“You can’t recognize the true face of Mount Lu simply because you’re born within its embrace.” Many people know only that Jiangxi Province is home to Mount Lu, but few realize that there’s also Lushan Xihai. A photographer from National Geographic has captured the perfect beauty of Xihai, introducing it to more and more people who’ve come to appreciate and fall in love with this stunning destination. Lushan Xihai boasts two piers—or rather, two distinct scenic areas. One is the older pier, known as Sima Pier, which marks the original scenic area of Lushan Xihai. The other is a newer attraction that has emerged only in recent years—the Jin Kou Scenic Area of Lushan Xihai. These two scenic areas face each other across Xihai Lake.

The Jinkou Scenic Area of Lushan West Sea is located in the picturesque Lushan West Sea. Zhalin Lake, a national-level scenic spot, is affectionately known as Jiangxi’s “Thousand-Island Lake” and is situated in the middle reaches of the Xiu River, one of the five major water systems of Poyang Lake. Currently, the scenic area is planned around four main themes: leisure, vacation, health preservation, and entertainment. Among these, the entertainment-focused theme offers thrilling aerial paragliding experiences, lake-viewing tours, lake cruises, waterfront activities, and water-based recreational programs. The leisure-and-health-focused theme features three primary experiential offerings: resort-style villas for relaxing getaways, casual guesthouses, and farmhouse-style kitchens. The aerial paragliding experience not only lets visitors savor the joy of flying above the landscape but also provides unique perspectives to appreciate the beauty of West Sea from different angles. The lake-viewing and lake-cruising activities allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the breathtaking scenery of the Thousand Islands, with prime vantage points from which to capture stunning natural landscapes. There are themed islands such as the Lake-Viewing Island—perfect for photography—and the Tea Island, steeped in the charm of tea culture; plus, there’s the Little Three Gorges and Rainbow Island, each offering distinctive cultural experiences. Additionally, the area boasts exciting Thai-style water-based activities, including interactive experiences like sightseeing speedboats, jet skis, and kayaks.

After finishing breakfast in the morning, we drove from Nanchang, taking the Fuyin Expressway and then switching to the Yongwu Expressway at Junshan Interchange before exiting at Jin’kou Toll Station. The entire journey took about an hour and a half. Once on the Yongwu Expressway, you can already enjoy the stunning views of Lushan Xihai Lake. Since we’d made hotel reservations in advance, we arrived well before noon. The hotel we chose was a distinctive wooden cabin at the Watson Country Club, located within the Jin’kou Scenic Area. After checking in, we headed straight to our room and got a first impression—it was quite nice. I heard that Xihai also offers special bubble hotels, but rooms are in high demand and require booking well in advance.

After checking in at the hotel, we asked for recommendations on some distinctive local delicacies or restaurants with particularly good flavors. The staff suggested we head to Dahu Youth Farm, located just off the highway. The restaurant’s decor looked quite nice, and we chose a table by the window that offered an open, airy view. The surroundings were adorned with some charming, rustic farm implements as decorative accents. The speed of service depended on how busy the restaurant was—but luckily, it wasn’t too crowded when we arrived. We ordered several dishes recommended by the owner, along with a few of our own favorites. The food tasted great, and the prices weren’t bad either.

After finishing our meal and taking a short rest at the hotel, we kicked off the pace of our project’s activities. The purpose of this trip was to experience flying. Once we got in touch with the staff, they drove us to the flying site, which is located right by the western coast. From the site, we could see a vast expanse of sea, small islands on the lake, and distant mountains—all set against a breathtakingly picturesque backdrop.

Once the staff had prepared the machine, we’d purchased insurance, and everyone had put on their gear, our flight journey would begin. The flight lasted 10 to 15 minutes—taking off from the ground and then landing back down again. The view of the West Sea from the sky is truly something else; you’ve got to experience it firsthand to fully appreciate it. Before takeoff, the instructor reminded us to run a short distance forward to build up momentum. I’m not sure what I looked like when I was running, but watching my friend run alongside me was absolutely hilarious. His comical movements were almost like a clown performing on stage. Midway through the flight, the instructor asked how we were feeling and whether we’d like to try some more thrilling maneuvers. Just one moment of swinging in midair sent our hearts racing right up into our throats. It was a perfectly unforgettable aerial experience.

After the flight, following the staff’s instructions, we headed to the Water World in Jin’kou. We opted for a combined ticket for the attractions there—it was a more cost-effective choice. Since we’d just enjoyed a rather thrilling flight, we started with a gentler experience: a leisurely boat ride on the lake aboard a bamboo raft. Suddenly, I wondered—if there were a light drizzle falling softly, wouldn’t it feel just like the misty, dreamy atmosphere of Jiangnan?

The boat ride on the lake lasted about half an hour, and then it was time for another thrilling adventure—motorboating. All I can say is, driver, could you please slow down a bit? At this speed, I feel like I can’t even hold on!

After the excitement, things should always calm down. After riding the jet ski, I tried water biking—it still took quite a bit of physical stamina. If we hadn’t all paddled together with equal effort, I might have just been floating helplessly on the water.
The day’s project was basically over. After choosing a nice-looking restaurant and having dinner, we headed back to the hotel. Walking and chatting along a country path with a few good friends—it’s been quite a while since I’ve experienced this kind of leisurely pace of life, and it really leaves me feeling nostalgic.
The next day, after getting up and having breakfast, we took the kids to their favorite playground—Huaqian Valley. Since the attractions there felt a bit too childish for adults, we let them have fun and play to their heart’s content before wrapping up the trip and heading home. On the way back to Nanchang, we stopped at a pavilion overlooking the lake along the highway. We parked the car and took a few more photos. The scenery was still breathtakingly beautiful.