Nestled in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, Shicheng Village (石城村) is renowned as one of “China’s Most Beautiful Villages” and has earned accolades such as “Top Ten Most Popular Autumn Leaf Viewing Spots in China” and “The Most Enchanting Autumn Leaf Wonderland in East China.” The village is named after Shicheng Mountain (Stone City Mountain)), which, with its steep, castle-like terrain, evokes the image of a grand fortress.
Shicheng Village is distinguished by its ancient trees, including 600-year-old sweet gum and over 800-year-old Chinese torreya trees. It is particularly famous for its impressive collection of maple trees, with over a hundred towering to heights exceeding 35 meters. These magnificent trees, with their large and straight canopies, contrast strikingly with the low, black-tiled, white-walled houses below, making the village look like a miniature toy land. The maple forest is interspersed with mountain cherry blossoms, camphor trees, yews, Hangzhou elms, rough-leafed trees, blue oaks, and acacia trees. The best time to visit Shicheng Village is from mid to late November when the maples turn vibrant red, offering a breathtaking display of autumn foliage.
Shicheng Village is divided into two distinct parts: Cheng Village and Dai Village. Dai Village is characterized by its ancient stone-paved paths that traverse the village, while Cheng Village is known for its traditional residences with white walls and black tiles partially obscured by mist. The two villages are separated by a small hillside, each adorned with ancient maple trees but with their own unique charm. Cheng Village is embraced on three sides by ancient maple trees, while the fourth side features a limestone hillside. The morning mist hanging around the trees, combined with the smoke from cooking fires, creates a dreamlike atmosphere that is a favorite among photographers.
Dai Village’s history dates back to the mid-Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that a hunter from the nearby Yanfeng Village named Dai, attracted by the area’s fertile land and favorable feng shui, decided to move his entire family here, establishing a settlement that has now lasted for over 400 years. In contrast, Cheng Village boasts an even longer history. According to the “Cheng Family Genealogy,” the village was founded by Cheng Jue, a descendant of the Cheng family from the late Southern Song Dynasty. Cheng Jue, traveling from Fuliang (present-day Jingdezhen), was enchanted by the mountain-ringed landscape that resembled a natural fortress and decided to relocate his family to this picturesque location. Cheng Village has thus been a thriving community for over a millennium.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0793-7410999 |
Location and Transportation
Shicheng Village is located in the northwest of Wuyuan County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, within the Dazhang Mountain region. To reach there, you can take a bus from Wuyuan North Station (the high-speed train station) directly to the Shicheng Scenic Area. If there are no direct buses available, you can take a bus to the Lingyan Cave Scenic Area (灵岩洞), which is about 6 kilometers from Shicheng, and then find local transportation to the village. For visitors staying in the county, to capture the sunrise, red maples, and mist, it’s advisable to arrive at the scenic area before 5 a.m.
