Lishui Transportation

Lishui (丽水) is one of Zhejiang’s most mountainous prefecture-level cities. Its best-known destinations are distributed among one municipal district, one county-level city and seven counties, often separated by mountain passes, river valleys and journeys of more than an hour. Transportation planning is therefore different from that of Hangzhou, Jiaxing or other cities on the plains.

The most practical strategy is “fast arrival, slow regional travel.” Use flights or trains to enter the most suitable gateway, then continue by rental car, chartered vehicle, regional bus or scenic-area transfer. Travelers visiting several counties should avoid returning to central Lishui every night.

Lishui Transportation at a Glance

How to Get to Lishui by Air

Lishui Airport

Lishui Airport (丽水机场) officially opened on July 18, 2025. It is located in Nanmingshan Subdistrict of Liandu District, approximately 15 kilometres southwest of central Lishui. The 4C regional airport has a 2,800-metre runway, a 12,000-square-metre terminal and an initial design capacity of one million passengers annually.

During the 2026 summer aviation season, the published route network covered Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guiyang, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Qingdao, Zhoushan, Haikou and Jieyang–Chaoshan. Aviation schedules are seasonal, and some earlier destinations—including Shanghai—may not appear in every schedule period. Check the current airline timetable before finalising an itinerary.

Airport to Central Lishui

The airport is connected with Lishui Railway Station by an airport express bus and the extended K3 public-bus service. K3 provides a lower-cost connection, while the airport express, taxi and ride-hailing services are faster for passengers carrying luggage. Bus frequencies and departure times are adjusted according to flight operations, so they should be checked through current airport notices or the Baba Kuaiba booking platform.

Taxis, ride-hailing vehicles and rental cars are available at the airport. Travelers heading directly to Yunhe, Songyang, Jingning or other counties should compare an airport transfer with travelling first to the railway station or bus centre.

Airport Connections to Other Counties

Airport-related road services have gradually expanded beyond central Lishui. A Qingtian–Lishui Airport service began operating in 2026, while map and booking platforms also show airport connections involving Yunhe and Songyang. These county services may operate only once or several times daily and should always be reserved in advance.

Alternative Airports

International visitors may still find Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or Wenzhou Longwan International Airport more convenient because Lishui Airport currently concentrates on domestic routes.

A practical international connection is:

International flight–Shanghai or Hangzhou–high-speed train to Lishui

For Qingtian and eastern Lishui, Wenzhou Airport may offer a shorter road or rail transfer than Shanghai or Hangzhou.

How to Get to Lishui by Train

Lishui has two different railway corridors. The Jinhua–Wenzhou high-speed railway serves Jinyun, central Lishui and Qingtian, while the Quzhou–Ningde Railway serves Suichang, Songyang, Longquan and Qingyuan.

Lishui Railway Station

Lishui Railway Station (丽水站) is the main high-speed-rail gateway and the best arrival point for Liandu District, central hotels, Guyan Huaxiang, Yunhe, Jingning and onward county transfers.

Direct or connecting high-speed services link Lishui with Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wenzhou, Jinhua and other major cities. The Jinhua–Wenzhou high-speed corridor also serves Jinyun West Railway Station and Qingtian Railway Station.

Lishui Passenger Transport Centre

Since May 20, 2026, road-coach departures formerly handled beside the railway exit have been consolidated at Lishui Passenger Transport Centre (丽水客运中心) on Shuidong Road. The centre is approximately 480 metres from Lishui Railway Station, normally a six-minute walk. It is the main interchange for coaches and customised services to surrounding counties.

This railway–coach connection is especially useful for passengers continuing to Yunhe, Jingning or other areas without a direct high-speed-rail station.

Jinyun West Railway Station

Jinyun West Railway Station (缙云西站) is the preferred railway gateway for Xiandu Scenic Area and northern Lishui. After arrival, visitors can continue by local bus, taxi, ride-hailing vehicle or prearranged hotel transfer.

Travelers staying inside or near Xiandu should send the hotel’s Chinese address to the driver because the scenic area contains several entrances, villages and dispersed sightseeing points.

Qingtian Railway Station

Qingtian Railway Station (青田站) is convenient for Qingtian County, stone-carving culture, riverside urban areas and onward road travel toward Shimen Cave and rural destinations.

Qingtian is situated on the high-speed corridor between Lishui and Wenzhou, making it possible to enter from either direction without returning to central Lishui.

Suichang, Songyang, Longquan and Qingyuan Stations

The Quzhou–Ningde Railway opened in September 2020 and gave Suichang, Songyang, Longquan and Qingyuan their first railway services. The line is a 160-kilometre-per-hour passenger-and-freight railway rather than a conventional high-speed line. Its stations include Suichang Station, Songyang Station, Longquan City Station and Qingyuan Station.

Train frequency on this mountainous railway is more limited than on the Lishui–Hangzhou corridor. Check whether the available service matches the hotel location and scenic-area transfer before choosing it over a bus or private vehicle.

Yunhe and Jingning

Yunhe County and Jingning She Autonomous County do not currently have operating passenger railway stations. Their most practical railway gateway is usually Lishui Railway Station, followed by coach, tourism vehicle or private transfer.

Future Railway Projects

The new Quzhou–Lishui Railway remains under construction. It will strengthen connections among Quzhou, Longyou, Suichang, Songyang and Lishui, but it is not currently available for passenger journeys and should not be included in a present-day transport plan.

How to Get to Lishui by Road

Lishui is integrated into Zhejiang’s expressway network, and all its county-level areas can be reached by expressway or connecting trunk roads. Zhejiang has achieved expressway access for every county, although the final approach to mountain villages and scenic areas commonly uses provincial, county or village roads.

Major road corridors include connections toward:

• Jinhua and Hangzhou in the north;
• Wenzhou and Qingtian in the east;
• Quzhou and Longyou in the west;
• Fujian Province through Longquan and Qingyuan;
• Wencheng and southern Zhejiang through Jingning.

Expressways make county-to-county travel faster, but scenic destinations may still be 30–90 minutes beyond the nearest exit.

Local Transportation in Central Lishui

Lishui does not have a metro system. Central transport consists of public buses, taxis, ride-hailing vehicles, shared bicycles and walking.

Public buses are practical for railway-station transfers, the central waterfront, museums and urban parks. However, they are less suitable for visitors trying to connect several rural attractions in one day.

Taxis and ride-hailing vehicles are reasonably convenient in Liandu District but become less readily available in remote villages. When travelling to an isolated mountain area, arrange the return journey before the driver departs.

Transportation by District, City and County

Liandu District

Liandu contains Lishui Airport, Lishui Railway Station, the passenger transport centre and the city’s principal urban services. It is the most practical place to collect a rental car or meet a private driver.

Guyan Huaxiang, Dongxiyan and rural mountain areas lie outside the central urban zone. Public transport can reach some towns, but a car is preferable when combining more than one destination.

Longquan City

Longquan can be reached by the Quzhou–Ningde Railway at Longquan City Station, by expressway from Lishui or Quzhou, or by road from northern Fujian.

Urban destinations such as the celadon museum and sword-making cultural areas are reasonably accessible from the station by taxi. Mountain destinations, including the high-altitude Longquan Mountain region, require a private vehicle and involve long, winding roads.

Qingtian County

Qingtian has direct high-speed-rail access and is one of the easiest Lishui counties to visit without a car. The railway station is close to the county’s principal urban area.

A car or taxi is more practical for Shimen Cave, overseas-Chinese villages, rural stone-carving workshops and destinations outside the Ou River corridor. Travelers arriving by air can also check the current direct airport coach.

Jinyun County

Jinyun West Railway Station is the principal gateway, especially for Xiandu. Local buses and taxis connect the station with the county town and scenic area.

Jinyun is also one of Lishui’s strongest motorcycle-tourism destinations. In 2026, the county reported approximately 360 kilometres of motorcycle routes, 26 motorcycle service stations and a high-speed-rail motorcycle facility supporting storage and transported motorcycles.

Suichang County

Suichang Station provides railway access from Quzhou, Songyang, Longquan and other cities along the Quzhou–Ningde line.

The county’s principal mountain attractions—including Nanjianyan, Shenlong Valley and remote villages—are widely dispersed. Even after arriving by train, most visitors need a chartered vehicle, taxi or rental car.

Songyang County

Songyang Station provides rail access, while expressways and provincial roads connect the county with Lishui, Suichang and Longquan.

Songyang’s ancient villages are distributed across several mountainous townships. Yangjiatang, Chenjiapu, Xikeng and other villages cannot be efficiently connected using occasional rural buses. A private vehicle is the most reliable option, although narrow village roads and limited parking require careful driving.

Yunhe County

Yunhe has no railway station. Travelers normally arrive through Lishui Railway Station and continue by coach, tourism vehicle or car.

A direct service between Lishui Railway Station and the Yunhe Rice Terraces visitor centre has operated as a reserved, seat-guaranteed connection. The service was introduced with Baba Kuaiba booking and a journey of approximately 73 kilometres; because schedules can change, confirm that it is operating on the intended date.

From Yunhe’s county bus centre, a local service has also operated to the rice-terrace visitor centre. The mountain road above the visitor centre is steep and winding, and official visitor guidance recommends parking there and using the scenic cableway or internal shuttle rather than driving farther uphill.

Qingyuan County

Qingyuan Station is located on the Quzhou–Ningde Railway and provides access from Quzhou, Songyang, Longquan and Fujian.

The county’s covered bridges, mushroom-culture villages and Baishanzu mountain area are far from the railway station. Public county buses can cover part of the journey, but a chartered car is more practical for a cultural or ecological tour.

Jingning She Autonomous County

Jingning does not currently have passenger rail service. The usual entry points are Lishui Railway Station, Lishui Airport or regional roads from Qingtian, Wencheng and Yunhe.

The Jingning–Wencheng Expressway has significantly shortened road travel between Jingning and Wencheng, but destinations such as Yunzhong Daji, mountain villages and remote She communities still require winding local roads.

Transportation to Major Tourist Areas

Important Note for Guyan Huaxiang

Guyan Huaxiang consists of two cultural areas on opposite sides of the river. “Guyan” is associated with Yantou Village and the historic Tongji Weir, while “Huaxiang” is centred on Dagangtou’s riverside art district.

The two sides are connected by sightseeing boats rather than an ordinary road bridge inside the scenic experience. Drivers should decide where to park and confirm the boat’s last operating time before beginning the visit.

Self-Driving in Lishui

Self-driving is the most flexible way to explore Lishui, but the advantages come with mountain-road responsibilities. A route that looks short on a map may include tunnels, hairpin bends, narrow village roads and major elevation changes.

A standard small car is suitable for most established scenic areas. A large sport utility vehicle is not necessary unless the accommodation or activity provider specifically confirms difficult access. On narrow village roads, a smaller vehicle is often easier to manoeuvre and park.

Lishui Mountain Road 520

The Lishui Mountain Road 520 self-drive route (丽水山路520自驾公路) was officially launched on May 31, 2026. The heart-shaped loop measures approximately 523 kilometres, crosses seven county-level areas and includes 25 themed service stops, mountain homestays and viewpoints.

The loop begins around Guyan Huaxiang and connects Liandu, Suichang, Songyang, Longquan, Qingyuan, Jingning and Yunhe before returning to its starting area. It is suitable for cars and motorcycles, but it should be treated as a multi-day mountain journey rather than a single-day sightseeing drive.

Mountain-Driving Advice

Drive more slowly than the posted maximum when approaching blind bends, villages or wet shaded sections. Sound the horn briefly where visibility is restricted and local road signs permit it.

Do not rely on an estimated arrival time calculated for clear weather. Fog, rain, agricultural vehicles, roadworks and photography stops can substantially extend the journey.

Fuel or charge the vehicle before entering remote areas. Larger towns have adequate facilities, but some mountain corridors offer few late-night services.

Download offline maps because mobile coverage may weaken in deep valleys and forested areas.

Avoid arriving at an unfamiliar mountain homestay after dark. Ask the property to send its exact Chinese map location and the recommended final approach.

Self-Drive Advice for International Visitors

A foreign driving licence or International Driving Permit alone is not sufficient for driving in mainland China. Foreign visitors must hold a valid Chinese driving licence or obtain a temporary Chinese motor-vehicle driving permit before driving a rental vehicle. Short-term visitors may apply for a permit valid for up to three months, while longer authorised stays may qualify for validity of up to one year.

Confirm the application procedure and rental-company requirements before arriving in Lishui. A chartered car with a licensed local driver is often simpler for international visitors undertaking a short mountain tour.

Cycling in Lishui

Lishui has some of Zhejiang’s strongest recreational cycling conditions, ranging from flat urban riverfront greenways to demanding forest and mountain climbs. The city’s outdoor-development planning specifically promotes Ou River greenways, urban and rural cycleways, cycling service stations and bicycle tourism.

Urban and Easy Cycling

The greenways beside the Ou River in Liandu are the best introduction for casual cyclists. They provide a comparatively flat environment, urban services and easier emergency access.

Bicycle sharing is useful in the city but should not be assumed to exist in mountain villages. For longer journeys, rent a properly fitted bicycle from a specialist operator.

Songyin River Greenway

The Songyin River waterfront greenway in Songyang is suitable for intermediate riders interested in riverside countryside, tea fields and village landscapes. Songyang has developed an extensive greenway system, with the Songyin River section recognised among Zhejiang’s notable recreational greenways.

Jingning Riverside Cycling

Jingning developed a roughly 13-kilometre riverside cycling corridor linking the county area with Dajun and She cultural landscapes. It provides a gentler option than the high mountain roads, although current rental locations and trail conditions should be checked locally.

Advanced Mountain Cycling

Experienced riders can consider mountain sections in Jinyun, Yunhe, Longquan and along parts of the 520 road. These rides require strong climbing ability, reliable brakes, repair equipment, lights and a clear weather forecast.

Long tunnels may be unsuitable or prohibited for non-motorised vehicles. Never assume that a route suggested by a car-navigation application is safe for bicycles.

Motorcycle Touring in Lishui

Lishui has actively developed motorcycle tourism, and its paved mountain roads, service stops and dramatic elevation changes attract riders from throughout China.

Jinyun is particularly well established, with around 360 kilometres of promoted motorcycle routes and 26 motorcycle service stations reported in 2026. The wider Lishui 520 road also supports the city’s positioning as a motorcycle-friendly mountain destination.

Legal and Safety Rules

Motorcycles are prohibited from using expressways throughout Zhejiang Province. Riders must plan journeys on national highways, provincial roads, county roads and legal local roads rather than allowing navigation software to select an expressway.

Carry a legally valid Chinese motorcycle licence for the correct vehicle category, vehicle registration, insurance and protective equipment. Foreign riders require an appropriate Chinese or temporary driving permit covering the motorcycle category.

Use full protective clothing rather than relying only on a helmet. Mountain weather, road debris and wet leaves can change traction quickly.

Avoid aggressive cornering. Lishui’s roads remain public roads used by buses, tractors, pedestrians, cyclists and local residents.

Plan fuel stops carefully and finish remote sections before dark.

Recommended Transport Strategy by Travel Style

First-Time Visitors Without a Car

Use Lishui Railway Station as the main gateway, stay in Liandu and select one regional destination at a time. Combine high-speed rail with a tourism bus or private day transfer rather than attempting several counties by ordinary public bus.

Travelers Focusing on Xiandu

Take a train directly to Jinyun West Railway Station. There is no need to travel through central Lishui unless another destination is included.

Travelers Focusing on Ancient Villages

Use Songyang Station or Lishui Station and arrange a local driver. Public transport can reach Songyang county town but does not efficiently connect the principal mountain villages.

Travelers Visiting Southern Lishui

For Longquan and Qingyuan, compare the Quzhou–Ningde Railway with a road journey from Lishui. The railway reduces driving, but train frequency and final scenic transfers must be considered.

Photographers Visiting Yunhe

Travel to Lishui Station, reserve the direct Yunhe Rice Terraces service or arrange a private transfer, and stay close to the scenic area. An early-morning photography plan is difficult when starting from central Lishui on the same day.

Families and Senior Travelers

A chartered vehicle is usually more comfortable than repeated railway–coach–taxi transfers. Request a suitable vehicle size and confirm whether the driver can remain available during scenic visits.

Practical Transportation Tips

Do Not Underestimate Distances

Lishui’s county seats may appear close in straight-line distance but be separated by mountains. Compare actual driving time rather than kilometres alone.

Confirm the Exact Railway Station

Lishui Station, Jinyun West, Qingtian, Suichang, Songyang, Longquan City and Qingyuan serve different travel regions. Booking the wrong station can add several hours of road travel.

Verify Limited Services

Tourism buses, airport coaches and rural services may be seasonal or reservation based. Check the departure on the day before travel and confirm the last return service.

Save Chinese Place Names

Keep the following names on a mobile phone:

• Lishui Airport (丽水机场)
• Lishui Railway Station (丽水站)
• Lishui Passenger Transport Centre (丽水客运中心)
• Jinyun West Railway Station (缙云西站)
• Yunhe Rice Terraces Visitor Centre (云和梯田景区游客中心)
• Guyan Huaxiang (古堰画乡)
• Songyang Railway Station (松阳站)
• Longquan City Railway Station (龙泉市站)
• Qingyuan Railway Station (庆元站)

Arrange Return Transport Before Entering Remote Areas

Ride-hailing applications may show no available vehicles in isolated villages. Keep the original driver’s contact details or ask the accommodation to arrange a pickup.

Take Motion-Sickness Precautions

The roads to Yunhe’s upper terraces, Songyang’s mountain villages, Yunzhong Daji, Nanjianyan, Baishanzu and Longquan’s highlands contain repeated curves. Travelers prone to motion sickness should sit near the front and prepare medication in advance.

Monitor Weather and Road Conditions

Heavy rain and fog can affect mountain visibility, village-road access and landslide safety. Do not enter closed roads or attempt to bypass scenic-area traffic controls.