南昌：被低估的「英雄城」，為何總被誤認為三線？

在中國城市「鄙視鏈」中，南昌始終處在一個尷尬的位置。作為江西的省會城市，它理應是區域發展的引擎與門面，卻總被外界誤認為是三線甚至「四線」小城。明明擁有兩千多年建城史、豐富的紅色資源與人文底蘊，卻始終難以走出「存在感稀薄」的怪圈。為什麼南昌總是如此低調？這座城市的真實面貌又是什麼？

首先，南昌的「三線錯覺」源於多重因素疊加。經濟總量偏弱是其一。2023年南昌GDP約7200億元，在全國省會城市中排名靠後，甚至被沿海的地級市如徐州、泉州超越。在江西省內，也受到贛州的強勢挑戰。憑藉人口基數與國家政策支持，贛州GDP已突破5000億元，逐步削弱南昌的「省會首位度」。

城市界面的割裂也是問題所在。南昌的老城區如中山路、勝利路一帶街道狹窄、建築陳舊，電動車橫衝直撞，給外地人一種「像縣城」的視覺印象。而新區紅谷灘雖然高樓林立，卻缺乏設計感與特色，天際線單調無趣，難以與浦東、天府新區相提並論。交通上，儘管地處京九與滬昆兩條高鐵主線交匯處，但南昌已從「樞紐城市」變為「過路城市」，始發班次少、轉運功能弱，難以形成交通節點城市的強存在。

文化輸出的薄弱也令南昌形象受限。身處浙江、福建、廣東、安徽等「強鄰」環伺之中，江西的存在本就不高，再加上一些負面事件如「天價彩禮」「周公子事件」成為網路流行話題，使得整個江西甚至南昌被貼上刻板與落後的標籤。不少網友甚至將其戲稱為「環湖南貧困帶」的一員。

但事實上，南昌並非一無所有。這裡擁有深厚的歷史積澱與獨特的城市風貌，只是缺乏足夠的曝光度與敘事主導權。作為「英雄城」，南昌見證1927年八一南昌起義的歷史轉折點，是中國共產黨武裝鬥爭的開端。八一起義紀念館與紀念碑至今仍矗立在老城心臟地帶，是這座城市紅色基因的象徵。每當夜幕降臨，紀念碑配合燈光與歷史畫面投影，讓人仿佛回到那個硝煙四起的年代。

人文方面，南昌坐擁「江南三大名樓」之一的滕王閣。雖為1989年重建，卻依舊是「落霞與孤鶩齊飛，秋水共長天一色」的最佳觀景地。江西省博物館則以海昏侯墓出土文物震撼國人，精緻的馬蹄金、錯金銅器與景德鎮瓷器顛覆了外界對江西「文化荒漠」的偏見。

生活氣息方面，萬壽宮歷史文化街區以古建結合文創，串起老南昌的市井生活；而夜晚的繩金塔夜市則是本地人最愛的宵夜天堂，辣炒螺螄、瓦罐湯、拌粉與白糖糕，不僅地道，還親民實惠。

自然景觀方面，秋水廣場的音樂噴泉堪稱亞洲最大，夜間配合激光燈秀，是遊客與市民散步納涼的好去處。而距市區不遠的梅嶺國家森林公園，則擁有竹海、瀑布與古驛道，是適合夏季避暑與徒步的綠肺之地。

南昌的困境其實也是江西整體困境的縮影。經濟總量偏低，人才流失嚴重，年輕人紛紛湧向長三角、珠三角與福建等地發展，造成「阿卡林省」這一網絡自嘲梗——形同「隱形人」的地方。南昌雖有南昌大學等高教資源，但畢業生留存率僅約40%，遠低於武漢、成都等內陸強省會。交通基礎落後也是制約之一。江西直到2014年才開通首條高鐵，先天劣勢讓其錯失區域發展紅利。在國家級戰略如自貿區、都市圈規劃中，南昌也常常「姍姍來遲」，未能形成像合肥、鄭州那樣的政策引擎。更令人尷尬的是輿論場上的偏見強化。天價彩禮雖然並非全省普遍現象，但經過自媒體放大與戲謔，成為江西的地域刻板印象之一。官場腐敗舊聞如「蘇榮案」也曾令外界質疑江西的治理能力。

南昌要「破圈」，首先需要一場形象革命。這不只是城市建設的問題，更是品牌、敘事與話語權的問題。城市需要脫離「縣城式管理」邏輯，提升城市質感與審美，打造具有辨識度的城市IP，讓「VR之都」與「英雄城」這兩張名片不僅止於口號。更應該學習像長沙、重慶那樣善於打造話題、創造城市故事的城市營銷策略，讓滕王閣、海昏侯、南昌拌粉真正「出圈」。當外地人不再將南昌視為「存在感低」，而是覺得「值得專程一遊」時，這座被長期低估的英雄城，才算真正迎來它應有的逆襲。

Nanchang: The Underrated "Hero City"—Why Is It Still Mistaken for a Tier-3 City?

In China's so-called “urban hierarchy,” Nanchang occupies an awkward position. As the capital of Jiangxi Province, it should serve as a regional engine of development and a cultural flagship. Yet, it is often mistakenly regarded by outsiders as a tier-3 or even tier-4 city. Despite a history spanning over two thousand years, rich revolutionary heritage, and deep cultural roots, Nanchang struggles to shake off its image as a city with low visibility. Why does Nanchang remain so low-profile, and what is the city's true face?

This "tier-3 illusion" stems from a combination of factors. One major reason is its relatively weak economic output. In 2023, Nanchang’s GDP was approximately 720 billion RMB, ranking low among provincial capitals and even being surpassed by some lower-tier but economically stronger cities like Xuzhou and Quanzhou. Within Jiangxi itself, Nanchang also faces competition from cities like Ganzhou, whose population and national-level policy support have helped it achieve a GDP of over 500 billion RMB, gradually eroding Nanchang’s primacy within the province.

Another issue lies in the city's fragmented urban interface. Older districts such as Zhongshan Road and Shengli Road feature narrow streets and aging buildings, with chaotic electric scooter traffic creating a county-town impression. Meanwhile, the newer Honggutan District, despite its skyline of high-rises, lacks aesthetic design and character, making it dull and difficult to compare with areas like Pudong in Shanghai or Tianfu New District in Chengdu. In terms of transport, although Nanchang sits at the junction of major high-speed rail lines (Beijing–Kowloon and Shanghai–Kunming), it has shifted from a “transportation hub” to merely a “pass-through city,” with few originating train services and limited transfer capabilities.

Cultural export is another area where Nanchang falls short. Surrounded by stronger neighboring provinces like Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and Anhui, Jiangxi has low national visibility. Negative social media narratives—such as “sky-high bride prices” or the "Zhou Gongzi" incident—have only reinforced the stereotype of Nanchang (and Jiangxi as a whole) as backward and underdeveloped. Some internet users even jokingly lump Jiangxi into the so-called “poverty belt surrounding Hunan.”

Yet Nanchang is far from a cultural vacuum. The city has deep historical roots and a unique urban charm—it simply lacks exposure and control over its narrative.

Nicknamed the “Hero City,” Nanchang was the site of the pivotal Nanchang Uprising of August 1, 1927, marking the beginning of the Chinese Communist Party’s armed struggle. Today, the August 1st Uprising Memorial Hall and Monument still stand in the heart of the old city, symbolic of Nanchang’s revolutionary legacy. At night, coordinated light shows and historical projections bring the monument to life, transporting visitors back to that turbulent era.

Culturally, Nanchang is home to the Tengwang Pavilion—one of the “Three Great Towers of Jiangnan.” Though the current structure was rebuilt in 1989, it remains a scenic spot famously associated with the line: “Sunset and solitary wild geese flying together; the autumn waters and the vast sky merge into one color.” Meanwhile, the Jiangxi Provincial Museum houses relics from the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun, stunning the nation with its exquisite gold ingots, bronze ware, and Jingdezhen porcelain, challenging the perception that Jiangxi is a cultural wasteland.

On the lifestyle front, the Wanshou Palace Historical and Cultural Block blends traditional architecture with creative industries, offering a glimpse into the daily life of old Nanchang. The nighttime Shengjin Pagoda night market, beloved by locals, offers street food like spicy stir-fried snails, clay pot soup, rice noodles, and sweet rice cakes that are both authentic and affordable.

As for natural scenery, Qiushui Square boasts the largest musical fountain in Asia, which, along with laser light shows at night, makes it a popular spot for both tourists and locals. Meiling National Forest Park, located not far from the city center, offers bamboo groves, waterfalls, and ancient trails—ideal for summer escapes and hiking enthusiasts.

Nanchang’s challenges are also a microcosm of Jiangxi’s broader struggles: low GDP, significant talent outflow, and a youth population that flocks to the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, or Fujian in search of better opportunities. This has given rise to the internet meme dubbing Jiangxi the “Province of Akari” (a reference to an invisible character)—a region that feels like it’s fading into the background. Though home to Nanchang University and other institutions of higher education, the city has a graduate retention rate of only around 40%, far below that of inland powerhouses like Wuhan or Chengdu.

Poor transportation infrastructure is another constraint. Jiangxi did not get its first high-speed railway until 2014, putting it at a developmental disadvantage. In national-level initiatives like free trade zones and metropolitan area planning, Nanchang has often lagged behind cities like Hefei and Zhengzhou, which have emerged as regional policy engines.

What’s more, public perception is often skewed by sensationalized media. While sky-high dowries are not universally practiced across the province, media exaggeration and mockery have turned them into a defining stereotype. Political scandals, such as the Su Rong corruption case, have also cast doubts over the region’s governance capacity.

For Nanchang to break out of this vicious cycle, it needs a full-fledged image overhaul—not just in terms of infrastructure, but in branding, storytelling, and narrative control. The city must move beyond the “county-town style” of management, improve its urban aesthetic, and create a distinctive city identity. Slogans like “VR Capital” and “Hero City” must be backed by substance. Nanchang could take a page from cities like Changsha and Chongqing, which have mastered the art of narrative marketing—creating buzz, exporting culture, and telling compelling urban stories. When places like the Tengwang Pavilion, Haihunhou relics, and Nanchang-style rice noodles become viral cultural symbols, the city will truly “go mainstream.”

Only when outsiders stop seeing Nanchang as a city with “low presence” and instead regard it as “worth a special trip,” can this long-underestimated Hero City finally make its well-deserved comeback.