Weekend Getaway Guide to an Underrated Green Paradise Near Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai

When thinking of Lishui, do you only recall Jinyun and Songyang? Actually, there's an underrated "Little Forest of Jiangnan" hidden here — Ancient Weir Painting Village! With Eastern China's largest thousand-year-old camphor tree cluster, the most gorgeous section of the 800-li Oujiang River, and an artistic ancient street coexisting with everyday life, it's incredibly healing to come here for fresh air on weekends 👇 🌿 Itinerary Planning: One-day Oxygen Trip vs Two-day Slow Tour - Self-driving/High-speed rail day trip: Visit Ancient Weir in the morning, enjoy Painting Village in the afternoon, return in the evening - Stay overnight for in-depth exploration: Stay at a Painting Village guesthouse, capture morning mist and fishermen casting nets on Oujiang River at dawn, return after watching the sunrise the next day 🚆 Transportation Guide (Lazy-friendly Version) 🚗 Self-driving: Navigate to "Ancient Weir Painting Village Scenic Area," ample parking lot available (10 yuan/day) 🚄 High-speed rail: Get off at Lishui Station - 40-minute taxi ride (70 yuan) directly to Painting Village entrance - Bus Route 203 takes 1.5 hours directly to Painting Village, Routes 202/207 to Ancient Weir entrance 🌾 Dual-area Experience: Double Healing of Nature and Culture 🌳 Ancient Weir Area: Enchanted Forest Hiking Route: Cherry Blossom Plank Road → Wenchang Pavilion → Thousand-year Camphor Tree Cluster → Tongji Weir → Stepping Stone Bridge → Baoding Dock - Thousand-year Camphor Tree Cluster: 13 ancient camphor trees create a dense canopy, the 1,500-year-old "sacred tree" for blessings, feels like a fantasy drama scene when the mist system is on 🌿 - Tongji Weir: A 1,500-year-old hydraulic engineering project comparable to Dujiangyan, spectacular when egrets fly in flocks at dusk! - Stepping Stone Bridge: Same shooting spot as "Little Forest for Two," perfect for capturing "forest on water" reflections during high water season 🎨 Painting Village Area: Artistic Atmosphere with Local Flavor Route: Camphor Dock → No.1 Art District → Oujiang Riverside → Painting Village Old Street - Camphor Dock at sunset: Watch sailing boats on Oujiang River at dusk, capture fishermen casting nets against the sunset glow, a must for photography enthusiasts! - Painting Village Old Street: Filled with handmade pottery shops, vintage cafes, and galleries, recommend trying a landscape-themed latte at "Oujiang Academy" ☕ - Oujiang morning mist (overnight stay exclusive): Mist floats on the river from 6:30-7:30 AM, fishermen rowing bamboo rafts and casting nets create perfect silhouettes! 📸 Five Epic Photo Spots (with Best Shooting Times) 1. Wenchang Pavilion Misty Bridge: 9:00-10:00 AM/3:00-4:00 PM (oblique sunlight makes the mist more dreamlike) 2. Tongji Weir Egret Flocks: One hour before sunset (egrets returning to nest, framed with the ancient weir) 3. Painting Village Old Street Corner: 5:00-6:00 PM (warm light on bluestone paths, perfect for cultural shots) 4. Oujiang Fishermen Casting Nets: Early morning/dusk (arrange paid photography sessions with fishermen in advance, 50 yuan/session) 5. Thousand-year Camphor Tree Arch: Midday overhead light (use tree trunk framing, shoot backlit hair) 🏡 Accommodation & Dining Guide 🏠 Recommended stays in Painting Village: - Riverside guesthouse "Huaxiang Yuan": River view from your window, morning mist visible from bed - Artistic inn "Barbizon Painting House": Renovated old house with walls full of oil paintings, very photogenic 🍽️ Must-try Food List: ✔️ Scallion Wrapped Meat: Local specialty snack, crispy outside and flavorful inside, freshly made at street stalls ✔️ Oujiang Small River Fish: Pan-fried or braised, perfect with beer (recommended at "Ancient Weir House" restaurant) ✔️ Brown Sugar Rice Cake: Freshly pounded at "Handcraft Workshop" on Painting Village Old Street, don't miss if you love chewy treats 📌 Practical Tips (Must-read to Avoid Pitfalls) 1. Ticket value: 50 yuan including round-trip boat tickets, half-price for students/seniors, free after 5:30 PM (but no boat service) 2. Outfit suggestions: Light-colored long dress + straw hat (strong green light in the camphor tree area makes white outfits look best in photos), bring mosquito repellent! 3. Photography equipment: Bring a 70-200mm telephoto lens for egret shots, use "Portrait Mode" on smartphones for misty bokeh effects 4. Avoiding crowds: Arrive at Ancient Weir before 10:00 AM on weekends to avoid tour groups; Painting Village is quieter after 2:00 PM This "Most Beautiful Nostalgic Belt in China" certified by National Geographic is perfect for capturing the spring of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region with a "forest breathing" weekend trip! 🌿