Source: CCTV.com

By Marc Edwards

In all honesty I wasn't sure what to expect as I patiently waited for our flight from Beijing's NanYuan airport to Jingdezhen, the closest airport to Wuyuan. The set up was intriguing to say the least. NanYuan airport is primarily a military airfield, so this didn't really feel like I was jetting off to some foreign exotic location where all I'd need is a Hawaiian shirt, some suntan oil and the faintest knowledge of the local language so I could say ¡°1 beer please¡±. Even before the airport, my mind was a little confused. This was due to a little conversation I'd had with my director a few weeks previously which went a bit like this:

Me: Ok so Wuyuan is supposed to have beautiful countryside, fantastic architecture and an unrivalled set of quaint, traditional villages.

Ian: Yes, and we'll be filming all these things. But above all we're going for the flowers.

Me: Excuse me, sounds like you just said flowers¡­

Ian: Yep, I did. They only live for a couple of weeks or so¡­

Me: So flying to Southeast China, to chase some flowers

Ian: Yep

Me: That'll go down well with my friends¡­.

More of the flowers at the end!

I was also slightly sceptical about the fact that the nearest airport to our destination wasn't even in the same county¡­..So it was with a hint of trepidation that I boarded my flight to China's porcelain capital, where I would then head on to a place whose countryside and quaint villages is a must see if you have time.

Luckily that was the last bit of cynicism I felt during the entire filming trip. Wuyuan county really is a wonderful place with so many things to see.

There were 6 of us going out on location, all guys, and from the very first night, I got the impression that this might turn into something quite amusing.

Essentially we were being looked after by the Wuyuan County Tourism Board, who laid on drivers, meals, accommodation etc and were generally extremely hospitable. So hospitable, in fact, that they were desperate from day 1 to get us all suitably drunk at any possible opportunity. As consummate professionals but polite guests, we were torn (at least some of us were). I don't think I've ever turned down so much free alcohol in my entire life. Luckily we had in 1 of our technicians, Yangge, a hero of epic proportions. A person willing to shoulder all the drinking, so that the rest of us didn't have to. The kind of man who would challenge Dionysus (the greek god of wine) to a drinking contest and probably drink him under the table. Yangge, I salute you! If it wasn't for you honourably protecting me from so many of the glasses of WuJiu (wuyuan rice wine) that were being forced my way, I think my liver would have gone on strike.

There are so many highlights that spring to mind, but rather than list them off, hence lessening your urge to watch the show, I'll pick a few of my favourites.

Wuyuan county has literally dozens of villages scattered around, each one with a story, or lots of stories to tell. We managed to scout out some of the most remote, as well as the more well known places.

I loved the tranquility of Dazhan Shan Ding. No tourists and extremely clean fresh air. You're up over 1,600 metres and you feel as far from Beijing as you'll ever feel. I'm not saying that Beijing is bad, I absolutely adore Beijing, but sometimes it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle.

OK one of the greatest things about Wuyuan, for a nosey so and so like me, is that in the majority of the villages, you can literally walk into almost any house and have a look around. The local government, as a way to boost tourism, rather astutely funds the villages so that they will allow people into their homes. It's a weird feeling, looking around a strangers home, but it must be even weirder having a stranger look around yours¡­..That said, it was water off a ducks back for the people of Wuyuan, who quite literally revel in the attention that their homes receive.

Many a time was I regaled with stories by an enthusiastic Wuyuanese (not sure that's the spelling!) person. I say regaled, but it was more, lots of nodding followed by some swift translating by my director, seeing as I would tend to only understand half of what they were saying.

Another huge surprise for me, was to be found in the village of Sixi, where, would you believe it, kids as young as 5 or 6 make their weekend pocketmoney by being tour guides. What a great way to do it. They know everything inside out: the stories, the anecdotes, the history etc. Wish I'd thought to be so entrepreneurial at that age!

The food is also top notch, and that was mainly because of its homestyle feel when you eat in the smaller restaurants or guest houses. I like nothing more than feeling like my mum is rustling up something yummy, and that's a sensation which is rare in the bigger restaurants. Here in Wuyuan there are tons of places where you can sit down, not worry about ordering food and just see what delicious treats are going to be brought out to you. Try the whole chicken in chicken broth, so deliciously oily!!! Wuyuan is also famous for its fish, and it was with glee that our kind hosts attempted to get me to eat the fish head at every opportunity. I finally acquiesced, I mean you always need to try something once when travelling. Wasn't too bad.

Ok, I would definitely not start my sales pitch for the shows with ¡°we visited an umbrella factory¡±¡­..but hear me out. Seeing how these distinctly Chinese souvenirs (for the most part) are made, right from the assembling to the intricate drawings and painted on them, was actually very enjoyable!

Last and not least¡­. The flowers! What can I say (without eternally emasculating myself) the rapeseed flowers are worth the trip to Wuyuan alone. If you go at the right time, you can see the entire county carpeted in these yellow things. They really do create an enchanting, idyllic location for walking, picnics and photography. Though without them Wuyuan is still an incredible place.

Anyway don't want to give too much away. Enjoy the 2 shows, and then head to Wuyuan yourself!