Guyan Painting Village

I visited Guyan Painting Village at noon on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The name "Guyan" (Guyan) firstly indicates its rich historical and cultural heritage. It houses the Tongji Weir, a nationally protected cultural relic site built in 505 AD (1,500 years ago), as well as a thousand-year-old town, ancient camphor trees, and ancient villages. Secondly, it vividly captures the natural beauty of this ancient Jiangnan town, embracing the natural beauty of mountains and water. Admission to the attraction is 50 yuan per person, including round-trip boat rides. The main attraction is to experience the wisdom of the ancients and the exceptional quality of their architectural work. Overall, the scenery is beautiful, and without the need for mountain climbing, it's a great place for families with children and the elderly.

The thousand-year-old weir, ancient camphor trees, distant mountains, and rivers create a breathtaking spectacle in Guyan Painting Village, well worth a visit. However, the service was mediocre. The ferry ticket cost 20 yuan, and they forced me to buy a round-trip ticket. Even a one-way ticket cost 20 yuan, which is unreasonable. They're calling it a cruise when it's clearly a ferry for such a short distance—really creative! Haha! If you're not interested in painting, take bus No. 207 directly to Guyan and skip the ferry to the painting village. The best attractions are all in Guyan.

These are villages on both sides of the Oujiang River. The "Painting Village" is located in Dagangtou Town, while Bitou Town on the other side of the river is home to the "Ancient Weir"—the Tongji Weir. The morning mist and sunsets here are both beautiful. B&B owners offer discounted tickets, which are 1-2 yuan cheaper than the lowest online prices. The ticket includes access to the Painting Village, the boat tour, and the Ancient Weir. While there were still quite a few tourists during the National Day holiday, it was much better than other scenic spots.

Lishui Ancient Weir Painting Village, a painting that depicts a millennium of history, weaves the tranquil Oujiang River and quaint villages into a poetic tapestry. The Tongji Weir bears witness to the vicissitudes of history, while the Art Center incorporates modern creativity. Beneath the ancient camphor trees, every step is steeped in cultural heritage. A perfect fusion of nature and humanity, strolling through it feels like stepping into the ancient paradise described by the ancients, where every breath is a reflection of beauty.

"Ancient Weir" refers to the Tongji Weir, a national key cultural relic protection unit built in 505 AD, and "Painting Town" refers to the "Lishui Barbizon School of Painting" which is famous both inside and outside the province. It has related exhibition halls, oil painting academies, etc. It is also an art sketching creation base.

The two banks are the Ancient Weir and the Painting Village respectively, and you need to take a boat to go back and forth. The scenery is okay, not stunning, with beautiful mountains and clear waters.

Guyan Painting Village is located 20 kilometers from downtown Lishui, between Bihu Lake and Dagangtou. Home to the Tongji Weir, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site built in 505 AD, the area boasts ancient streets, pavilions, piers, villages, and clusters of ancient camphor trees, showcasing the natural beauty of a Jiangnan ancient town. Across the Oujiang River from Dagangtou lies the renowned Lishui Barbizon School of Painting, home to the Lishui Barbizon Exhibition Hall, the Lishui Oil Painting Academy, the Guyan Painting Village Exhibition Hall, a Guyan Painting Village branch, and a professional art sketching and creation base.

Beautiful mountains and clear waters, few tourists, very quiet

We took a pleasure boat tour, visited the ancient weir, and stayed in a guesthouse near the ancient street for one night.

The most impressive thing is the ancient camphor trees that block out the sun and the murals on the street.

The scenic area consists of two major areas: Xiangzhang Ancient Town and Yantou Village opposite the Oujiang River.

The combined ticket and boat ticket cost 50 yuan in total. We placed an order on China-TravelNote and got a discount of 42 yuan. It was very convenient to scan the QR code directly on your phone when entering the park.

The main entrance to the scenic area is located on the Xiangzhang Ancient Port side, where a pedestrian street runs alongside the Oujiang River. Unlike the bustling pedestrian streets at other scenic spots, this one is much quieter, and the shops along the way are more rustic. There's a souvenir shop, and the items are incredibly stylish!

You need to take a boat to reach Yantou Village. There are many ancient camphor trees here, and their huge canopies block out the sun, which is very cool! This is a national-level photography and sketching base. There are many students with sketchpads on the roadside.

Guyan Painting Village is located in Bihu Town and Dagangtou Town, Liandu District, Lishui City, 20 kilometers away from Lishui City. The core area includes Dagangtou, Yantou, Pingdi and Baoding. It has a profound historical and cultural heritage and a strong atmosphere.

If you buy your tickets online, be sure to order them two hours in advance, otherwise you'll have to wait at the entrance for a full two hours before you can redeem your ticket. We went on May Day, and because we arrived early, there weren't many people there at the beginning, so we had to hurry to catch the ferry to Guyan. After getting off the ferry, it's a long walk, but the scenery is quite nice. The mist is so beautiful, it feels like being surrounded by a fairy atmosphere.

That's it, everyone knows, selling the house

There are special B&Bs in Guyan. It is recommended to stay next to Tongji Weir. The painting village is average, and the ferry ride is not bad.

Although the town is small, it has beautiful scenery and a cultural atmosphere.

Because it was a rainy day, the photos I took were all gray. There is a very commercial street in Guyan Painting Village. I have seen it so many times that I don’t think it has any special features.

The scenery of Guyan Painting Village is beautiful! I will go there again if I have the chance!

The Tongji Weir, which is over 1,500 years old, is worth a visit.

You have to avoid going during peak hours, otherwise it will feel too far away. I recommend staying in Guyan, as the painting village has become very commercialized.

I feel like there's not much to do here, as there are too many tour groups. Maybe it's because I grew up here.

It is quite commercialized and the characteristics are not very obvious. I think it is not worth the price. If you have time, you can go there by the way. If you go there specifically, it is highly recommended.

The Oushui River divides the village into two parts. It feels like spring in early winter. The misty Jiangnan Ancient Weir Painting Village with few tourists is the best place for leisurely strolling, eating and taking photos.

We took a boat to visit the Painting Village on the other side. It turned out that the Painting Village was not as good as the Guyan side. Apart from a thousand-year-old camphor tree at Dagangtou and a few small sailboats on the Oujiang River, there was nothing special.

Wandering through the painting village, you'll find students sketching everywhere. Along the cobblestone path by the river, snapping photos along the way is truly breathtaking! If you're here, and if you enjoy photography, this place is sure to be worth the trip! Every optimal camera position is marked.

"Guyan Painting Village" is located in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, which is known as the "Forest City". It is an ancient town in the south of the Yangtze River with a long history and rich cultural heritage.

As the saying goes, "people are shaped by the land and water." This place not only has rich rivers and streams, but also is covered with lush forests and green willows. Looking at the strange peaks in the distance, and the quaint villages and streets, and the historical sites up close, the mountains and rivers, flowers and ancient trees, white walls and gray tiles, all the natural scenery and cultural relics here have attracted countless painters and photographers from home and abroad to come here to sketch, so that Dagangtou Town has been given the reputation of "Painting Town", and together with the thousand-year-old ancient weir ruins in Yantou Village, it is called "Ancient Weir Painting Town".

The scenery of Guyan Painting Village is pretty good. If you like taking pictures, you can stay a little longer to stroll around. If you want to see the morning mist, you should stay in a guesthouse in the scenic area.

Located in Dagangtou Town, Liandu District, Lishui City, Guyan Painting Village is divided into two parts: Guyan, an ancient town, and Painting Village, an ancient street. Separated by the Oujiang River, Guyan boasts the Tongji Weir, a millennium-old weir comparable to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, as well as numerous ancient camphor trees and inscriptions. The village itself is dotted with historical and cultural relics, such as the millennium-old camphor trees and ancient steles. Painting Village, on the other hand, is a picturesque sight, with the reflections of sails on the Oujiang River and mist swirling around layers of green hills. Though small, the riverside town exudes a distinctly antique charm, with walls imbued with historical traces and bluestone pavements evoking a sense of history. The unique B&B, nestled close to the Oujiang River, offers breathtaking views of the mountains, the sound of the water, and the tranquility of sunrise and sunset. Our Qicai B&B, where we stayed, boasts small but elegantly appointed rooms that are clean and tidy. The owner is warm and hospitable, and the food is delicious. There is no entrance fee for visiting the scenic area if you stay in Huaxiang, but you need to buy a ticket to take the boat to Yantou Village on the opposite side. The ticket is 30 yuan per person if you book online. The ferry stops at 5 o'clock. We went there late, so we drove a long way to get there.

If you catch the last boat, you'll arrive at Painting Village just as the sunset and soaring wild geese soar. We navigated to the Dagangtou Town bus stop and, using a map, quickly found the entrance to Painting Village. Painting Village is essentially an old street enclosed by a stream. Like the Ancient Weir, it has many alleyways leading to the old street. Linshui Old Street in Painting Village has a touch of the ancient city of Fenghuang. If you're not a painter, or if you're not interested in the Lishui Barbizon School, this old street is quite ordinary.

The next morning, we returned to the painting village. Sadly, there was no morning glow, no sunrise, only a sky filled with clouds. There were only a handful of photographers. It was quiet, no smoke, no white sails. Yet, in that moment, I was able to witness the real life of the locals, a more earthly and familiar atmosphere. It felt strange, yet familiar, and a sense of peace and tranquility.

Maybe it was too hot when I went there, which affected my experience. The local food is not tasty and the hygiene conditions are poor in some places.

Since it was already evening when we arrived, the scenic area didn't require a ticket, and many shops on the ancient street were closed. When we walked to the pier where we boarded the cruise ship, we saw a 300-year-old camphor tree with people sitting around it enjoying the cool breeze. It felt like life should be this comfortable.

I originally wanted to eat some special food in the ancient street, but I didn’t see anything I liked, so I could only find a restaurant to eat noodles and wontons, ordered half a pound of bayberry wine and had a sip, and listened to the restaurant owner tell the history of Guyan. This way, I don’t need to hire a tour guide to visit Guyan.

Guyan Painting Village resembles ancient towns like Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, Xitang, Dali, and Lijiang, overflowing with a vibrant, artistic atmosphere. However, it's less commercialized and less crowded. I don't particularly enjoy the feeling of being overwhelmed by tourists, but I found this place quite comfortable. After exchanging my ticket at the customer service center, I headed straight inside and boarded a boat to tour the ancient weir across the street. Tongji Weir is said to be one of the four great water conservancy projects of ancient times.

The scenery is nice, and the photography of sailboats is beautiful, so remember to bring a telephoto lens.

It turns out that Guyan Painting Village is two separate attractions: the painting village on the south bank of the river, and the Guyan on the north bank. Tickets for the ferry crossing are sold together for 50 yuan (25 yuan on sale). The scenic area is filled with quaint old-style tiled houses and storefronts, and many visitors are art and photography enthusiasts.

It is more ancient than Nanxun and quieter than Wuzhen, like a paradise on earth.

The Huaxiang Scenic Area is essentially a 500-meter-long old street called "Dagangtou Town." Since we'd booked a guesthouse in advance, the owner came to pick us up, eliminating the need for entrance fees. Beyond the main entrance, there are many alleyways leading directly to the old street.

The old street is basically full of wooden houses, and you can see this kind of exquisite murals on the walls from time to time. The sunset shining on the road is particularly comfortable

The scenic spot is a typical Jiangnan water town style. It is not too famous now. The ticket is cheap. It is recommended to stay in the scenic area. The owner buys a ticket for 30 yuan per person (including the boat ticket). It is enough to take a boat to the other side for half a day.

It's not bad. The only drawback is that locals know that there are many small roads that can be entered directly, but I spent 100 yuan on the entrance fee, of course the ticket can also take the boat.

Overall it's not bad, a good place to take pictures, and everyone is in a good mood. I just want to say something special about the shops here. I bought a lot of things, and every shop owner is pretty good. As for this Guyan Tea Pavilion, the couple who own it are simply terrible. There is a shop at the pier. When people are waiting for the boat, they will go to their shop and see a large number of tourists coming. They have sullen faces and speak rudely. Why don't you buy anything and open the door for business but don't want people to come in? I guess you have a very powerful air conditioner installed in your house. I hope other tourists will pay attention and don't go to this shop and get themselves into trouble. I went to look at the mirror, and the owner said directly, "Don't block my mirror." Others went to look at his sword and he said, "Don't touch my sword, you can't lift it." That tone and attitude. Guyan Tea Pavilion is a stain. Attention, tourists.

The food in the scenic spot is not very good, but the scenery is still very good. There are things to take pictures at the door of each local house. If you have enough time, it is a good experience to stay there for one night.

The ancient camphor trees here are all thousands of years old, thick and strong, and their vitality is still very tenacious. In the hot summer, there are few tourists in the town, and it is very quiet. The scenery is picturesque.

It's a very beautiful town. Of course, the periphery has been very commercialized, leaving a few small corners where you can see traces of history.

I bought the entrance ticket and boat ticket and went to the small island opposite. The environment was very nice, but a little boring. I felt that I could drive there. I had stayed at several good B&Bs earlier.

We can already see some buildings being demolished in order to standardize the scenic area.

In the evening, professionals came here with their cameras and took pictures of the smoke-filled sailboats. It turned out that the beautiful photos were staged.

The night view at night is pretty good and relatively quiet.

Guyan Painting Village is a renowned scenic spot in Lishui, a blend of mountains and rivers, human settlements, and ancient villages. While not a true scenic spot, it's far superior. Here, you can experience the elegance of a scenic spot without actually being there, while also feeling like wandering through an ancient village in an oil painting. The experience is like entering the enigmatic and mysterious realm of the legendary painting village from Liaozhai, a truly captivating experience.



The entire scenic area of Guyan Painting Village is divided into two major sections. One section is the river, imbued with romantic charm, where white sails sail on the ocean-like river. The other section is the ancient town built along the river. Although small and far inferior to the famous Jiangnan water towns, the overall quaint atmosphere is still quite distinct. Walking through this ancient town, less than a kilometer long, you can see a variety of shops, walls full of historical traces, and bluestone pavements that convey a sense of history. Students from the China Academy of Art quietly enjoy the scenery while taking up paper and pen to sketch the tranquil Guyan Painting Village.



In the early morning, choosing a perfect spot by the lake to admire the sunrise from the east is truly a wonderful travel experience. Or in the evening, stepping to the riverside to admire the indescribable beauty of sunset. Whether it's the sunrise in the east or the sunset in the west, the beauty of Guyan Painting Village is always so beautiful.



The entrance fee to Guyan Painting Village includes a round-trip boat ride for 50 yuan. After 6:30 p.m., the entrance fee is no longer charged, allowing for free entry and exit. A trip to Guyan Painting Village is truly a leisurely, unfocused journey, making it a great choice for those seeking a more tranquil environment.

The scenery of the scenic spot is just average. Huaxiang Street and Guyan Street are both commercial in atmosphere. The ticket price of 50 yuan is a bit expensive.

Buying tickets online at Taobao is half the price, only 30 yuan, and includes tickets to the Ancient Weir, Painting Village, and a round-trip ferry. Tip: We bought the tickets primarily to take the ferry between the Ancient Weir and Painting Village. While you can drive around, it's a long detour and unnecessary. The scenic area closes around 5:00 PM, so you don't need to pay for admission at that time. Upon entering, you're greeted by a towering banyan tree, the emerald green Oujiang River, and a group of students sketching. Painting Village is small, consisting primarily of an ancient street with shops lined with flowers, creating a picturesque atmosphere. Compared to ancient streets like Xitang and Zhouzhuang, it's quite deserted, which was exactly what I was looking for. Take the ferry to the Ancient Weir for a stroll; the Ancient Weir is much larger than the Painting Village. My favorite spot is the stone bridge over the water. The stream reflects the blue sky, white clouds, and the figures of people passing by, creating a unique painting. Continue towards Yantou Village and you'll see Wenchang Pavilion by the stream. The sun shines through the gaps between the trees, casting mottled shadows. It must be a peaceful scene like this after all the tourists have dispersed.

It took us an hour and a half to get from the Yunhe Rice Terraces to Guyan Painting Village, so be sure to plan your time accordingly! Tickets are available online for as little as 29 yuan.

After entering the scenic area, everyone must turn right to take the cruise ship. The last boat is at 17:30. The road on the left can be slowly circled back after the cruise, otherwise you will go back the way you came. I was the one who didn't know and went back the way I came ~ haha

The trees near Yantou resemble the Age Tree from Inuyasha. Guyan Painting Village feels similar to Xitang, and the ticket price is just right. I wouldn't recommend it. It takes about 40 minutes from Guyan Painting Village to Lishui City.

The scenery is just like this. Let me talk about the charges. I entered from Guyan. If you want to take a boat, you must buy a 50-yuan round-trip boat ticket plus an entrance ticket package, which is a bit of a rip-off. You have to buy the ticket on China-TravelNote two hours in advance, and the boat ride takes about five minutes.

The beautiful scenery along the way, green mountains and green waters, small bridges and flowing water, and houses are perfectly interpreted here.

Guyan Painting Village is actually a nickname for the town, officially known as Bihu Town and Dagangtou Town, located in Lishui, Zhejiang Province. In the 2000s, a group of painters came here to paint. Some were so captivated by the beauty that they settled there. Gradually, a cultural industry chain of art appreciation and auctions developed, and in 2008, in partnership with the local tourism department, Guyan Painting Village was born.

Guyan Painting Village is actually divided into two parts: Guyan is an ancient town, and Painting Village is an ancient street, separated by the Oujiang River. As expected of the name Painting Village, the walls of each house are covered with large, lifelike paintings, which are very beautiful!

When we entered the scenic area, no one asked to see our tickets, so we entered without buying them. Perhaps they knew that you'd need to see your ticket if you took the boat to Guyan (the boat ticket to Guyan is included in the ticket). There's a massive ancient camphor tree at the pier, estimated to be hundreds of years old. Looking out over the Oujiang River, the sight of small boats dotting the water in the distance creates a unique landscape.

The ancient streets are all similar. The commercial atmosphere here is much stronger than that of Jinyun Xiandu and Yunhe Terraces, so we left the scenic area without much wandering.

A row of stalls lined the streets of Painting Village, selling combined tickets to various nearby attractions. I thought there might be more to the area, but it turned out to be just art galleries in the houses on either side. After using the restroom, I walked to the cruise ship dock in just a few minutes.

There are thousand-year-old camphor trees in the scenic spot. There are many on both sides of the river.

This unique B&B is nestled by the river, and the old boat in the alley is a symbol of the scenic "Painting Village" area. Wander in the painting, surrounded by lush greenery and a charming old-world charm. From the large second-floor terrace, you can overlook the Oujiang River, gaze at the mountains in the distance, hear the sound of the water up close, watch the sunrise and sunset, and savor a cup of tea. Life is but ears! The owner, a thoughtful and artistic man, has put a lot of thought into the establishment, offering not only beautiful scenery but also entertainment activities to ensure guests have a wonderful stay.

Generally speaking, it's OK. The scenic area is not very big, there are not many tourists, the lake water is clear, but there is nothing special. It's OK to relax around, after all, the ticket is not expensive.

If you're looking for ancient history, the Tongji Weir and the water overpass are two of China's firsts. If you're looking for secluded places, the vast expanse of the Oujiang River and the shimmering shadows of the ancient camphor trees are hard to find anywhere else. More importantly, the local people are incredibly simple and honest. The elderly men selling their wares on the street are mostly around 80 years old, and the prices are lower than outside the scenic area. I really want to stay in Guyan for a few days, to wash away the mundane world and immerse myself in tranquility.

We found an online store that offered a ticket plus a round-trip ferry for 30.99 yuan. Guyan and Huaxiang are actually two separate places, connected by a ferry, so the ferry ticket is bundled with the entrance fee. A one-way ferry ticket is about 10 yuan purchased within the scenic area. Huaxiang has the typical old-town feel of any place, selling local specialties and handicrafts, but it's unremarkable. Guyan is like a miniature Dujiangyan, distinguished by its many large, ancient camphor trees. The evenings, when the crowds are low, are perfect for photos, and the setting sun is stunning. Huaxiang has many dining options, so plan to spend your meals there and the rest of the day in Guyan. This way, you can skip the return ferry and go in and out from both ends, as buses run from both directions.

In the afternoon, we took a boat tour of Lishui Guyan Painting Village! The pristine villages, ancient trees, pavilions, crystal-clear water, azure skies, and white clouds—the entire Guyan Painting Village is tranquil and beautiful!

During the Qingming Festival, it rained heavily, and the ancient weir, shrouded in mist and rain, looked like an ink painting.

It's very small, similar in nature, with mountains, water, big trees and ancient houses.



To be developed, many houses are under construction



Closes very early and stops the boat very early



The advantage is that there are fewer people



I don't want to edit the photos after taking them

Parking is convenient, there is an old street, not long, not crowded. There are mountains, water, reeds, and a ferry, which can be taken when full.

Guyan Painting Village is two places. Guyan is a water conservancy project with a relatively small scale. There are thousand-year-old camphor trees everywhere in the village, which has a special sense of age. Painting Village is a small town. As the name suggests, there are many paintings. However, as a small town, it is inevitable that there are the characteristics of a general ancient town, with various shops. However, the biggest feature here is the various Longquan celadon and Longquan swords. You need to take a boat to travel between the two places. Because we were traveling with a tour group, we did not have a deep understanding of the tour.

It is picturesque and worthy of being called the capital of oil painting, with green mountains and clear waters.

I heard this is the top scenic spot in Lishui, so I came here to visit. The ancient weir and the painting village, facing each other across the river, are indeed picturesque and picturesque.

I stayed at Dagangtou, and the entrance fee to the scenic area includes a round-trip boat ride. If necessary, visitors can enter and exit the scenic area multiple times with their ticket, but the boat ride is limited to one round-trip. After the ride, the staff will punch a hole on the ticket. I don't know what the rules are on Yantou.

In addition to the pleasure boats, I also saw a ferry on the river. It seemed to be for locals, and you could ride a motorcycle or push a bicycle up there. It also seemed like tourists staying at local farmhouses were taking the ferry. The ferry's destination was different from the pleasure boats'. They didn't go to the pleasure boats' docks, but instead went straight back and forth across the river. The other side seemed to be a mudflat with a grassy path extending out. I couldn't see where it went from my side, but I guess it was going to the local village.

The core area of Guyan Painting Village includes Dagangtou, Yantou, Pingdi and Baoding. It is a famous Chinese art sketching base and the main photography creation base of China's photography hometown. You can stroll around the painting village, take photos and buy local specialties. In Guyan, you can see the ancient camphor trees and Tongji Canal.

If you ask me if it's worth spending two workdays visiting the painting village, I'd say I'm grateful for the scenery that allowed me to slow down, and I'm also lucky to have met the right people during those two days: the owner, the guy painting the rocks, the lady I bumped into at the B&B, the little brother who shared some spare ribs with us...

#Talking about the scenery# The scenery is pure natural beauty, unadorned. From the balcony, the view shimmers on the water, and the distant, dark green mountains. The ivy from the neighboring building clings thickly to the wall, revealing a hint of the bluestone—truly beautiful. Unable to resist the clear water, we walked down the antique yet elegant wooden boat next to the guesthouse. The stone steps felt refreshingly cool against the water, and right before our eyes, we could see a variety of small fish swimming around. When a cruise ship passed, the distant ripples surged over us, washing over our shoes, bringing a gasp of surprise and joy. As we posed for photos with the wooden boat, we saw someone who had just been swimming in the river come ashore. He laughed and said he'd been caught up, his face brimming with satisfaction. My friend said, "You can go down too." But I'm a beauty, so I didn't bring my swimsuit! Just kidding, swimming is actually prohibited. With the high temperatures in Lishui these past couple of days, we didn't want to walk too much, so we asked the owner for a good restaurant recommendation. More about the food later. I'm mentioning this because I bought the fruit we had for tea later that evening on the way to the restaurant. Don't understand the logic? That's right! While we were drinking tea on the balcony, the owner hurriedly asked if we wanted to go to the shore to watch a performance! So, we drove his BMW convertible to the other side of the painting village. The truth is in the pictures. These are my memories of the painting village, with elements of painting everywhere. In contrast, I didn't have much to say about the ancient weir. Maybe it had something to do with the heat, or maybe it had something to do with the people. The reservoir is nice, and the ancient camphor trees are nice, but that's all.

#Talking about B&Bs# The owner has been mentioned more than once in the above text. He's a painter, a warmhearted person, and a sentimental soul. He enjoys the village's most luxurious and unrivaled river views. His entire perspective of the painting village lies just outside the windows and wooden fences of this "painting tour." Two days of visiting the village taught me that there's really no need to venture out; the scenery of the painting village is right there before you! And that's no exaggeration. Consequently, tour groups visiting the painting village are often taken to this painter's "painting tour." Of course, he and his "painting tour" have a remarkable history. What's he like? We experienced his casual drive through the village in his convertible a few times; he'd drink, eat sunflower seeds, and chat in the night, wearing his Bluetooth headphones; he'd take us to see his roommates, the bees, and tell us we couldn't steal their honey; and when the driver called and asked for cash to go to the high-speed rail station, he offered to take us there. He said, "I really don't need the 100 yuan. You're talking about money, I just want to talk about feelings." So, we chatted all the way. Living here also helped me meet Miss and Shitou.

#Taste the Food# There wasn't much to eat, except for the fish and shrimp we had for lunch on the first day. Where's the shop? Ask the owner. The pickled vegetables at the B&B were also delicious, so I bought two bags before leaving. They were really heavy! And if herbs count, the shop at the entrance to the village is superb!

No more words!

It is called "Painting Village" because it is the hometown of oil painting. It has the "Lishui Barbizon School of Painting" which is famous both inside and outside the province. It has the Lishui Barbizon Exhibition Hall, Lishui Oil Painting Academy, Guyan Painting Village Exhibition Hall, Guyan Painting Village Branch School, etc. There is also a professional art sketching creation base - "Sketch Creation Base on the Waterside".

The slightly undulating surface of the Oujiang River is dotted with white sails, quiet and peaceful.

The riverbed is mostly paved with cobblestones, which shimmer in the sunlight. When the water level is low, the cobblestones along the river surface, forming a long cobblestone path. Walk slowly along the path, enjoying the gentle breeze and soft clouds.

During our visit, we wandered out of the painting village and headed to the riverside via Hebian Village, which is adjacent to the village. Hebian Village still retains many of its older buildings, but we also saw modern shops being built near the river, suggesting continued development in the painting village.

There are many small restaurants in the painting village. We did not study carefully to choose one. We just found one to have dinner and continued to stroll along the river, heading away from the painting village.

The sun was about to set behind the mountain, and the sky was slightly red, and the river was covered with a layer of shining clothes. Along the way, various fishing boats appeared on the river from time to time, which made people feel like they were at a fisherman's home.

As night falls, the lights gradually come on. It may not be as colorful as the night view of Phoenix, but it is more peaceful and less noisy.

With half a watermelon and a few cans of beer, we sat by the river for a long time. Occasionally, fish jumped out of the water to greet us.

At 4:59 in the morning, before the alarm I set for 5 o'clock rang, I suddenly woke up naturally, as if something good was waiting for me.

There are few tourists stopping by the ancient street early in the morning, which is a good time to take photos.

We were fortunate to have perfect weather today, with clouds and a blue sky. Many tourists were already setting up their tripods by the river, waiting for the sunrise. Perhaps only by watching the sunrise over Painting Village can one truly appreciate its beauty: like an oil painting, with its layers and textures.

There are several statues in strange styles standing on the ancient street.

Young people who practice calligraphy with clean water on the ground can usually be seen in parks. Uncles and uncles practicing calligraphy with clean water are more rare.



The boat to Guyan doesn't leave until 8:30, so why not take a walk along the riverside to enjoy the beautiful scenery under the morning glow.

The thousand-year-old camphor tree near Huaxiang Wharf provides a big umbrella for tourists.

The local residents came out to fish early in the morning. Live by the mountain, live by the water. This has been an unchanging rule in human society for a long time.

The scenery is beautiful, but it was too hot on the day we went, 36 degrees outside, and walking was too tiring.

The locals are very hospitable and polite, and the pace of life is slow, making it a great place for a vacation.

The scenery of Guyan Painting Village is beautiful, and the lake is particularly shimmering. The water of Oujiang River is very clear, and Guyan is also rich in historical heritage.

No entrance fee required if you're not taking the boat. After getting off the bus, I left my luggage at the small supermarket near the station. The owner was very kind and didn't charge. Thank you!

The ancient water town has a nice character. Take bus 203 directly to the scenic area. Located in Dagangtou, the scenery is pleasant.

Guyan Painting Village is located in Bihu Town and Dagangtou Town in Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 20 kilometers from downtown Lishui. The scenic area also features the Tongji Weir, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site built in 505 AD. Its ancient pavilion, pier, and ancient camphor trees are among the scenic area's most historically and culturally rich features.

In fact, it is an ancient town, close to the river, with a more gentle feeling than other ancient towns.

It's pretty good. The painting town feels similar to the town of Lijiang. You can stroll around freely. When you are tired, you can just sit by the river and look at the sky.

If you want to see the scenery, you can refer to the photos. If you want to see famous mountains and rivers, eat, drink and stay well, I don't recommend coming here. Actually, the B&B conditions are quite good! !

Good! Sometimes it rained, sometimes it was sunny! The scenery was picturesque! It was a pity that we didn’t go to Guyan!

It was raining when I went, so while the light wasn't as bright, it still gave me a different experience. The Ancient Weir and the Painting Village face each other across the river, requiring a ferry ride. For tickets, you can take a side road or book a room in advance and have the B&B owner pick you up. Tickets are not expensive, including the ferry ticket, at 50 yuan per person. Accommodation along the river is more expensive, generally between 280 and 580 yuan, with some even higher. Rooms closer to the river are half that price, ranging from 130 to 150 yuan. I think staying by the river is essential, even if there are mosquitoes. Just close the screens early and it's fine. It's a wonderful place to quietly listen to music, reflect, reminisce, or just let your imagination run wild. I really like how it's less crowded; it's neither as commercial as Wuzhen nor as noisy as Xitang.

It's far beyond my expectation. I never thought there is such clear water in Jiangnan~~

Between Yunhe County and Jinyun County, there is a tourist attraction that is heavily commercialized but still worth a visit - Guyan Painting Village.

Guyan Painting Township, as the name suggests, consists of two places, Guyan and Painting Township, facing each other across the Oujiang River, Wenzhou's mother river. The Oujiang River is very long, so it's no surprise that Wenzhou's mother river also nourishes Lishui.



The Ancient Weir is located in Yantou Village and is named after the Tongji Weir, a water conservancy project built over 1,500 years ago. Where there is a weir, there are naturally mountains and water, clear water and green mountains, ancient camphor trees, and an ancient village that is not crowded with tourists. It is undeniable that the Ancient Weir is easier to produce than the Painting Village.

Standing beneath the camphor trees, their majestic branches resemble outstretched arms, awe-inspiring even without the tint of light and shadow. These are millennia-old trees! Ten years later, you're no longer mine, and I'm no longer yours. A hundred years would be agonizingly lonely, let alone a thousand. How could one not be moved, awestruck? Heading east, the Oujiang River and Guyantou are within reach.



The painting village is in Dagang Town. Its architecture and scenery are not very impressive, so it is in urgent need of industrial upgrading. It has been developed into a sketching base similar to Hongcun, and the painting business is booming.

Strolling through the crowded old streets at night, you can see red lanterns hanging high, resident singers in bars, and shops with endless cliché names (One Meter of Sunshine, There is a Small Shop, blablabla). You can imagine it as a low-profile version of Lishui, and you will also think of the Shikumen houses preserved in the city. The city life is preserved and interpreted in various ways.

To be honest, I really wanted to take a boat trip on the Oujiang River. The ticket price is definitely more cost-effective than the Heyang Ancient Residence. However, after 5 o'clock, they no longer sell tickets or operate boats, so I had to drive there. It takes about 20 minutes.

It's a beautiful street in the Jiangnan water town, and students also come here to sketch.