Major city · China
Lishui丽水
Give Lishui 2 nights if you want the old villages and terraces, or skip it on a first China trip: it is a small-city base with no airport and thin English.
Lishui is a small Zhejiang prefecture city on the Ou River, 35 min by bullet train from Wenzhou and about 1.5 h from Hangzhou. Its draw is not the city itself but the surrounding villages, terraces and mountain paths. Two nights covers the waterfront museums and one or two day trips; one night is enough if you are only passing through on the rail line.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, typhoon season), Chinese New Year week
- Airports
- WNZ · HGH · PVG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lishui110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lishui, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyLishui is a low-crime city and walking the centre at night is normal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportWNZ Wenzhou Longwan International (Closest useful airport: taxi to Wenzhou South, then about 35 min by bullet train to Lishui.).
- Getting aroundCity buses cost ¥1.5 (≈ under US$1) (¥1.2 (≈ under US$1) with a prepaid card) for one- and two-digit routes and ¥3–4 (≈ under US$1) for three-digit routes; coins or notes, no change given.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner for four at Wandi Plaza¥120–300 (≈ US$17–45)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice bowl¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across town¥8–25 (≈ US$2–4)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1.5 (≈ under US$1) (¥3–4 (≈ under US$1) longer routes)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (city and photography museums)Free
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥320 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- WNZ Wenzhou Longwan International (Closest useful airport: taxi to Wenzhou South, then about 35 min by bullet train to Lishui.) · HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (Metro or taxi to Hangzhou East, then about 1.5 h by bullet train; direct buses to Lishui run about 4 times a day (check).) · PVG Shanghai Pudong International (Longest transfer: about 1.5 h by metro to Hongqiao, then about 3 h by bullet train.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jun (17 rain days), driest Nov (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lishui: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
16 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
17 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses cost ¥1.5 (¥1.2 with a prepaid card) for one- and two-digit routes and ¥3–4 for three-digit routes; coins or notes, no change given. Taxis start at ¥8 and run ¥8–25 across town. Drivers rarely speak English, so show the Chinese name and address. The station is a short taxi or bus ride from the centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ancient Weir Painting Village (Guyan Huaxiang)
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Bus 202, 207 or 203 to the last stop, 35–50 min; taxi about 30 min
Riverside village with easels and small shops; entry ¥50, ferry between banks included, bamboo boat ¥20. Open 08:30–17:00.Riverside village with easels and small shops; entry ¥50, ferry between banks included, bamboo boat ¥20. Open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
East and West Scenic Area (Dongxiyan)
goDoor to door: About 1–1.25 h
Bus 313 to the last stop, about 45 min; taxi about 20 min
Rock formations and a circular walk of about 1.5 h; ¥45, open 07:30–17:30. Last bus back is around 17:30.Rock formations and a circular walk of about 1.5 h; ¥45, open 7:30 AM–5:30 PM. Last bus back is around 5:30 PM.
Yunhe rice terraces
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 h
Long-distance bus or taxi to Chongtou Town, Yunhe County
Too far for a comfortable return day; hours shift by season (check).
Xixi village
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus 301 from Lishui, then bus 301-1 at the end stop
Old village where people still live; no entrance fee.
Kuocang Ancient Road
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Long-distance bus towards Jinyun, ask the driver for Kuocang Gudao; return by bus 305
5–6 h hike over mountains and old villages; start early and carry water.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Liandu waterfront (Dayou Street)
Museums, riverside park and the old gate on foot; best for a short stay without a car.
Lishui station area
Convenient for early trains and buses out to the villages; few sights within walking distance.
Wandi Plaza area
Mall dining, cinema and taxis; the most comfortable base if you eat out every night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥320 | CN¥640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥500 | CN¥2,000 |
| City bus ride2 × CN¥2 · ¥3–4 on three-digit routes | CN¥3 |
| Taxi across town1 × CN¥20 · Meter starts at ¥8 | CN¥20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥286 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥787 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,149≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance trains and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle or rice bowl | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Vegetarian buffet (adults) | ¥18 (≈ US$3) |
| Dinner for four at Wandi Plaza | ¥120–300 (≈ US$17–45) |
| City bus ride | ¥1.5 (≈ under US$1) (¥3–4 (≈ under US$1) longer routes) |
| Taxi across town | ¥8–25 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Museum entry (city and photography museums) | Free |
| Astronomy Tower entry | ¥30 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Almost no English is spoken outside hotels; keep addresses in Chinese on your phone.
- Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay set up before you fly; foreign cards work in many places but not all.
- Snakes, including cobras, are active on mountain trails May–October: carry water and a stick, and stay on used paths.
- Summer is hot and humid and the coast can get typhoons; check forecasts before village day trips.
- Some village buses stop running in the late afternoon — confirm the last return bus before you set out.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Lishui丽水
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请带我去这个地址Please take me to this address
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Lishui; the US, UK and most others keep embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai. Register your trip and keep your embassy's number in your phone (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Wenzhou South → Lishui, bullet train: about 35 min (check fare)
- Hangzhou East → Lishui, bullet train: about 1.5 h (check fare)
- Lishui → Hangzhou Xiaoshan airport, direct bus: about 3 h 15 min, ¥122 (≈ US$18) (check)
- Taxi across the city: ¥8–25 (≈ US$2–4)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 请带我去这个地址 — Please take me to this address (qǐng dài wǒ qù zhège dìzhǐ)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lishui. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, typhoon season), Chinese New Year week · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for WNZ, HGH and PVG with last-train cutoffs and taxi fallbacks.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: waterfront and museums, Wandi Plaza, the station, Baiyun Shan.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (Astronomy Tower, city museum, photography museum, Dongxiyan, Ancient Weir) and eat pages with last orders.
- Village-bus timetable fixtures so day-trip verdicts can go green.
Sources
- officialLishui municipal government
- officialLishui City Museum
- officialLishui Photography Museum
- officialAncient Weir Painting Village
- officialEast and West Scenic Area
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lishui, revision 5266471 (CC BY-SA 4.0)