It is located in the north of Jiangxi Province and the lower reaches of Gan River. Its industries include machinery, automobile, tractors, light textiles, electronics, iron and steel, chemicals, and paper making. The city boosts such scenic spots as Bada Shanren (alias Zhu Da, an early Qing painter [1624 or 1626-1705J) Exhibition Hall, All flowers Islet, West Lake, Water Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) Pavilion, and the Former Headquarters of the Nanchang Uprising. It is one of the China's historical and cultural cities.

The Former Site of General Headquarters of the August 1 Nanchang Uprising

Situated in the middle part of Zhongshan Road, the Former Site of General Headquarters of the August 1 Nanchang Uprising was formerly Jiangxi Grand Hotel, a five-storey building. In late July 1927, the troops that were to participate in the uprising in Nanchang rented the entire hotel boosting 96 lobby, in which Fang Zhimin's lifetime deeds and a collection of his personal effects are on show. Fang Zhimin (1900-1935), one of the founders of the Northeastern Jiangxi Revolutionary Base and the 10 th Red Army, was born in Yiyang County, Jiangxi Province in 1900, and on August 6, 1935, laid down his life for the revolution at Xiashawo in Nanchang.

Jiangxi Museum

Constructed in 1958, Jiangxi Museum is situated in the southern edge of the People's Square, in the centre of the city proper. The museum is the centre of collection and preservation of historic artifacts, and of undertaking archaeological work and research. A lot of flint, bronze, iron implements, ceramic and porcelain wares, gold, silver, and jade wares, and ancient drawings are well preserved here. Among these collections the most valuable items are "the Han Bronze Basin" from which water automatically springs line a fountain when the visitor rubs on its two ears, "the Fair Drinking Cup," and "the dinosaurs' eggs. "

The Prince Teng Pavilion

The Prince Teng Pavilion towers at the bank of Gan River. The original pavilion was first built in 653 in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was rebuilt during the reign of the Ming emperor Jingtai (1450-1456) outside the Zhangjiang Gate. After the Qing Dynasty it was destroyed and recon:structed again. In 1926 a fire set by the Northern Warlords (1912-1927) again burnt it down. Reconstruction of the pavilion began in 1983, and was completed in 1989. Occupying an area of 43,000 square metres, the main structure of the pavilion covers 13,000 square metres. With double eaves, the pavilion boasts nine storeys, with a height of 57.5 metres. It looks even more magnificent and imposing.

The Shuiguanyin (Water Avalokitesvara) Pavilion

First built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Shuiguanyin Pavilion lies in the centre of the South Lake. In the period 1506 to 1521, the wife (whose surname was Lou) of Zhu Chenhao (Duke Ning ) once used it as a dressing room. In the period 1573 to 1620, it became the villa of Prime Minister Zhang Wei, also called Apricot Blossom Building (Xinghua House ). Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), a great dramatist in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), once composed poems here. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was revamped with public donations in order that it could be used to offer sacrifices to the spirits of Zhu Chenhao's wife, and it was for the first time called Yinshi Nunnery .In 1788, it was repaired again. The pavilion has been called the Guanyin Pavilion or the Shuiguanyin Pavilion since then. In 1919, it was renovated again with public donations, and repaired in 1983.

The Shengjin (Gold Rope) Tower

First built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Shengjin Tower is located on Shengjin Road. Legend relates that an iron box was dug up while the tower was being built. In the box, there were four bundles of gold ropes, three ancient swords and 300 sariras. (A sarira is said to be a luminous stone reputed to come out of the ashes of Buddha's cremated bodydeposited in stupas for worship). Therefore it was called the Shengjin Tower. In 1708, it collapsed and was reconstructed in 1713. The tower is 59 metres high and its foundation being 33.6 metres in girth. It has seven floors and eight sides. There are carved eaves and verandas on each floor and doors facing each direction. Wooden stairs lead from the ground floor to the sixth floor. On top of the tower is a gold-plated tripod. It is the highest ancient building still standing in the city.

Qingyun Garden

It lies near the Dingshan Bridge on the southern outskirts of Nanchang. In the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), Mei Fu, magistrate of Nanchang County , lived here in seclusion after his official career and later built the Meixian Temple here. Xu Xun n the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) came here while he was working on flood prevention by means of water control. He renamed the temple "The Taiji Temple." In 1661, Badashanren , a celebrated painter in the early Qing Dynasty, came here to seclude himself from society, and the name of Qingyun Garden was first used. In 1815, the name was changed into Qingyun Taoist Temple, Qingyunpu for short. The Badashanren Memorial Hall was set up in 1959. Badashanren, whose real name was Zhu Da (1624 or 1626-1705) was one of the descendants of the first Ming empeor Zhu Y uanzhang. During the lifetime he devoted himself to calligraphy and painting. He was also good at composing poems and articles. His calligraphic works and paintings show his distinctive style. Now Badashanren occupies an important position in modern arts history of China. Badashanren's works have been classified as the state's treasures and are greatly enjoyed by painters from both at home and abroad.

The Xishan (Westen Hill) Longevity Palace

Located on Mount Xishan in Xinjian County, the Xishan Longevity Palace is a famous Taoist temple. Xu Xun, a Nanchang native and an honest and upright magistrate of Jingyang County in Sichuan Province in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317- 420), who devoted himself to control all his life, once came here to "cultivate himself and make pellets." The Xishan Temple was later built in his memory. It was repaired and enlarged in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and was named the Youwei Temple. In 1010 during the Song Dynasty, it became a palace; Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) inscribed the words "Yu Long" and ordered a tablet be made with the words on it. Emperor W eizong of the Song Dynasty ordered that it be rebuilt according to the Zongfu Palace in Luoyang, and inscribed the words "Yu Long Longevity Palace." He also ordered a tablet be made with the words on it. Three front halls, three middle halls, three rear halls, a stage and a magnificent gate were built when it was renovated in 1867. In the palace there are three ancient cypresses planted in the Jin Dynasty. Legend has it that Xu Xun planted one of the trees. And cypresses planted in the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties are still growing well. An iron pillar made in the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in front of the palace, an ancient well with stream water in it, and a fence are all well preserved.

Meiling Mountain

Towering 841 metres above sea level, the Meiling Mountain is situated in the middle of the Xishan Mountains. Covered with lots of green pines and bamboo plants, and with waterfalls, fountains and streams here and there, it is called "Little Mt. Lushan." Legend has it that Mei Fu, magistrate of Nanchang County, came here to learn Taoism after his official career. Therefore it is called Meiling, and the Meixian Terrace was constructed. Hotels, restaurants and shops are available on the mountain. There are many beautiful spots that do not get mentioned in books because they offer no exceptional sights or attractions. And that is part of what makes them special. A trip out to such a spot can be very rewarding, and a meditative summer picnic on the green will provide an oasis of tranquillity in a hectic day.