
Gexian Village Resort in Shangrao, Jiangxi
Gexian Village Resort (葛仙村度假区) is a high-end resort developed by Xinbang Cultural Tourism Investment Co., Ltd., situated at the foot of Gexian Mountain (葛仙山) in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province (江西省). The resort’s core area covers 650 acres and the total construction area is approximately 150,000 square meters. Its aim is to establish Jiangxi’s new tourism landmark and become an internationally recognized comprehensive resort combining ecological tourism, cultural heritage, and leisure.
Concept and Development
The development of Gexian Village Resort revolves around Gexian Mountain Scenic Area and is designed to meet national 5A scenic area standards. The resort integrates the rich cultural history of Ge Xuan (葛玄), a Taoist immortal who practiced at Gexian Mountain in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The resort creatively blends traditional Chinese culture with classical landscape painting elements, using symbols such as water, bamboo, and village life to enhance the resort’s spiritual ambiance.
The resort offers a natural sanctuary for guests seeking ecological tourism, leisure vacations, business exhibitions, and traditional cultural experiences. It emphasizes creating an exceptional destination that nurtures both mind and body, where visitors can experience tranquility and reconnect with nature.
Geographic Location and Environment
Gexian Mountain (葛仙山) is located in the middle of Qianshan County (铅山县), Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, at the foothills of the Wuyi Mountains (武夷山). The resort sits at a crossroads between famous tourist destinations, including Jingdezhen (景德镇), Huangshan (黄山), and Wuyi Mountain, which are easily accessible. With the newly opened Gexian Mountain tourism special line, it is now possible to reach Qianshan County in just 30 minutes and connect to Shangrao’s high-speed rail hub within 1 hour.
Major Attractions at Gexian Village Resort
The resort offers a variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions for visitors to explore:
Gexian Mountain: Known for its stunning peaks, strange rocks, sea of clouds, and pine forests, Gexian Mountain rivals the beauty of Huangshan (黄山). Key scenic spots include:
Gexian Peak (葛仙峰)
Xianglu Peak (香炉峰)
Ziyun Peak (紫云峰)
“Nine Dragons in the Sky”
Xitan Valley (西谭谷)
Feisheng Cliff (飞升崖)
Longxu Valley (龙须沟)
The area boasts breathtaking landscapes, offering scenic views that include towering peaks and deep valleys. Visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere that has inspired spiritual practitioners for centuries.
Gexian Temple (大葛仙殿): Known as Gexian Shrine, this historic temple is a center of religious activity, especially on August 20th, the birthday of Ge Xuan (葛仙翁). The temple is famously visited by thousands of pilgrims who come to pay homage and seek blessings.
Tianjingtai (天镜台): A spiritual spot that Ge Xuan once visited during his time at Gexian Mountain. The name “Tianjing” (Mirror of Heaven) refers to a legendary event when Ge Xuan saw his reflection in the mirror-like surface of the sky. This inspired him to continue his Taoist practices and turn down a position offered by Sun Quan (孙权). Tianjingtai is now a place of reflection and meditation, symbolizing “nothingness” and spiritual freedom.
Zhongmiao Pavilion (众妙阁): A key architectural landmark in Gexian Village Resort, this three-story wooden structure stands at 26 meters tall and represents the resort’s highest point. It blends traditional ancient architectural styles and serves as a perfect vantage point for viewing the surrounding natural beauty.
Yuanfang Waterfall (圆方飞瀑): A popular photo spot that embodies the Taoist principle of “heavenly round and earthly square” (天圆地方). The waterfall is a symbol of balance and harmony in nature.
Lingguan Cliff (临官崖): This site is deeply connected to the five elements of Chinese philosophy and represents the transition to power and career achievements. The cliff embodies the idea of success, accomplishment, and recognition in ancient Chinese culture.
Winery (酿酒坊): According to legend, Ge Xuan carried three treasures with him during his travels: a sword, a medicine pouch, and a wine flask. The wine flask was said to enhance longevity and bring inner peace, making it one of the treasured symbols of his teachings.
Development and Recognition
2017: Awarded Excellent A-level Tourism Scenic Area status.
2017: Recognized as an Excellent Tourism Enterprise Group.
2020: Rated as a Provincial Tourism Resort in Jiangxi Province.
2020: Recognized as a Forest Wellness Base by Jiangxi Province.
2022: Rated as a Night Cultural Tourism Consumption Gathering Area in Jiangxi Province.
2022: Nominated for the Best Resort Project Award at the 11th AITIA Awards.
Notable Events
July 2020: Filming location for “Youth Travel Journal 2”, featuring stars such as Jia Ling (贾玲), Yang Di (杨迪), and Fan Chengcheng (范丞丞).
September 2021: Filming location for “Sister, Please Eat” with celebrities like Zhu Yin (朱茵) and Cai Shaofen (蔡少芬).
June 2023: Filming location for “Extreme Challenge 9” featuring stars such as Huang Xiaoming (黄晓明), Yue Yunpeng (岳云鹏), and Da Zhangwei (大张伟).
Night Tour Experience
In May 2020, the Gexian Village Resort launched its Night Tour, featuring six exciting products:
“Xian Street”: Lantern walk in traditional Hanfu attire.
“Xian Market”: Explore the Xian Village Spiritual Treasure Market.
“Xian Scenery”: Watch the Dream Water Screen Movie.
“Xian Music”: Enjoy interactive performances at the Xian Theatre.
“Xian Food”: Enjoy a romantic starlit dinner.
“Xian Stay”: Experience staying in unique themed hotels under the stars.
Tour Information
Address: Gexian Mountain Scenic Area (葛仙山风景区), Qianshan County (铅山县), Shangrao City (上饶市), Jiangxi Province (江西省).
Self-Driving Route: Search for “Shangrao Qianshan Gexian Mountain Scenic Area” in your navigation system.
Direct Bus Service: From Shangrao High-Speed Rail Station to Gexian Village Resort.
Ticket Price: 30 RMB per person.
Bus Timetable:
Departure Station | Departure Time | Arrival Station | Arrival Time |
---|---|---|---|
Shangrao High-Speed Rail Station | 08:30 | Gexian Village Resort | 10:40 |
Shangrao High-Speed Rail Station | 11:20 | Gexian Village Resort | 13:30 |
Shangrao High-Speed Rail Station | 14:10 | Gexian Village Resort | 14:30 |
Shangrao High-Speed Rail Station | 17:10 | Gexian Village Resort | 19:20 |
Gexian Village 2-Day Travel Guide
Gexian Mountain (葛仙山) is located in Gexian Mountain Town (葛仙山镇), Qianshan County (铅山县), Shangrao City (上饶市), Jiangxi Province, China. After arriving at Shangrao Sanqing Mountain Airport (上饶三清山机场), it takes approximately 1 hour by car to reach the village. Alternatively, you can take a special bus line from Shangrao East Bus Station (上饶汽车东站), which takes around 1.5 hours to get to the Gexian Mountain Resort (葛仙山度假区).
Shanghai to Gexian Village Transportation Guide
High-Speed Train & Bus Option
Shanghai Hongqiao Station (上海虹桥站) → Shangrao Station (上饶站):
Take a high-speed train for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. (Train schedule can be checked through official railway channels.)
Shangrao Station → Gexian Village Resort (葛仙村):
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Take the tourism shuttle bus or hire a private car, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. Advance booking is required via tourism platforms or local transportation channels.
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Taxi: The fare is about 220 RMB, and the ride takes 60-75 minutes.
Flight & Taxi Option
Shangrao Sanqing Mountain Airport (上饶三清山机场) → Gexian Village Resort:
A taxi ride takes about 1.5 hours (approximately 100 kilometers).
Important Notes
Tourism shuttle buses must be booked in advance via tourism platforms to ensure availability.
Cable cars may have safety concerns on rainy days, so be sure to check the weather in advance.
It is recommended to book tickets and accommodations in advance during peak seasons to avoid the possibility of no availability.
Accommodation Experience
Day 1:
Arrive at Shangrao Station by 10:00 PM and check into Orange Hotel (桔子酒店), which is 15 minutes on foot from the station.
Day 2:
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Depart from Orange Hotel at 9:30 AM.
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Check into Gexian Village Zhen Mountain Hotel (枕山宿酒店) at 12:00 PM. It is recommended to book two weeks in advance via X program. The price is about 800 RMB per night, which includes two tickets to the resort.
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After check-in, guests are transported by a shuttle bus to the hotel. Upon departure, you can call the front desk to arrange transport to the resort exit.
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The rooms are clean with a balcony, offering a beautiful view (see pictures). However, the water temperature for the shower may be somewhat unstable at night.
Food Recommendations
Lunch:
Try Qianshan-style stir-fried rice noodles with shredded pork (铅山味道的肉丝炒粉) and fried eggs (荷包蛋). This dish is delicious, with the noodles being slightly wet and the fried eggs cooked just right. Highly recommended.
Dinner:
Enjoy a teppanyaki meal at Xidewa Teppanyaki (希德瓦铁板烧). Two people ordered 6 dishes and one serving of beef fried rice, totaling 350 RMB, which was very affordable. The black pepper beef ribs were particularly delicious and disappeared quickly as soon as they arrived.
There were two milk tea shops we visited in the resort, but neither was particularly impressive (unfortunately, we forgot the names).
Activities and Experiences
Cable Car Ride:
We took the cable car for a round trip, which costs 130 RMB per person. The views from the mountain were breathtaking, with gorgeous scenery at every turn (see pictures). We ascended at 1:30 PM and descended at 4:00 PM, during which we also hung prayer cards. On the 1st of every month, visitors receive a sachet as a gift.
Exploring Gexian Village:
Gexian Village is quite small (see picture 7 for daytime views). Originally, we planned to rent Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) for an evening night tour, but there were only 4-5 Hanfu shops in the village, and they were very crowded. The clothes didn’t appeal to us, so we decided to skip it. Unfortunately, the evening performances were crowded, and we didn’t get to enjoy them as much. Afterward, we had a meal and took a stroll before heading back to the hotel to rest (see pictures 8-9 for night views).
Day 2 – Return Journey
We took the tour bus back to Shangrao, passing by Wanda and had a meal at Haidi Lao (a popular hotpot restaurant), then enjoyed a refreshing drink at Bawang Tea Ji (霸王茶姬). It was a satisfying end to our journey. 🫡
Tour Tips for Gexian Village
Hiking Gexian Mountain: The mountain is a blend of Taoism and Buddhism, offering a relaxing hiking experience with many bird songs along the way. The cable car is an alternative for those who prefer a less strenuous option but still wish to enjoy the beautiful views.
Ancient Costume Performances: Every afternoon around 4:00 PM, there are ancient costume performances at Zhongmiao Pavilion (众妙阁). These performances are highly recommended, as Gexian Village is perfect for photographing in Hanfu; it feels like stepping back in time.
Day and Night Atmosphere: The atmosphere in Gexian Village is equally captivating both during the day and at night. At night, with the added lighting, the place takes on an even more mystical feel.
Cable Car or Hiking: For those who want to experience the full extent of Gexian Mountain, it is suggested to use the cable car to visit the mountain temples and Taoist monasteries, depending on your preferences.
Village Size and Tour Duration: Gexian Village is small and can be explored within 2-3 hours. After ticket validation, a free shuttle bus is available to transport visitors to the resort, and then you can follow the marked paths for sightseeing.
For accommodations, there are many hotels in the area, but they can be quite expensive. It’s recommended to book package deals with tickets and accommodation in advance for better rates.