上饶市

Why this place

Shangrao is the prefecture that holds Wuyuan — the county whose terraced rapeseed fields in spring and wooden villages are among the most photographed in China — and the Sanqingshan and Wangxian Valley scenic areas.

What to see

• Wuyuan's villages and the rapeseed terraces in late March and early April
• Wangxian Valley (Wangxian Gu) — a stunning valley with a town built on the cliff
• Sanqingshan, a granite peak UNESCO site with a famous high walkway
• Wuyuan's Huizhou-style villages with their white walls and carved beams

What to eat

• Jiangxi Huizhou-style cooking — braised fish, bamboo and preserved vegetables
• Shangrao is known for its 'Wuyuan green tea' and its wild herbs

How to plan

Two days in Wuyuan for the villages, plus a day for Sanqingshan if you want the mountains.

Best time

Late March–April for rapeseed; October–November for the villages

Practical tips

• Wuyuan's rapeseed season is extremely crowded — book accommodation months ahead or go in autumn