Nanxi River Scenic Area

Situated in Yongjia County, Zhejiang Province, Nanxi River Scenic Area is adjacent to Yandang Mountain (a famous world geological park southeast of Wenzhou City) in the east and covers an area of 625 square kilometers (241.3 square miles). This national scenic area is the only one marked by the rural scenery of China. 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.

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.
 

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 39 bends and 72 shoals. The Nanxi 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.
 

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. Here, the visitors can learn about the evolution of farming and patriarchal clan in ancient China. 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.

The best way to view the stunning scenery on the banks is to drift along the river by bamboo raft. As the river is wide but shallow with a depth of around 1 meter (0.55 fathoms) and the water flows smoothly and calmly, it is quite suitable for drifting. Floating down on the 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.
 

1. 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 which costs CNY11. It takes 1 hour to get there.
2. Hiring a car from Wenzhou Airport (WNZ) with a fare of CNY150-200 is also available. It takes about one and a half hours.