I thought Erhai Lake was beautiful! Until I went here… Stunning!

[Lushan West Sea Travel Guide｜Hidden Gems & Tips]

📍Address: At the junction of Wuning County and Yongxiu County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province (search "Lushan West Sea Sima Tourist Wharf" on your navigation app)

🌊Attraction Overview:
Hidden in northern Jiangxi, this Thousand Island Lake-style scenic area boasts 1,667 emerald islands. Unlike traditional landscapes, West Sea offers a unique blend of "lake islands + meditation + family fun," earning it the title of "China's Most Beautiful Scenery" by *Chinese National Geography*.

📸Top 3 Must-Sees:
1️⃣ West Sea Star Ferris Wheel (💰70 RMB)
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the islands from 48 meters high. We recommend visiting in the evening to watch the sunset paint the lake surface the color of orange soda.
2️⃣ True Ru Chan Temple on Yunju Mountain (💰20 RMB)
This ancient temple houses the stupa of Master Xuyun. Join the morning chanting at 5 am for a meditative experience.
3️⃣ Flower Thousand Valley (💰50 RMB)
A popular farm with flowers blooming year-round. The tulips in spring and pink muhly grass in autumn are perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.

🚗Getting There:
▫️By car: From Nanchang, navigate to "West Sea Sima Wharf." Take the Yongxiu West exit from the Hangrui Expressway. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
▫️By high-speed rail: Take the train to Yongxiu Station or Wuning Station, then take a taxi for about 40 minutes (carpooling is recommended, around 30 RMB per person).
▫️By bus: Direct buses depart from Nanchang Xujiafang Bus Station at 7:30 am and 2:00 pm (💰45 RMB).

🎒Travel Tips:
✔️Recommended 2-day itinerary:
Day 1: Sima Wharf → West Sea Star Ferris Wheel → Waipo Island (experience a fisherman's homestay)
Day 2: Yunju Mountain → Flower Thousand Valley → Return
✔️Ticket combo: Sima Scenic Area + Yunju Mountain combined ticket 💰135 RMB (saves 30 RMB compared to buying separate tickets)
✔️Seasonal highlights: During the cherry blossom season (March-April) and the maple leaf season (September-October), the scenic area offers special boat tickets.

🏨Accommodation Recommendations:
✅West Sea Boxintang (💰600+ RMB): Lake-view floor-to-ceiling windows + private dock, perfect for honeymoons.
✅Hot spring B&Bs (💰300-500 RMB): We recommend "West Sea Yunqi," which includes hot spring tickets for two.
❌Hotels inside the scenic area: Not cost-effective. We recommend staying in Wuning County, about 3 km from the wharf.

💡Local Tips:
1️⃣ Sun protection! The lake reflects strong sunlight, so sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen are essential.
2️⃣ Choose upper-deck seats on the boat (💰10 RMB upgrade fee) for unobstructed photo opportunities.
3️⃣ Must-try dishes: Gunzi fish (💰68 RMB/serving), alkaline noodles with cured bacon.
4️⃣ Best photo spot: Yunju Mountain Observation Deck (navigate to "Yunju Mountain Peak") for panoramic views of the sea of clouds.

⚠️Things to Avoid:
① Don't buy dried whitebait from vendors outside the scenic area claiming to be "fishermen's direct sales," as the prices are inflated.
② Boat queues are long on weekends. We recommend visiting from Monday to Thursday to avoid crowds.
③ Some small islands are over-commercialized. We recommend chartering a boat to explore uninhabited islands for a more natural experience.