The Most Beautiful Nanjianyan Mountain in Zhejiang

Nanjianyan Scenic Area is located in the western part of Suichang County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, not Yunnan. It is about 50 kilometers from the county seat. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, an "International Folk Photography Creation Base" jointly awarded by UNESCO and the China Folk Photography Association, and one of the first ecological tourism demonstration zones, civilized scenic tourism areas, and five-star forest tourism zones in Zhejiang Province. The scenic area covers a total area of 6 square kilometers, with a core area of about 3.7 square kilometers. The main peak has an elevation of 1,626 meters, and a road leads directly to the center of the scenic area, Shisuntou Village (elevation 1,140 meters).

This place combines various stunning landscapes, including geomorphological features formed by strange peaks and unique stones, such as Tianzhu Peak, Shentan Peak, Qianzhang Rock, Little Stone Forest, and the Divine Turtle Exploring the Sea. Among them, Tianzhu Peak features a pair of stone pillars rising abruptly, reaching heights of over 100 meters. There are also water landscapes like Xiagui Yaoci, Nine-Level Waterfall, and Longmen Flying Waterfall. The Nine-Level Waterfall is magnificent after rain, and a rainbow may appear at noon on sunny days. The biological landscapes include bamboo seas, forest seas, mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, and ancient pines, with more than 160 families and over 1,100 species of flora and fauna. Additionally, there are nearly 2,000 acres of high mountain terraced fields, which reflect the sky and mountains like mirrors during the irrigation period from April to May, creating a dreamlike scene combined with the sea of clouds. Moreover, the unique terrain and climate conditions of the scenic area (elevation 1,100–1,626 meters, about 200 foggy days annually, maximum temperature not exceeding 35°C, and summer temperatures around 25°C) create spectacular natural phenomena such as sea of clouds, sunsets, long rainbows, snow scenes, rime, and ice hanging. It is praised as a "paradise forgotten by the mundane world," making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts and hikers.

Within the scenic area is the highest 5D special-effect glass plank road in East China, 386 meters long and at an elevation of 1,132 meters. Walking on it feels like strolling in the clouds. Tickets are half price 30 minutes before closing on rainy days. The residential buildings in Shisuntou Village feature unique earth-wood architecture, with simple folk customs and a strong local atmosphere. It is also one of Suichang County’s red revolutionary bases, where General Su Yu once led the Red Army in guerrilla warfare, giving the area a rich cultural heritage.

The entrance fee is 65 yuan for adults (cheaper if booked in advance on Trip.com). Opening hours are 6:00–16:30 in the peak season (April to October) and 6:30–17:00 in the off-season (November to March). For transportation, self-driving is recommended (about 3.5 hours from Hangzhou). Public transport options include taking a direct shuttle from Lishui Station to the scenic area or taking one of the two daily buses (7:30 and 13:50, for reference) from Suichang Bus Station to Nanjianyan, with a travel time of about 2 hours. A suggested visit duration is 3 hours. Early morning is the best time to photograph the sea of clouds and terraced fields; you can check the scenic area’s official WeChat account "Nanjianyan Tourism Service" for sea of clouds probability updates. Local specialties include Suichang Long Zongzi (a combination of pork belly and salted egg yolk) and Kuzu Tofu (made from wild kuzu fruit, served cold with a jelly-like texture). Accommodation options include farmhouses in Shisuntou Village, which offer good value and allow for night photography of the starry sky and morning shots of the sea of clouds with free admission.

Post by JAYLA GROSS | Oct 25, 2025