Pink Romance and Plum Blossom Tales: A Spring Story in Lishui, Nanjing

Feel the breath of spring—warm sunshine, a world awakening, the fragrance of flowers, and the sweetness of strawberries. The best way to welcome the season is to head into nature and search for signs of spring. This time, I found them in Lishui.

Due to the pandemic, I had hardly taken any personal trips since last October. Taking advantage of the smaller crowds after the New Year, the stable situation in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area, and the warming weather, I brought my dad along for a weekend road trip to enjoy the blossoms. Having not ventured out for over half a year, I was so happy to see my dad enjoying himself even more than I was. It was clear he had been feeling cooped up too. I hope the situation keeps improving so more people can step outside and see this beautiful world.

Chapter One: Flower Viewing

♥ Fujiabian Meihua Mountain

It’s that time of year again—plum blossom season! To be honest, I’ve never really had a proper chance to admire them before. A friend recommended Fujiabian for plum viewing, and I was full of curiosity. Isn’t this an agricultural science park? Only when I arrived did I realize: this place is a plum blossom paradise. Fujiabian is one of the top plum viewing spots in Lishui, Nanjing. Even on a weekday, it was packed! Entry is still free; just register and show your green health code.

At the entrance is the famous Plum Blossom Avenue, lined almost entirely with plum trees. You can imagine that when they are in full bloom, this must become an ocean of pink.

The plum blossoms here come in pink and white. Though I couldn’t really tell the difference, from my observations, the pink blossoms tend to grow on slightly taller trees, just out of reach, and are found on lower flat ground, blooming earlier. The white or pale yellow ones are shrubs; this variety is the most common on Meihua Mountain and lets you get up close to the flowers.

To escape the crowds and enjoy the blossoms quietly by myself, I slipped onto a small path. The trees on the flat ground were about 50% in bloom. Near and far, layer upon layer, I could appreciate them from every angle.

You have to admit, plum blossoms braving the cold are truly the vanguard of flowers. They seem to be telling the world that spring is drawing nearer and nearer. Because they bloom so early, I felt the footsteps of spring already in February.

Climbing up Meihua Mountain, even more sea-like groves awaited. Up close, these petite flowers are lovely yet elegant. There are many small trails weaving through the blossoms, allowing you to get close to the flowers, but watch your step.

Walking among the groves, the fragrance drifts on the breeze. I wanted to bask in the spring sunshine, just like the plum blossoms. (If you need a blossom as a prop, please look for fallen ones on the ground! There are plenty of intact fallen blooms; never pick from the trees!)

Soon I reached a pavilion halfway up the mountain. The plum trees around it seemed to vie for attention, a riot of pink and white, bustling with energy.

Looking up at the branches, they stretch toward the sun, growing with determination. This, perhaps, is the spirit of the plum blossom, something we can learn from.

Heading down another path, I chanced upon a magnificent avenue of pink plum trees—splendid and beautiful. The neatly lined trees were in full bloom, waiting for visitors to admire them.

You can experience the beauty of Fujiabian’s Meihua Mountain from many perspectives. Vast seas of blossoms are ready, the flavor of early spring spreading across these hillsides. Is this your picture of spring?

If you come on a weekend, I suggest arriving early or driving directly to the north gate of Fujiabian.

Do you know about the world’s “tunnels of love”? Perhaps you can’t easily visit the one in faraway Ukraine, but I believe this place in Fujiabian is China’s own Love Tunnel. The “Meihao Qingyuan” (Plum Blossom Romance) Tunnel—the blossoms here are pink, so ethereally pink. Bathed in that rosy hue, everything becomes incredibly romantic. We walked along this pink path, entering a true tunnel.

The plum blossoms here were already in full bloom—small, delicate, pink, and utterly adorable.

The real tunnel lies deep within several small trails. I suddenly understood the meaning of the name: "Meihao Qingyuan"—letting those in love experience romance in this pink tunnel and kindle affection through the plum blossoms. I’d call this tunnel the most romantic and beautiful spot in Fujiabian. No wonder so many visitors search for it the moment they enter; it’s incredibly photogenic. And with small tunnel trains being such popular props in recent years, this tunnel is the trendiest of the trendy.

There are plenty of lovely decorations around the tunnel. Together with its curves, any random frame captures the beauty and romance of the plum blossom tunnel.

Since I was here, I had to wander into the grove—you instantly become a fairy among the blossoms. Being surrounded by plum flowers feels so blissful! But be careful when stepping into the grove; the bees are busy with spring work—don’t disturb them.

♥ The Market

Apart from blossom viewing, the liveliest spot is definitely the market inside Fujiabian! It’s a paradise for food lovers! In recent years, city markets have become rare, so coming to Fujiabian brought back that old-fashioned joy.

The colorful market tents instantly infused the alley with vibrant hues, and the atmosphere perked right up. The enticing aromas of delicious food had already lured visitors to stroll and explore.

You’ll find many local specialty snacks, even authentic village flavors—very down-to-earth, tastes I hadn’t savored in a long time. There are dishes from north and south, catering to different palates. Most importantly, the market is fun, adding a perfect finishing touch to the whole blossom-viewing trip.

If you wear Hanfu, you might buy a mask at the market and become a mystical fairy flickering among the plum trees.

Besides the bustling market, at its other end is the famous Meihua Shan Nong restaurant, another spot to enjoy authentic local cuisine.

♥ Shan'ao Village

Tucked beside Meihua Mountain in Fujiabian is an old village. Its name reflects its setting—a settlement nestled in a mountain hollow, embraced by hills and accompanied by plum blossoms, earning it the nickname "Jinling’s Peach Blossom Spring." When we strolled into Shan'ao Village, the sun was setting in the west, peaceful and tranquil.

Part of the village is still home to local residents, while another part has been turned into guesthouses. If you want to enjoy the early morning plum blossoms, consider staying in Shan'ao; you can also savor a farmhouse-style meal at the same time!

♥ Night Plum Viewing and Fireworks

The most romantic thing I can imagine is enjoying the blossoms with you until the end of time. Flower viewing isn’t just for daytime. Admiring plum blossoms at night is so atmospheric. The originally creamy white flowers transform in the glow of various colored lights. Strolling beneath them with someone you care about feels incredibly romantic and happy. Of course, it was also very fulfilling to enjoy the night blossoms with my dad! The lights generally come on between 5 and 6 p.m. We walked along Plum Blossom Avenue in the lingering sunset glow, anticipating a wonderful nocturnal adventure.

On the last two weekends of February, there were fireworks displays. Keep in mind that fireworks are banned in urban areas now, so hearing about the show made me—after years without seeing them—incredibly excited. Around the Meihua Square, there are many beautifully lit night blossom areas, shifting through a rainbow of colors. There’s a small grove I’d call the most romantic secluded spot, perfect for couples seeking a little sweet intimacy!

If daytime blossoms are angelic and pure, at night, against the deep blue sky, they become enchantingly delicate and alluring. I craned my neck, trying to take in all their beauty at once.

The night viewing area isn’t limited to Meihua Square; if you’re still not satisfied after the fireworks, I recommend climbing Meihua Mountain for a more rustic nighttime adventure.

At 6:30 p.m., the fireworks show began at the square. A huge crowd was there. With a whoosh, the fireworks shot into the sky, bursting into different patterns, and everyone exclaimed how beautiful it was!

The show lasted about ten minutes, with fireworks constantly changing height, shapes, and colors, blooming into different kinds of "flowers." Not just tourists, but villagers from nearby also came, all sharing the joy of watching fireworks.

After the fireworks, we passed through the market and entered the night viewing area on Meihua Mountain. We strolled along, planning to head to Shan'ao Village for some farmhouse dishes. This entire fulfilling day was thanks to Fujiabian.

Chapter Two: Time Travel

♥ Yuyuan Garden

Fujiabian is a mountain. On its other side, deep within Shan'ao Village, lies a classical and elegant garden. Because it’s hidden so deep, it’s easy to miss, like another Peach Blossom Spring. Recently, there have been so many plum blossom visitors; we approached from the back mountain and found this ancient village nestled in the hollow. The garden area isn’t large—you can walk around the lake in no time—but when you examine every old building and detail closely, the classic features of a Jiangnan garden are all there. If you dress in Hanfu for photos, the results are stunning.

The zigzag bridge and pavilions are essentials for classic charm. Standing on a bend of the bridge, greeting the breeze, you feel the garden’s atmosphere. The bridge is exquisitely crafted; every sculpture on the posts seems alive, as if telling a story.

This garden actually has quite a history. Professionals reassembled architectural components and materials collected from various places to recreate a traditional Jiangnan ancient village. The exquisite details in the architecture amaze us—they are truly beautiful.

The doors, wood carvings, eaves, beams, and dougong brackets in each building can be admired slowly and savored. The Huizhou-style architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties is full of the charm of passing centuries.

The most exquisite structure in the entire garden is the stage. The ancient stage has black pillars and red beams, adorned with colorful carvings, extremely splendid inside and out. The stage is rich with carvings of figures and flowers, full of narrative, vividly lifelike.

Though Yuyuan Garden isn’t large, it has everything: memorial archways, shops, residences, a stage, rockery gardens, a zigzag bridge, pavilions. It’s a case of "small but perfectly formed," truly remarkable!

From any angle, you can take beautiful Hanfu-style portraits, so be sure to wear Hanfu or a cheongsam when visiting Yuyuan Garden.

Near the back mountain entrance to the garden stands a very old memorial archway, recording the history of Fujiabian and Wuxiang Mountain.

There are plum blossoms on the back mountain too, and fewer people, so you can come here for some quiet time with the flowers.

♥ Wuxiang Water Town

In recent years, traditional Chinese culture has been increasingly valued. Many places combine ancient town culture with Hanfu fashion. Wuxiang Water Town is a town focused on Tang Dynasty elegance. Coming here is like stepping into a Tang-era time-travel journey. The town has free and paid areas; the City God Temple in the center requires a ticket. Surrounding the temple are various ancient buildings and, most importantly, a Tang-style commercial street. Visitors can choose where to go based on their interests. My main goal at Wuxiang Water Town was, of course, to take some beautiful Hanfu photos.

The memorial archway is the most important landmark of Wuxiang Water Town, and that’s where we started. It’s also one of the performance venues; according to the schedule, there are various ancient-style shows that gradually immerse visitors in the ambiance.

I have to say, the Tang-style buildings in Wuxiang Water Town made me feel as if I’d traveled back to Chang’an, while still retaining Jiangnan characteristics. The hanging traditional lanterns were full of festive atmosphere. Walking along the streets, you’ll encounter many fellow Hanfu enthusiasts, looking ethereal. If you’d like to join in, there are quite a few Hanfu rental shops to choose from.

If you skip the City God Temple, what else can regular visitors do? There are plenty of interactive activities! When you enter, remember to pick up a guidebook. Following the map, you can find game points featuring classic ancient pastimes and collect stamps. Complete the set and exchange them for a traditional small fish lantern. There’s also a lantern riddle game; solve riddles correctly, tear them off, and redeem prizes.

Another popular experience at Wuxiang Water Town is an ancient-style murder mystery game. Gather a few friends, don Hanfu, wander through the ancient town, and play a Tang Dynasty-themed mystery.

As for photography, the beautiful Tang architecture provides endless ancient charm; every shot is a scene of exquisite Tang-era Jiangnan style. If the weather is warm, I recommend wearing a Tang-style Qixiong Ruqun or Hezi skirt—it fits the setting better. Since I visited in winter, Ming-style clothing kept me warmer. But no matter; as long as it looks good!

Since I was here, I also wanted to explore the City God Temple. Because it’s a paid area, there were very few visitors, giving me a quiet moment to myself. A City God Temple was built in Lishui as early as the Tang Dynasty, and it was the largest in the Jiangnan region. People came to pray for favorable weather and protection. Later rebuilt here, it continues to safeguard Lishui’s peace.

The visible structure at the entrance is the "Gaochi Pavilion," constructed using traditional mortise-and-tenon techniques. The craftsmanship is breathtaking. This pavilion was where imperial edicts were kept, also known as the "Imperial Stele Pavilion."

In front of the Zhengxian Hall stands a marriage tree. The City God Temple is indeed a place for praying for good fortune; the magnificent ancient architecture was also a joy to admire.

What must be mentioned is the temple’s garden. Entering through a small door, I was stunned by the exquisite garden view—very Jiangnan in style. The Qingguang Pavilion, Lanxing Pavilion, and Pianyue Pavilion exist in harmony within the same space. The rockery beside them is made of Taihu Lake stones, showcasing the elegance of Suzhou gardens.

Don’t rush to leave after visiting the temple; as the lanterns begin to glow, it transforms into another beautiful world. The lanterns at the temple are grand, different in style from those elsewhere in Wuxiang Water Town, particularly delicate, and well worth seeing.

My favorite is the fish lantern at the Suyi Gate, symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness, so be sure to walk through it—sincerity makes the wish count.

As night fell, the ancient buildings slowly lit up. This was the most beautiful moment at Wuxiang Water Town—peaceful and lovely, resplendent yet understated.

The Wufeng Tower and the ancient bridge invite us to lift our lanterns and walk into the brilliance of the Tang Dynasty.

Wuxiang Water Town has not only grand architecture but also warm, intimate lanterns lighting the way home.

Each square has specially designed lanterns—koi fish, auspicious clouds—all beautiful and photogenic. Indeed, an ancient town with a lantern festival is perfectly splendid.

Explore Wuxiang Water Town during the day to soak in its ancient charm, then at night for the lantern fair—only then can you truly feel the beauty of the water town in its entirety.

Beyond the lanterns, the town’s nights are lively. At the archway plaza, wonderful historical dramas are performed, drawing visitors deeper into the town’s story.

Chapter Three: Dream and Simplicity

♥ Shiqiu Film Studio

There’s always a place where a picture stays in your mind, unable to fade. I’d long known about a church here, with a pure white piano on the vast lawn in front of it. I always longed to become part of that scenery. This beautiful church is a location at the Shiqiu Film Studio, and finally, on a sunny spring day, I arrived at the place of my dreams.

Shiqiu Film Studio is a base built specifically for shooting films and television. It has sets of various eras and styles, and the most famous is probably this church! "The Flowers of War" was filmed here, making it an important production base near Nanjing. The base includes the Xingfu Hotel for actors’ accommodation, a soundstage resembling ancient city walls, and the main areas visitors can explore: the church and the Republican-era buildings.

This was the scene I’d been longing to photograph. When I arrived, there were many tour groups, but surprisingly, they all left for lunch, leaving the entire pristine setting just for me. I didn’t hold back—in front of the sacred church and the dreamy piano, I "played" a tune.

Of course, the piano is just my favorite spot. The whole lawn has several fresh and charming setups, and there’s even an equestrian area where you can rent a horse for photos. Everyone can find a scene they love.

There are photogenic spots all around the church, not just the grand views—there are many details to discover.

It felt so great to photograph without any interruptions. Most of the time, unless a crew is shooting, there are only a few scattered tourists. And there are so many stunning angles of the church, far more appealing to me than the smaller setups.

The church interior is open but very quiet and serene, with a simple, pure, and sacred style. Inside, it’s divided into several rooms; one is filled with wedding photo setups.

My favorite is the piano by the window, as if in a palace, with a luxurious feel, playing a refined melody.

Upstairs, there are more bridal photo setups, since the base is heavily used by photography studios. If you enjoy it, you can capture many lovely portraits here.

Behind the church is a garden wedding decorations area, where I spotted a lovely transparent chair, full of dreamy vibes.

After the church, you can drive to the second area—the Republican-era building set. This area exudes old Shanghai charm, more suitable for cheongsam photos. The whole section is packed with wedding photography shops, making it very lively with lots of bridal photoshoots.

Wandering here felt a bit like stepping into 1990s Shanghai. I searched for nostalgic scenes to capture, making up for the regret of not having such photos before.

There are so many props available; any casual scene instantly has that vintage Shanghai flavor. You can have a great time shooting!

The Republican-era base isn’t just about buildings—they’ve added various vehicles and carts, representing different periods and offering even more prop choices for photos.

The base is loop-shaped, and each section brings a different sight, mainly revolving around the Jiangnan-style of the Republican period: ancient towns, Shikumen houses, and cityscapes. Walking here gives a sense of time travel.

Shiqiu Film Studio’s ticket is 60 yuan, and you can drive in to explore. Regular tourism and personal photography don’t incur extra fees, but outfits like mine can easily be mistaken for commercial photography, which starts at 600 yuan. So if you come to play, leave wedding dresses, reflectors, flash, fill lights, and light stands at home.

♥ Shixia Village

This is a place in Lishui known as an internet-famous village, but for me, it’s a place where the soul finds rest. We drove in late at night, navigating pitch-black roads to find the village. Even inside, only a string of ground lights guided us to our guesthouse. I hadn’t yet seen the village’s true face. It wasn’t until the next morning, bathed in spring sunshine, that we walked into this ancient village, named after its "stone hills," and saw what it really looked like.

I love simple, rustic villages—not just for the quiet broken only by birdsong, but for the architecture that holds history. Shixia Village has over 700 years of history and preserves ancient cultural relics.

"Peaceful time" is the most fitting phrase for this village. Thanks to that peace, my restless and anxious heart finally calmed. Arm in arm with my dad, we slowly strolled through the old settlement.

Traditional crafts and cooking are the village’s main "businesses." Honestly, you’ll hardly find any shops, just a few small restaurants and eateries selling the local specialty—rice cakes.

There aren’t many permanent residents left; it feels like a hidden paradise far from worldly noise. We saw locals simply basking in the sun, preparing food. Children greeted us warmly. Such laid-back comfort is something I haven’t encountered in a long time.

Apart from ancient trees, the most precious part of the village is the ancestral hall. The Liu Clan Ancestral Hall is especially valuable—a protected building from the Ming Dynasty, still preserving the thirteen volumes of Liu family genealogy dating back to the Western Zhou era.

The village also has a stage. Though now hung with banners announcing it as a wedding venue, it can’t hide its former glory.

There are two lakes in the village. One is surrounded by guesthouses; the other, near the entrance, is a fish pond with beautiful scenery and great photo spots. The old brick-and-tile buildings with hanging lanterns still carry the festive spirit of the 2022 New Year…

At the village entrance stands a very modern building: the China Supply and Marketing Cooperative Museum, a piece of history from the last century. We arrived too early and it wasn’t open, so we could only sense a layer of the village’s past from the outside.

Chapter Four: Sweetness

♥ Strawberry Picking in Fujiabian

Spring is a beautiful season, not just for flower viewing but also for fruit picking, and Fujiabian is a strawberry paradise. Along an entire road here, you’ll see cute strawberry-themed arches everywhere. On both sides, stalls sell strawberries, making our mouths water. Lishui’s Fujiabian has a long harvest season and incredibly sweet strawberries! Almost every farmhouse here offers strawberry picking, but there’s a very special one where you can pick strawberries without bending over—called "elevated strawberries." It’s really fun!

This is actually a science park that grows strawberries scientifically. The "elevated strawberries" are a hanging variety. Just tell the staff you’d like the no-bending experience, and a young man will operate the controls to raise the strawberry racks, making them low and high alternately, so you can easily reach deep inside. So fun!

I’m so glad I found such an interesting strawberry picking experience. This spring, I got to enjoy a happiness I’d never had before. To fully embrace my role as a pastoral girl, I put on a little apron and carried a small bamboo basket, and we started picking.

The strawberries are all in various stages of growth. Some are fully ripe and can be picked and eaten right away. Just choose the completely red ones.

These are greenhouse hydroponic strawberries, with computer-controlled irrigation, no additives, no pollution, so you can eat them right off the plant. A light sniff of strawberry fragrance—that’s the scent of spring.

The hanging racks going high and low made it super easy to find ripe strawberries. It felt pretty nice! Picking from both the upper and lower shelves was convenient.

While picking, don’t forget to take a few close-up photos with these cute strawberries.

I have to say, Lishui strawberries are truly huge—almost the size of my whole palm. They’re also very sweet and juicy; one mouthful is utterly satisfying.

A strawberry-themed pastoral girl shoot was a creative goal of mine, and this time, the photos turned out perfectly. I enjoyed the sweet strawberries while playing the part of a strawberry-picking girl.

After picking a basket of big red strawberries and taking photos, it was time to enjoy them. The freshly picked berries can be eaten directly, giving me total strawberry freedom! The happiness of a strawberry garden is feasting on a huge dose of sweetness!

Chapter Five: Mountains and Lakes

♥ Wuxiang Mountain Reservoir

Although Lishui has mostly flat plains, Wuxiang Mountain to the south is not only a beautiful natural area but also an important transportation junction. Driving to Wuxiang Mountain, you wind through the hillsides, enjoying the rustic charm. The mountain roads lead everywhere—to the city and deep into the forests. The joy of navigating these small paths can only be felt by experiencing them yourself. Near the Fujiabian side entrance lies one of Wuxiang Mountain’s famous sights—Wuxiang Mountain Reservoir. It’s an irregularly shaped storage lake, and on good days, it’s as beautiful as a heavenly pool. We took a wrong turn and ended up on the dam. Deserted, but it offered a panoramic view of the entire reservoir, and an embankment close to the water—a wonderful spot for summer wading!

Looping back to the Linshui Pavilion, that’s the leisure area beside the reservoir. Though not large, it has plenty of fun and photogenic places—probably the most scenic stretch of the lake. There are expansive lawns perfect for camping; spend a weekend with good friends by this beautiful lake, savoring the wonderful time.

Here are a few internet-famous spots (and ways to photograph them). A pier stretching into the lake, accompanied by a solitary tree, feels like walking into a painting.

Nearby, a lone wall from a former house stands as a record of the reservoir’s past.

There’s a lovely lakeside path, brilliant for photos. As the sun set in the west, the soft halo of light was intoxicatingly gentle.

The most famous feature along this path is a bridge. Though a simple stone-slab bridge, with the reflection of yourself in the inner lake, the world felt as calm and lovely as a mirror’s surface.

Finally, I recommend the vast lawn—perfect for a sunset picnic, sharing the joy of an outing. If you don’t set up a tent, you can fly a kite or bring props for photos.

♥ Wuxiang Zen Temple

If you’re driving yourself, be sure to head deep into Wuxiang Mountain to seek a touch of Zen. Halfway up the mountain, hidden among forested slopes, lies the ancient Wuxiang Zen Temple. I had especially wanted to come here after seeing photos before the trip. Even though the temple was closed, this cylindrical temple building still amazed me with its imposing grandeur.

Wuxiang Temple, also known as Chanji Zen Temple, was originally built during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Song Dynasty, so it has a long history. If the temple were open, I would have loved to climb up and see the beautiful views of Wuxiang Mountain from the top.

Though the roads in Wuxiang Mountain are designed for driving and aren’t difficult, some sections are only a single lane, so be careful. Looking at Wuxiang Mountain from above is another kind of beauty.

Chapter Six: Flavors of the Farmhouse

♥ Shan'ao Village Farmhouse Cuisine

Shan'ao Village in Fujiabian lives up to its name—the most pristine settlement in the mountain hollow. Cooking smoke rises in spirals, luring us with deliciousness. With the New Year just ended, traces of the festive season enticed us to seek the most authentic farmhouse flavors. The farmhouse restaurants here truly have substance.

The soul of a farmer’s New Year feast is preserved meats, prepared since early winter just for the celebrations. Though I love them, the nights in Fujiabian were too cold, so we craved hot pot. Dry-pot chitterlings: I ordered this because I saw aunties simmering a huge pot of them, and the alluring color tempts an offal-lover like me. They were clean, deeply flavorful, and satisfyingly chewy.

Mutton hot pot was truly a savior on a winter’s day. Mutton naturally warms you up; stewed until tender in a savory broth, a few pieces made my whole body feel toasty!

With few wild greens available yet, we ordered pea shoots, fresh and crisp—a perfect palate cleanser after the rich meats.

♥ Rongyue Lou

When it comes to time-honored classics in Lishui, "Rongyue Lou" is a must. I expected an old-fashioned local joint, but it surprised both my dad and me, breaking the stereotype of old restaurants. No wonder so many people were queuing up! Upon entering, an ambiance of Jiangnan boats floating on lotus ponds gently draws you into the charm of Lishui. We were lucky to be seated in a boat-style dining area.

Although roast duck is often called a Beijing specialty, the Nanjing saying "not a single duck can fly out of Nanjing alive" rings true. Besides salted duck, Nanjing roast duck is also historically exquisite! So we had to savor the magic of Nanjing duck.

You must order Rongyue Lou’s signature tofu skin. While waiting for a table, I watched them make it—translucent sheets suspended in steamy air, utterly tempting. With a special sauce, it’s smooth and silky.

A small platter of four duck nibbles: highly recommended, a very Jiangnan dish. Banquets here always begin with cold appetizers, and marinated duck gizzards, wings, and feet make the best snacks and starters!

Yuhua stone eggs: a clever creation. Hot stones gently cook the egg, giving it a unique flavor!

♥ Mingjue Lao Restaurant

Along the shores of Shijiu Lake are villages that live by fishing. After early spring, the freshness—from vegetables to river delicacies—is irresistible. I found a farmhouse restaurant called "Mingjue Lao," and its flavors completely won my heart. Eel tubes: though I prefer sizzling eel paste, these richly braised eel tubes must not be missed; every bite radiates freshness.

Pearl meatballs: a creative dish. Each meatball is wrapped in glutinous rice grains, bursting with flavorful juices. It’s a crowd favorite, no wonder!

Stir-fried seasonal greens: many dishes were sold out when we arrived. If they’d been available, I’d definitely recommend trying the Jiangnan classic—stir-fried Chinese toon with eggs.

Conclusion

All spring journeys must end. Breeze from Shijiu Lake, the evening halo shimmering on the water, a light rail train crossing the bridge, time passing quietly... Until the next trip, farewell.

Travel Tips

1. By car:

For convenience, I chose to drive to Lishui. Starting from Shanghai, I mainly recommend my driving route:

Shanghai — G50 Huyu Expressway — G25 Changshen Expressway — exit highway and drive about 20 minutes to reach.

Alternatively: Shanghai — G2 Jinghu Expressway — G25 Changshen Expressway — exit highway and drive about 20 minutes to reach.

Personally, I think the timing is similar for both routes, but I took the first one towards Huzhou, which might have lower traffic than the Jinghu route, partly depending on my starting point.

2. Public transport + car:

If you want to reduce driving, take a high-speed train to Nanjing South Station, then rent a car and drive to Lishui. The drive from Nanjing South to Lishui takes about 1–1.5 hours.

3. Public transport only:

If you can’t drive, take a high-speed train directly to Lishui Station, then transfer to local tourist buses to reach various scenic spots. Aside from taking more time, it’s still quite convenient.

Accommodation

♥ Weijianshan Country Inn

Located in Shixia Village, this country inn’s greatest feature is that it transformed former village houses into guest rooms. Each courtyard has one suite, offering beautiful views and a deep sense of village life. At night, it’s extremely quiet, and you can look up to see the starry sky.

My room was not in the main courtyard but in a separate house across from the inn’s lobby, also a private dwelling. This suite contains two rooms; ours was called "Chunsheng" (Spring Birth), perfectly fitting the theme of this trip. The original wooden doors and beams from the house are well preserved, making you feel like a guest in a family’s home from the past.

The interior design is modern yet retains simple wooden furniture. Early spring nights were still cold, but the room had both air conditioning and heating, so we stayed very cozy.

Breakfast is a private, personal affair served according to room schedule. The antique-filled room invites you to savor the traces of time.

The meal is simple farm-style coarse grains, very tasty; the sweet potatoes were especially sweet.

Behind the lobby is an enclosed courtyard, with several independent small courtyards belonging to different rooms, very private and secluded.

In one courtyard of Weijianshan, there’s a Japanese-style pavilion perfect for photos. If you stay here, you can ask the manager to unlock it for you—it’s located in a separate villa. A feeling of freshness and simplicity.

♥ Lishui Grain Silo Hotel

Lishui has quite a few distinctive accommodations. Since I needed to head to Shiqiu the next day, I found this hotel. The name is interesting, connected to grain silos, because the hotel was converted from old grain warehouses. The surroundings are genuinely rural, but it offers a unique kind of quiet.

The interior design is grand and modern, extremely comfortable. Old walls and parts of the original structure were preserved while new creative designs were added. Such a lodging experience is truly remarkable.

The hotel also offers hands-on agricultural activities, letting you better experience things related to rice. Bicycles are available to cycle through the village and fields, savoring the leisure of country life.

At the back, there's a large swimming pool, also where breakfast is served. Walking past the pool, you see pastoral scenery. An after-meal stroll brings a sense of laid-back self-contentment.

The inside is elegantly designed with many Chinese elements. Outside, there are details about rural work and grain silos.

Covid-19 Travel Tips

During the pandemic, the most important thing for travel is having the essentials! If you also need to travel during this period, be sure to always have a 48-hour nucleic acid test report, your local green health code, and your travel history code! (Note that a green code from another city may not be recognized!) Over 50% of hotels and scenic spots will check! (My experience: the Grain Silo Hotel and Shiqiu Film Studio definitely checked.) Whether or not your travel history shows an asterisk, be prepared to get tested at any time to keep your test report within 48 hours! You can use Alipay to find hospitals offering 24-hour testing locally. Lishui District People’s Hospital can do tests, but results updated to the Jiangsu Health Code weren’t very prompt, so if possible, get a paper report!