Lishui Three-Day Travel Guide

Mountain and Water Secret Realm · Pastoral Poetry and Painting
— Check in at "Zhejiang Green Valley," encounter ancient villages and sea of clouds terraced fields

📅 Itinerary Overview

Theme: Natural Scenery + Cultural Heritage + Photography Spots
Suitable for: Families/Couples/Photography Enthusiasts
Transportation Suggestion: Self-driving (scattered attractions) or take high-speed train to Lishui Station and rent a car

🗓️ Day 1: Ancient Weir Painting Village · Oujiang Sailing Shadows
📍 Morning: Ancient Weir Painting Village

Highlights: Millennium Tongji Weir, Oujiang Sailing Boats, Oil Painting Art Village
Activities:

Stroll along Tongji Weir (World Irrigation Engineering Heritage) to feel the ancient water conservancy wisdom.
Take a boat tour on Oujiang River to see sailing shadows (recommended before 8 AM, morning mist like a fairyland).
Visit the old street of Painting Village, check in at artistic cafes, and experience oil painting creation (local specialty).

Tips: The scenic area is divided into "Ancient Weir" and "Painting Village" parts, boat transfer required, combined ticket ¥50.

📍 Afternoon: Yunhe Terraced Fields (Baiyin Valley Scenic Area)

Drive: Ancient Weir Painting Village → Yunhe Terraced Fields about 1.5 hours
Highlights: Largest terraced fields in East China, Qixing Dun Viewing Platform, Kenggen Shizhai Ancient Village
Activities:

Drive to Jiuchu Yunhuan Viewing Platform to overlook the entire terraced fields (afternoon light is best for photos).
Hike Baiyin Valley, explore Kenggen Shizhai (800-year-old village with stone houses, very healing).

Accommodation: Stay at a guesthouse near the terraced fields (recommended "Yunyi Courtyard," open the window to see the sea of clouds).

🗓️ Day 2: Yunhe Terraced Fields Sunrise · Songyang Ancient Village
📍 Early Morning: Yunhe Terraced Fields Sunrise

Must-see: Arrive before 5:30 AM at Jiuchu Yunhuan or Qixing Dun to watch the sunrise with sea of clouds filling the terraced fields (best in summer).

📍 Morning: Songyang Yangjiatang Village

Drive: Yunhe → Songyang about 2 hours
Highlights: "Golden Potala Palace," century-old camphor trees, yellow walls and black tiles
Activities:

Photograph the Couple Trees (two ancient camphor trees leaning on each other), visit the village entrance tea house to drink Songyang Silver Monkey Tea.
Walk to the viewing platform to overlook the entire village (best light at 4 PM).

📍 Afternoon: Songyang Chenjiapu Village

Highlights: Cliffside Vanguard Bookstore, popular guesthouse cluster
Activities:

Check in at Vanguard Bookstore (Chenjiapu People's Bookstore), window seats facing the valley.
Visit Feiniaoji Guesthouse for afternoon tea, experience slow mountain life.

Accommodation: Stay in Songyang (recommended "Feiniaoji" or "Yunshang Pingtian").

🗓️ Day 3: Jinyun Xiandu · Return Trip
📍 Morning: Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area

Drive: Songyang → Xiandu about 1.5 hours
Highlights: Filming locations of "The Journey of Flower" and "Monk Comes Down the Mountain"
Activities:

Zhutan Mountain: Photograph the old man leading an ox across the stone slab bridge (classic scene, performance at 7 AM).
Niweng Cave: See cliff inscriptions, feel the hermit culture.

Tickets: Combined ticket ¥95, recommended to buy shuttle bus ticket (attractions are scattered).

📍 Afternoon: Return Trip

Souvenirs: Jinyun Sesame Seed Cake, Suichang Chrysanthemum Rice, Yunhe Creek Fish, Songyang Salt-Braised Chicken.

🍜 Food Recommendations

Must-try: Jinyun Sesame Seed Cake (freshly baked at Xiandu Scenic Area entrance), Suichang Long Zongzi, Yunhe Creek Fish, Songyang Salt-Braised Chicken.
Restaurants: Ancient Weir Painting Village "Shanlin Shishi" (handmade wontons), Songyang "Baixian Noodle House" (fermented rice wine large intestine noodles).

⚠️ Notes

Large temperature difference at Yunhe Terraced Fields sunrise, bring a jacket; Songyang ancient village has many stone paths, wear comfortable shoes.
Lishui has frequent showers, bring rain gear; clouds and mist are more beautiful after rain.
Guesthouses are in high demand during holidays, book at least 1 week in advance!

📸 The beauty of Lishui is hidden in every frame of mountains, waters, and everyday life. Take this guide and set off!