Things to do in Lishui

The attractions in Xiandu are quite spread out. After parking at the entrance, you need to take a shuttle bus. The road seems to pass through a town; you can drive in after registering. Climbing Dinghu Peak and taking the cable car down is quite tiring, probably taking about 30-40 minutes. The cable car ride down passes Xuanyuan Hall. I didn't pay attention to the time and missed the Old Ox Crossing the Bridge at Zhutan Mountain. It seems there are three buses each morning and afternoon 🤣

It was a rainy day when I went, and the area was shrouded in mist. I initially thought I wouldn't be able to see anything, but there was still some visibility. While the drifting clouds could obscure the view, the terraced fields would become visible once the wind cleared them. So, if you go on a rainy day, be patient and wait; the misty atmosphere is quite unique.

Guyan is quite nice. If you don't have much time to explore Huaxiang, Guyan is a good option. There's also a Shanhaixing Planet Zoo nearby, which you can visit together and get up close to the animals.

The village is small and quite rustic, with initial signs of commercialization. It's worth a visit for photos, especially at sunset when the scattered ancient villages are accompanied by wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys – a truly beautiful sight. A word of caution: the village's pebbles are difficult to walk on, so wear appropriate shoes. Also, there's a 500-meter-long winding mountain road in and out of the village with extremely high oncoming traffic, making it quite challenging to drive. Traveling during the off-season is strongly recommended.

After visiting Yangjiatang Village, on the way back to the hotel, we made a special trip to Chenjiapu Village, known as "a utopia atop the clouds, an ancient village on a cliff." There's a Librairie Avant-Garde bookstore there, which is also quite nice.

The scenic area was very quiet after the long holiday, perfect for photography enthusiasts. I took many photos I love. The villagers and staff were very welcoming and polite. What impressed me most was the village restrooms—they were incredibly clean, cleaner than any I've seen in major tourist attractions. A truly worthwhile trip; highly recommended.

Songyang Old Street, also known as Nanzhi Street, is located in Songyang County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. It is one of the oldest ancient streets in the area. It began in the Tang and Song Dynasties, flourished in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and still retains a large number of buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is the longest county town old street in Zhejiang Province, with a core line length of 1.9 kilometers, a total planning area of ​​about 7.68 hectares, and a total length of the core pedestrian street of about 640 meters.

#Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area Dinghu Peak rises abruptly from the ground like a pillar supporting the sky, shrouded in mist like a fairyland. Before Zhutan Mountain, an old farmer leads his ox across a stone bridge; every frame is a picturesque ink painting. Strolling through Niweng Cave and Xiao Chibi, the cliff carvings tell the story of a thousand years of cultural heritage. The Yellow Emperor's Temple is solemn and dignified, with the rising incense smoke evoking images of the Xuanyuan sacrificial ceremony. This place is imbued with spirit; every step reveals a new scene, washing away all worldly worries—truly a "fairyland"!

The ancient Song Dynasty architecture scenic area, with its elegant and tranquil Shisi Temple and picturesque Xuehuaji Waterfall, is perfect for family trips. If driving, you can park next to the Lingyun Tingpu Pavilion at the entrance of a guesthouse in Xuexiang, enter Xuehuaji Waterfall after ticket inspection, descend 560 steps to the valley floor to view the waterfall, then ascend 560 steps back to the entrance to retrieve your car and head to Kuixing Tower. There is parking available downstairs, and it's a 1-minute walk to the Shisi Temple ticket gate. Finally, you can visit the free attractions Daji Yuyu, Jinshi Mansion, and Weiling Baodian.

If you want to escape the crowded places during the May holiday, Jiaolong Grand Canyon is an excellent choice. It was not crowded at all, offering a peaceful environment. Reaching the top requires extra energy to climb the numerous stairs, so bringing water with you is advisable. There is only one store where you can buy food and drinks and that is almost at the top. The glass bridge at the top is actually not that long, but the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and lush greenery is breathtaking. I felt at peace and relaxed while taking in the scenery. To thoroughly explore the area, plan for at least three hours, including time for walking, resting, and enjoying the views.