Nanchang has been buzzing with tourists recently! Firstly, a warm welcome to all who have chosen to explore this charming city. Secondly, to enhance your travel experience, as a local, I offer some suggestions to help you navigate the city more smoothly.
1. Nanchang Mixed Rice Noodles: There’s no need to flock to trendy restaurants for mixed rice noodles. These restaurants often charge higher prices and have longer waiting times. Instead, use Gaode Maps to search for breakfast shops near your accommodation. The taste of mixed rice noodles in any shop in Nanchang is remarkably similar, and the prices are genuinely affordable. Pages 7-9 in the attached photos showcase the mixed rice noodles and clay pot soup that I have personally enjoyed. The usual price is only 3.5 yuan, but during the New Year, it rose to a flat rate of 10 yuan for a bowl of noodles and soup, which is still reasonable considering the festive season.
2. White Sugar Cake: Similarly, you don’t need to specifically visit Dashi Yuan for white sugar cake. The taste is consistent across any vendor in Nanchang, such as those along Wanshougong and Yangzi Lane. (The cake is essentially made by rolling various flours into long strips, frying them, and then coating them with sugar.) Moreover, prices vary, with some shops offering them cheaper than others. For instance, in Wanshougong, some shops sell them for 2 yuan each, while in Yangzi Lane, you can find them for just 1 yuan each.
3. Laosan Yang, Dapinghuo, and Takeout Options: I understand that visitors to Nanchang are eager to experience Jiangxi’s spicy cuisine. However, there are plenty of other delicious restaurants in the city. Today, my friends and I queued for Laosan Yang from 4 pm to 8 pm, only to find out that there were still 300 tables ahead of us. A smarter option would be to order takeout from Laosan Yang or Dapinghuo and enjoy it in your hotel. Takeout is often faster than dining in, and eating in your hotel room avoids the crowds and noisy environment, enhancing your overall mood.
4. Wanshou Palace: Currently, Wanshou Palace is extremely crowded, and the high footfall can even cause mobile phone signal issues. I recommend visiting after 4 pm, as the crowds may be slightly thinner. Additionally, the palace is illuminated with lanterns in the evening, creating a magical atmosphere. While there, do try the stinky tofu, spicy lotus root slices, Hu Geng (a traditional porridge), and large meat dumplings. I highly recommend Xiaodeng Stinky Tofu, as it’s conveniently located next to a shop selling meat dumplings (Pinweixiang Zongzi) and another selling lotus root slices and Hu Geng (Sisters’ Flavor Snacks). I’ve frequented these three shops numerous times and found their food delicious. Hu Geng costs 6 yuan per bowl, and there’s an additional 1 yuan for takeout, which is still quite reasonable.
Explore Nanchang with these tips in mind, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful and memorable experience!
