Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeast China, and is the educational, commercial and transportation center of the southeast China, with a population of 3.5 million. Nanchang, literally means "prosperity in south", and has remained relatively prosperous throughout its 2,190 year history, owing to the Gan River that provides the region with flat landscapes, fertile soil, and plentiful fresh water supporting prolific grain and fish production. The Ganjiang flows through the westside of Nanchang northward into the Yangtse River, forming at the junction one of China's largest fresh water lake - Poyang Lake. Nanchangers can escape the Jiangxi summer heat at natural retreats like nearby Mount Lushan and Poyang Lake. About 75 miles north of Nanchang lies Jingdezhen, one of ancient China's Four Great Towns. Jingdezhen is the "capital of porcelain" -- it put the China in china.

No Nanchang tour would be complete without a visit to People's Square (modeled after Beijing's Tiananmen Square), and a culinary stroll down Ha Ma (Frog) Street, where specialties include frog legs, fried rice noodles, and Li Hao -- a grass that grows in Bo Yang Lake.

Other things to see include the Gold Wire Pagoda in the South of the city, which dates from the 10th century. It collapsed in 1708 but was rebuilt and surmounted with a gold tripod, supposedly to warn off fires. Otherwise the city architecture is pretty much Soviet style, topped off by the People's Square. Places to stay include the Gloria Plaza (0791) 673 8855, Jiangxi Hotel (620 6666) and Lake View (852 1888). Majot investors here include Ford, Suzuki (the Changhe brand of mini vans is made here), Nokia, with some aerospace development also. The local cuisine is a national favorite: five spice pork, while the expats here tend to hang out at the bar at the Gloria Plaza.