Lishui

Lishui is rich in mountain and water-town scenery. Spring and summer are often rainy, so bring non-slip shoes and rain gear when visiting the terraces and ancient villages.

• Jinyun Xiandu: A national 5A-rated scenic area, known for Dinghu Peak and the “old man leading an ox” scene at Zhutan Mountain. The area has served as a filming location for wuxia dramas such as *Qing Yu Nian* and *Chinese Paladin*. The scenery is especially beautiful in the early-morning mist.

• Guyan Huaxiang: The scenic area consists of two parts, Guyan and Huaxiang, connected by Oujang River cruises. It features groves of thousand-year-old camphor trees and the Tongji Weir irrigation project. The afternoon is ideal for strolling along the river and enjoying the scenery of a Jiangnan water town.

• Yunhe Rice Terraces: One of the larger terrace clusters in eastern China. The scenery is especially striking after the fields are flooded in May and June and when the rice ripens in September and October. Jiǔqǔ Yún Huán is a good place to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds, while Qīxīng Dūn offers distant views of the terraces and cloud layers.
• Songyang Ancient Villages: Chenjiapu Village has a Pioneer Bookstore built on a mountainside cliff, Yangjiatang Village is known for its tiered residences, and Songzhuang Village retains a relatively intact mountain setting. All three have been featured by *National Geographic*.

• Longquan Celadon Town: A central showcase of Longquan celadon culture, where you can view fine celadon pieces from different eras, try making celadon yourself, and learn about the area’s intangible cultural heritage.

Classic 4-Day, 3-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Lishui and get your first taste of a Jiangnan water town
  • Morning: Arrive in central Lishui and check in at your hotel.
  • Afternoon: Head to Guyan Huaxiang, take a boat across the Oujiang River, visit the thousand-year-old camphor trees and Tongji Weir, and relax along the waterfront.

• Evening: Visit Chuzhou Prefecture City and Qizi Tower, watch Song-style themed night tours and light shows, and try Jinyun shaobing.

• Day 2: Mountain scenery and an ancient mountain village
  • Early morning: Drive to Jinyun Xiandu. At Zhutan Mountain, photograph the “old man leading an ox across the bridge” scene. Arrive around 5–6 a.m. for the most visible morning mist.

• Afternoon: Visit Yandang Study, experiencing a reading space inside a cave, then continue to Songyang.

• Evening: Stay at a guesthouse in a Songyang ancient village and rest in the quiet mountain surroundings.
• Day 3: Mountain villages and rice terraces
  • Morning: Explore Chenjiapu Village. Read and have coffee at the Pioneer Bookstore while looking out at distant mountains and the sea of clouds.

• Afternoon: Head to the Yunhe Rice Terraces and stay at a hotel near the scenic area.
• Evening: Rest at the hotel and prepare for the next morning’s sightseeing.
• Day 4: Terrace sunrise and departure
  • Early morning: Go to the Jiǔqǔ Yún Huán viewing platform, wait for sunrise, and enjoy the sea of clouds.

• Morning: Walk around Kenggen Stone Village, learn about this ancient village with more than 800 years of history, and experience the local tradition of drying crops in autumn.

• Afternoon: Go to the high-speed railway station according to your departure schedule, ending your Lishui trip.

Lishui Food Recommendations

Lishui’s local flavors range from street snacks to rustic dishes, so choose what to try based on your itinerary.

• Jinyun Shaobing: Dried preserved vegetables and meat filling are wrapped in dough and baked. The crust is crisp, and the snack is common on streets in the city center.

• Suichang Long Zongzi: These zongzi can reach half a meter in length. The glutinous rice absorbs the meat juices, becoming soft, rich, and oily. They are usually cut into sections for sharing.

• Jingning Tofu-Niang: Soybeans and pumpkin leaves are mashed together and pan-fried. The surface is crisp and fragrant, the inside tender, with a fresh vegetal aroma.

• Paojing Pork: A traditional snack from Liandu, made by coating lean pork in starch and deep-frying it. It is crisp outside and tender inside, with a savory flavor that makes it a good snack.

• Shanfen Dumplings: The wrappers are made from sweet-potato starch and filled with diced bamboo shoots, fresh pork, and shiitake mushrooms. The wrappers are springy and the filling generous.

• Anren Fish Head: A local Longquan dish in which fish head and local tofu are simmered until the broth turns milky white and tastes rich and fresh.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Where to stay:
  • Songyang: Choose an ancient-village guesthouse such as Yuanshe Lansu, which is convenient for seeing mountain seas of clouds and experiencing village life.

• Yunhe: Staying near the rice-terrace scenic area is recommended, such as at Daocaocao Yujiemumu Hotel, for easier access to the viewpoints early in the morning.

• Lishui city center: Chuzhou Prefecture City and the area around Wandi Plaza have many restaurants and are convenient for transferring to the various scenic areas.

• Transportation guide:
  • Getting there: Lishui currently has no airport. Take a high-speed train to Lishui Station or Jinyun West Station, then rent a car or hire a private vehicle to reach the scenic areas.
  • Getting around: The attractions are spread out, so driving yourself or hiring a private vehicle makes planning easier. Public transport is limited, and some attractions have only one bus per day.

Travel Tips

• Check the weather: Check the forecast before heading to the Yunhe Rice Terraces for sunrise. Overcast skies or heavy fog may affect views of the sea of clouds.
• Prevent mosquito and insect bites: Mountain areas and ancient villages have many insects. Bring mosquito repellent and patches, and wear long sleeves and trousers.
• Choose suitable shoes: The ancient villages in Songyang and the terraces include steps and mountain paths, so comfortable sports shoes are recommended.
• Ticket discounts: Some scenic areas offer discounts for students and seniors, and combination tickets can be bought in advance. When “green ticket” environmental promotions are offered, use the relevant discounts according to the rules.
• Driving注意: Roads in some ancient villages are narrow, so take care when passing oncoming vehicles. Cable cars at the rice-terrace scenic area usually stop operating at 16:30, so plan your time in advance.