlai to Nanchang city to organize the Front Line Committee for the Armed Uprising in Nanchang city.

To prepare for the uprising secretly, they rented all the rooms in the Grand Hostel in Jiangxi province for the Front Line Committee and the headquarters of the uprising. It was here that Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Ye Ting, He Long and Liu Bocheng discussed the plan of the uprising, and drafted the Declaration of Bayi Revolution, the General Publicity Outline for the Bayi Revolution and the General Publicity Outline for the Land Reform.

They declared war at 2am on August 1, which wiped out over 10,000 soldiers of the defending troops in Nanchang city. They then occupied the city.


An oil painting of the August 1 Nanchang Uprising

The uprising was the start of the Revolutionary War carried through by the worker-farmer armed force, which was founded by the Communist Party. Later on, August 1 became the birthday of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, which was renamed as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) later.

The rooms in the site such as the Meeting Hall of the Headquarters, the offices of Zhou Enlai and Lin Boqu are restored to the original appearance. The Memorial of Bayi Uprising was also built to exhibit the documents and photos of the uprising.

In front of the memorial there are 5 statues which are the leading leaders of the uprising. They are Liu Bocheng, Ye Ting, Zhou Enlai, He Long and Zhu De. This is the sacred place where the PLA was born. On the stone tablet, wrote by Jiang Zemin (former Chinese president) to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the uprising.


In front of the memorial there are 5 statues which are the leading leaders of the uprising. They are Liu Bocheng, Ye Ting, Zhou Enlai, He Long and Zhu De.


Inside the Site Memorial of August 1 Nanchang Uprising

The central part of the floor is a courtyard with four big vats. It is said that because of the shortage of drinking water at that time, workers of the hotel and some neighboring residents voluntarily carried drinking water to the four vats for the troops. On both sides of the courtyard are the display rooms to show the weapons and medical instruments the uprising troops once used.

The southern hall of the first floor was the meeting room of the uprising headquarters. It had been the hotel’s celebration hall before the uprising. During the uprising preparation, many meetings of the commanders and officers of the uprising troops were held here and the order of the uprising was issued from this hall. Among the articles on display, the 4 old-fashioned wooden armchairs, 2 tea tables on the left and the mirror are all original. The rest are reproductions. To the left of the celebration hall was the No 10 guestroom where the leading comrades and workers of the troops lodged. To the right of the celebration hall was the No 9 guestroom where the staff officers for Liu Bocheng, chief of staff of the uprising, worked.

On the second floor there is the exhibition hall, which consists of antechamber, No 1 display room and No 2 display room. In the antechamber of the hall stand the bronze busts of the five leaders of the uprising. Behind the busts is a large map of Nanchang city in 1927. The No 1 display room mainly introduces the historical background and decision of Nanchang Uprising. And in the No 2 display room, there is the No 25 guestroom used to be Zhou Enlai’s office, and the No 20 guestroom where Liu Boqu, chairman of the Financial Department of the Revolutionary Committee, worked and lodged. There is also a sand showing model to show the whole process of the uprising.

The third floor display hall displays the whole process of the uprising fighting with photos and documents. There are also a lot of inscriptions and photos left by the Party and Government officials when they visited the museum. Former President Jiang Zemin’s inscription is written in 1997.

The uprising marked a new era in the CPC's history independently leading armed uprisings and turned a new page in the annals of the Chinese Revolution. Whereas the shots and smoke vanished with the lapse of time and the outcry of battle faded into history, the uprising will be remember for ever and ever.



Room No 25 was where Zhou Enlai worked and took rests during the preparation of the uprising.


The new site memorial building


Weapons exhibited in the memorial