Lishui Photography Tour – Sights to Make Time Stand Still

One of the best photography destinations in China, Lishui locates in Southwest Zhejiang Province, and 300km away from Hangzhou. It features hauntingly beautiful landscape and colorful and varied folk customs. Grab your iPhones, smart phones and cameras and filters, get ready to the capture magic moments and stunning images alongside the river, in the terraced fields, on the mountain, and by immersing into the exotic, ancient towns.

Yunhe Lake of Oujiang River

You snooze, you lose – if you’re photographer in Lishui, that is. Set your alarm clock for the beautiful early-morning experiences on Yunhe Lake - the lake appears as if enshrouded in mist, and a sea of clouds. There’re more to capture: the sunrise and sunset, water birds, bamboo raft, sailboat, wharf, etc. with villages, fields, mountains and valleys from afar, making for a graceful composition.

Winter is the best time for the shots of sailboat on the misty lake.

 

On the Siena International Photography Awards 2015, here below On the river, shot at Lishui (captured by photographer Vladimir Proshin) won the Photo of the Year.

Yunhe Terraced Fields

The biggest terraced fields in East China, Yunhe Terraced Fields are photographers’ favorite. The elevation rises from 200m to 1400m, through valley, hill and mountain, and has a history of over 1000 years.

May till the end of June is the best time to visit Yunhe Terraced Fields.

 

Yunhe Terraced Fields blanketed with snow

Guyan Hua Village (Guyan Oil-painting Village)

Approximately 20km from Lishui city center, Guyan Hua Village boasts a wealth of historical and cultural heritages, such as the site of an ancient celadon kiln, and many old pillars, wharfs, and old trees. It is the hometown of the Barbizon School Oil-painting in China, hence the name of Guyan Oil-painting Village.

 

Xiandu Scenic Area

Located 7km east of jinyun Town, Lishui City, Xiandu Scenic Area is the filming location of a dozen Chinese martial arts TV series. Major scenic spot include Donghu Peak, Niweng Cave, Lesser Chibi, Furong Gorge, etc. The Heyang ancient dwellings and theaters are also good subjects for photography.

Kenggen Stone Village at the foot of Yunhe Terraced Fields

 

Nanjian Cave Scenic Area

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Foodie Tour of China: Learn Classic Chinese Dishes at Cooking School

A trip to China proves the kingdom is not only about a fast-growing economy or handsome heritage architectures – it also has great food. To most gourmands, the mere mention of China makes the mouth water.

This mysterious oriental country is home to many of the world’s richest and most subtle flavors, and oldest foods. The trip spent in each city or town of the country is an endless feast. But to create an ultimate foodie tour through China for authentic experiences to get a deep insight into China’s real life and better know its culture, travelers are encouraged to learn to cook the regional food in different places during a tour – which Easy Tour China can arrange!

Recommended China Culinary Tour

In Beijing

It will be a cool and enjoyable experience to learn to cook inside a Beijing hutong. In a traditional courtyard house, travelers can learn a variety of Chinese cuisines (Beijing cuisine has absorbed the essence of the other cuisines in China) - and all the classes are hands-on. Improve your skills at making dumplings, sauted chicken cubes with chilli and peanuts, and even Peking duck.

In Chengdu

The cultural city of Chengdu offers a lot to world travelers including the panda tour, the historical sites, the holy mountains and the spicy Sichuan cuisine. A cooking class can be arranged in the Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Museum of typical Sichuan garden architecture. Here you’ll have a unique gourmet tour: taste some of the famous Sichuan snacks and the wines, discover many ancient cooking utensils, learn & cook classical Sichuan dishes, and exchange cooking experience with expert cook.

 

In Huangshan

Huangshan’s Hui Cuisine is one of the eight great cuisines of China and has a history of over 1000 years. Thanks to Hui merchants of ancient times, Hui Cuisine spread to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Shanghai, and affected local foods and diet habits. The characterful Pig’s Heaven Inn does not only offer lovely accommodation with antique furniture, but also the cooking class to learn authentic Huizhou dishes.

In Yangshuo

One of the top activities to do in Yangshuo, a cooking class to learn local dishes (e.g. Yanshuo beer fish, steamed stuffed vegetables) is recommended to all. The cooking school locates in the countryside by Li River. Walking through the original Chinese farms to visit the local markets for fresh food materials, one cannot fail to appreciate picturesque landscape of Yangshuo and its pristine and intoxicating atmosphere. Travelers can choose from the day-course or the week-long intensive course. 

Home style cooking classes are also available in other cities like Xian, Shanghai and remote towns and villages in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces (when doing a home visit). You may contact us for a tailor-made culinary tour to China.

Surprisingly located on a 1752-meter-high cliff of Mt. Taihang in Henan Province, Guoliang Village (郭亮村) is considered as the most dangerous village in the world, and can be reached only by a 720-stairs ‘Celestial Ladder’.

 

Getting to Guoliang Village was so difficult, but the isolation from the outside world helped the local people keep their customs and untouched amazing natural scenery.

 

To go out of the poor mountain area and allow children to reach out to the wider world, in 1972, 13 male villagers began to dig a tunnel. They conquered all the difficulties – no electricity, no any modern machinery, and finally dig and carved a 1300-meter-long tunnel through the cliff in 6 years, with only hammers and drilling steels. Thanks to the magical tunnel, today Guoliang Village can be accessible by vehicles.

The Guoliang Tunnel or Guoliang Hanging Highway is one of the craziest roads in China and named the ‘the ninth wonder of the world’.

Recommended China adventure tours:

8-day China Wild West Adventure

11-day China Culture adventures by High Speed Trains

13-day South China Cycling Adventure from Zhangjiajie to Guilin

Explore China’s Most Famous Water Town Wuzhen with Photos

Make a romantic approach to China’s ancient water town Wuzhen, and enjoy the peaceful and relaxing hours by boating on the limpid river, roaming in the century-old streets, or drinking a cup of tea in a quint tea house with subtle traditional music – you will feel as if you were in a captivating Chinese ink painting!

In east of China, Wuzhen has a history of over 7000 years, and still keeps its elegant original look.

The intriguing Chinese ancient town with diverse arched bridges, narrow lanes and old dwellings of blue brick flies and white walls, painted pillars and carved beams is about to take us back to the past…

China tours to Wuzhen Water Town:

3-day Hangzhou Tour

13-day Eastern China Perspective

Wuzhen are particularly enchanting when the night falls and the lanterns are lighted. If you are looking for a boisterous place, go enjoy the fun with others around the ancient theaters.

Basic Wuzhen travel guide:

1. Allow yourself at least two days to explore the most of Wuzhen.

2. Wuzhen consists of Dongzha and Xizha. The smaller Dongzha is more pristine, while Xizha features more beautiful night scene.

3. The accommodation in Wuzhen: there are star-rated hotels, boutique hotels, and budget guesthouses.

4. How to get to Wuzhen Water Town:

From Hangzhou - Option 1: take the bullet train to Tongxiang city, then change for a cab or bus from Tongxiang train station to Wuzhen. Option 2: Take the express bus from Hangzhou East Bust Station directly to Wuzhen.

From Shanghai - Option 1: take the bullet train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Tongxiang city, then change for a cab or bus from Tongxiang train station to Wuzhen. Option 2: take the express bus from Shanghai South Bus Station directly to Wuzhen.

Tea Time at Laoshe Teahouse: Experiencing Unique Beijing Culture

Laoshe Teahouse was built in 1988 by Mr. Shengxi Yin, to commemorate Mr. Laoshe, one of the representatives of traditional Beijing Culture, and his magnum opus Tea House. Ever since its opening, the tea house has been a desirable place for both tea lovers and Chinese culture vultures.  

Location: No. 3, the west street of Qianmen, Xicheng District Beijing 

Of over 500 tea houses in Beijing, Laoshe Teahouse stands out not only for the association with cultural celebrities, but also for its origin from stall tea or Dawancha (Big Bowl Tea). Inspired by the play of Tea House, Laoshe Teahouse attaches much importance to the Beijing local culture traditions and lifestyle, apart from ancient tea culture.  

Take our Tea Culture Tours to disover China in depth with the begin of a singe cup of tea

 

Constant change has made Beijing a brand-new metropolis, though, the ancient capital has much more to offer beyond the gaudily ornate buildings.  

Laoshe Teahouse is one of the most well-known ‘trendy’ areas of Beijing and incredibly cool. From food to fun, from waiter’s dialect to architectural design, everything creates a Beijing-style cultural ambience. The three-floor building is of typical Beijing courtyard design, and involves traditional art and modern comforts. Travelers may find it to be a folklore museum by seeing its elegant old-fashioned tables and chairs, palace lanterns, painting &calligraphy works and couplets hung on the walls, as well as the memorable sculptures and pictures. It's worth mentioning that Laoshe Teahouse has received 47 heads of state such as former U.S. President George W. Bush, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Israeli President Shimon Peres.  

The performing artists of Laoshe Teahouse keep the traditional Beijing art alive 

Difference tea ceremony performances, including oolong tea ceremony, farm tea ceremony, and jasmine tea ceremony are available in Laoshe Teahouse. Here you can also taste various traditional foods and snacks of Beijing or Shanxi or Shandong flavor.  

Most travelers to Laoshe Teahouse are most impressed by the various forms of traditional performances: Peking Opera, Chinese shadow puppetry, dramas, plays, ancient music, ancient dancing, comic dialogue (cross talk), acrobatics, oral stunts, Chinese Kung Fu, face changing of Sichuan Opera, etc. With a different culture background and difference languages, international travelers may not fully understand the stories or what performers try to express, but most people are able to feel the charm of traditional Beijing art and also take a deep look into Chinese culture.  

You know what, many traditions and traditional artistic forms in China are disappearing or are in danger of disappearing. So the performing artists in Laoshe Teahouse are trying their best to keep the traditions and arts alive. 

 

China’s Top Destinations in April for Terraced Fields & Blooming Flowers

China is never short of historical sites and natural wonders, but the romantic towns and villages with amazing terraced fields or blooming flowers are the most iconic highlights in April. Take a journey from Danba Town in Sichuan to Nyingchi in Tibet, from Fengshan Town in Guangxi to Congjiang Town in Guizhou to explore the best of the beautiful spring season of China.

Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang

There is a large area of virgin almond forest dating back to Middle Ages in Xinyuan Country, Yili Prefecture. The almond trees are in full bloom for only four or five days from April 10 to 20. Morning hours will be perfect time for the serene sunrise and the almond blossom in the color of white or pink stretching for a few tens of kilometers.  

Nyingchi Prefecture in Tibet

Make a romantic approach to ‪‎Nyingchi in spring season for the ‘Peach Blossom Valley’‬, where the thousands of peach trees will be in full bloom and scattered in the grassy pasture land, with the permanent snow-capped mountains as the background.

Danba Tibetan Town in West Sichuan

Ranked as the top of the most beautiful villages in China, Danba boasts profound yet unique Jiarong Tibetan cultures and beautiful girls. Usually in early April, stretches of pear flowers are in bloom embracing the local Tibetan dwellings and ancient watch towers, and extending to the Jinchuan River.  

Maojiabu Scenic Area (茅家埠) in Hangzhou

Hangzhou is intoxicatingly beautiful in the springtime, but the famous attractions such as West Lakes and Xixi Wetlands may be overcrowded with tourists. Therefore, you’re encouraged to visit Maojiabu Scenic Area for distinctive riverside dwelling houses, Hangzhou green tea culture and Buddhist culture.

Fengshan Town in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Fengshan Town features groups of Karst peaks as beautiful as those in Guilin and Yangshuo. There are also fascinating Karst caves, pits and naturally formed bridges. Travel to the countryside to experience the Chinese pastoral life in this busy farming season.

Congjiang Town in Guizhou

Inhabited by many minority tribes including Miao, Dong, Zhuang, Yao, etc., Congjiang features amazing terraced fields named Jiabang Terraced Paddy Fields. April is a one of the best time to visit Jiabang, when farmers will irrigate the fields then plant rice seedlings.

Jiangling Terraced Fields in Wuyuan Town, Jiangxi Province

In China’s most beautiful countryside Wuyuan, there are terraced canola‬ flowers fields surrounding the scattered traditional villages with Huizhou architectures and dwellings in April.