南昌市

Why this place

Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi, on the Gan River, and its Tengwang Pavilion has been one of the great literary landmarks of China since the Tang dynasty — rebuilt many times, most recently in 1989, but still the pavilion of the famous essay. The city also holds the Nanchang Uprising sites, the founding event of the People's Liberation Army.

What to see

• Tengwang Pavilion, the subject of Wang Bo's essay, with a view over the Gan River
• Bayi Square and the uprising memorial, at the heart of the city
• Poyang Lake and its wintering birds, an hour north — the largest freshwater lake in China
• Wanshou Palace and the old city quarter

What to eat

• Nanchang rice noodles (ban fen) with a chilli-and-pickle topping — the city's breakfast
• Steamed fish (wang chai) and the local spicy stews

Best time

March–May and October–November; December–February for Poyang Lake's birds