Yongjia County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Travel

Yongjia County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang — the cradle of Chinese landscape poetry, home to Nanxi River, Yandang Mountain branches, Lishui Street and other famous attractions. A 3-day 2-night trip to experience the dual charm of landscape scenery and ancient village culture.

100+
Nanxi River Ancient Villages (count)
145
Length of Nanxi River (km)
800+
Lishui Street History (years)
25+
Yongjia Specialty Foods
Panoramic view of Nanxi River Bamboo Rafting, Yongjia, Wenzhou
Nanxi River Scenery – Landmark of Yongjia County
Yongjia Nanxi River is a national scenic area, famous for "beautiful water, strange rocks, numerous waterfalls, ancient villages and splendid forests", one of the birthplaces of Chinese landscape poetry.

Yongjia County Three-Day Two-Night Landscape Poetry Tour

Seek tranquility by rivers and streams, explore ancient villages, enjoy terraced fields, trace the path of poetry

Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Nanxi River, Lishui Street, Yandang Mountain (Yongjia Section), Cangpo Ancient Village, Longwantang, Ming'ao Terraced Fields
Suitable For
Landscape lovers, culture explorers, photography enthusiasts, families, hikers
Budget per Person
¥800-¥1500
01
Nanxi River Charm & Ancient Street Style
Nanxi River Rafting · Lion Rock · Lishui Street Nightscape
Highlights

Morning: Experience Nanxi River bamboo rafting. Noon: Taste river fresh cuisine. Afternoon: Visit Lion Rock Scenic Area. Evening: Stroll along Lishui Street and enjoy the ancient street night scenery.

Attractions
Nanxi River (Core Scenic Area)
A national scenic area, famous for its crystal clear river water and beautiful pastoral scenery on both banks. It is the only national scenic area in China known for its idyllic landscape.
Lishui Street
First built in the Southern Song Dynasty, over 300 meters long with more than 90 shops along the street. The road surface is paved with cobblestones, flanked by wooden arcade buildings. It has a special charm when lanterns are lit at night, representing Yongjia's ancient streets.
Lion Rock
The iconic landscape of Nanxi River, consisting of two small islets a hundred meters apart. One resembles a lion, the other a ball, collectively known as "Lion Rolling an Embroidered Ball", a must-pass location for Nanxi River bamboo rafting.
Practical Info
Accommodation Recommendations
  • B&Bs along Nanxi River
  • Characteristic inns on Lishui Street
  • Boutique hotels in Yantou Town
Food Recommendations
  • Nanxi River Fish
  • Yongjia Wheat Cake
  • Nanxi Plain Noodles
  • Wuniu Early Tea
  • Shagang Rice Noodles
Travel Tips
  • It is recommended to do bamboo rafting in the morning to avoid the afternoon sun
  • Lishui Street is brightly lit at night, perfect for photography
  • Protect yourself from the sun in summer and bring mosquito repellent
02
Ancient Village Quest & Yandang Mountain Exploration
Cangpo Ancient Village · Furong Ancient Village · Yandang Mountain (Yongjia Section)
Highlights

Morning: Explore Cangpo and Furong Ancient Villages to experience farming and reading culture. Noon: Taste ancient village folk banquet. Afternoon: Tour Yandang Mountain's Yongjia section to enjoy strange peaks and odd rocks.

Attractions
Cangpo Ancient Village
First built in 955 AD, its layout is designed according to the "Four Treasures of the Study", a model of ancient Chinese village planning. The village retains a large number of residential and public buildings in Song Dynasty architectural style.
Furong Ancient Village
Named for three peaks southwest of the village resembling hibiscus flowers, first built in the Tang Dynasty. The village is laid out in a "Seven Stars and Eight Dippers" pattern, preserving a complete defense system and ancient residential clusters.
Yandang Mountain (Yongjia Section)
The northern foothills of Yandang Mountain extend into Yongjia territory, with Daruoyan and Taogong Cave as the core, known for karst cave and waterfall landscapes, an important part of the Yandang Mountain World Geopark.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • Tourist shuttle buses connect the ancient villages of Yongjia
  • Chartering a car is more convenient for visiting multiple ancient villages
  • The mountain roads in the Yongjia section of Yandang Mountain are winding; drive carefully
Ticket Info
  • Nanxi River Bamboo Rafting: ¥120
  • Lishui Street: ¥20
  • Cangpo Ancient Village: ¥20
  • Furong Ancient Village: ¥20
  • Yandang Mountain (Yongjia Section): ¥80
Travel Tips
  • Local guides can be hired to explain the history of ancient villages
  • The temperature inside Taogong Cave is low; bringing a light jacket is recommended
  • Cangpo Ancient Village offers traditional handicraft experience activities
03
Forest Exploration & Terraced Field Splendor
Longwantang National Forest Park · Ming'ao Terraced Fields · Return
Highlights

Morning: Explore Longwantang to experience the charm of primeval forest. Noon: Taste mountain farmhouse cuisine. Afternoon: Admire the magnificent landscape of Ming'ao Terraced Fields. Evening: Return.

Attractions
Longwantang National Forest Park
A national forest park covering 15.62 square kilometers, featuring flying waterfalls, deep pools, strange peaks and odd rocks. With extremely high negative ion content, it is known as a "natural oxygen bar".
Ming'ao Terraced Fields
First built in the Tang Dynasty, covering a total area of about 20,000 mu, divided into six major terraced field groups. Layers of terraced fields wind through the mountains, offering different scenery in all seasons, a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Practical Info
Photography Guide
  • Best shooting time at Ming'ao Terraced Fields is 1 hour after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset
  • Morning light is best for photographing Longwantang Waterfall
  • Photograph ancient villages in early morning or late evening when there are fewer people
Physical Fitness Tips
  • Longwantang hiking takes about 3-4 hours, moderate fitness level required
  • Viewing terraced fields involves climbing hills; comfortable sports shoes are recommended
  • Choose terraced field viewing platforms according to your fitness level
Travel Tips
  • Best viewing periods for Ming'ao Terraced Fields: April-May (flooding period) and September-October (harvest period)
  • Some sections of Longwantang are steep; pay attention to safety
  • Mountain weather is changeable; bring rain gear

Must-Try Foods in Yongjia County

Yongjia Wheat Cake

A Yongjia traditional snack, made with wheat flour as the wrapper, filled with pickled vegetables, fresh meat, dried plum vegetables and other fillings, baked on the inner wall of an iron pot. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, with a fragrant aroma.

Nanxi River Fish

A specialty of Nanxi River. Due to the clear river water, the fish meat is tender and free of fishy smell. Usually prepared braised or steamed, it is one of the most representative foods of Yongjia.

Nanxi Plain Noodles

Also known as "Suo Mian", hand-pulled from refined wheat flour, as thin as silver threads, white and flexible. Usually cooked with eggs or green vegetables, it is a traditional festive food in Yongjia.

Shagang Rice Noodles

A specialty of Shagang Village, Yongjia, made from high-quality rice through multiple processes. As thin as hair, they do not become mushy even after prolonged boiling, a famous rice product in the Wenzhou area.

Yongjia County Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-May): Rapeseed flowers bloom, terraced fields flood, suitable for photography
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Play in water and escape heat at Nanxi River, best season for rafting
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear and crisp weather, golden terraced fields, suitable for hiking
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Fewer tourists, can experience the tranquil atmosphere of ancient villages
Must-Do Experiences
  • Nanxi River Bamboo Rafting
  • Lishui Street Night Tour
  • Cangpo Ancient Village Study Tour
  • Longwantang Forest Hiking
  • Ming'ao Terraced Field Photography
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥300-400
  • Accommodation: ¥300-800 (2 nights)
  • Meals: ¥200-300/day
  • Transport: ¥100-200
  • Total: ¥800-1500
FAQ
  • How to get to Yongjia County? → Direct bus from Wenzhou Railway Station to Yongjia county town
  • How long is the Nanxi River rafting trip? → About 1.5-2 hours
  • Are the ancient villages far apart? → Each ancient village is 5-10 km apart, with convenient transportation
  • What special souvenirs does Yongjia have? → Yongjia Wheat Cake, Wuniu Early Tea, Shagang Rice Noodles

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