Yudu, Jiangxi | Take a small-scale red tour and take you to the starting point of the Long March in depth
Preface
Yudu, a county in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, may be relatively unknown in China, not a popular tourist destination, so many people haven't heard of it. However, on May 20, 2019, central government officials visited Yudu, bringing it into the public consciousness. Yudu is a place steeped in cultural heritage, and in modern times, it was also the starting point of the Long March. In October 1934, the central government, the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, the Red Army Headquarters, and the main forces of the Central Red Army, the First, Third, Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Corps, assembled in Yudu. From October 17th to 20th, they crossed the Yudu River at eight ferry crossings in Yudu, beginning the world-famous 25,000-mile Long March.
Yudu is where the grand call for a "New Long March, New Departure" was issued. On December 10, 2021, the Ganzhou-Shenzhen high-speed railway opened, reducing the travel time from Shenzhen North to Ganzhou West Station from nearly seven hours to just two. The route passes through Guangmingcheng, Dongguan South, Zhongkai, Huizhou North, Boluo North, Heyuan East, Heyuan North, Longchuan West, Heping North, Dingnan South, Longnan East, and Xinfeng West. Travel from Guangdong to Ganzhou has become even more convenient, and I also boarded this train to Yudu, a new tourist hotspot.
Yudu travel suggestions
In Ganzhou, there are trains from Ganzhou West Station to Yudu Station. You can also take a round-trip bus from Ganzhou to Yudu. This bus has only 8 seats, and you can choose the boarding and alighting locations, and the bus will provide door-to-door pick-up and drop-off.
Yudu's scenic beauty, ancient villages, and towns are scattered around the county seat, making public transportation less convenient. Therefore, driving is the most convenient option. Car rental companies are also available in Yudu County, making it even more convenient. This is a four-day, three-night itinerary I arranged for you. It's a good starting point for your itinerary, offering a wide range of activities and ample time for exploring each area. You can adjust it to suit your schedule.
Day 1: Guangzhou South Railway Station → Shenzhen North Railway Station → Ganzhou West Railway Station → Yudu County → Central Red Army Long March Starting Point Memorial Park (Memorial Hall, First Crossing of the Long March, Monument, 1934 Block) → Former Site of the Gannan Soviet Government and Former Residence of Comrade Mao Zedong on the Eve of the Long March → Former Site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters - Ge's Ancestral Hall (Long March Origin Folk Museum) → Laochufang Local Pork Soup (Yuyang Food Park Branch) → City Convenience Hotel (Ganzhou Yudu Railway Station Huijin Plaza Branch)
Day 2: Tantou Community, Zishan Town → Tantou Selenium-Rich Banquet → Shangjiao Baiwan Lake Resort → Qianjunwan Mushroom Baizhenshan Mushroom Restaurant → City Convenience Hotel (Ganzhou Yudu Railway Station Huijin Plaza Branch)
Day 3: Jinxi Villa Ecological Navel Orange Garden (navel orange picking) → Huangjintan Old Wharf → Banao Traditional Ancient Village Scenic Area → Orchid Town (Bolan Garden) → Hefeng Town Fairytale New Village → Qilushan Red Army Town (Red Army Long March Trail) → Wanli Restaurant → Maple Leaf Garden Hotel
Day 4: Hongfeng Village → Luotianyan Forest Park → Clothing Tesco Street (Hongxun Clothing Co., Ltd., Winner Fashion (Ganzhou) Co., Ltd.) → Four Museums and One Center → Gongjiang Tower (Yudu Branch) → Return
The streets of Yudu are filled with various Long March elements, and when you come here to visit, the concept of the "origin of the Long March" will quickly be instilled into your mind.
The Red Army Long March Assembly and Departure Site Memorial Park
Follow the footsteps of the martyrs on a trip to Yudu. First stop is the Central Red Army Long March Starting Point Memorial Park. Located on the eastern section of Dujiang Avenue, this sprawling riverside memorial features various Long March elements, including the Central Red Army Long March Starting Point Memorial Hall, the Central Red Army Long March Starting Point Monument, the First Crossing of the Long March, relief sculptures, and a unique streetscape. The architecture is unique and educational, and the area is bustling with tourists.
Yudu was the core county and consolidated rear base of the Central Soviet Area during the Agrarian Revolution. It was the gathering and departure point for the Long March of the Central Red Army, the origin of the three-year guerrilla war in the south, and the place where the great order of "New Long March, New Departure" was issued. It made great sacrifices and significant contributions to the ultimate victory of the Chinese revolution.
The Central Red Army Long March Memorial Park was built in 2009 to commemorate the Central Red Army's departure from Yudu. The theme sculpture at the entrance depicts the scene of the Central Red Army crossing the Yudu River at night to start the Long March, and the scene of the Yudu people reluctantly bidding farewell to the soldiers.
The exhibition in the memorial hall focuses on the main activities of the Central Red Army in Yudu on the eve of the Long March and the course of the Long March of the Central Red Army, showing the history of the main force of the Central Red Army leading the Long March from Yudu.
It is divided into four parts:
Part One: Attack southern Jiangxi to open up the Soviet area;
Part Two: Strategic Shift and the Long March;
Part Three: The bloody battle and the victory of the Long March;
Part 4: The spirit of the Long March is passed down from generation to generation.
In addition to promoting the spirit of the Long March and commemorating the great achievements of our ancestors, the memorial park has also become a good place for Yudu people to relax and have fun.
The Long March Ferry: On the evening of October 18, 1934, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De and other central leaders and central organs took the first step of the 25,000-mile Long March from here.
In the middle of the memorial square, there is a schematic diagram of the Long March route of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, which is more intuitive when viewed from top to bottom. The monument is 19.34 meters high and the side length of the base is 10.18 meters, symbolizing that the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, the central organs and the central leadership crossed the river and set out here on October 18, 1934.
Behind the Central Red Army Long March Starting Point Memorial Park is Yudu's newly popular check-in spot, the Long March Cultural Tourism Assembly (Yudu 1934 Block). Spanning approximately 2,000 square meters and boasting stunning river views, the attraction features a red book bar, a contemporary home, VR experiences, fashion displays, and displays of products from the old district and red cultural and creative products. It's also a great spot for watching water curtain films; specific showtimes can be found on the Yudu Cultural Tourism official account.
Tips:
📌Yudu Central Red Army Long March Assembly and Departure Memorial Park Waterfront Platform
📢Opening hours: 9:00-12:00, 14:30-23:00
The "House of Times" in the 1934 block displays a wide variety of old items from different eras, including Double Happiness washbasins, black and white TVs, 28 bicycles, tin thermoses, lanterns, straw raincoats and hats, woven baskets... This is a memory museum that brings back childhood memories.
Tips:
🏠Central Red Army Long March Starting Point Memorial Park
📌Address: East Section of Dujiang Avenue, Gongjiang Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 4 km from Yudu Station. Get off at the Yudu No. 5 bus stop at the "Central Red Army Long March Memorial Park" and walk 146 meters to arrive. First bus: 7:00, last bus: 16:50
📢Business hours: Closed on Mondays (except national holidays). Admission is stopped from 8:30 to 17:30 (17:00) from Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is free. The parking lot provides 150 parking spaces, which are free for half an hour and start at 5 yuan.
Mao Zedong's former residence on the eve of the Long March
Yudu, where the great call to "A New Long March, a New Beginning," was issued, is a county with over 2,220 years of history. It was the rallying point for the Central Red Army's Long March. Yudu's red mark on the Long March can be summed up in the words "a house, a river, a boat, a plank, and a stone."
"One Room" is the Hewu, where Chairman Mao lived during his time in Yudu. This old building, standing tall in Yudu County, served as the seat of the Gannan Soviet Government and the former residence of Comrade Mao Zedong before the Long March. Mao Zedong stayed here during the assembly before departing from Yudu. Chairman Mao conducted detailed research here to ensure the smooth start of the Long March. Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong held a long, all-night conversation here before the departure of the Long March. The Hewu, a small building, houses the Gannan Soviet Government, Comrade Mao Zedong's former residence before the Long March, and a photo exhibition of Mao Zedong's revolutionary activities in Yudu. It vividly recreates scenes from the period and displays a small number of precious photographs, making it an important venue for patriotic education.
Tips:
🏠The former site of the Gannan Soviet Government and the former residence of Comrade Mao Zedong on the eve of the Long March
📌Address: No. 48, Lianxi Road, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 2.7 km from Yudu Station. Take bus No. 1 from Yudu Station to the Bank of China bus stop, then walk 329 meters to the destination. First bus: 6:15, last bus: 21:00
📢Business hours are: 8:30-17:30, there are 5 free bus parking spaces at the door, and 20 car parking spaces 50 meters away. Free for less than 20 minutes, and starting from 2 yuan for more than 2 minutes.
Former Site of the Fourth Army Headquarters - Ge's Ancestral Hall
There are several former headquarters sites of the Red Fourth Army across China. This time, we'll visit the Ge Clan Ancestral Hall in Yudu County. On April 8, 1929, Mao Zedong and Zhu De led the Red Fourth Army into Yudu for the first time, with the headquarters stationed at the Ge Clan Ancestral Hall. In 2018, the Jiangxi Provincial Government designated it a provincial-level cultural relic protection site. Built in the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Ge Clan Ancestral Hall features carved porch corbels with dragon-shaped turtles and a main entrance decorated with floral reliefs. The floor is paved with blue bricks, the patio is constructed with red stone strips, and the exterior walls are inlaid with various red stone and blue brick inscriptions. The Ge Clan Ancestral Hall serves as a ancestral worship site for the Ge Clan throughout Yudu County.
Turn from Dujiang Avenue on the riverside into Jiefang Road, you will see a kindergarten. Walk past the kindergarten and see a small alley. Walk in and you will see the Ge Clan Ancestral Hall, a popular check-in spot in recent years. You will see the "Yabei Street Straw Sandal Weaving Shop" posted on the outer wall.
Yes, in addition to paying tribute to the martyrs and seeing the former site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters, another purpose of visiting here is to weave straw sandals. When you enter the museum, you will see a slogan on the front that says "Resolutely not let a Red Army soldier go into battle barefoot", a straw sandal big enough to be included in the world record, and numerous wooden benches for weaving straw sandals.
The curator explains that the slogan "Resolutely not let a single Red Army soldier go barefoot" stems from the fact that before the Long March, given that the marchers would cover 70 miles a day and a pair of straw shoes could only be worn for a single day, the people of Yudu rushed to make over 200,000 pairs of straw sandals in 10 days, ensuring that each soldier had at least three pairs. To prevent enemy discovery, these sandals were guarded, creating the miracle of a secret shared by 300,000 people in Yudu. On-site staff will demonstrate how to weave straw sandals, and if time permits, you can try it yourself.
Of course, as a museum, other exhibits are also on display, all related to Hakka customs and traditions. Collections include Hakka folk costumes, embroidery, wooden objects, couplets, bronze and silverware, and various Long March artifacts. Learning about history and Hakka culture is a worthwhile experience.
Tips:
🏠Former site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters - Ge's Ancestral Hall (Long March Folk Museum)
📌Address: East side of Jianguo Road Demonstration Kindergarten (Xueyuan Road Park), Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 3.3 km from Yudu Station, behind Yudu County Government, get off at the "Jiefang Road Intersection" bus stop on Yudu 2 or Yudu 5, and walk 309 meters to arrive. First bus: 6:25, last bus: 17:30
📢Business hours: 9:00-12:00, 14:30-4:30; (Teams can make reservations for 19:00-21:00) Ticket price: 30 yuan/person, there is a free parking lot with 40 spaces next to the station.
The place where the inscription of "On the Love of Lotus" was published
Zhou Dunyi's renowned essay "On the Love of the Lotus" is a must-read for students. While enjoying a get-together with a group of literary and poetic friends, Zhou Dunyi, inspired by his time, composed this 119-word essay in one breath. Do you know where the stele inscription "On the Love of the Lotus" was published? It's Luotian Rock in Yudu, home to over 100 cliff inscriptions by renowned figures throughout history, including over 80 poems and essays dedicated to Luotian Rock. This scenic spot, with its vibrant red mountains and clear waters, boasts breathtaking scenery. Developed during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it gained fame during the Northern Song Dynasty, when the Huayan Zen Monastery was established.
Luotianyan is a comprehensive scenic area, very close to the county seat and accessible by bus, making it a prime destination for tourism and leisure. From the archway at the foot of the mountain, take the winding road up to the ancient Luotianyan Temple, a building built into the mountainside, with accommodation rising one floor at a time. The first thing you'll see is a self-service vegetarian meal, available for a 15 yuan donation per person. Ascending the stairs, you'll be greeted by a breathtaking scene: an open-air terrace, with the Danxia landform rock behind it. Three temples carved into the rock face: Nanchan Ancient Temple on the left, Ancient Luotianyan in the center, and Xizhu Zen Forest on the right. The exterior walls of the temples glow golden in the sunlight.
Next to Luoyan Temple, there are cliff inscriptions by Zhou Dunyi, the founder of Taoism and Neo-Confucianism, and the "Lianxi Academy", a lecture and memorial site. The wisdom and perseverance of the ancients are truly admirable. The ancient temple built in the rock and the cliff carvings of many famous people in history have attracted many tourists and believers here.
In Yudu, there is a Yuyang Food Park, which is a food city and an open cultural food park. It is diagonally opposite the Long March Park. There are all kinds of food here, including snacks, main meals, and midnight snacks. In the evening, various exercise teams gather here, and there are also many people.
Tips:
🏠Luotianyan Forest Park
📌Address: Next to National Highway 323, Zhalin Village, South Bank of Gongjiang River, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 1 km from the county seat, get off at the "Luotianyan" bus stop on Line 15 in Yudu. Departure times from Yudu Station: 8:00/9:40/14:30; departure times from Luotianyan Forest Scenic Area: 8:50/10:20/15:30
📢Business hours: 8:30-17:30, free admission, free parking at the archway gate and on the road in front of the temple.
Shangjiao Baiwan Lake Resort
Yudu County has four major reservoirs: Xianxia Xialan Reservoir, Kuantian Gaobei Reservoir, Gongjiang Cangqian Reservoir, and Shangjiao Reservoir. Shangjiao Reservoir, built in 1971, is located in Shangjiao Village, Zishan Town. It has two sluice gates for irrigation of fields in Zishan and Guyuan. "Shangjiao" is a place famous in Chinese history. In October 1934, after the main Red Army's Long March, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the General Office of the Central Government, and the 24th Division of the Red Army formed the rearguard and engaged in a fierce battle with the Kuomintang in the Shangjiao area. This is the famous "Shangjiao Battle" in Chinese revolutionary history.
Leveraging the Shangjiao Reservoir's scenic beauty and idyllic countryside, the Shangjiao Baiwan Lake Resort, a renowned leisure and tourist destination in Yudu County, is located here. The name "Baiwan Lake" comes from the winding, twisting waters of the reservoir, with its numerous islands, reminiscent of Thousand Island Lake. For summer adventures, the water club offers jet skis, speedboats, bamboo rafts, water trapes, and floating sofas. While water sports are unavailable in winter, the signature dishes, "Roasted Whole Lamb" and "Reservoir Fish," are well-known locally and attract numerous visitors.
In addition, a two-story villa with a sky-blue exterior is also very eye-catching. This is a homestay with two floors. The first floor has two bedrooms, a living room with a large table and a kitchen. It is very convenient to buy vegetables and cook them yourself. The tea room is a favorite of tea drinkers. The second floor is a calligraphy room and a karaoke room. It is a great place for a family or two to spend a vacation. The price is not expensive, only 1,680 yuan per building per day.
Tips:
🏠Shangjiao Baiwan Lake Resort
📌Address: Lianxing Village, Zishan Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 20 kilometers from Yudu County, about 30 minutes' drive, take the Ruilin Line and G323
📢Business hours: 8:30-20:30, ticket price: 30 yuan, which can be fully deducted from all consumption, including food and water entertainment, bamboo raft 30 yuan, speedboat 50 yuan, motorboat 100 yuan; the parking lot can accommodate 50 cars for free.
Jinxi Villa Ecological Navel Orange Garden
The Gannan Navel Orange, a specialty of Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, has been selected for inclusion in the China Agricultural Brand Catalog. Gannan Navel Oranges boast the world's largest navel orange planting area, the third-largest annual output, and are the largest navel orange producing region in China. Gannan Navel Oranges are large, regular-sized fruits with a bright orange-red color, a smooth, beautiful appearance, and an edible rate of 85%. Their reddish color is slightly darker than oranges from other production areas. Gannan Navel Oranges are tender and crisp, with a rich, sweet, and aromatic flavor, offering a strong orange aroma and a sweet, slightly sour taste.
Navel oranges are in season starting in November each year, with a month-long picking season ending before New Year's Day. The oranges sold on the market are freshly picked. Once you've reached their origins, you can, of course, take matters into your own hands and head up the mountain to Jinxi Mountain Villa in Lingbei Town. Grab your scissors and a fruit basket and head up the mountain. Several hilltops are covered in navel oranges. Pick any you like and enjoy it right away. The selenium-rich soil here makes the navel oranges exceptionally sweet. The mountain offers stunning views of the surrounding area and is a great place to soak up the fresh air.
The proprietress, Mama Tian, announced a bumper navel orange harvest this year, estimated at over 80,000 kilograms, typically selling for 6 yuan per kilogram. Visitors can enjoy the pleasure of picking their own fruit. Currently, this is a purely orchard, with no food or accommodation provided, and visitors must return to the county seat after picking. Southern Jiangxi enjoys a pleasant climate, with mild winters and warm springs. Sunshine and water are plentiful, and the navel orange orchard is covered in lush grass. The free-range chickens are so well-fed that they're nicknamed "cordyceps flying chickens." Mama Tian was once a major internet celebrity, with her own account on the platform selling navel oranges and eggs.
Tips:
🏠Jinxi Villa Ecological Navel Orange Garden
📌Address: Jinxi Villa, Lingbei Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
🚌Transportation: Yuning Highway, Yudu County, Ganzhou City
Huangjintan Wharf
In Lingbei Town, Yudu County, there is a place called Golden Pond. Legend has it that the water surface in the pond is golden and shining like gold, so it is named "Golden Pond".
The Huangjintan wharf, originally built during the Ming Dynasty, was a crucial stopover for ships passing through the Meijiang River. It embodies a history of merchants and fishermen. However, it gradually declined and fell into disrepair in the late Qing Dynasty, becoming a secluded and backward fishing village. Thanks to ecological improvements, Huangjintan Wharf has now regained its vitality. Fishermen now make their living here. Numerous fishing boats are moored on the shore, some even drying their nets. Wooden boats and pleasure boats moored at the wharf, and the river's reflections of distant mountains, like a vivid ink painting, are a breathtaking sight.
This is also a point of red genes. On October 14, 1934, part of the Red Third Army arrived at the Huangjintan Pier Ferry. Local fishermen provided fishing boats free of charge to help the Red Army cross the river, gather towards Yudu County, and embark on the Long March.
During holidays, Huangjintan Old Wharf, close to the county seat, attracts numerous tourists by car, boosting its street vendor and restaurant economy. There are now farmhouse restaurants and yurt-style restaurants. The village also cultivates selenium-rich vegetables, red pomeloes, and navel oranges. These unique farming and breeding bases offer a great spot for picking, fishing, and leisure activities. They also provide restaurants with fresh, distinctive ingredients, increasing villagers' income and wealth right at their doorstep, transforming the village into a "golden road" of prosperity.
Tips:
🏠Huangjintan Old Pier
📌Address: Jinxi Village, Lingbei Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
🚌Transportation: About 15 minutes’ drive from the county seat
📢The attractions in Huangjintan include the Huangjintan Old Wharf, the Golden Well, the Yinzi Stone, the Shuifu Temple, the Observation Deck... The business hours are: 8:30-19:30. There is a free small parking lot at the entrance of the village. Since Zhuzhu arrived in the evening, he was unable to explore the area in detail.
Banao Traditional Ancient Village
In Chexi Township, in north-central Yudu County, lies the ancient village of Banao. Located approximately 28 kilometers from Yudu County, the village borders the Meijiang River to the south and Chetouzhang Mountain to the north. A demonstration site for Chexi Township's "Five Beautiful" villages, it offers 36 free parking spaces, along with tourist attractions such as the Watching Square, Time Square, and Gratitude Square, a New Era Civilization Practice Station, and a Village History Museum.
Upon entering Banao Village, I was captivated by the ancestral hall beside the pond. It exudes a rich, ancient charm, reminiscent of a familiar Hakka village. This area, steeped in Hakka culture, was listed as one of the fifth batch of traditional Chinese villages in 2019. It boasts 28 ancestral halls, including the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall. The Wang Clan Ancestral Hall and Xinfeng Pavilion are now county-level cultural relics under protection. The village also boasts numerous ancient dwellings, ancestral halls, gatehouses, ancient wells, and ancient trees, all in urgent need of restoration. Every visitor is struck by the grandeur of the ancestral halls, each towering and majestic, with water (pond) in front and mountains (forest) behind.
The village's main industries include selenium-rich greenhouse vegetables, open-air vegetables, watermelon, rice, peanuts, and more. The village also offers farmhouse picking for tourists. The village also serves Hakka lei cha (a type of tea with a pounding of tea), rice crackers, local snacks, and farmhouse restaurants. The villagers are proud that the film "Half a Quilt" and the song "Red Army Crossing, Origin of the Long March" were both filmed here and have been shown on screen. Furthermore, this area was also the base of the Third Red Army, and its Red heritage is strong.
After touring the row of renovated old houses near the ancestral hall, I thought that was about it. Then I met a villager who had returned to visit relatives. He said the essence of the ancient village lay in the old village behind the ancestral hall. He took us inside. The old houses in the village were built with stone walls. Even though the roofs were damaged, the exterior walls were still intact. Numerous buildings were arranged in an orderly manner, front to back and connected left to right. Connected by large and small alleys, the streets and alleys resembled a chessboard, forming a maze of streets and alleys. It was a wonderful place to take photos.
Tips:
🏠Ba Nao Traditional Ancient Village Scenic Area
📌Address: Banao Village, Chexi Township, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
🚌Transportation: 28 kilometers from Yudu County, close to Xiancheng Expressway and Ningding Expressway
Gongjiang Hongfeng Village
Hongfeng Village in Yudu is a popular spot for nature lovers, known for its picturesque scenery and surrounding mountains. This time, I didn't go up to see the waterfall, but the village itself had a more appealing new look.
Hongfeng Village is currently developing a variety of industries, including vegetable cultivation, Chinese medicinal herbs, navel oranges, bayberries, lotus flowers, and chrysanthemums. The village has also improved its water supply, toilets, access roads, and residential housing, creating a beautiful countryside. The village has transformed from a poor village into a "back garden" for Yudu County. In 2020, the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs designated Hongfeng Village a "Beautiful Leisure Village in China." The village is currently developing a beautiful leisure village that integrates fitness and mountaineering, tourism, fruit and vegetable picking, and homestays.
The drive up was filled with breathtaking natural scenery, towering mountains, swaying green trees in the breeze. The most striking thing about entering the village was the colorful paintings on the exterior walls of the houses. A stream runs through the village, perfect for playing in the water in the summer. The village also has a playground, resembling a snowy landscape, a blanket of white, and a truly unique feel. There's no time limit for play, and the numerous activities are sure to keep you entertained. Even adults find it irresistible, and they can enjoy the children.
Tips:
🏠Hongfeng Village
📌Address: Gongjiang Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: Get off at Hongfeng Station on Yudu Bus No. 12, 8 kilometers from Yudu County
Bolan Garden: Enjoy rare orchids in winter
Orchids are no stranger to Zhuzhu, who lives in Shunde, a city with the national geographical indication "Shunde Orchid." He especially enjoys visiting the flower market every Chinese New Year to buy a beautiful orchid to take home. During his visit to Yudu, he discovered that the city was developing an orchid town covering approximately 3,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres).
The Orchid Town has orchid exhibition halls and parks, orchid greenhouses, fruit and vegetable picking greenhouses, flower fields, parent-child amusement parks, flower corridors, riverside corridors, Shennong Lake, Craftsmanship Garden and other landscapes. It is a characteristic town integrating sightseeing, ecological agriculture, science demonstrations, and leisure and vacation.
The Bolan Garden is now open, where you can see the splendor of orchids. The garden has a grand layout, with mountains, rivers, pavilions and towers. It is mainly in the greenhouse exhibition hall, unaffected by the weather and surrounded by orchids of various colors. It is extremely brilliant. There are more than 10,000 varieties of orchids, including Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, and Orchidaceae, which are beautiful. Strolling among them and taking pictures, you can see the harmonious picture of "people laughing among flowers, and flowers making noise among people".
Tips:
🏠Bolan Garden (Orchid Town)
📌Address: Jinyuan Road, Yuanling Village, Hefeng Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 25 kilometers from Yudu Station, take S219 or S453 to Hefeng Orchid Town
Orchid Town is also a key area of Yudu County's poverty alleviation program for farmers. The orchids sold here are exported both domestically and internationally, increasing farmers' incomes and improving their living standards. Bolan Garden admission is 60 yuan per person, and the park is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. There are 100 free parking spaces.
Hefeng Town Fairy Tale Village
They say children love fairy tales, but that's not entirely true. Every adult also harbors a fairy tale in their heart. The reason "xsni" is so popular is that it creates a fairy tale world. Of course, there are also a number of excellent animations emerging in China. Unexpectedly, Pijiao Village in Hefeng Town, Yudu, has created a popular "Fairy Tale New Village," attracting a large number of tourists for family trips, weekend getaways, and short road trips.
From the entrance of the village, you're transported into a fairytale world. The exterior walls of the houses are decorated with colorful paintings, and from one end of the village to the other, scenes from animations familiar to children, such as Boonie Bears, Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, Snow White, and Journey to the West, are featured. They've also created attractions like green houses, thatched pavilions, mysterious tree holes, and a go-kart park. Even the local convenience store is reminiscent of Bald Qiang's.
Thanks to the "Five Beautiful Villages" initiative, Yudu has created a unique fairytale village, with 25 fables scattered throughout. The village has established an agricultural industry and tourism cooperative, beautifying the village, improving the living environment, and creating jobs – a multi-faceted success. Pijiao Village, surrounded by mountains and lush greenery, is now a place of scenic beauty and endless opportunities for entertainment.
The village has built a 200-acre rapeseed flower planting base, which is absolutely stunning when in full bloom. The village also built an amusement park, resembling a snowy landscape, a vast expanse of white, which has a unique feel. Tickets are required, 30 yuan per person, with unlimited play time and plenty of activities to keep you entertained. The most important thing is that even adults can't resist the temptation, and they can even play with the children.
Tips:
🏠Hefeng Town Fairy Tale Village
📌Address: Pijiao Village, Hefeng Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 25 kilometers from Yudu Station, take S219 or S453, near Hefeng Orchid Town
Retracing the Red Army's Long March Trail
On the evening of October 18, 1934, the first step of the 25,000-mile Long March began at the Dongmen Ferry in Yudu. To date, the most intact and pristine Red Army Long March trail is located in Jinsha Village, Qilushan Town, Yudu County.
The Long March Trail, stretching 19.34 kilometers, offers breathtaking scenery, dotted with ancient trees and bamboo forests. It includes 25 scenic spots, including the Jinsha River, the former site of the General Medical Office of the Fifth Red Army Corps, the Siyuan Well, the pre-war command post, the Dengxian Bridge, a navel orange production base, the former site of the Dengxian County Soviet Government, and the Chuxinji Training Base.
Retracing the Long March requires a stop here. The Red Army Long March Trail has become a popular online check-in spot. After parking your car, walk to the entrance and you'll notice the prominent inscription "Red Army Long March Trail," inscribed by renowned Party history expert Shi Zhongquan. Two paths traverse the river, one made of simple wooden stakes and rafts, the other a gravel path. After crossing the bridge, follow the signs to experience the historic Long March trail that the Red Army traversed. The square also features a memorial sculpture dedicated to Dengxian 1934, a memorable stop.
Tips:
🏠Red Army Long March Trail
📌Address: Lanhuawei, Jinsha Village, Qilushan Town, Yudu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province
Transportation: 36 kilometers from the county seat, about an hour's drive via the S219 and Lee Garden Expressways. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus from Yudu Bus Station, which runs hourly from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, directly to the Red Army Trail.
The Dengxian Posthouse, located on the Dengxian section of the Red Army's Long March Trail, has five rooms on two floors, housing a ticket office, reception, security, medical office, and lounge. It's open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and offers free parking for 200 vehicles.
Conclusion
Strolling along Dujiang Avenue, near the Central Red Army Long March Memorial Park, I spotted a cluster of new urban buildings on the other side of the river, next to the Sports Center. These are Yudu's new landmarks: the "Four Halls and One Center" (Gongjiang New District Exhibition Hall, Archives, Cultural Center, Library, and Youth Activity Center). These buildings aim to improve the living environment for residents, enhance Yudu's influence and cultural soft power, and show how Yudu is progressing towards becoming a modern, new city. My next trip to Yudu will surely be a journey to a new level, and I'm really looking forward to it!
