Nanxi River Scenic Area
» Wenzhou, Zhe Jiang

楠溪江风景名胜区 水秀 岩奇 瀑多 村古 滩林美

The Nanxi River is located in the county of Yongjia, Zhejiang Province, 23 kilometers from the city proper of Wenzhou. Flowing eastward for 150 kilometers and containing 36 bends and 72 shoals, the river and its banks form the Nanxi River Scenic Zone, which covers an area of 625 square kilometers, and is one of China's famous state-level scenic zones. With its leisurely atmosphere and picturesque scenery, it is an ideal place for holiday and leisure and is praised as the Cradle of Landscape Painting of China.

Why do visit

The beautiful mountains and rivers, the unsophisticated villages and the attractive cultures and customs in the Nanxi River reaches are attracting more and more visitors from home and abroad.

Centered on Nanxi River, the area is a perfect combination of natural views, rural scenery and human landscape. It is famous for its water, rocks, waterfalls, ancient villages and shoals, and there are over 800 scenic spots scattered in the area. Generally speaking, the scenic area can be divided into seven parts, including Nanxi River, Daruoyan Rock, Water Rock, Sihai Hill and Tumen Gate. Of them, Nanxi River and the ancient villages are the most attractive.

Original Nanxi River

Nanxi River winds 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) through Yongjia County from north to south and empties into the Oujiang River before flowing into the East Sea. The river has abundant water and never dries up and is said to have 36 bends and 72 beaches.

The River is praised by visitors for its original beauty, and the waters here are pure and soft. Containing 0.0001 gram of sand per cubic meter, the water has been praised by experts as the Best Water under Heaven. Looking into the river, visitors can see the reflections of the trees on both sides, waving their leaves gently, and the little fishes swimming freely among the glossy cobbles in the river. The perfect view will make visitors relaxed and happy. On the upper reaches of the river and its branches, there are many hills made up of tuff and rhyolite. They stand lofty and firm, forming a stark contrast with the graceful river. The various grottos on the cliff are also fascinating.

Nanxi River Valley

The Nanxi River Valley has produced a brilliant culture and many outstanding personalities. From the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) through the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), the river valley was home to over 600 successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations. During his tenure of office in Yongjia, Xie Lingyun (385 - 433) visited all the landscapes in the county and composed many fantastic poems to eulogize its beauty. Xie was considered the originator of China's landscape poems, making the Nanxi River the birthplace of this genre of poetry.

Ancient Villages

Want to know more about ancient China's evolution of farming and patriarchal clan? Here, the ancient villages offer you a chance. On the middle and lower reaches of the river, there are many ancient villages which are hidden among the green forest. Most of the villages preserve complete historical features and many traditional cultural relics. Furthermore, the layout of most of the villages follows the unique traditional culture of China, including the astrology and geomantic omen.

Of all the villages in the scenic area, Furong Village, located to the south of Yantou County (lying in the middle of the scenic area), is the oldest, with a history of over 1,200 years. Apart from Furong, Cangpo Village and Yantou Village also stand out with their distinctive features.

Drifting along the river

The river is perfect for drifting, which is the best way for us to enjoy the wonderful scenery. The wide but shallow river flows smoothly and calmly. Floating down by a raft, the visitors can have a view of the shoals and of the forest stretching over 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) like a green barrier. The grasslands, the hills, the river and the sky bring out the best in each other, forming a vivid picturesque view. Visitors who drift at night can see the lights sparkling on fishing boats and hear the fishermen's songs resounding in the night sky. It can certainly give them some personal experiences of the local life.

Getting there

Take No.33 bus from Wenzhou Railway Station to Anlanting Wharf, and then take a ferry to Oubei Town. From there, take a bus to Yantou County about 1 hour to get there.

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

  Weather

  1. Is the temperatures remain mild throughout the year?

  Customs

  1. When should I go there if I want to enjoy the local festivals?

  Other Hints

  1. Useful numbers:
  • Is the temperatures remain mild throughout the year?

    Influenced by the subtropical monsoon climate, Wenzhou has four distinctive seasons yet temperatures remain mild throughout the year. On average, temperatures in January are around 5C-10C (41F-50F) while temperatures in July are usually between 27C and 30C (80F-86F).

    Although Wenzhou is pleasant all year long, as summer approaches, the city enters its rainy season. Tropical storms are most common between July and September. It is advisable to check weather forecasts before you plan your trip.


  • When should I go there if I want to enjoy the local festivals?

    Each year, between September and October, Wenzhou locals hold their Golden Autumn Cultural Festival. The festival is held around Jiangxinyu Island in the Lucheng district, and features traditional performances, magnificent light shows, and colorful fireworks.

    If you plan to visit around August 15th of the Chinese lunar calendar, you will have the good fortune of witnessing the music and poetry of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. Additionally, visitors can shop for handicrafts and delicious food throughout the city. Keep in mind that shopping centers often extend business hours and offer special promotions during festivals.


  • Useful numbers:

    Fire: 119
    Police: 110
    Ambulance: 120
    Traffic Accident: 122
    Bank of China: 95566
    Consumer Complaints: 96315, 12315
    Taxi Complaints: 0577-88600079
    Tourist complaints: 0577-88829911


Famous for its water, rocks, waterfalls, ancient villages and shoals, with beautiful natural and man-made landscapes, as well as countryside scenes, Nanxi River Scenic Area is a perfect combination of natural views, rural scenery and human landscape.



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