My favorite Chinese city so far? I've found it!
Lishui, located in Southern Zhejiang, is truly a natural oxygen bar! Blessed with stunning mountains and water, it's no wonder this area is a popular filming location for movies and TV shows. Songyang County, in particular, has been hailed by National Geographic as the "Last Secret Realm of Jiangnan."
I visited Lishui three times this summer, and the beauty is truly captivating and has left a lasting impression! I've put together a 4-day 3-night Lishui guide based on my trips. Get ready to pack your bags and explore this hidden gem!
✅ My Lishui Itinerary (4 Days, 3 Nights)
Here's the route we followed:
Jinyun County ➡️ Liandu District ➡️ Songyang County ➡️ Yunhe County ➡️ Jingning She Autonomous County
📸 Daily Itinerary & Suggested Photo Spots:
Day 1: Xiandu Scenic Area (Zhutan Mountain) - Yandang Bookstore - Yandang No. 2 Grotto - Guyan Huaxiang
Day 2: Guyan Huaxiang (Dagangtou) - Yangjiatang Village - Songzhuang Village - Chenjiapu Village - Songyang Old Town
Day 3: Yunhe Terraced Fields (Baiyin Valley area: Qixingdun, Kenggen Stone Village)
Day 4: Yunhe Terraced Fields (Jiuqu Yunhuan for sunrise) - Shisi Temple - Xuehuaji Waterfall
🏨 Accommodation Recommendations:
Night 1: Stay in Dagangtou Town, within the Guyan Huaxiang scenic area.
Night 2: Stay in Songyang County town.
Night 3: Stay within the Yunhe Terraced Fields scenic area.
🚘 Transportation Tips:
Self-driving or renting a car is recommended. We took the high-speed train to "Lishui Station" and then rented a car, which we found to be more convenient for getting around.
📸 Want to know the exact locations for these photos? Leave a comment below!
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✅ Scenic Spot Details
Here's a little more about the places we visited:
1️⃣Xiandu Scenic Area - Zhutan Mountain
This is truly a signature spot of Lishui. The most classic "Old Man Herding Cattle" photo crossing the bridge was taken here, making Xiandu famous far and wide. There are free performances on weekends. If you want to specifically photograph the "Old Man Herding Cattle" at other times for commercial purposes, there's usually an extra fee.
2️⃣Yandang Bookstore
A unique bookstore located inside a rock quarry! It features a cafe perfect for photos and relaxation. The way the sunlight hits the surrounding cliffs is simply stunning.
3️⃣Yandang No. 2 Grotto
Check out the Narnia-like 'Green Wilderness' made famous by actress Ni Ni. It's located near the Yandang Bookstore. Wearing white clothes really helps you stand out in photos here!
4️⃣Guyan Huaxiang
This scenic area is divided into two parts. "Guyan" (Ancient Weir) is the Yan'tou village on the north bank, featuring a cluster of magnificent thousand-year-old camphor trees. "Huaxiang" (Painting Village) is Dagangtou Town on the south bank, an ancient town nestled by the Oujiang River – it's a popular haven for sketching and photography enthusiasts.
5️⃣Yangjiatang Village, Songzhuang Village, & Chenjiapu Village (Songyang County)
These are the three most popular ancient villages in Songyang County.
Yangjiatang Village is often called the "Golden Potala Palace" due to its layered hillside architecture. The "Couple Trees" at the village entrance is the most classic photo spot.
Songzhuang Village has a small stream running right through it, perfect for cooling off and playing in the water during summer. Taking photos from the ancient bridge looks particularly beautiful.
Chenjiapu Village is home to the famous Pioneer Bookstore and the unique Fei Niao Ji B&B. Grab a coffee and take your time exploring the charming village alleys.
6️⃣Songyang Old Town
Located right in Songyang County town, this is a historic old street. It's recommended to visit in the evening. Many top-ranked local restaurants are located nearby, offering a chance to try local specialty snacks.
7️⃣Yunhe Terraced Fields
This vast area of terraced fields is divided into two main areas: Baiyin Valley and Jiuqu Yunhuan. Our itinerary covered Baiyin Valley (including 'Qixingdun' viewpoint and 'Kenggen Stone Village') on Day 3, and we returned to Jiuqu Yunhuan for a spectacular sunrise over the clouds and terraces on Day 4.
8️⃣Shisi Temple
A Narnia-like thousand-year-old ancient temple! Surrounded by lush greenery and moss, it has a strong sense of history and feels like stepping through a time portal.
9️⃣Xuehuaji Waterfall
Just a one-kilometer hike from Shisi Temple. The waterfall is particularly spectacular right after rain, making it a great spot for a hike and breathing in the fresh, oxygen-rich air.
