Things to do in Hukou

To judge the existence or non-existence of something without seeing or hearing it firsthand is surely unrealistic. The cruise ship offers a view of both the river and the lake, and the exterior of the Jiujiang is clearly visible. However, the sound of the stone bell is impossible to hear. How much of what visitors throughout history actually heard is also questionable.

Xunyang River Scenic Area, located in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, is a scenic spot where history and nature blend seamlessly. Upon entering the scenic area, the first thing that catches the eye is the Pipa Pavilion, famous for Bai Juyi's poem "The Song of the Pipa," as if one can hear the pipa's sound echoing through time. Strolling along the riverbank, the majestic Suojiang Tower and Suojiang Pagoda stand tall in the distance, having withstood centuries of wind and rain. Xunyang Tower, with its simple yet elegant architectural style, particularly captivated me. Climbing the tower, I gazed upon the shimmering Yangtze River, where water and sky merged seamlessly. I also took a cruise on the Xunyang River, gliding across the water and experiencing the idyllic feeling of "a boat sailing on emerald waves, a person traveling in a painting." This trip to Xunyang River Scenic Area left me captivated by its profound cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery, making me reluctant to leave.

There are routes suitable for those with good mobility, as well as routes suitable for seniors. After taking the cable car up the mountain, those with good mobility can visit San Die Quan (Three Cascades Spring), which has over a thousand steps and offers beautiful scenery. If you are older or have difficulty walking, you can simply visit places like Ruqin Lake and the Lushan Conference Site. A two-day itinerary is sufficient for a relaxed trip.

This is a place with a story. We visited to learn about its history and to teach the children. There was a Sichuan opera face-changing performance, but I don't know why Jiujiang would include it. Then there was a brief explanation of the origin of Song Jiang's rebellious poem. The last part was what I found most distasteful: a former calligrapher wrote some calligraphy. He kept saying it wasn't for sale, only for the audience member who cheered the loudest. I immediately recognized the sales tactic. What I disliked was that during the May Day holiday, people from all over brought their children to visit. The children were innocent and focused, listening intently and looking forward to it. When you tell them it's a scam, it's negative, and they won't leave until the end. In the end, it was obvious they wouldn't give it away for free; they charged 200 yuan for the writing. In other words, the calligraphy was written and given away for free; the artwork wasn't actually framed, just a simple scroll with the writing on it. They charged 200 yuan to the viewers. Finally, the children realized it was a scam, learned a lesson about society, and left unhappy. This part was definitely a mistake in this old historical building. Society has developed; even selling calligraphy and paintings using this tactic is outdated. If they had just added more creative souvenirs, fridge magnets, and ice cream, the price would probably have been higher than this, even with more tourists.

The San Die Quan Waterfall truly lives up to its reputation. The scenery is completely different from Huang Guo Shu Waterfall. Climbing nearly 3000 steps up and down, my legs were shaking. But the feeling of the waterfall's mist splashing on you after reaching the top was truly magical.

Lushan Mountain, if you have enough time, you really should spend three or four days exploring it at a leisurely pace. I only had an afternoon and a morning for a rushed tour. East Route: Three-Tiered Spring (2600 steps up and down, a real challenge!), Five Old Men Peak (you absolutely must climb to the top; I recommend climbing from one to five in order, try it and see!), Hanpokou, Dakou Waterfall (the water volume in the off-season is really...😅😅😅), Lulin Lake, Lushan Museum (Mao Zedong's former residence). West Route: Ruqin Lake, Fairy Cave, Bai Juyi's Thatched Cottage, Flower Path, Meilu, Lushan Conference Site. For meals, head to the main street of Guling Town; there are so many good places to eat! Food? Tonight you absolutely must watch "Romance on Lushan Mountain," a classic old movie that connects all the scenic spots of Lushan. It's a short film, perfect for a Guinness World Record attempt! On the road, the sightseeing cable car and shuttle bus are must-buys; walking will leave you exhausted. The shuttle bus is 70 yuan for 7 days—a great price! The drivers are generally very friendly, and since it's the off-season, there seem to be more buses than people, so there's no need to wait excessively or queue. 🫰🫰🫰 For the return trip from Lushan, there's a direct bus from the lower cable car station to the Lushan High-Speed ​​Railway Station for 10 yuan, a 20-minute ride.

A great place discovered by accident. It was perfect for my husband, a military fan. By the way, I also gave my two sons some advice. It is really suitable for parent-child travel. There are tanks at the door. The two kids had a pleasant experience.

☘️After leaving Xunyang Tower, I stopped by the Pipa Pavilion. ☘️Entering the Pipa Pavilion scenic area, the cool sheen of the stone slabs reflected the sunlight. A white statue stood serenely to the right, its flowing robes like the wind, seemingly gazing at the distant river waves. ☘️Climbing the steps, white railings on either side of the gray stone steps led to the triple eaves. Among the elegant carvings on the wooden beams beneath the eaves, inscriptions by predecessors were faintly visible. Behind the pavilion, lush green trees provided a backdrop of blue sky, and the entire structure exuded a serene charm in the interplay of light and shadow. ☘️Walking deeper along the stone path, where the grass turned a mix of green and yellow, and the shadows of the trees swayed gently, the traces of the changing seasons were subtly hidden among the branches and leaves. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled patterns on the stone steps. ☘️Deep within the stele gallery, several black steles were embedded in the gray walls. Bai Juyi's handwritten characters "独对" (Du Du, meaning "Alone and Facing") are repeatedly engraved on the stone, the ink seeping into its very essence, the strength and vigor still evident in the strokes. It seems as if the tears and melodies of a thousand years ago are seeping out. Outside the corridor, ancient trees droop their branches, their greenery overflowing the top of the stele, quietly stitching history and the present together. ☘️The blue-toned ground of the riverside walkway extends to the water's edge. Beyond the white railings, the river waves surge like shattered silver, and in the distance, the steel cables of the bridge spanning the river resemble bowstrings. Solar-powered light poles stand quietly in the grass, technology and nature coexisting here. ☘️From the gaze of the statue to the engravings on the stele, from the curves of the eaves to the rhythm of the river, the Pipa Pavilion uses stone as paper and the river as strings, settling Bai Juyi's tears, the songs of the courtesans, and the sorrows of the exiled officials within this small space of landscape. Looking back on the return journey, the pavilion's shadow gradually diminishes, only the sound of the river continues its lament.

The most worthwhile attraction in the scenic area is the Suojiang Tower (a national key cultural relic protection unit). Actually, you can see it very clearly from the outside :) There is a 3D electronic screen inside the tower, and climbing the tower is also a good place to enjoy the river view. However, the design of Suojiang Tower is not user-friendly for viewing the tower.

It exceeded my expectations. The aquarium not only has freshwater fish but also marine life. It takes less than 2 hours to walk around. It is worth bringing children to learn about science. The content is rich and the water is clean and clear.