Lishui has returned. I really don't recommend going in August to September because it's just too, , ,

🌟 Day 1: Guyan Huaxiang — The "Living Painting" on the Ou River Goal: See the thousand-year-old ancient dam, Ou River sail shadows, and experience the artistic atmosphere and lively vibe of the "painting village." Morning: Arrive at Guyan Huaxiang, explore the ancient dam and old street Transportation: From Lishui Station, take a taxi about 20 minutes (fare 30 RMB); or take bus 203 (about 40 minutes, fare 5 RMB). Tickets: 50 RMB (includes Tongji Dam Scenic Area + Jiangbin Old Street, boat ride extra 30 RMB/person). Must-visit spots: Tongji Dam (World Irrigation Engineering Heritage): Built in the Southern Dynasties, 1500 years ago, one of China's five major ancient water conservancy projects. See the "arched dam," "three-hole bridge," and "water diversion sluice," and feel the wisdom of the ancients. Jiangbin Old Street: Bluestone pavement, Ming and Qing dynasty ancient houses, many oil painting studios, tea houses and handmade shops (like plant dyeing, bamboo weaving) along the street. You can buy a cup of coffee and sit by the river watching boats. Ou River sail shadows: At the end of the old street is the Ou River, often with fishing boats or painted boats passing by. Early morning or evening (6:00-8:00, 17:00-18:30) has the best light for photos. Noon: Eat "river fresh" at Guyan Huaxiang Recommended restaurants on Jiangbin Old Street: Ou River Fisherman’s House: Freshly caught Ou River creek fish (like grouper, catfish stewed with tofu), field snails, river shrimp, fresh and spicy flavors; Guyan Fish Head Restaurant: Bighead fish soup, milky white broth with tofu, incredibly fresh; Snacks: Lishui rice noodles (smooth and chewy, served with chili oil or pickles), sugar cake (brown sugar filling, crispy outside and glutinous inside). Afternoon: Boat ride + sketching / visit art gallery Recommended boat ride: Take a painted boat on the Ou River (30 RMB/person), departing from Guyan pier, passing "Yantou Village" (thousand-year-old camphor tree group, trees over 1000 years old), see the blend of green mountains and river views on both sides. Art experience: Guyan Huaxiang is a "China Academy of Art sketching base," with many studios along the street where you can try oil painting/watercolor (about 100 RMB/hour); or visit the Barbizon Oil Painting Gallery (free) to see artists’ depictions of the Ou River. Evening: Stay at Guyan Huaxiang (river view guesthouse) Recommended guesthouses near Jiangbin Old Street: Yunyi Xingu: Riverside room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Ou River night view, artistically decorated; Huaxiang Courtyard: Courtyard-style guesthouse surrounded by ancient camphor trees, suitable for families. 🌟 Day 2: Songyang Ancient Village — The "Golden Potala Palace" hidden in southern Zhejiang Goal: Explore the "last secret of Jiangnan," see Ming and Qing dynasty ancient houses, terraced fields and ancient paths, and experience living rural culture. Morning: Yangjiatang Village (Golden Potala Palace) + Chenjiapu Village (cliffside bookstore) Transportation: Guyan Huaxiang → Songyang County Town (about 1 hour drive) → Yangjiatang Village (20 minutes), recommended to hire a car with driver who can also be a guide. Yangjiatang Village (free): Rated by China National Geography as "China’s most beautiful village," with yellow clay wall ancient houses built on the mountain, layered like a "golden Potala Palace." Must-see: The "Couple Trees" at the village entrance (two 500-year-old ginkgo trees), "Song Clan Ancestral Hall" (well-preserved Qing dynasty building), and the "yellow clay walls" along the village road (golden under sunlight). Chenjiapu Village (free): The "internet-famous village" on a cliff, built on an 800-meter-high hillside. The most photogenic spot is the Vanguard Bookstore (Chenjiapu People's Bookstore) — glass curtain wall meets yellow clay wall, blending bookish atmosphere with mountain views. Activities: Have a coffee on the bookstore’s second-floor terrace overlooking the valley; explore the village’s "Vanguard Bookstore" and "Mountain Stable" (art space), experiencing the collision of "village + culture." Noon: Eat "local flavor" in Songyang County Town Recommended restaurants in the old town area (like Renmin Road, Dazhong Street): Songyang Tushuang Noodles: Handmade thick noodles served with broth (pork ribs/intestines), rich soup and chewy noodles (recommended "old brand Tushuang noodles"); Yellow Rice Cake: Made from glutinous rice and yellow jujube leaves, chewy and slightly sweet, can be pan-fried, boiled, or stir-fried (about 5 RMB each at street stalls); Tofu Niang: Soybean slurry cooked into a paste, served with chili or pickles, smooth texture (must-try at farmhouse restaurants). Afternoon: Xikeng Village (cliffside guesthouse) + Shimenwei Covered Bridge Xikeng Village (free): "Village in the clouds," located on a cliff edge, surrounded by bamboo forests and tea gardens. You can stay at cliffside guesthouses (like "Feiniaoji") or enjoy mountain views at the village entrance café ("Yunding Restaurant"). Shimenwei Covered Bridge (free): Wooden covered bridge built in the Qing dynasty, spanning Songyin Creek, with carved beams and painted rafters. Villagers often relax on the bridge in the evening, perfect for capturing "small bridge flowing water" pastoral scenes. Evening: Stay in Songyang County Town or ancient village guesthouse County town recommendation: Songyang Tianyuan Mingdu Hotel (cost-effective, well-equipped); Ancient village recommendation: Chenjiapu People's Bookstore Guesthouse (reading space on the cliff, stunning night views). 🌟 Day 3: Yunhe Terraces — East China’s largest "Earth Fingerprint" Goal: See the terraced fields’ seasonal scenery (mirror-like irrigation, rolling rice waves, frost and snow cover), and experience She ethnic culture. Morning: Yunhe Terraces core scenic area (Jiuqu Yunhuan + Baiyin Valley) Transportation: Songyang → Yunhe Terraces (about 1 hour drive), recommended to depart before 8 AM (avoid crowds). Tickets: 80 RMB (includes Jiuqu Yunhuan + Baiyin Valley viewing platforms); shuttle bus 20 RMB/person (mandatory, large scenic area). Must-visit areas: Jiuqu Yunhuan: The viewing platform offers the widest view, showcasing the magnificent "how high the mountain is, how high the water is" terraced fields (June-October irrigation period, mirror-like terraces; September-October harvest season, golden rice waves); Baiyin Valley: Walk down the wooden plank road to see "Kenggen Stone Village" (She ethnic ancient village), stone walls and blue tiles complement the terraces, great for cultural photos; Moon Bay: Crescent-shaped terraces, best light at sunrise/sunset (recommended arrival at 6:30 AM or after 5 PM). Noon: Dine near the terraces scenic area Recommended farmhouse restaurant near terraces (like "Qixingdun Farmhouse"): Free-range chicken soup: Slow-cooked free-range chicken, clear and fresh broth; Dried bamboo shoots stir-fried with cured meat: Yunhe bamboo forest dried shoots paired with local cured meat, savory and appetizing; Wild vegetable pancake: Filled with fresh Malantou/fern shoots, crispy outside and tender inside. Afternoon: Dongxi Rock (She ethnic culture) + return trip Dongxi Rock (ticket 50 RMB, optional): Features Danxia landform and She ethnic culture, with "One Line Sky" and "Qingfeng Gorge" canyons. Rock walls have She ethnic ancient village ruins, suitable for hiking (about 2 hours). Return: Yunhe → Lishui city center (about 1.5 hours drive), or directly take the highway from Yunhe for return trip (towards Shanghai/Hangzhou). 🍜 Must-try food list Songyang Tushuang Noodles: Handmade noodle specialty, rich soup and fragrant noodles (recommended "old brand Tushuang noodles" in county town); Yunhe Terraces rice: Grown in high mountain terraces, fragrant and soft when cooked (available at guesthouses or county supermarkets); Creek fish/creek shrimp: Wild from Ou River and Songyin Creek, fresh and spicy (Guyan Huaxiang "Ou River Fisherman’s House"); Yellow Rice Cake: Glutinous rice product, chewy and slightly sweet (street stalls in Songyang ancient village); Tofu Niang: Soybean slurry cooked paste, farmhouse breakfast favorite (breakfast shops in Songyang old town).