Stand on the north bank of the Ou River at Lishui Riverside Park and the city shows you its shape at once: a broad waterfront of koi ponds, waterfalls and pavilions, the old city gate behind you, the Astronomy Tower rising above the trees, and green mountains pressing in on every side.
Lishui suits travellers who prefer riverbanks, pagodas, old mountain paths and small museums to big-city sightseeing. It rewards slow days: a walk along the water, a bus ride out to a village or a trail, an evening performance or a massage.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around Lishui that are worth your time, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Lishui
1. Lishui Riverside Park
This large waterfront area on the north bank of the river is the natural place to start. It takes in small parks, koi ponds, waterfalls, a sand playground, pavilions, the old city gate, the Astronomy Tower and a skateboard park.
In summer you can rent quad-bikes and take a boat ride here, and on weekday mornings you might hear people practising traditional musical instruments. Entry is free, and the park sits between the Lishui Photography Museum and the Lishui City Museum, so you can combine all three in one outing.
2. Astronomy Tower (应星楼)
A tall building on the Lishui waterfront with a focus on astronomy. There is a small rotating exhibition on the ground floor, and the second and third stories hold an exhibition about Chinese astrology.
Climb further and you reach a star show that does not run very often, and on the very top floor a small temple with views over the city and waterfront. Entry is ¥30. Look for the tall building near the riverside park.
3. Lishui City Museum (丽水市博物馆)
A large museum at 30 Dayou Street, on the eastern edge of the waterfront park, with exhibitions covering history, animal life and the three treasures of Lishui: pottery, sword-making and stone-carving.
Plan to spend a couple of hours here, and note the small gift shop. Entry is free, which makes it an easy pairing with the riverside park next door.
4. Lishui Photography Museum (中国丽水摄影博物馆)
A two-story museum very close to the waterfront, with rotating exhibitions by photographers from around the globe and a permanent exhibition about cameras.
Entry is free. Because it sits near the riverside park, it works well as a short stop before or after a walk along the river.
5. Ancient Weir Painting Village (古堰画乡景区)
A tourist site on both banks of the river, reached by bus 202, 207 or 203 to the last stop, or by taxi. It has small shops, restaurants, cafes, a small temple and bamboo boat rides for ¥20.
It is very picturesque, and you will see many people with easels painting the area; some places take commissions if you would like your portrait done. Ferry rides between the two banks are included in the entrance price of ¥50, and the site is open 08:30-17:00.
6. Baiyun Shan (白云山)
A large mountain park in the northern part of Lishui, with many paved hiking trails and occasional pavilions that provide shelter from rain, plus a large Buddhist temple at the top.
At the foot of the mountain there is a small museum about rock carving, a large pottery shop and a few stalls and restaurants, making it a nice place for morning coffee. Access is by bus no. 1: hop on going north and get off at the last stop.
7. Shahe Pagoda (厦河塔)
A Ming Dynasty pagoda in pretty good condition, located south of the train station on the hillside to the left of the road, just before the blue bridge.
The best time to visit is sunset, when you can take full advantage of the western-facing view of the city and its mountains. No bus passes by and there is no real parking lot, so take a bike or electric scooter; wander around and look for the connected temple, reached through a small shrine half built into a rock off the right of the path.
8. Lingshan Temple (灵山寺)
A large complex with Buddhist temples scattered around, including a dragon cave temple and a mix of older and newer temples dotting the hillside.
Take bus 8 northeast to the final stop, where you will find a stairway going up just across from the bus stop. Entry is free, though donations are welcome.
9. Jinshan Ta (巾山塔)
The more secluded of Lishui's two pagodas, erected in the Ming dynasty with renovations in the Qing dynasty. It now seems largely forgotten, but can be reached from the south side of the mountain.
Take local bus 201, get off at Liu Hou, and take the trail on the east side of the village; on the way up you pass a farming village and a local Buddhist temple. Entry is free.
10. Xixi village
An ancient village set more than 1000 years ago. The buildings themselves are not that old, but walking through the narrow streets makes you feel part of a historical TV drama, and people still live there.
It is not a museum, and there is no entrance fee. Take bus 301 from Lishui, then switch to bus 301-1 at the last stop.
11. East and West Scenic Area (东西岩)
Also known as Dongxiyan, this area has pretty rock formations, canyons, caves and temples. A circular hiking route takes about 1.5 hours, with plenty of signage, or you can explore for hours.
There is a restaurant and a tiny gift shop by the entrance, plus small stalls along the trails. Take bus 313 to the final stop, about 45 minutes, with buses roughly once an hour and the last bus back at around 17:30; a taxi takes about 20 minutes. Entry is ¥45 and the site is open 07:30-17:30.
12. Guanling Ancient Rd. (官岭古道)
An old path through the mountains connecting two villages, Lishan and Guanling. It leads through a bamboo forest with nice views of the surrounding mountains, and both villages are quite picturesque.
The trail is easy and takes around one hour to walk between the villages. Reaching the bus stop is awkward, as you need to walk an additional 3 km from each village; a taxi back to the city costs ¥100-150. Take bus 601 or 602 and get off at the last stop, then walk down the hill to Guanling village.
13. Lishui Grand Theatre
A performing arts theatre close to Wandi Plaza, with live concerts, dance performances and children's shows by national and international artists.
Tickets range from ¥20 to ¥300. It is a good evening option after a day on the waterfront.
14. Qingyuan County Mushroom Museum (庆元县香菇博物馆)
A museum in the ecological park at No. 6, Yonggui Road, Qingyuan County. It is open Tuesday to Saturday 09:00-11:30 and 14:00-17:00, and closed Sunday and Monday except national holidays.
Because of the limited hours, plan this as a dedicated trip rather than a casual stop. You can call +86 578-6380912 for enquiries.
15. Lishui Adventure Island Water World (丽水冒险岛水世界)
A huge water park at 水阁工业区绿谷大道353号, with the entrance from the south, and top-of-the-line rides purchased from the USA. Dining options are available on site.
It is only open during the summer, usually 10:00-19:00 from June to September, and closed from October to May. Tickets are ¥220 for adults and ¥138 for children above 1 metre, with seasonal cards available.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Lishui Riverside Park, walking the waterfront past the koi ponds, waterfalls and pavilions. Continue to the Lishui City Museum at 30 Dayou Street for its history, animal life and the three treasures of Lishui, then stop at the Lishui Photography Museum nearby for the camera exhibition.
Afternoon: Climb the Astronomy Tower for the astrology exhibitions and the views from the top floor. If you have time before sunset, take bus no. 1 north to Baiyun Shan for a paved trail and a coffee at the foot of the mountain.
Evening: Head to Shahe Pagoda for sunset and the western-facing view of the city and its mountains, then finish with a show at Lishui Grand Theatre near Wandi Plaza.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Lishui from Shanghai?
It takes about two hours and 20 minutes to reach Lishui from Shanghai via high-speed rail. Lishui is also served by Lishui Airport, which opened in July 2025.
Which sights are free to visit?
Lishui Riverside Park, Lishui City Museum, Lishui Photography Museum, Chuzhou Park, Jinshan Ta, Xixi village and Lingshan Temple are free, though donations are welcome at Lingshan Temple. The Astronomy Tower charges ¥30, East and West Scenic Area ¥45, and Ancient Weir Painting Village ¥50.
When is the best time to visit Shahe Pagoda?
Sunset, when you can take full advantage of the western-facing view of the city and its mountains. There is no bus that passes by and no real parking lot, so it is recommended to take a bike or electric scooter.
What should I know about hiking around Lishui?
Baiyun Shan has many paved hiking trails with pavilions and a Buddhist temple at the top, reached by bus no. 1 to the last stop going north. The Kuocang Ancient Rd. connects two Lishui counties through mountain tops, old villages and temples, and the hike takes 5-6 hours.
Use this guide to sketch your days, check the bus routes and opening times that matter to you, and start planning your trip to Lishui.