Song dynasty poet Su Dongpo once wrote of this place: “On Poyang Lake stands Duchang County, ten thousand homes lit by lantern towers. The water separates the southern hills, and no one crosses — the east wind has long blown the green peach blossoms away.” That poem, penned over 900 years ago, still captures the essence of Duchang — a county that occupies one-third of Poyang Lake’s entire surface, with 21 of its 24 townships hugging the shoreline along 185 kilometers of lakefront. Established in 201 BC during the Han dynasty, Duchang covers 2,669.5 square kilometers in northern Jiangxi under Jiujiang City, of which 1,390 square kilometers (52.1%) is water. With a population of 826,600 across 24 townships, it is one of Jiangxi’s 18 ancient civilized counties and carries the twin titles of “China’s Freshwater Pearl Hometown” and “World’s White Crane Kingdom.”
🏭 Featured Industries
- New Energy and Green Industry: Duchang possesses among the best wind, solar, and hydro resources in Jiangxi Province. The county has been named a National New Energy Industry Top 100 County and is working to become a National Green Development Demonstration County. Its carbon development potential is enormous, with abundant wind and photovoltaic resources driving clean energy production.
- Oral-Health Industry: A uniquely emerging industrial cluster, Duchang has historically attracted 7 manufacturing projects in the dental sector. The county is positioning itself as a specialized base for oral-health products and equipment manufacturing, leveraging its large diaspora of dental professionals across China.
- Textile and Garment Manufacturing: Duchang’s textile industry has attracted first-tier brand supply chains including Kaileshi and Qiudan. Two enterprises — Fudesh and Baixinhong — were selected for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s “5G Factory” list. The sector spans from fabric production to branded garment assembly, with increasing digital transformation adoption.
- Modern Agriculture and Aquatic Products: Duchang is a National Grain Production Advanced County and a National Quality Cotton Production Base County. With Poyang Lake’s vast waters, the county is famous for silverfish, green shrimp, crabs, dried bean curd sticks, and drunken fish. The pearl industry is particularly renowned — Duchang is known as “China’s Freshwater Pearl Hometown,” with pearl products sold both domestically and internationally. The county also has a National Shellfish Industry Technology System demonstration base.
- Digital Transformation and Specialized Enterprises: Duchang has over 100 national-level tech-SMEs and has verified 2 gazelle enterprises, 7 provincial-level specialized and new enterprises, and 2 provincial-level technology centers. The county’s growth in invention patents per 10,000 people ranked first in Jiujiang. With 66 SME digital transformations completed (71%), Duchang’s industrial modernization is accelerating rapidly.
🗺 Tourist Attractions
- Duobao Sand Mountain: Known as “the largest Gobi desert in Jiangnan,” this dramatic sand dune landscape along Poyang Lake’s shore creates a surreal desert-meets-lake scenery unlike anything else in Jiangxi. The shifting sands and windswept terrain make it a popular destination for photography and sand-related recreation.
- Laoyemiao Waters: A famous stretch of Poyang Lake known as the “Bermuda Triangle of the East,” where unusual weather patterns and mysterious shipwrecks have given rise to local legends. The area offers a hauntingly beautiful lake vista with the temple perched on the shore.
- Zhupao Mountain and Ma’an Island: Nicknamed “Little Taiwan,” these two lake-islands in Poyang Lake feature unique geological formations, sandy beaches, and panoramic views of the vast lake. They are accessible by boat and popular for day trips and camping.
- Nanshan Scenic Area: The mountain that Su Dongpo wrote about in his famous poem — “the water separates the southern hills.” Located near the county seat, Nanshan offers hiking trails, temple visits, and commanding views over Duchang city and Poyang Lake.
- Poyang Lake Migratory Bird Reserve: As the “World’s White Crane Kingdom,” Duchang’s section of the Poyang Lake wetlands hosts tens of thousands of migratory birds each winter, including the endangered Siberian white crane. The lake’s western shore within Duchang is one of the finest birdwatching destinations in China.
🎭 Culture
- Poyang Lake Culture: Duchang’s identity is inseparable from Poyang Lake. The lake culture has shaped local customs, cuisine, festivals, and livelihoods for over two millennia. The “Poyang Lake Legends” form a rich oral tradition passed down through generations of fishermen and lake dwellers.
- Historical Figures: Duchang has produced a remarkable roster of historical figures: Tao Kan (Eastern Jin dynasty Grand Marshal), General Liu Qi (Song dynasty anti-Jin military commander), and Jiang Wanli (Southern Song patriotic prime minister). The county’s deep scholarly tradition continues through the works of local literati throughout the centuries.
- Pearl Culture: As “China’s Freshwater Pearl Hometown,” Duchang has a pearl cultivation and artistry tradition that spans generations. The county’s pearls are prized for their luster and quality, and the craft of pearl jewelry-making is a celebrated local art form.
- Literary Legacy: Beyond Su Dongpo’s famous poem, Duchang has attracted Li Bai, Xie Lingyun, and Tao Yuanming — three giants of classical Chinese poetry — who all left literary works inspired by the county’s lake-and-mountain scenery. This literary heritage makes Duchang a living museum of Chinese landscape poetry.
- Feng Ren Memorial and Revolutionary Sites: Duchang is the hometown of Feng Ren, an early Communist Party martyr. Feng Ren’s former residence has been renovated and expanded, hosting commemorative events including the 120th anniversary of Feng Ren’s birth, reflecting the county’s revolutionary heritage.
🚗 Getting There
- Road: Duchang is served by the Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway (G56), the Duchang-Jiujiang Expressway, and multiple national and provincial highways. The county sits at the transportation junction connecting Nanchang, Jiujiang, and Jingdezhen — the “Golden Triangle” of northern Jiangxi.
- Rail: The Jiujiang-Jingdezhen-Quzhou Railway passes through Duchang, providing rail connectivity to the national network. The county has one railway station serving both passenger and freight services.
- Water: With 185 kilometers of Poyang Lake shoreline, Duchang has significant water transport potential. Laoyemiao cargo terminal passed evaluation in 2025, and a water tourism terminal has completed preliminary design. The lake connects southward to five rivers and northward to the Yangtze River.
- Air: Duchang is approximately equidistant from Nanchang Changbei International Airport and Jingdezhen Luojia Airport, each roughly 1-1.5 hours by road.
🍜 Local Cuisine
- Poyang Lake Silverfish: These tiny, translucent fish from Poyang Lake are a prized delicacy, typically dried and used in omelets, stir-fries, or steamed egg custard. Their delicate flavor is the defining taste of Duchang’s lake cuisine.
- Duchang Bean Curd: A signature local product made from high-quality soybeans, processed into bean curd sticks and then braised in a savory soy-based sauce. The result is a chewy, umami-rich delicacy that can be eaten as a snack or served as a side dish.
- Drunken Fish: Freshwater fish from Poyang Lake, cured and fermented with rice wine, spices, and seasonings. The dish has a distinctive fermented aroma and tender texture that pairs well with steamed rice.
- Poyang Lake Crabs: The lake’s clean waters produce sweet, succulent crabs, particularly during autumn when they reach peak flavor. Steamed whole and served with ginger-vinegar dipping sauce, they rival the famous Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs.
- Duchang Green Shrimp: Freshwater shrimp from Poyang Lake, known for their translucent shells and sweet meat. Typically stir-fried with minimal seasoning to preserve the natural flavor, or boiled and peeled for cold dishes.
- Purple Garlic: A specialty agricultural product of Duchang, these garlic cloves have a distinctive purple-tinged skin and a rich, pungent flavor. They are used extensively in local cooking and prized for their health benefits.