Wenzhou Transportation

Wenzhou (温州) is a mountainous coastal city whose attractions are distributed across urban districts, river valleys, mountain counties, offshore islands and a long coastline. The central urban area is relatively easy to explore by regional rail, buses, taxis and shared bicycles, but destinations such as Yandang Mountain (雁荡山), Nanxi River (楠溪江), Baizhangji Waterfall (百丈漈), Taishun Covered Bridges (泰顺廊桥), Nanji Islands (南麂列岛) and the Cangnan 168 Golden Coast (苍南168黄金海岸) require more careful transport planning.

The most efficient strategy is to use air or high-speed rail to enter Wenzhou, public transport for the central city, and a private car, rental car or chartered vehicle for mountain and coastal areas. Wenzhou currently has two operating regional railway lines: S1, which provides an east–west connection between Wenzhou South Railway Station and the airport area, and S2, which runs north–south between Yueqing and Rui’an and interchanges with S1 at Airport Station.

How to Get to Wenzhou

By Air: Wenzhou Longwan International Airport

Wenzhou Longwan International Airport (温州龙湾国际机场, WNZ) is the principal air gateway to the city. It is located in Longwan District, east of the traditional downtown area, and is integrated with Airport Station on both the S1 and S2 regional railway lines. This makes it possible to transfer directly from the terminal to Wenzhou South Railway Station, the eastern urban districts, Yueqing or Rui’an without first taking a taxi into the city.

For central Wenzhou, passengers can take S1 toward the western side of the city and then change to a bus or taxi for Wuma Street, Jiangxin Islet, Nantang or other downtown attractions. For Wenzhou South Railway Station, S1 is normally the most reliable choice because it avoids road congestion; the journey is commonly planned at around 40 minutes.

Passengers arriving late should check the same-day operating schedule. A published adjustment effective from July 2025 added late S1 services from Airport Station and Wenzhou South Railway Station toward the city, including departures as late as 23:15, but operating times can still change during holidays, maintenance periods and special events.

By High-Speed Train

Wenzhou is connected to the coastal high-speed railway network and the Hangzhou–Wenzhou High-Speed Railway, providing convenient access from Hangzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo, Taizhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen and other cities. The best station depends on the area you plan to visit.

Wenzhou South, Wenzhou North, Yueqing, Yandangshan, Rui’an, Pingyang and Cangnan form the most useful railway network for tourists travelling through the municipality.

Wenzhou East Railway Station (温州东站) appears in long-term railway and airport-hub plans but is not a current passenger arrival station. Travellers should not select it when booking present-day railway tickets.

By Long-Distance Coach

Long-distance buses remain important for Wencheng (文成), Taishun (泰顺), Longgang (龙港) and mountain towns that do not have operating passenger railway stations. Wenzhou South Railway Station’s coach facilities and the city’s main intercity bus terminals provide onward connections, although timetables may be reduced in the evening.

A direct intercity service linking Wenzhou with Wencheng and the Baizhangji area was introduced in April 2026, serving locations including Wenzhou South Railway Station’s passenger transport centre and Wenzhou Coach South Station. This provides a more convenient alternative to several local transfers, but visitors should confirm current departure points and reservations before travelling.

By Private Car

Wenzhou is well connected by expressways and national and provincial roads. Driving is especially practical for Nanxi River, Dongtou, Cangnan, Wencheng and Taishun, where attractions are scattered and public transport often requires several transfers.

Foreign visitors cannot normally drive in mainland China using only an overseas licence or an International Driving Permit. Short-term visitors may apply for a Chinese Provisional Driving Permit, usually by presenting their passport, overseas licence, Chinese translation and required photographs or supporting documents.

Transportation within Central Wenzhou

S1 and S2 Regional Rail

Wenzhou’s S-lines operate more like suburban or regional rail than a dense downtown metro system. S1 is the most useful line for travellers transferring between Wenzhou South Railway Station, the central urban area, Longwan International Airport and Oujiangkou. It does not enter the heart of the Wuma Street old town, so passengers normally need a connecting bus or taxi.

S2 is a north–south corridor linking Yueqing, the airport area, Longwan and Rui’an. The line is approximately 63.63 kilometres long and has 20 stations. Airport Station is the principal transfer point between S1 and S2.

S1 reaches Shuang’ou Avenue in the Oujiangkou area, but it does not carry passengers directly to the main inhabited part of Dongtou Island. Travellers must continue by road bus, taxi or private car across the bridges to Dongtou’s principal towns and coastal attractions.

City Buses and BRT

Urban buses are useful for Wuma Street, Jiangxin Islet ferry terminals, Nantang, Wutian Old Street, museums, residential neighbourhoods and areas not directly served by the S-lines. Wenzhou also operates BRT and community bus services as part of its urban public-transport network.

For international visitors, route information displayed in Chinese can make complicated transfers difficult. Using live navigation and showing the Chinese name of the destination to the driver or station staff is advisable.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxis and app-based ride-hailing are widely used for station transfers, evening travel and the final section between a bus stop and an attraction. They are particularly useful when travelling with luggage or when several passengers can share the vehicle.

At railway stations and the airport, use official taxi queues or recognised ride-hailing platforms rather than accepting informal offers from people approaching passengers inside the terminal.

Walking and Shared Bicycles

Walking and shared bicycles are well suited to Wuma Street (五马街), Chan Street (蝉街), Shamaohe Women’s Street (纱帽河女人街), Nantang (南塘), Wutian Old Street (梧田老街) and riverside areas. Many old-town streets are narrow, busy and better experienced on foot than by car.

Transportation Guide by District and County

Transportation to Wenzhou’s Major Attractions

Wuma Street and Wenzhou Old Town

From Wenzhou South Railway Station, take S1 toward the urban area and continue by bus or taxi, or use a direct taxi when carrying luggage. Once in the old town, walking is the most practical option because Wuma Street and its surrounding lanes are compact and partly pedestrianised.

Jiangxin Islet

Jiangxin Islet (江心屿) is reached by a short passenger ferry from the urban waterfront. The ferry is part of the attraction experience, but operating times can be affected by maintenance, river conditions and special events. Allow extra time before the last return sailing.

Yandang Mountain

Take a high-speed train to Yandangshan Railway Station, followed by a scenic shuttle, local bus, taxi or chartered vehicle. The major scenic sections—including Lingfeng, Lingyan and Dalongqiu—are separated from one another, so travellers should not expect to explore the entire mountain only on foot.

For a one-day visit, a chartered car offers the highest efficiency. For a two-day visit, staying in Yandang Town makes it easier to see both daytime attractions and the Lingfeng night scenery. The mountain’s official information identifies Lingfeng, Lingyan, Dalongqiu and other separate scenic areas within the wider Yandang Mountain destination.

Nanxi River

Nanxi River is best approached through Wenzhou North Railway Station or central Yongjia. Public buses can reach some towns, but the river valley contains numerous ancient villages, bamboo-rafting points and mountain sites spread over a broad area.

A private car or chartered vehicle is strongly recommended for combinations such as Yantou Ancient Village, Lishui Ancient Street, Cangpo Village, Furong Village, Shiwanyan and Longwantan. Travellers relying entirely on buses should limit each day to one sub-area.

Dongtou Islands

From the airport, Longwan or central Wenzhou, continue east by road across the bridges to Dongtou. S1 can shorten the first section by carrying passengers to the Oujiangkou area, but a road transfer is still necessary for the main island.

Self-driving is useful for connecting Banping Mountain, Xiandieyan, fishing villages, beaches and coastal viewpoints. During summer weekends and national holidays, parking near popular coastal sites may fill early.

Nanji Islands

The most practical route is high-speed rail to Pingyang Railway Station, followed by taxi or local transport to Aojiang Passenger Port (鳌江客运港) and then a passenger vessel to Nanji Island. Aojiang normally provides the most useful ferry connection, although sailing times depend on tides, weather, season and passenger demand.

Tickets should be reserved in advance during summer. Do not arrange a tight railway or flight connection immediately after the scheduled return ferry because rough seas, fog or strong winds can delay or cancel services.

Vehicles used on the mainland cannot normally be taken around the island as part of an ordinary tourist visit. On-island transport consists mainly of local buses, accommodation transfers and chartered vehicles.

Baizhangji Waterfall

Baizhangji is located in Wencheng County and does not currently have a passenger railway station. Visitors can travel from Wenzhou South Railway Station or Wenzhou’s coach terminals to Wencheng and continue by local transport, or use the newer Wenzhou–Wencheng/Baizhangji intercity coach service.

Self-driving or a chartered vehicle is more convenient when combining Baizhangji with Liu Bowen’s hometown, Tianding Lake or nearby mountain villages. The scenic area has different entrances, so confirm the selected entrance before setting the navigation destination.

Taishun Covered Bridges and Radon Spring

Taishun’s covered bridges and villages are scattered across mountain valleys. Intercity coaches can reach Taishun’s county town, but a car is usually needed for an efficient circuit covering Beijian Bridge, Xidong Bridge, Santiao Bridge, Yuwen Bridge and the Radon Spring area.

Visitors approaching from southern Zhejiang may transfer through Cangnan, while travellers combining Taishun with northern Fujian can also design a cross-regional road itinerary. Mountain roads are winding, and driving after dark or during heavy rain is not recommended.

Cangnan 168 Golden Coast

The Cangnan coastal route connects beaches, fishing ports, cliffs, sea-viewing platforms and villages in the southern part of Wenzhou. Cangnan Railway Station is the usual rail gateway, but the coast itself is best explored by rental car, chartered car or organised tour.

The road is marketed as a scenic coastal driving and cycling corridor. Travellers should allow a full day rather than treating it as a fast transfer road, especially when stopping at Yuliao Beach, Xiaguan, Yanting or nearby coastal settlements.

Self-Driving in Wenzhou

Yandang Mountain–Nanxi River Route

This route combines Wenzhou’s two best-known mountain and river landscapes. A practical sequence is Yandang Mountain–Yueqing–Yongjia–Nanxi River–Wenzhou, avoiding unnecessary returns to the central city between the two scenic regions.

Allow at least two or three days. Roads around villages and scenic entrances may be narrow, and weekend congestion is common around Yantou, Lishui Street and the main Yandang scenic sections.

Dongtou Coastal Route

A useful itinerary is Wenzhou or Longwan Airport–Oujiangkou–Dongtou Main Island–Banping Mountain–coastal villages–return to Wenzhou. It is suitable for one or two days and is easier than the more distant Cangnan coastal route.

Cangnan 168 Coastal Route

The Cangnan coast is one of the best road-trip areas in southern Zhejiang. A practical sequence is Cangnan–Yanting–Yuliao–Xiaguan–coastal villages, with overnight accommodation near the coast if photography, sunrise or fishing-village experiences are priorities.

Wencheng–Taishun Mountain Route

This route combines waterfalls, mountain roads, covered bridges and rural scenery. It is better suited to confident drivers because of curves, gradients, fog and changing mountain weather. Avoid arranging excessive daily mileage.

Cycling in Wenzhou

Central Wenzhou Urban Cycling

The old town, Nantang, riverside greenways and parts of Ouhai are suitable for relaxed urban cycling. Shared bicycles are convenient for short journeys, but riders should avoid busy express roads, tunnels and complex elevated-road interchanges.

Cangnan Coastal Cycling

The Cangnan 168 route offers the strongest combination of coastal scenery and long-distance riding. However, it includes climbs, exposed coastal sections, village traffic and limited services between some settlements. A touring bicycle, helmet, lights, repair kit and sufficient water are essential.

Nanxi River Cycling

Nanxi River provides quieter rural roads, ancient villages and riverside scenery. Cycling is best organised within one section of the valley rather than attempting to cover the entire scenic area in one day.

Dongtou Island Cycling

Dongtou offers attractive sea views but includes bridges, hills, coastal winds and summer traffic. Less experienced riders should select a short loop and avoid riding during strong winds, heavy fog or typhoon-related weather.

Motorcycle Touring in Wenzhou

Motorcycle travel is possible on many county roads and mountain roads outside the central restricted areas, but Wenzhou continues to enforce motorcycle restrictions in parts of the main urban area. Restrictions differ according to registration location, time and road section, and official responses have stated that the city’s motorcycle-control policy remains in force.

Motorcycles are prohibited from entering expressways throughout Zhejiang Province. Motorcycle travellers must therefore use national roads, provincial roads and eligible county roads rather than following car-navigation routes onto expressways.

Suitable touring areas include the outer sections of Nanxi River, Wencheng, Taishun and parts of the Cangnan coast, but riders must check local signs at the entrance to urban districts, tunnels, bridges and scenic areas. A legal motorcycle licence, registration, insurance and approved helmet are required. Foreign riders need the appropriate Chinese driving authorisation corresponding to the motorcycle category; a temporary permit for a rental car does not automatically authorise motorcycle use.

Practical Transportation Tips

Choose the Correct Railway Station

Do not automatically select Wenzhou South for every itinerary. Use Yandangshan Station for Yandang Mountain, Wenzhou North for Yongjia and Nanxi River, Pingyang Station for the Nanji ferry, and Cangnan Station for the southern coast.

Avoid Overloading One Day

A map can make Wenzhou’s attractions appear close, but mountain roads, ferry transfers and separate scenic entrances increase travelling time. Yandang Mountain and Nanxi River should not normally be combined into a single rushed day, and Nanji Islands require an overnight stay whenever ferry schedules are uncertain.

Check Weather before Island and Mountain Travel

Ferries can be delayed or cancelled by wind, waves, fog or typhoon conditions. Mountain roads in Wencheng and Taishun may also be affected by heavy rain, landslides or temporary traffic controls.

Reserve a Car for Rural Routes

For two to six travellers, a chartered vehicle can be more efficient than repeatedly combining buses and taxis. It is especially valuable for Nanxi River ancient villages, Wencheng, Taishun and the Cangnan coast.

Keep Chinese Destination Names

Save the Chinese names of hotels, stations, ferry ports and scenic entrances. English names may not be recognised by every driver, and several attractions have multiple entrances or visitor centres.

Recommended Transport Combinations