Live Your Best Lives
Lishui (Líshui) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Zhejiang Province, located in the southwestern part of the province, bordering Fujian to the south. Anciently known as Chuzhou, it was first named in 589 (the ninth year of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang reign) and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of southwestern Zhejiang. It is a world of fresh and beautiful scenery, known as the "Forest Sea of Southern Zhejiang," the "Green Valley of Zhejiang," and a "Natural Garden of Rare Animals and Plants." It is the source of six major river systems, including the Oujiang and Minjiang Rivers. The winding 800-li Oujiang River flows quietly through Chuzhou, leaving behind streams of pure water and a vibrant green landscape. Its magnificent scenery is unparalleled in southern Zhejiang, leading people to say that Zhejiang has "Qianjiang in the north and Oujiang in the south." The city comprises one municipal district, Liandu District, seven counties, Qingtian, Jinyun, Suichang, Songyang, Yunhe, Qingyuan, and Jingning, and administers one county-level city, Longquan City. The total area is 17,298 square kilometers. Among them, Jingning County is the only She autonomous county in China.
The shadows of sails on the Oujiang River, the singing of fishermen in the evening, the green mountains and green waters, the emerald tiles and white walls... This is the impression that Lishui leaves on people. It is the lenses of photographers who have spread the beautiful scenery and simple folk customs of Lishui, a small city in the south of the Yangtze River. They have promoted Lishui to the world with their images, and Lishui has rewarded every photographer with its unique beauty.
A single photograph can make a scenic spot a success. From Zhejiang Lishui photographer Wu Pinhe's "Fairyland" that brought Jinyun Xiandu to international fame over a decade ago, to Russian photographer Proshin Vladimir's "Sails on the Oujiang River" that captivated the world, countless beautiful images of Lishui have been captured by photographers' cameras, spreading across China and abroad. Today, most tourists and photography enthusiasts who visit Jinyun Xiandu and Oujiang River are drawn to these images.
Wu Pinhe's "Wonderland"
Prosin Vladimir's "Sails on the Oujiang River"
For over 30 years, Lishui has produced an endless stream of photographic works, a growing number of photographers, and the establishment of China's first photography museum. In 1999, Lishui was designated the first "Hometown of Chinese Photography" by the China Photographers Association, a catalyst that further catalyzed the widespread adoption of photography in the city.
From humble beginnings to flourish, from individuals to groups, and from groups to the masses—in just 30 years, Lishui's photography has witnessed a remarkable evolution. Today, the seeds sown by this small group of dedicated photographers have rapidly blossomed into a thriving forest, forming Lishui's spectacular photographic culture. As each of these photographs has been exported internationally, this small mountain town in southwestern Zhejiang has transformed itself into a renowned photography destination. Lishui has become a mecca for photographers and enthusiasts nationwide and internationally.
The photography festivals, exhibitions and competitions of various levels that have been held continuously in Lishui over the past decade have all provided evidence for this.
Here you can find the world-famous Guyan Painting Village, the Yunhe Rice Terraces, one of the most beautiful rice terraces in China, Songyang, known as the "last secret place in Jiangnan", Jinyun Xiandu, the filming location of "The Journey of Flower", Suichang Nanjianyan, a United Nations-certified international photography base, and the little-known but breathtakingly beautiful Longquan.
Lishui Suichang Nanjianyan Scenic Area——United Nations Photography Base
"Lishui will surely become a destination for photographers worldwide," predicted Jacques Denis, Vice President of the International Federation of Photographic Art.
"The Photography Culture Festival not only enhances Lishui's competitiveness, but also allows the world to better understand Lishui through photography. Lishui will use photography as a stepping stone to further its global reach." Officials from the China Photographers Association, attending the Lishui International Photography Festival, offered heartfelt words of encouragement to Lishui.
Precisely because of its rich photographic resources and the government's strong commitment to the city, hundreds of thousands of photography enthusiasts flock to Lishui each year to experience the beauty of southern Zhejiang. With its thousands of picturesque mountains and precipitous valleys, nestled amidst the sweet springs and mighty waterfalls, the 800-mile Oujiang River boasts unique natural scenery. The shadows of sails on the Oujiang River, the evening songs of fishermen, the Yunhe Rice Terraces, the sea of clouds at Nanjian Rock, the morning mists in Xiandu, and the charming charm of the Four Capitals have long captivated photographers both Chinese and international.
Lishui's famous photography spot - Yunhe Meiyuan Terraces
☞2016 Oujiang River Lishui Photography Exhibition Call for Submissions
Is it the movement of the sails or the beating of the heart
? The Oujiang River, Lishui's mother river, is a major means of transportation on it and a symbol of the culture of the Oujiang River basin. The sails, the driving force of the water, make the boats appear even more graceful and charming against the backdrop of the lake.
Most photographers who visit the area choose to capture the sunset shadows of sails by the Oujiang River, making it a very popular photo spot. Visiting on weekdays to avoid the crowds allows you to capture sunset or morning scenes.
Of course, the smoke effect can be achieved by placing smoke cakes
Nanjianyan Scenic Area, a National First-Class Photography Base, is located in western Suichang, Lishui City. Its main peak stands at 1,610 meters above sea level, and a highway leads directly to Shisuntou Village, the heart of the scenic area, at
an elevation of 140 meters. The core area of Nanjianyan Scenic Area covers approximately 3.7 square kilometers. This is Lishui's top-ranked scenic spot, boasting alpine terraces, seas of clouds, unique peaks, bamboo forests, and waterfalls. The best part is that you can view the sea of clouds without having to climb the mountain, as cars can drive directly to the scenic parking lot. From here, you can capture the boundless sea of clouds. It's recommended to get up early to shoot, and find a reliable photography guide to help you find the best vantage point.
Thousands of terraces, a thousand-meter drop, and a thousand-year history. First developed in the early Tang Dynasty and flourishing during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, the Yunhe Terraces range from 200 to over 1,400 meters above sea level, spanning mountains, hills, and valleys. They are the largest terraced field complex in East China and are known as "China's most beautiful terraced fields." Here, plowing in spring, weeding in summer, harvesting in autumn, and storing in winter, the beautiful Yunhe Terraces resemble a rich, vibrant oil painting, adorning a unique Yunhe and the homesick dreams of countless Yunhe residents.
The landscape of the four seasons: "Spring is like drifting silver ribbons, summer is like rolling green waves, autumn is like stacked golden pagodas, and winter is like blocks of white jade." The nine-bend cloud ring is the best metaphor for the clouds and terraces. The nine bends represent the contours of the terraces, and the cloud rings represent the sea of clouds at dawn and dusk. The beauty of the clouds and terraces lies in their staggered arrangement, varying lengths, tranquility like ripples, fleeting presence and absence, and veiled in mist and cloud.
March to June and September to November are the best periods for photography here, and early morning is the best time for photography, as you can often see the terraces hidden in the mist, like a dream.
Sidu Township, located in Songyang County, is known for its steep mountains, serene clouds, picturesque waters, and ancient villages. Its mists, red maples, winter snow, and countryside have attracted photographers and enthusiasts from both home and abroad. High in the mountains, the ancient village of Zhaitou, steeped in mist, boasts a thousand-year-old beauty. Early morning photography is recommended, especially after rain.
The best place to visit the earthen houses in southern Zhejiang, Hongni Ancient Village is a unique village in Sandu, with high and low houses scattered in an orderly manner.
Because Sandu's soil is primarily red, local villagers use the surrounding red dirt to build their homes. These unabashed colors are a favorite among photographers. Blooming pear blossoms in spring and persimmons and red maples in autumn complement the red earth and houses, creating unique mountain village scenery that's sure to capture your camera's attention.
Dinghu Peak, also known as "Heavenly Pillar Peak," stands at the heart of the scenic area, nestled against Buxu Mountain to the east and Lianxi River to the west. Resembling a bamboo shoot rising from the ground in spring, it reaches a height of over 160 meters and is often called "the highest peak in the world." A small lake lies at its summit, shaded by verdant pines and cypresses. Legend has it that Emperor Xuanyuan once placed a furnace at the summit to refine elixir. When the elixir was ready and the Yellow Emperor ascended to heaven on a red dragon, the furnace fell, and the accumulated water formed a lake, hence the name Dinghu. After rain, Dinghu Lake offers a unique and beautiful sight.
This is the legendary place where immortals once lived and a popular filming location for martial arts films. In the 1990s, it became famous thanks to a photo taken by the famous photographer Wu Pinhe. Since then, every photographer who visits Xiandu will take such a photo in the early morning.
Of course, this place is also very suitable for shooting environmental portraits. In 2017, the China-TravelNote photography group organized the shooting of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" here.
In the 19th century, outside of Paris, France, at the entrance to the Forest of Fontainebleau, stood the small village of Barbizon. A group of painters, weary of the academic school, settled there and adopted realistic techniques to depict primeval forests, streams, and sailboats, forming the "Barbizon School."
In the 21st century, the outskirts of Lishui, Zhejiang, remain filled with riverbanks, old houses, and leisurely farmers. Morning mist veils the landscape, filtering out the hustle and bustle of the world. Over 20 painters have migrated from various regions. The Babylonian School, embracing naturalistic realism, has found a realistic and realistic representation of life in China. This is Guyan Painting Village.
Guyan Painting Village is a national key cultural relic protection unit. Tongji Weir is one of the five major water conservancy and irrigation projects in ancient China. It has been more than 1,500 years old and still plays a huge role in irrigation. It is still benefiting the people of Bihu Plain and is known as the living Tongji Weir.
Of course, due to space limitations, this article only highlights some of Lishui's famous photography spots. Lishui's beauty extends far beyond these few locations. Through each photograph, this ancient mountain city transcends borders and reaches the world in the most romantic way. If you truly want to explore Lishui, bring your camera and visit.
[Statement] We are committed to protecting the content of every original creator, but because some pictures and texts come from various channels such as the Internet, we cannot trace the author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it.
