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Prefecture-level city in Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
Photo: Lishuilynn, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lishui (丽水市) is a city in Zhejiang province.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
应星楼
Beautiful building with a focus on astronomy. There is a small rotating exhibition on the ground floor and the 2nd and 3rd stories contain an exhibition about Chinese astrology. Climb up further and there's some kind of star show that doesn't run very often and on the very top floor you'll find a small temple with fantastic views of the city and waterfront.
丽水市博物馆
Large museum with lots of different exhibitions, including history, animal life, the 3 treasures of Lishui (pottery, sword-making and stone-carving). Plan to spend a couple hours here. Small gift shop.
中国丽水摄影博物馆
Two-story museum with rotating exhibitions with photographers from around the globe. There is also a permanent exhibitions about cameras.
庆元县香菇博物馆
江滨公园
Large waterfront area that encompasses small parks, koi ponds, waterfalls, a sand playground, pavilions, the old city gate, astronomy tower and skateboard park. In the summer you can rent quad-bikes and take a boat ride here. On weekday mornings you might be able to hear people practicing traditional musical instruments.
处州公园
The Old Pagoda 厦河塔
A Ming Dynasty pagoda in pretty good condition. The best time to visit is sunset, when one can take full advantage of the western-facing view of the city and its mountains. Make sure to wander around a little, and check out the connected temple, which can be accessed through a small shrine half built into a rock, off the right of the path up to the temple.
巾山塔, literally 'The Pagoda of the Mountain of Cloth'
The more secluded of Lishui's two pagodas. Erected in the Ming dynasty with renovations in the Qing dynasty. Nowadays it seems largely forgotten but can be reached from the south side of the mountain. On the way up you pass by a farming village and a local Buddhist temple.
灵山寺 - Chinese: Spirited Mountain Temple
Large complex with Buddhist temples scattered around. There's a dragon cave temple and a combination of older and newer temples dotting the hillside.
东西岩
Dongxi Scenic Area has lots of pretty rock formations, canyons, caves and temples. You can take a circular hiking route that will take maybe 1.5 hours (there's lots of signage everywhere) or just go explore for hours. There's a restaurant and tiny gift shop by the entrance and some small stalls at various points along the trails.
The ancient village set more than 1000 years ago. The buildings themselves aren't that old, but walking through the narrow streets certainly makes you think like you're a part of some historical TV drama. It's not a museum though. People are still living there.A really pretty place with unique atmosphere accessible with the city bus. No entrance fee.
官岭古道
An old path through the mountains connecting two villages - Lishan and Guanling. It leads through a bamboo forest, with nice views on surrounding mountains. Both villages are quite picturesque. The trail itself is quite easy and takes around 1 hour to walk between the villages. Reaching the bus stop is quite problematic though (from each village you need to walk additional 3 km). Another choice would be to call a taxi which would cost ¥100-150 back to the city.
云和梯田景区
丽水冒险岛水世界
Huge water park only open during the summer. Top-of-the-line rides purchased from the USA. Dining options available.
There are small stables in a park near the river bank. You need to bring your own water/snacks since there are no shops in the area. Prior booking is not necessary.
Adventure park with obstacles (suspended bridges, wires, ladders etc) suspended 1-2m over the creek. There's no zip wire. It takes 30-40 min to finish the whole route. Obstacles range from very easy to very difficult, requiring a lot of strength. Children have to be at least 120cm tall to be able to participate. There's also a playground for kids with zorbing, swings and a jungle gym.
Performing arts theater with live concerts, dance performances and children's shows. National and international artists.
邓旭霞
Very large massage place with hour-long full-body massage (clothes on) for ¥80 by disabled massage therapists. Also offers acupuncture and other treatments. Staff do not speak English and massages vary in quality but it's clean, cheap and reputable (no mini-skirts here).
白云山 - Chinese 'the Mountain of the White Clouds'
Large mountain park in the Northern part of Lishui. Many paved hiking trails with occasional pavilions, providing shelter from rain. Large Buddhist temple at the top. At the foot of the mountain, there is a small museum about rock carving, a large pottery shop and a few stalls and restaurants. Nice place for morning coffee. Access by bus no 1. Just hop on the bus going North and get off at the last stop. You can't miss it. Free entry.
南明山 - Chinese 'the Mountain of the Southern Brightness'
Mountain south of the city that is popular with locals. There is an old temple, rock carvings, waterfalls, koi fish ponds and an outdoor gym on the top of the mountain with fantastic views of the city. You can reach it by taking bus number 1 South. The mountain is at the very last stop. Free entry.
Lishui is surrounded by mountains. Most of them could be climbed, despite not being official hiking trails. Easiest access to the mountains is behind the railway station (200 m west from the Station, there is a tunnel). Local villagers grow fruit (tangerines, peaches, mulberries, bayberries) in those mountains, so there are plenty of trails used by farmers. You'll also pass through many old villages with absolutely stunning views and virtually no tourists (since the only 'official' hiking spots are Baiyun Shan, Nanming Shan, Dongxiyen and Kuocang Ancient Rd.) Take with you water, snacks and a hiking stick to scare off the snakes (there are cobras in those mountains, so be careful between May and October).
西城广场
Large plaza with two stories and dozens of restaurants and food stalls. Almost all Chinese food except for two sushi places and an Italian restaurant (corner of the 2nd floor). Very reasonable prices.
丽水善膳堂清心素食
Vegetarian buffet restaurant. All Chinese options and drinks available too. Very popular around 6pm so get there before or after.
心寿司
Somewhat authentic sushi. Lots of options, including avocado. Picture menu.
Most good restaurants in Lishui could be found here. Things to try: Beijing duck (北京烤鸭), baked fish (炉鱼), a Thai restaurant (on the 2nd floor) and a restaurant with Xinjiang cuisine.
西域映象创意新疆菜
Wonderful restaurant featuring Xinjiang food, from caramelized sweet potatoes to grilled mutton. Lots of offerings but make sure your phone has a text translator unless you go with someone that can read Chinese. Prices per dish - ¥4-35. There's a decent amount of vegetarian options.
麻雀尚膳
Large two story restaurant with local specialties, such as lotus porridge and brown sugar dessert. There's a large picture menu that you can select from. Best for large groups. Prices vary from ¥15-50 per dish. Very pretty surroundings in a calm area next to a river offshoot.
茶桔便(万地店)
Small bubble tea place with an English menu.
初代宇治抹茶 蛋糕西点
Adorable Japanese-inspired tea and cake place. Three floors of cuteness. Great place to take a date. Prices are relatively high for the area.
啤酒狗精酿
Restaurant and craft beer joint, frequented by many expats. Sliders, fries, etc. Reasonable prices.
There are 120 rooms and suites, including single, luxury, business standard, administrative and presidential type rooms with modern facilities.
Spacious suites as well as standard and single rooms outfitted with LCD computers. Coffee bar, beauty salon and ample parking.
古堰画乡景区(香樟古埠)
Tourist site on both banks of the river. There's small shops, restaurants, cafes, a small temple, bamboo boat rides for ¥20. It's very picturesque and you'll see many with easels painting the area. Some places take commissions if you'd like your portrait done. Ferry rides from one bank to the other are included in the entrance price.
花园万地广场
Very large shopping complex with tons of clothing stories, eateries, cafe, gaming park (3rd and 4th floors) with indoor playgrounds, skating rink and small go-kart area, moving theater and more.
Market opens in evening hours on the sidewalk along Jiguang Rd. You can usually find cheap clothes, shoes and accessories. You can also buy sugar cane, steamed chestnuts and other fresh fruit. Prices are not given so be prepared to haggle. Merchandise sold at the market usually costs under ¥70.
浙江万年红宾馆酒店用品有限公司
This place is some kind of Aladdin's cave of bizarre souvenirs, hotel supplies and kitchenware. It's two stories tall and goes back very, very far, such that it wouldn't be shocking if no customer has seen the whole store. Don't miss the Chinglish signs on the 2nd floor. Prices are shockingly cheap and everything is well marked.
By plane
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) serves domestic and international flights.5 hours).
By bus
By taxi
Taxis are easy to find around most major sites. Fares start at ¥8. Within the city, you'll pay between ¥8-25. Taxi drivers are honest but very few speak English.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Yiwu/Jinhua · International · YIW
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