Overview
Lishui offers a respite from the chaos of larger Chinese cities — cleaner air, friendlier people, and safer traffic. The city is surrounded by mountains with numerous hiking trails, and its waterfront area is pleasant for evening strolls.
Budget Travel · Culture · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Connectivity
Major Chinese carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) provide SIM cards widely available. WiFi is common in hotels and restaurants. Bring adapters for Chinese power outlets.
Culture
Lishui was founded in 589 AD as Chuzhou. It served as Zhejiang's administrative capital during the Sino-Japanese War when Hangzhou fell. Pronunciation is "Líshuǐ" (lí not lì).
Food
Western Plaza (学院路36号) offers meals from ¥6-30. Vegetarian buffet at 566 Dangshan Road is ¥18. Xinjiang cuisine at Wandi Plaza 4th floor is ¥4-35 per dish.
Health
Tap water is not safe to drink. Carry toilet paper and hand soap as these are often unavailable. Western toilets are common in larger establishments.
Money
International credit cards are generally not accepted. Use ATMs from ICBC, CCB, or Bank of China for cash withdrawals. Night market prices are not marked — be prepared to haggle.
Safety
Tap water is not potable. Cobras exist in surrounding mountains May–October. Traffic is safer than other Chinese cities. Air quality is notably better than most of China.
Transport
Local bus 1 goes north to Baiyun Shan and south to Nanming Shan. Bus 313 reaches Dongxi Scenic Area. Buses 202/207/203 go to Ancient Weir Painting Village. Taxis are cheap — ¥100-150 for longer trips.
Weather
Lishui has typical Zhejiang climate — hot humid summers and cool winters. Mountains offer relief from summer heat. Best time to visit is spring or fall.