I have come to know 2 professors in Nanchang and have been invited to visit some time. (Serious invitations) Can anyone tell me what it is like and what are the best places and times to visit there. I, of course, know that it has very hot summers. By way of background, my first (deceased) wife was from Wuhan and I have 2 children by her. (Boy 13, Girl 9)

I spent a few days in Nanchang in 2011. It's the home of the People's Liberation Army (The name of the main plaza downtown evokes August 1st, the date the PLA was founded)...but other than that, there's not much going on. The provincial museum might be worth a gander if you're interested in Jiangxi history.

Otherwise, IIRC Jingdezhen, a city known throughout China for its pottery, is just less than a four hours drive from Nanchang.

My recent post regarding Wuhan reminded me that I needed to thank you BMB. Thanks a lot for your help. I have been very busy buying a house and fixing up my old one.

DB

I have travelled extensively in China (been to all provinces, and lived there for 3 years), and can say without a doubt that Nanchang (possibly twinned with Zhengzhou) was the worst place I ever visited. I can't think of any redeeming features, although as it was a long time ago (maybe 2008?) I can't think why is was so awful. Anyway, it was bad enough for me to have it on the "never again" list (and it's a very short list!). I quite liked Lushan and Jiujiang in the north of the province though.

I spent about 5 days in Nanchang (at the invitation of professors I came to know in the US) as a side visit to my visit to relatives in Wuhan. Here are my observations:

1. By far, it has the least amount of traffic that I have ever seen in China. There were good roads and driving in Nanchang was less crowded than driving in Cincinnati.

2. The countryside was gorgeous. Unbelievably beautiful bamboo forests and mountain scenery (of course, partially spoiled at times by beat up old Chinese buildings.)

3. Had very nice white water rafting ride about 60 miles outside of Nanchang. Lots of white water, but not very deep, safe, fun ride with my 9-year-old daughter. I asked my host to give me the name but she hasn't done so yet.

4. Stayed in gorgeous hotel that my hosts were charged $52 per night for. Probably nicest building I have ever been in. Marble floors, gorgeous paintings, beautiful bathrooms and unbelievable attention to detail. (jiangxi Qianhu state guesthouse) Only issue was that hotel was in the middle of a park and there was no snack bar. Nowhere to eat anything other than a full meal and couldn't walk anywhere to eat because of distance from buildings.

Because I was the son of a teaching golf pro and moved a lot as a kid (to places like Santa Barbara and Naples Fl.), I am not a touristy sort of person, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. However, if I was a touristy person, this is one place I would enjoy visiting. It is not Florence, Italy, but it, particularly the countryside, is a nice visit.