After three days in Lishui, my spending habits were shattered!

🌿【Lishui: Zhejiang's "Enchanted Green Wonderland"】🌿
Nestled in southwest Zhejiang, Lishui is a "natural oxygen bar" embraced by mountains! Across its 17,300 square kilometers, you'll find 3,573 peaks over 1,000 meters, six river sources, cloud seas more ethereal than Huangshan, and terraces wilder than Wuyuan! In July, the flooded terraces resemble shattered mirrors, ancient villages smoke with cooking fires, making it the perfect summer retreat~

🗺️【3 Days & 2 Nights Itinerary】🗺️
Day 1: Misty Xiandu + Ancient Village Charm
🌅6:00 AM: Rush to Dinghu Peak (¥110 entry)! Home to the world's tallest freestanding stone pillar, "The First Bamboo Shoot Under Heaven," it's pure magic in the morning mist. Arrive before 7:30 for crowd-free shots—tour groups swarm after 9.
📸Hidden Gems: Zhutan Mountain's arched bridge reflections (wait 30 mins for calm waters), or sip a ¥35 latte at Yandang Study, where light through rock crevices is breathtaking.
🍜Noon: Heyang Ancient Village (free!) boasts a 1,500-meter Yuan Dynasty water system. Stroll stone paths scented with ¥5 Jinyun baked cakes (pork & preserved veggie filling). At dusk, capture smoke rising from horse-head walls at the Eight Scholars Archway.
🌃Night: Zhuzhou City lights start at 7:30, but hit "Jinyun Snack Street" on Jiangbin Road instead! A ¥15 set of baked cake + minced meat soup warms you up—walk it off along Nanming Lake.

Day 2: Cloud Terraces + Hidden Villages
🌄5:30 AM: Yunhe Terraces (¥80)! Flooded in July, they mirror the sky. Navigate to "Seven Stars Viewpoint" 30 mins before sunrise—bring a tripod and jacket (chilly at 800m altitude).
🚶Afternoon: Songyang Ancient Villages (free!). Yangjiatang's "Golden Potala" glows at 3 PM. Sip ¥38 pour-over at cliffside Pioneer Bookstore in Chenjiapu, where coffee meets mountain vistas.

Day 3: Slow Life in Painting Town
🖌️All Day: Guyang Painting Town! Cruise the Ou River (extra fee) past sailboats and Barbizon-style art. Songyang Old Street's blacksmiths and herb shops transport you to Ming/Qing dynasties—don’t miss Xu’s Salt-Baked Chicken and Baixian Hand-Pulled Noodles!

🌟【Must-Do List】🌟
Dinghu Peak: Fantasy drama backdrop (e.g., "The Journey of Flower"). The 170.8m pillar + red cliffs at Xiaochibi demand monochrome dresses for silhouettes.
Yunhe Terraces: June-August floods! Hike 3km through Silver Valley’s seven villages. Glass viewing platforms thrill (but terrify acrophobes).
Pioneer Bookstore (Chenjiapu): "World’s Most Beautiful Cliffside Bookstore." Floor-to-ceiling windows frame mountains—ideal for photos or daydreaming.
Jinyun Baked Cake HQ: The ultimate crispy, pork-filled delight. Charcoal-fired perfection—reheat for aroma revival!
Songyin River Kayaking: Paddle Ou River’s tributary past Dushan. Prefer land? Stroll the banks for slow-living vibes.

🏨【Hotels】🏨
💎Luxury: Lishui Oriental Wenting Hotel (5-star, ¥613/night). Suite views match imperial ceremonies, plus pool & family rooms.
💰Budget: Xierdun Yixuan Hotel (near train station, ¥232/night). Smart rooms with latex mattresses and projectors.

🚌【Transport】🚌
High-speed rail: 2hrs from Shanghai/Hangzhou to Lishui Station (¥20 taxi to downtown).
Bus: Take Line 203 to Guyang or Y1 to Xiandu.
Private car: ¥400/day for inter-attraction trips (1hr+ drives). Rentals at ¥150/day offer freedom.
😊Pro Tip: Our driver rerouted to Heyang during storms—saved the day!
😫Con: Peak-season Bus Y1 is a sardine can—standing for 1hr = leg numbness...

🍜【5 Food Musts】🍜
Jinyun Baked Cake: Crispy, pork-stuffed bliss—carb heaven in one bite!
Suichang Long Zongzi: 30cm mega-dumpling! Sticky rice + salted egg yolk/pork—pull-apart goodness.
She Ethnic Black Rice: Sweetened with brown sugar, fragrant with wild leaves (¥30 at Jingning eateries).
Longquan Clear Noodles: Chewy sweet potato starch noodles with veggies (¥10 at Beihe Street).
Bihu Spicy Fish Head: Garlic-chili broth so good you’ll sweat but keep eating (¥60 at Pan’s).

💡【Tips】
Shanghai/Hangzhou ID holders get 20% off select hotels!
Terraces = big temp swings—pack layers + sunhat.
Ancient village cobblestones demand soft soles + bug spray.

💰【Cost Breakdown】
Accommodation: ¥464 (2 nights)
Tickets: ¥190 (Xiandu + terraces)
Food: ¥125/day (cakes, zongzi, etc.)
Transport: ¥400/day private (car-pool saves $).

July in Lishui blends fairy-tale mists with rustic charm—chasing clouds at dawn, snacking by noon, photographing villages at dusk, slurping noodles by night... Every frame feels lifted from a ink painting. This hidden gem awaits—go now!