Location: Lishui lies in the southwest of Zhejiang
Province neighboring Wenzhou in the southeast. The city is bordered
by Fujian Province in the southwest boundary. It is 126 kilometers
(78 miles) from Wenzhou,
292 kilometers (181 miles) from Hangzhou
and 512 kilometers (318 miles) from Shanghai.
History: Human activities initiated over 4,000
years ago. The Sui Dynasty (581-618) established Chuzhou which is
the original form of present Lishui City. Although its name was
changed into Kuozhou later, Chuzhou is finally regained in the year
of 779.
Physical Features: Medium mountain and hill areas
constitute the main landform of the city. The general terrain of
Lishui declines from the southwest to the northeast. Medium mountains
occupy the majority of the southwestern territory, while the northeastern
part is mainly lower mountain interleaving with river valleys and
basins. Mountains in Lishui City mainly belong to the expansion
of Wuyi Mountain.
Climatic Features: Belonging to the subtropical
monsoon climate, Lishui has shorter spring and autumn comparing
with the time duration of summer and winter. Weather in spring varies
rapidly. The plum rain period emerges in summer bringing intense
rainfall or even rainstorms. Autumn is cool and winter is dry and
chilly due to the influence of cold wave from North China.
When to Go: Summer is the most pleasant period
to Lishui, because this is a city never lacking of summer resorts.
Moreover, around the third day of the third lunar month, participating
the celebrations and activities of the She minority is also an amazing
option.
Special Local product: mandarin orange, Chinese
mushroom, stone carving of Qingtian County, celadon and double-edged
sword of Longquan City
Scenic
Spots:
Fengyangshan-Baishanzu National Nature Reserve:
As is implied by the name, the nature reserve consists of two
parts. Among them, the Fengyangshan Nature Reserve is characterized
by rich storage of rare plant and animal species; the wonderful
summer resort, Fengyang Mountain; the highest peak in Jiangsu
and Zhejiang area, Mount Huangmaojian. While the Baizushan features
especially for the endangered Baishanzu Fir and its breathtaking
natural scenery.
Daji: Located 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest
of Jingning She Autonomous County, the scenic area stands in the
alpine basin of 1,600 meters (5249) surrounded by mountains. The
spectacular Xuehua Ji (Snow Waterfall) is the presentative scenery
of Daji. In addition, there are also some old building worthwhile
visiting. The Shisi Temple is one of the only three wooden buildings
of Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties.
Xiandu National Park: During the October, tourism
festival will held annually offering opportunities for visitors
to admire the folk customs, meanwhile to closely approach to the
natural beauty of the park. Dinghu Apex is the highlight. It is
praised to be the largest stone pillar in the world and regarded
as the symbol of Xiandu.
Tourist Tips:
1. Lishui has two principal bus stations. The West Bus Station is
situated in the No.109, Nan Huan Xi Lu, and the East Bus Station
is in No.399, Liqing Road. The west station mainly operates bus
routes within the province.
2. Lishui is 1.5 hours' drive from Wenzhou. The Wenzhou Haunglong
Bus Station in Lucheng Road dispatches buses to Lishui every forty
minutes. From the Hangzhou South Bus Station in Qiutao Road, nearly
twenty buses will run to Lishui for about 4 hours.