Poyang Lake National Wetland Park, located in Poyang County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, is a composite wetland park renowned for its rich variety of wetland resources and types. The park features lakes, rivers, grasslands, mudflats, islands, floodplains, and ponds as its main landscape elements. It is recognized as one of the world’s six major wetlands, a national wetland park with a large area and rich species diversity in Asia, a national 4A scenic spot, and a Chinese science education base. Nestled on the east bank of Poyang Lake and at the heart of the Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone, the park is surrounded by notable destinations such as Mount Lu, Jingdezhen, Longhu Mountain, Sanqingshan, and the picturesque Wuyuan.
A must-visit attraction within the park is the statues of the goddesses Rao E and Chang E. The 38-meter-tall statues, crafted with great effort, present a lifelike appearance. The goddess Rao E stands quietly in the center of the lake, towering and awe-inspiring. Her story is one of filial piety and tragedy. Rao E lost her mother at a young age and lived with her father. On the Mid-Autumn night of her 14th year, her father went out to fish after drinking the reunion wine but unfortunately fell into the lake due to strong winds and waves. Rao E, not seeing her father return, rowed a boat to search for him on the lake for three days and nights until she was physically exhausted and fainted, falling into the lake. Fishermen saw a divine turtle carry the bodies of the father and daughter out of the water and then disappear. Locals believed that Rao E’s filial piety moved the heavens. When Li Jipu, the prefect of Raozhou, learned of this, he reported it to the court. The emperor was deeply moved and bestowed a plaque reading ‘The Ultimate Filial Piety’, approved the construction of Rao E Temple with funds allocated by officials, and ordered the great literary figure Liu Zongyuan to write an epitaph for Rao E.
Poyang Lake Sailing Shadows is a natural photography base and an internet-famous check-in spot that has gone viral on social media, offering a breathtaking view of Poyang Lake. In the early morning, amidst the misty haze, you can watch fishermen hoist their sails and set out in formation; in the evening, the lake’s fishing lights welcome the returning boats, and under the sunset, fishermen sing in the evening. The changing light and cloud shadows, along with the rich fishing culture, turn this place into a dreamlike photography paradise.
Covering an area of 36,000 square meters, Poyang Lake Bird Paradise is home to more than 30 species of rare birds, totaling over 1,000 individuals. Here, you can find loyal swans, righteous geese, fickle mandarin ducks, proud peacocks, very aesthetically conscious American flamingos, brave eastern white storks, free-spirited eastern African crowned cranes, gentle and well-behaved parrots, and timid red-bellied pheasants. Not only can you admire the complete global collection of rare birds, but more importantly, you can interact with these lovely birds up close.
Poyang Lake’s bird-watching spots extend beyond the Bird Paradise. During winter visits, the performance of hundreds of geese taking flight simultaneously is a must-see. Hundreds of geese flap their wings under the guidance of staff, with countless dark shadows passing before your eyes and the ‘flap’ sound of the birds’ wings echoing in your ears, just as the poem describes: ‘Poyang birds, how many, when flying, they cover the clouds and the moon; when landing, the lake’s grass is out of sight.’ The feeling of shock and tension is definitely a highlight in your life.
The Poyang Lake Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Hall is a delightful place where you can enjoy the local specialties of Poyang and watch unique folk culture performances – the Poyang Lake Goddess Melody and Raohe Opera. Raohe Opera is developed by people in Raohe (Poyang) on the basis of southern operas and Yiyang tune. It has transformed into a high-pitched tune with one singer and many chorus, accompanied by gongs and drums and rhythm marked by wooden clappers. It is integrated with Luan Tan, Huizhou Opera, Qinqiang Opera, Kunqu Opera, and other Pi Huang tunes, forming Raohe Opera with rich tunes, numerous plays, and strong local flavor.
Piao Niao Lu Xiang is a fascinating destination. Piaolishan, a small island surrounded by water on all sides, is home to tens of thousands of herons. Egrets live in the north of the mountain and pond herons live in the south. Although these white and gray herons areDiscover the Wonders of Poyang Lake
**Reed Maze**
Imagine a romantic haven within the Poyang Lake scenic area – the Reed Maze in Xiangyouzhou. As the breeze whispers through, the snow-white reed flowers dance gracefully against a canvas of sunlight and a sea of green. They are like flowers yet not flowers, like fog yet not fog, clustered and clumped together. Surrounded by the yellowish reed leaves and the vast expanse of white reed flowers, the beauty is breathtaking.
**Poyang Lake Prairie**
A ten-minute drive from Baishazhou scenic area leads you to the Prairie scenic area, a journey that proves worthwhile the moment you set foot on the vast expanse. The Poyang Lake Prairie unfolds like a giant green painting scroll, with the wind’s freedom and the clouds’ elegance captured within. Strolling through this endless prairie, the gentle breeze and the birdsong create an atmosphere that fills the air with the scent of grass and soil. The fresh air on the prairie has a way of transforming troubles into a refreshed mood, ready to embrace new beginnings.
**Migratory Bird Paradise**
As temperatures drop, Poyang Lake becomes a gathering point for wintering migratory birds, serving as both a lake and a second home. Each year, around 700,000 birds, including cranes, storks, gulls, herons, wild ducks, geese, plovers, and sandpipers, flock here. Over 98% of the world’s white cranes, more than 70% of the white-naped cranes, over 80% of the oriental white storks, and over 60% of the swan geese choose Poyang Lake for their winter retreat. In this bird paradise, humans and birds coexist in harmony, painting a vivid and heartwarming scene.
**Culinary Delights**
The signature whole fish feast of Poyang Lake, prepared with lake water and fish, is a unique culinary experience. Poyang Lake National Wetland Park presents this feast with a variety of cutting and cooking methods, resulting in a colorful, fragrant, and appetizing spread. The fresh, original soup, with its good color and shape, offers a healthy and nutritious combination, blending the light and tender southern taste with the fresh, fragrant, salty, and spicy northern flavors. It’s a dish suitable for all ages and beloved by many.
**Park Hours and Ticket Information**
The park is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. For boat rides within the park, the latest ticket sales/entry time for the inner lake boat is 14:50, and for the inner and outer lake, it is 11:50.
**Preferred Policies**
– Children: Under 1.2 meters (inclusive) enjoy free entrance, but not for boat tickets; between 1.2 meters (exclusive) and 1.5 meters (inclusive) receive a discount.
– Students: With valid documents, receive a discount.
– Elderly: Over 65 years old (inclusive) with valid documents enjoy free entrance, but not for boat tickets; between 60 years old (inclusive) and 65 years old (exclusive) with valid documents receive a discount.
– Military personnel: Active military personnel receive a discount.
– Disabled people: With valid documents, enjoy free entrance, but not for boat tickets.
– Other preferred groups: Those who enjoy preferential treatment and subsidies, members of photography and art associations at the provincial level or above, journalists and tour guides at the county level or above, with relevant valid documents and their ID cards, enjoy free entrance, but not for boat tickets.
**Service Facilities**
– Parking lot: [Poyang Lake National Wetland Park Parking Lot], free of charge; located inside the park; capacity: 50.
– WIFI: Account: poyanghu; no password required; coverage: visitor center.
– Luggage storage: Free of charge.
– Scenic spot explanation: 130 yuan for entrance ticket + inner lake, and 200 yuan for entrance ticket + inner and outer lake.
– Park transportation: 50 yuan/person for inner lake boat, 80 yuan/person for inner and outer lake boat.
– Restrooms: Located at the visitor center.
