Jing County (泾县) is located in the western part of Xuancheng City, Anhui Province. It is nestled between prominent landmarks such as Huangshan to the south, Jiuhua Mountain to the west, and Taiping Lake, making the region known for its scenic beauty. The county is characterized by lush forests, flowing streams, picturesque bridges, and charming homes, earning it historical praise as a “famous land” in the Jiangnan region.
Jing County is celebrated for its traditional Xuan paper, used in Chinese calligraphy and painting, and is also a renowned revolutionary area. The landscape is captivating year-round, with ever-changing beauty in all seasons. The famous Tang Dynasty poet, Li Bai, once visited and marveled at the area’s stunning scenery, praising the “300 miles of beautiful landscapes with endless curves in Jing County.”
Travel Information about Jing County
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Ticket Prices:
- Taohuatan: 65 CNY (including ferry ticket)
- Chaji: 70 CNY
- Huangtian Scenic Area: 50 CNY
- China Xuan Paper Cultural Park: 60 CNY
Opening Hours:
- Taohuatan: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Chaji: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Huangtian Scenic Area: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Shuinian Tingxi Scenic Area: 8:00 AM – 4:40 PM
- Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Hall: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Best Time to Visit
Jing County is located in southern Anhui, where the weather is suitable for visiting from April to November, making it the best time for exploration.
Transportation to Scenic Areas
Location:
- Taohuatan is located in Chen Village, Jing County.
- Chaji is situated in Chaji Village, Taohuatan Town.
- Huangtian Scenic Area is in Huangtian Village, Jiaoqiao Town.
- The First Drift of Jiangnan is in Niaoxi Village, Langqiao Town.
- The site of the Wanan Incident is in Maolin Scenic Area, Maolin Town.
- Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Hall is located in Hou’an Township.
Buses: There are daily buses from Xuancheng Passenger Terminal to Jing County, operating from 6:20 AM to 5:30 PM, with an average interval of 30 minutes. The ticket price is between 10 and 12 CNY.
Attraction Rating
- Culture: ★★★★
- Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Jing County
Taohuatan (Peach Blossom Pool)
Taohuatan, located about 40 kilometers west of Jing County, features the refreshing and picturesque landscapes of southern Anhui, seamlessly blending natural beauty with unique ancient architecture. The famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote the renowned poem “Zeng Wang Lun” here, immortalizing the line “The waters of Taohuatan are a thousand feet deep, yet they cannot compare to the feelings Wang Lun has for me,” which has contributed to Taohuatan’s fame throughout history.
The shores of the pool are adorned with strange rock formations and ancient trees, intertwined with green vines. Towering pavilions and precarious buildings are subtly hidden among the foliage, creating an ethereal atmosphere reminiscent of a fairyland, evoking imagery of the mythical Wuling Village.
Numerous cultural sites surround Taohuatan, including the millennia-old Leiyu Dun, the mysterious Shubanshi, the Rainbow Hill where Li Bai is said to have drunk, the ancient bank pavilion echoing with songs, and traditional houses with blue bricks and black tiles.
Chaji Village
Chaji is an ancient village showcasing Ming and Qing architectural styles, located about 60 kilometers west of Jing County in southern Anhui. It is recognized as a historical and cultural village in China, featuring over 140 ancient structures, including more than 40 bridges, 30 ancestral halls, and 4 temples. This makes it one of the best-preserved clusters of ancient architecture in the region.
Chaji is the largest ancient residential group in southern Anhui and one of the largest in China. The village is characterized by its serene waterways and closely-knit ancient homes, where solemn ancestral halls and towering pagodas exude an air of timeless elegance. Notable structures, such as the “Degong Hall” built during the Yuan Dynasty and the “Yongqing Hall” and “Jinshi Gate” from the Ming Dynasty, stand proudly in the village, featuring intricate carvings and exquisite designs.
Chaji is like a hidden gem tucked away in the deep mountains and valleys. Over time, it has acquired a grayish-white patina, adding to its refined beauty. Surrounded by majestic mountains that embrace the village like a giant hand, Chaji represents a treasure cultivated over millennia, offering visitors an endless sense of purity and aesthetic delight.
Related Details:
- Jing County is approximately 60 kilometers from Chaji. At the Jing County Passenger Terminal, there are buses heading to Chaji, departing every half hour from about 200 meters east of the terminal.
- Chaji has many inns marked with “Special accommodation for art academy students.” One notable option is “Chashi Mountain Villa,” located at the entrance of the town. This villa is built on the site of a former military governor’s residence, incorporating elements from several ancestral halls, allowing guests to appreciate exquisite traditional Huizhou carvings and architecture during their stay.
Huangtian Ancient Village
Huangtian Ancient Village is situated on the western slope of Huangzi Mountain, beautifully nestled amidst lush green mountains and clear waters. The village boasts a well-preserved collection of ancient residential buildings from the Qing Dynasty, with 57 existing structures and 110 individual buildings, making it a valuable piece of historical and cultural heritage.
The village features an intricate network of canals and intersecting streets, with uniquely styled architecture throughout. Among its notable characteristics are the “Western-style Ship Houses,” traditional water-milled flower bricks, and the village’s natural water sources, which reflect the principles of feng shui. These three architectural elements contribute to Huangtian Ancient Village’s distinctive ethnic architectural features, offering high aesthetic and cultural value for visitors to admire.
Moon Bay
Moon Bay is located in Dakan Village, Caicun Town, Jing County. The scenic area is characterized by its clear waters, majestic peaks, and distinct layers of landscape, stretching for hundreds of miles. Towering mountains surround the region, adorned with lush green bamboo, while schools of fish and shrimp frolic in the river.
Moon Bay is formed by the convergence of dozens of small streams, creating a wide and shallow river with ample flow. The riverbed, lined with smooth, rounded pebbles, has been polished by the water over the years. As the river winds its way around the mountains, it resembles a crescent moon from above, earning it the nickname “Moon Bay.”
One of the most enjoyable activities at Moon Bay is summer rafting. Small bamboo rafts float along the water, flanked by the towering mountains on both sides. Along the way, visitors can explore numerous attractions, including the Zhuang Leopard Viewing Bamboo Sea, Rhino Moon Gazing, the Mountain Stream Suspension Bridge, Mandarin Duck Pool, ancient pathways from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the ancient residences of Shicun. As the bamboo rafts drift into the calm, clear waters, the pace slows down, allowing tourists to splash and play with one another joyfully.
China Xuan Paper Culture Park
The China Xuan Paper Culture Park is located in Wuxi, Jing County, alongside the Huishui River. The park comprises eight key sections: the Xuan Paper Museum, an ancient Xuan paper workshop, ancient book printing, a stationery experience area, an exhibition hall for Xuan paper, a calligraphy and painting gallery (including artist studios), a stationery and calligraphy market, and a Jiangnan Folk Customs Park.
Visitors to the culture park can not only explore the ancient techniques of Xuan paper production, which have been passed down for over a thousand years, but also learn about the crafting processes of paper, ink, brushes, inkstones, fans, and paper curtains. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to participate in hands-on experiences to create their own paper, ink, brushes, inkstones, fans, and paper curtains, making for an enriching cultural experience.
Xuan Paper: One of the Four Treasures of the Study
Xuan paper is a unique Chinese handmade craft, renowned for its soft and resilient texture, smooth surface, and ability to preserve its quality for over a thousand years without discoloration, earning it the title of “National Treasure.” As early as the Tang Dynasty, Xuan paper was recognized as tribute paper for the imperial court. During the Song Dynasty, the demand for Xuan paper surged due to the popularity of calligraphy and painting, attracting the admiration of scholars and artists alike.
In the Qing Dynasty, the production of Xuan paper flourished, with the manufacturing area expanding throughout the entire county. Notably, Hezhou merchants Bao Yanfu and Cheng Weiyuan invested in the purchase of Xuan paper, enabling the printing and distribution of significant literary works such as Pu Songling’s Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio and Cao Xueqin’s Dream of the Red Chamber.
According to statistics, approximately 30 million volumes of ancient texts in China still exist today, with those printed on Xuan paper showing significantly lower levels of damage compared to those printed on other types of paper.
Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Museum
The Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Museum is located in Hou’an Village, Taohuatan Town, southwest of Jing County. The former residence is designed in the traditional Hui architectural style, and the name of the museum was inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Zhang Hai.
Wang Jiaxiang lived here before moving to Wuhu and Nanling County for his studies. The memorial museum consists of three parts: the entrance hall, exhibition hall, and visitor center. It serves as a national patriotic education base and a key site for red tourism in China.
The scenic area includes the Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Museum, the former residence, and Dongtai Academy, attracting a steady stream of visitors who come to pay their respects to the revolutionary martyr and learn about his contributions.
Visitor Guide for Jing County
Accommodation in Jing County
The accommodation conditions in Jing County are generally moderate, with a variety of budget hotels available. Hotels near scenic areas are reasonably priced, making them accessible for travelers. It is recommended to stay in hotels or inns close to Taohuatan Scenic Area and the ancient architecture of Chaji, such as the Taohuatan Yuping Mountain Villa. These options provide convenience for sightseeing while ensuring a comfortable stay without being too far from the main attractions.
Cuisine in Jing County
The cuisine in Jing County primarily reflects the flavors of Huizhou. There are many restaurants and eateries near the city and scenic areas, offering affordable prices. Along the streets, you can find small stalls where you can savor local delicacies such as maodoufu (毛豆腐, fermented tofu), tianjiu niang (甜酒酿, sweet fermented rice), qinyu zhengdan (琴鱼蒸蛋, steamed fish with egg), and Maolin Twelve Bowls (茂林十二碗, a traditional multi-dish meal). These options allow visitors to enjoy the authentic taste of the region while exploring the local culture.
Shopping in Jing County
Xuan Paper (宣纸): Jing County is renowned nationwide for its Xuan paper, which is made from local materials such as Shatian rice straw and the leaves of Ulmus species trees, along with additional ingredients like kiwifruit vine juice. This paper is characterized by its toughness and smoothness, bright whiteness and density, pure texture, durability when creased, and strong ink absorption, making it highly sought after for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting.
Wooden Combs: Jing County is the largest wooden comb production base in China. The wooden combs here are crafted from high-quality materials such as boxwood, sandalwood, peach wood, pear wood, agarwood, and jujube wood. These combs are not only safe and eco-friendly but also feature exquisite designs, making them popular souvenirs.