Songyang, a secluded valley hidden deep in the mountains

Lishui's Songyang County is home to many villages tucked away in dense forests and remote mountains. Far from the hustle and bustle, these deep valleys offer tranquility. I chose to travel by bus, shuttling between various attractions and villages. 🌟 Highlights for Sightseeing & Photography 📸 ✅ Yangjiatang | The Golden Village The well-arranged yellow mud houses seem gilded under the sunlight. At the village entrance, a century-old pair of camphor trees stand lush and majestic, creating a picturesque scene perfect for photography. ✅ Songzhuang | Stone Bridge and Stream in the Bamboo Forest Entering the village and following the stream upstream leads to an S-shaped stone bridge, the essence of Songzhuang. On one side of the stream lies the Taoye Homestay. ✅ Chenjiapu Village | A Cliffside Village Shrouded in Mist This village houses "China's Most Beautiful Bookstore"—Pioneer Bookstore. Sitting by the window with a book in hand, gazing at the sea of clouds and bamboo forests outside, the artistic vibe is overwhelming! Adjacent to the bookstore is the Feiniaoji Homestay, with a narrow path between them backed by lush bamboo forests—a fantastic photo spot! Be prepared to queue during peak times. ✅ Houyu Village | A Hidden Paradise in the Mountains With few tourists, this village is serene and secluded. A withered tree is the must-capture photo spot. The village offers accommodations like "Mountain Book Affair" and "Tree Top Retreat," boutique homestays with a vintage literary charm. ✅ Shicang Ancient Dwellings | An Ink-Wash Painting of Jiangnan's Hakka Village Unlike most Songyang villages with yellow walls and black tiles, Shicang features white walls and black tiles, predominantly inhabited by Hakka people. Walking into Shicang feels like stepping into an ancient Jiangnan Hui-style village. ✅ Huang Family Compound | A Heaven of Woodcarving Art Songyang has many immigrants from Fujian and Jiangxi, including the Huang family, who migrated from Jiangxi. At their peak, the Huangs epitomized the true meaning of rural gentry. The compound's brick, wood, and stone carvings are exquisite—don’t miss it if you love ancient architecture and carvings. 🎫 Ticket price: ¥30. 🚌 Transportation Info: 1️⃣ Yangjiatang—Songzhuang (Sandu Township) Yangjiatang, Songzhuang, and Youtian are all along the same road in Sandu Township. Take a minibus from Songyang Bus Terminal at 06:30, heading first to the farthest Songzhuang, then Youtian, and finally Yangjiatang. All can be visited in one day. 💥 Note: The terminal runs three round-trip buses daily—plan your return time carefully. Ask the driver for exact schedules. The locals are incredibly warm and helpful, and the drivers are patient in guiding you on routes and timings. 🎫 Fare: Yangjiatang ¥2, Youtian ¥3, and Songzhuang (the farthest) only ¥4. The 50-minute ride to Songzhuang is astonishingly affordable, considering the mountainous journey! 2️⃣ Chenjiapu (Sidu Township) Take the minibus from the terminal at 08:20. Three round-trip buses run daily at 08:30, 11:00, and 15:00 (see the third photo for details). Each village is small, so 2 hours is enough for exploration. 3️⃣ Houyu Village (Zhuyuan Township) Two daily buses pass by, but details aren’t listed on "Songyang Travel." For bus info, consult staff at the terminal’s waiting area—they’re exceptionally friendly, honest, and speak clear Mandarin. @Ctrip Community Creation Center @Community Benefits Officer