A breathtaking viral video showcasing mist-shrouded cliffs that captivated global social media audiences has been definitively identified as featuring China’s Wangxian Valley, despite widespread mislabeling as Japanese scenery. The management of this Jiangxi province tourist destination has confirmed the footage’s true origins after the clip amassed significant international attention.
Xiong Hui, co-founder and vice-president of Jiuniu Cultural and Tourism Co, which operates the scenic area, expressed surprise at the unexpected global spotlight. The company noticed substantial overseas engagement with the video on Wednesday morning, prompting their clarification.
“Wangxian Valley is indeed located in Shangrao, Jiangxi,” Xiong stated. “Its distinctive deep gorges and ever-shifting mist create a landscape that is immediately recognizable to those familiar with our region. We are delighted that viewers worldwide have appreciated the footage and extend a warm invitation to international visitors to experience Jiangxi’s authentic natural beauty firsthand.”
The site’s transformation from a discontinued mining zone to a cultural resort town represents a remarkable rehabilitation success story. Today, Wangxian Valley combines spectacular natural scenery with traditional folk culture and performance activities, creating a multifaceted tourist experience.
Official statistics reveal the destination’s growing popularity, with 3.1 million visits recorded in 2024, including over 150,000 international tourists. This misidentification incident previously drew the attention of diplomatic channels, with the Chinese embassy in India clarifying on social media platform X on December 8 that the viral video—which had garnered 1.3 million likes—depicted Chinese scenery rather than locations in Tokyo or Hokkaido, Japan. The embassy spokesperson seized the opportunity to encourage global social media users to discover China’s authentic landscapes.