A Girl's Guide to Nanchang: 48 Hours of Fun

Hey ladies! Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Nanchang with my roommate, and I've compiled this insider's guide to a two-day adventure. Get ready to explore iconic landmarks, devour authentic snacks, and have a blast for just 500+ RMB per person! (My wallet is crying.jpg) **Day 1: A Journey Through Time** 7:30 AM Breakfast Battle Head to Jewelry Street and dive into a bowl of ban fen noodles at Zhou Zhen Zhen for only 3.5 RMB. Pair it with a 4 RMB bowl of wa guan tang (casserole soup). I recommend the preserved egg and meat pie soup – it's so good you'll cry! Next door, grab some freshly fried glutinous rice balls coated in sugar at Lao Nanchang Baitang Gao. They're so gooey they'll stretch like cheese! 9:00 AM Pagoda Views Take the subway directly to the Tengwang Pavilion. I suggest buying a combined day/night ticket (80 RMB) so you can visit both times. The main pavilion has six floors offering panoramic views of the Gan River. Don't forget to take some silhouette photos in the corridor corners. Pro tip: The lighting is perfect at 4 PM, and you might even catch a stunning sunset! 12:00 PM Gan Flavor Awakening Rush to Lao San Yang (get a number ahead of time!). The crab leg noodles are fiery but addictive, and the brown sugar-filled rice cakes are the perfect antidote to the spice. If you can't handle the heat, order "wei la" (slightly spicy), which is equivalent to "medium" elsewhere! (Shivering.jpg) 3:00 PM Red Memories The August 1st Nanchang Uprising Memorial Hall is free but incredibly worthwhile! The immersive exhibits include moving oil paintings, and you can even cosplay as revolutionaries in a replica teahouse for some retro photos. The bullet-ridden wall at the exit is a powerful reminder of history. 7:00 PM Autumn Water Square Arrive at Autumn Water Square half an hour early to snag a front-row spot! Watch Asia's largest musical fountain dance to the tune of "Jasmine Flower" as the Twin Towers light up behind it. Get your phone ready to capture the rainbow water curtain! The river breeze can be strong, so bring a jacket. 9:00 PM Late-Night Bites Take a taxi to Zijin Night Market. I recommend Xiao Deng's stinky tofu (classic black version), Indian roti (banana chocolate flavor), and Jie Mei Malatang (add the heart and lungs!). Grab a Gu Ming milk tea and enjoy your feast curbside – it's the authentic experience! **Day 2: From Han Tombs to Trendy Treats** 8:00 AM Carb Overload Qin Pangzi Meatball Soup Shop offers a local favorite: 3 RMB ban fen noodles + 5 RMB meat pie soup. The soup features fist-sized meatballs, and the crispy radish in the noodles is divine. Add a soft-boiled egg and let the yolk flow into the noodles – pure bliss! 9:30 AM Golden Dynasty Take bus 666 to the Marquis of Haihun Museum (60 RMB). Don't miss the 378 gold cakes unearthed from the main tomb! The interactive exhibit lets you play "archaeological excavation," and the horseshoe gold ice cream (15 RMB) at the exit is perfect for your social media feed. 2:00 PM Ancient Meets Modern Wanshou Palace Historical and Cultural District is perfect for a city walk! Get a peace charm at Tiezhu Wanshou Palace, then snap some Instagram-worthy photos at the trendy bookstore, Geometry. I recommend Hongdu Damuzhi milk tea – the Snow Top Orchid rivals even Cha Yan Yue Se! 5:00 PM Sunset Ferris Wheel Rent an e-bike and head to the Star of Nanchang! Watch the sunset paint the Gan River from a 160-meter-high Ferris wheel cabin equipped with Bluetooth speakers. Opt for the transparent floor cabin if you dare! (Don't ask how I know. QAQ) 8:00 PM Farewell Feast Save your last meal for Da Ping Huo and indulge in the spicy bullfrog and oil-poached fish. Get a number ahead of time on their WeChat official account. While you wait, grab some Nanchang-exclusive pastries at nearby Calado. I recommend the Poyang Lake shortbread and Jinggangshan rice cakes. **Accommodation Recommendation** Stay near the Bayi Square/Wanshou Palace subway stations. We stayed at the Mercure Hotel Tengwang Pavilion for 150 RMB per person, and it included night tour tickets! Plus, they deliver takeout until 2 AM – a lifesaver! **Tips to Avoid Pitfalls** 1. For mung bean cakes on Jewelry Street, go to Chen Ji. The freshly baked ones are ten times better than the packaged ones! 2. Didi is cheaper than taxis. If you take a motorbike taxi at night, negotiate the price down by half. 3. All popular restaurants use WeChat official accounts for queuing. Don't wait in line like a chump! 4. Reciting the "Preface to the Tengwang Pavilion" for free entry? Forget it! You need to participate in an official event now. Standing by the Gan River, I finally understood Wang Bo's words: "A land of natural treasures and outstanding people." From the Marquis of Haihun's gold to the bullet holes of the uprising army, from the steaming wa guan tang to the neon lights of the Ferris wheel, this underrated city is waiting for you to uncover its two sides in 48 hours. --- **Bonus Tips** 1. Nanchang summers are scorching. Bring a small fan and cooling patches. Museums are your refuge! 2. E-bikes cost 2 RMB for 15 minutes. A 7-day, 5-ride pass is a better deal. 3. Share small portions of the snacks on Jewelry Street/Yangzi Alley to avoid getting too full. 4. The last bus back from the Marquis of Haihun Museum is at 5:30 PM. If you miss it, share a car back to the city (25 RMB per person). I hope this guide helps you discover a different side of Nanchang! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions. (Pulls out notebook, ready to add more tips)