Summer Escape to the Emerald Forest

🌳 Summer Escape to the Emerald Forest | Just 1.5h from Hangzhou to the Filming Location of "A Little Forest for Two," Where Raw Photos Breathe with Life!

A 1.5-hour drive from Hangzhou takes you into a fairy-tale oasis favored by film crews—Lishui's Guyanyan Painting Village! No exaggerated filters here, just the refreshing breeze of the Oujiang River, the shade of thousand-year-old camphor trees, and the shimmering ripples left by passing boats. Every raw photo looks like a movie still, making it a hidden gem for summer escapes in the Yangtze River Delta!

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📍 Quick Guide to the Destination: The Dual Charm of Guyanyan Painting Village

• Location: A "village in a painting" by the Oujiang River in Bihu Town, Liandu District, Lishui.

• Highlights:
• Ancient Weir: The millennium-old Tongji Weir (a World Heritage Irrigation Structure), with towering camphor trees creating a lush canopy.
• Painting Village: An artistic street district + riverside homestays, a paradise for sketching enthusiasts.
• Film Connection: Filming location for "A Little Forest for Two," featuring Yu Shuxin's iconic spots.

🚗 Travel Tips: Easy Access from Hangzhou
• By Car: Take the Hangxinjing Expressway → Changshen Expressway, navigate to "Guyanyan Painting Village Scenic Area," about 1.5 hours.
• By Train: Hangzhou East → Lishui Station (1.5 hours), then a 30-minute taxi ride to the scenic area (~40 RMB).
• Parking: 10 RMB/day; arrive early on weekends.

🌿 Summer Activities: 24-Hour Immersion in the Emerald Forest

🌳 Day 1: Explore the Ancient Weir + Night Boat Tour
• 15:00 Arrive at the Ancient Weir
• Must-visit spots: Tongji Weir's arch dam, Wenchang Pavilion, and the thousand-year-old camphor grove (super cool under the shade!).
• Hidden gem: Hike along Yantou Village's trails, wade in clear streams, and meet plein-air painters.

• 17:30 Night Boat Tour
• Boarding: Available at both the weir and painting village docks; round-trip fare drops to 20 RMB after 17:30 (originally 50 RMB).
• Highlight: Sunset paints the Oujiang River red as boats glide through emerald waves, like entering Monet's garden.
• Last departure: 20:00—don’t miss it!

• 19:00 Nightlife in the Painting Village
• Riverside dinner: Try "Huaxiang Renjia" for Oujiang river fish and farmhouse dishes.
• Stroll the art district: When lanterns light up, it feels like stepping into an ink painting.

🌅 Day 2: Sketching in the Painting Village + Nearby Gems
• 8:00 Morning Light in the Village
• Capture the misty river and fishing boats at dawn—raw photos burst with life.
• Must-visit: Barbizon Oil Painting Gallery and Jiangbin Ancient Street.

• 10:00 Nearby Gems (Optional)
• Yunhe Terraced Fields: 1-hour drive to see rolling green rice paddies (July-August).
• Songyang Ancient Villages: 1.5-hour drive to explore National Geographic-worthy secrets.

📸 Photo Guide: Raw and Full of Life
• Ancient Weir & Camphors: Shoot upward for a canopy-and-sky interplay, dappled light creating an emerald forest effect.
• Boat Deck: Use the river as foreground for dynamic shots with distant mountains.
• Village Lanterns: Capture the blue-hour contrast between warm lanterns and cool river reflections.
• Film Locations: Recreate scenes at Wenchang Pavilion’s stone bridge and Yantou Village’s flagstone paths.

🏡 Stay: Sleep Inside a Painting
• Riverside Homestays:
• "Zhu 85": Designer stay with floor-to-ceiling Oujiang views, ~300 RMB/person.
• "Huaxiang No.1": A century-old renovated house with a photogenic courtyard well.
• Budget Picks:
• "Guyanyan Lodge": 5-minute walk to the weir, cozy and clean, ~150 RMB/person.

🍜 Food Map: Flavors of the Oujiang
• Must-Try:
• Oujiang River Fish: Steamed or braised, tender and fresh.
• Cicada Rice: Lishui specialty—crispy fried cicadas over rice, unexpectedly delicious!
• Dried Vegetable Pancake: Street-side and freshly baked, 5 RMB, flaky and crisp.
• Cafés:
• "Wood Talk": Floor-to-ceiling river views; sip their "Emerald Forest" special while watching boats glide.

⚠️ Pro Tips: Avoid Pitfalls
1. Boat Timing: Post-17:30 fares are cheapest, but don’t miss the last ride!
2. Bugs & Sun: Mosquitoes love camphor groves—bring repellent; riverside UV is strong—wear a hat.
3. Outfits: Light/bright colors photograph best; comfy shoes for hiking.
4. Tickets: Online bookings save 5 RMB; combo tickets with boat rides offer better value.

💡 Why Is Guyanyan Painting Village the Ultimate Summer Escape?
• 5°C Cooler: River breeze + shade feels fresher than the city.
• Crowd-Free: No West Lake-style crowds—just your private emerald forest.
• Cinematic Scenes: No editing needed for film-worthy shots.
• Diverse Fun: Hiking, boating, sketching, feasting—no two days alike.

This summer, head to Guyanyan Painting Village—
Let a 1.5-hour journey transport you to an emerald forest fairy tale.
Raw photos brimming with life are summer’s most beautiful filter! 🌿🛶