Nanxi River meanders from north to south through the entire Yongjia, making it an enchanting landscape in southern Zhejiang. Whether it’s hiking to explore the secluded areas, rafting to appreciate the water, or simply strolling along the river, the experience is so captivating that one is reluctant to leave. The ancient villages scattered along the way, with their old academies and ancestral halls, are full of charm.
Especially during the transition from spring to summer, the streams and countryside are dreamlike. There are a total of 8 scenic areas along the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Nanxi River. The Lion Rock Scenic Area in the middle reaches, with its Rockhead Town, serves as a base for tourists’ accommodation and meals. Tourists can take buses from here to various townships for sightseeing. Standard rooms in the town are usually around a hundred yuan, but prices may rise significantly during holidays, and it’s best to book in advance. It takes about two to three days to visit the main attractions in the scenic area, but tickets for each attraction are sold separately, allowing tourists to choose freely. Most areas can be reached by bus from Ou Bei Bus Station, and driving is more convenient. From the train station, it’s a 5-minute walk to the Li Shui Street of the ancient village of Yan Tou. With Yan Tou as the boundary, the Lion Rock area around it not only has an expansive river view but is also a popular rafting spot. Furong Ancient Village and Cangpo Ancient Village are both about a 20-minute walk from Yan Tou Town, and a trishaw ride costs just a few yuan, making them authentic ancient villages suitable for photography and cultural enthusiasts. The Da Ruo Yan Scenic Area on the west side of the Xiao Nanxi section includes attractions such as Ya Xia Ku, Tao Gong Cave, and Jiu Jie Stone Gate Platform. Walking on the suspended plank road of Ya Xia Ku and watching the waterfall at Jiu Jie Stone Gate Platform are parts worth experiencing. The ancient village of Dai Tou on the east side of Da Ruo Yan is a well-preserved ancient residential village, and the deeper Ming Ao Terraced Fields are favored by photography enthusiasts. Near He Sheng to the northeast of Yan Tou, there are attractions like Shi Wei Rock and Long Wan Lake, which have the characteristics of Yangdang, mainly featuring mountain and stone landscapes. One can climb and enjoy the scenery without too much physical exertion. From Ou Bei to He Sheng, it only takes about 15 minutes by minibus, but usually, a trishaw is needed to get to the scenic area. There are farmhouses in He Sheng Town that provide accommodation and meals, but the Ling Shang Ren Jia, famous for its roasted whole lamb, at the lower entrance of Shi Wei Rock Scenic Area, is more favored. In addition to the attractions commonly visited by tourists, there are Lin Keng, Yu Bei, and Qing Long Lake upstream to the north of Yan Tou, and ancient villages like Feng Lin and Hua Tan to the northeast and southeast, which are more suitable for tourists who prefer an unconventional path. These places are not far from Yan Tou and can usually be reached by minibus and then a short trishaw ride. The closer Feng Lin can even be reached directly by trishaw (about 5 kilometers). Rafting is an activity that should not be missed in Nanxi River. Sitting on a bamboo raft and enjoying the scenery of Nanxi River is a very classic way to experience the area. The price of rafting depends on the location, with five ferry crossings from north to south: Du Tou, Xiao Gang, Nanxi River Second Bridge, Lion Rock, and Long He Du.The surrounding Qinglong Lake Scenic Area offers bamboo raft rides to see Lianhua Rock, bridges and beautiful river beaches. The Danuo Rock Scenic Area also has the Xiaonanxi River rafting, usually with both bamboo rafts and kayaks.
Opening hours: Open all year round and all day. Business hours in summer (May 1 – September 30): Yaxiaku, Shimentai, Twelve Peaks: 08:00 – 17:30. Latest admission time: 16:30. Taogong Cave: Open 24 hours. Daitou Ancient Village, Furong Ancient Village, Cangpo Ancient Village, Lishui Ancient Street, Taipingyan, Xiaogang Rafting, Erqiao Rafting, Taohuayuan Rafting, Shiziyan Rafting: 8:00 – 17:30. Latest admission time: 17:30.
Business hours in winter (October 1 – April 30 of the following year): Yaxiaku, Shimentai, Twelve Peaks: 08:00 – 17:00. Latest admission time: 16:00. Taogong Cave: Open 24 hours. Daitou Ancient Village, Furong Ancient Village, Cangpo Ancient Village, Lishui Ancient Street, Taipingyan, Xiaogang Rafting, Erqiao Rafting, Taohuayuan Rafting, Shiziyan Rafting: 08:00 – 17:00. Latest admission time: 17:00.
