Park of China
Overview
| Designation | National Park of China (sixth batch) |
| Province | Jiangxi |
| Location | Jingdezhen, Jiangxi |
| Latitude, longitude | 29.6, 117.6 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Kaolin and porcelain culture; Ming and Qing villages |
| Nearby cities | Jingdezhen |
| Nearby sites | Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites 44km, Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui 56km, Mount Sanqing 85km, Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) 86km, Qiandao Lake 158km Search nearby |
| Themes | Culture, Ancient Building, Old villages & vernacular houses |
About
The Gaoling–Yaoli scenic area in the porcelain capital of Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, is famous for the culture of kaolin clay, which takes its name from Gaoling, and for well-preserved Ming and Qing villages, with forests and gorges.
It is in the sixth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2005.
Travel tips
Getting there: the area lies in Fuliang county, Jingdezhen, which has an airport and a high-speed station (Jingdezhen North). From the city to Yaoli is about 50 km, roughly an hour by coach; to reach Gaoling you change or hire a car at Yaoli.
Layout: Yaoli is a Ming and Qing village, and Gaoling is where kaolin, the porcelain clay, was first named. They lie not far apart, and Yaoli is the main place to visit.
Yaoli: the old town stretches along the Yao River, with Ming and Qing houses, stone-paved lanes, old bridges and ancestral halls. It can be toured on foot, and there are local restaurants.
Gaoling: the hill has old clay pits and an old path, reached on foot after going by road to the foot of the hill.
Time: a day is enough for Yaoli; with the walk to Gaoling you need two days.
Season: spring brings rape flowers and fresh green, autumn is clear and crisp. Summer is cool in the hills, and winter is possible but cold.
Where to stay: guesthouses in Yaoli old town, which fill up in the busy season and on holidays.
Nearby: Jingdezhen city has ceramic sights such as the Ancient Kiln Folk Museum, which fit into the same trip.
Caution: the old stone lanes are slippery after rain; wear hiking shoes for the walk to Gaoling.
Photo credits: Yaoli ancient town, Fuliang, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi: Zhangzhugang (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Nearby
| World Heritage | Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites 44km, Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui: Xidi and Hongcun 56km, Mount Sanqing 85km, Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) 86km |
| National parks of China | Wuyishan National Park 214km |
| National parks | Mount Qiyun 51km, Damao Mountain 73km, Huashan Mystery Caves and the Jian River 81km, Shennongyuan 98km |
| AAAAA attractions | Wuyuan Jiangwan Scenic Area 50km, Jingdezhen Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Expo Area 50km, Huangling Scenic Area 57km, Ancient Huizhou Cultural Tourist Area 87km |
| AAAA attractions | Wangxiangu 17km, Yantian 21km, Yuanyang Lake 26km, Sixi Village and Yan Village 31km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Changshan UNESCO Global Geopark 117km |
| Historic cities | Jingdezhen 46km, Yi County 54km, She County 89km |
| Historical sites | Site of the Yaoli Reorganization <1km, Former Seat of the CCP Anhui-Zhejiang-Jiangxi Provincial Committee 20km, Qinghua Rainbow Bridge 24km, Likeng Village Residences 24km |
| National geoparks | Changshan National Geopark 117km |
| Nature reserves | Wuyuan Forest Birds National Nature Reserve 14km, Guanshan National Nature Reserve 76km, Gutianshan National Nature Reserve 76km, Taohongling Sika Deer National Nature Reserve 95km |
| Historic towns | Yaoli Town <1km |
| Historic villages | Likeng Village 24km, Xichong Village 30km, Sixi Village 31km, Hongguan Village 31km |