Dhaka : For Bangladeshi travelers who think they have already seen the best of China through Beijing's imperial grandeur or Shanghai's futuristic skyline, there is another destination quietly rising in popularity - a dreamlike mountain valley in Jiangxi Province that feels pulled straight from the pages of a fantasy novel.

Welcome to Wangxian Valley - a cliffside wonder tucked deep in the mountains of Shangrao, where glowing wooden houses hang dramatically from rocky cliffs, waterfalls crash through mist-covered valleys, and ancient-style bridges illuminate the night like scenes from a Chinese epic.

For travelers from Bangladesh, this hidden gem is surprisingly accessible.

I recently travelled there from Dhaka, beginning with a direct flight to Beijing aboard Air China, one of the few carriers operating direct routes between Bangladesh and China. After spending two days exploring Beijing's historic and modern contrasts, I boarded China's famed bullet train to Shanghai - an experience in itself. The high-speed rail network, clean stations, and remarkable punctuality make long-distance travel inside China incredibly smooth for international visitors.

After another two days in Shanghai, the journey continued toward Shangrao by high-speed train once again. The ride from Shanghai takes only two hours or so, and from Shangrao station, Wangxian Valley is reachable by car (either China's ride-hailing app Didi or from a hotel) and even shuttle bus through winding mountain roads.

Then suddenly, after hours of urban skylines and railway stations, the mountains open up - revealing one of the most surreal tourism destinations in modern China.

A real-life fantasy world

Wangxian Valley has become famous online for its breathtaking cliffside buildings suspended against towering canyon walls. Many first-time viewers assume the videos are computer-generated. They are not.

The valley, developed around dramatic granite cliffs and mountain streams, blends natural scenery with traditional Jiangxi-style architecture. At night, thousands of warm lights transform the valley into what many visitors describe as a "real-life fairyland."

Walking through the area feels cinematic. Wooden bridges hang above rushing streams. Narrow alleyways lead to tea houses, lantern-lit courtyards, local snack stalls, and artisan workshops selling traditional crafts. Suspended walkways cling to cliffsides while waterfalls thunder in the background.

The valley's design draws heavily from classical Chinese aesthetics and Taoist mountain mythology, which explains why many Chinese visitors compare it to scenes from martial arts novels or fantasy dramas.

Mountain waterfall rushes beneath a scenic bridge where travelers walk (top) and (bottom) as night falls, Wangxian Valley transforms into a glowing fairyland

What makes the destination particularly fascinating is the contrast between old and new China. Though the architecture appears ancient, much of the scenic area was rebuilt and deve-loped over the past decade on the site of an old mining area.

Yet despite its modern tourism infrastructure, the atmosphere remains magical.

Importantly, it can be added conveniently after visiting Beijing and Shanghai. China's high-speed rail system makes this route remarkably easy even for first-time visitors.

What to see inside

The main attraction is undoubtedly the illuminated cliffside village itself, especially after sunset when the valley glows golden against dark mountain walls.

Other highlights include: suspended glass walkways overlooking the canyon, waterfalls and mist-covered mountain scenery, traditional Jiangxi-style streets and tea houses, folk performances and cultural shows, handmade craft markets, scenic bridges and riverside walking paths, and cliffside homestays and boutique hotels.

Visitors can also try local Jiangxi snacks, explore traditional workshops, or simply spend hours photographing the valley from different viewpoints.

I would recommend reaching the Valley in the afternoon and staying till the evening. That way, the magnificent natural beauty of the scenic area can be enjoyed both at day time, when the color and greenery pop out, as well as at night time, when everything glows once the lights turn on, from buildings to mountains and waterfalls.

It may be mentioned here, China has two looks - the natural beauty in the day and the grand illumination you will find everywhere you lay your eyes on, once the sun sets.