Things To Do
in Shuilou

Narrow streets along the river with tiled roofs and reflections on calm water — ideal for golden-hour and street-life photography.

Colorful scenes of produce, seafood and vendors; great for candid portraits and detail shots of food and textures.

A short climb gives panoramic views over the town, rice fields and surrounding hills, especially beautiful at sunrise or after rain.

Small boats, nets and wooden piers provide atmospheric compositions, especially at dawn when fishermen head out.

A comforting rice porridge enriched with small, fresh-caught seafood such as shrimp or clams; commonly sold at morning stalls and small eateries.

Must-Try!

A popular southern-style snack of eggs, small oysters, and a slightly chewy starch batter; best found at night markets and street vendors.

Slow-braised pork belly in soy and sugar, served in local family restaurants; rich and often paired with plain rice.

Light broth with springy rice noodles, greens and sometimes sliced fish or pork — a common breakfast or lunch choice.

A bustling market where villagers sell fresh fish, vegetables, tofu and breakfast stalls; come early for the best catch and local snacks.

A compact cluster of street vendors after sunset serving skewers, fried dough, oyster omelettes and sweet treats — ideal for sampling many small bites.

Show deference to older people in conversation and seating — a sign of respect in daily interactions.

Remove shoes when entering homes and some traditional indoor spaces; hosts will usually indicate whether shoes are allowed.

Bargaining at markets is normal for knock-down stalls but remain polite and smile; aggressive haggling is frowned upon.

Ask before photographing people, especially inside temples, private homes or during rituals; many will agree but some may decline.

Tipping is not customary in small towns; most locals will politely refuse tips in markets and small restaurants. In higher-end hotels or guided tours, a small tip for exceptional service is appreciated but not required.

Mobile payments (Alipay and WeChat Pay) are widespread in China but in smaller towns cash is still commonly used by market vendors and older residents. Carry some cash (RMB) for stalls, taxis and rural services; shops and restaurants may accept cards in larger establishments.

Mild temperatures and flowering trees make spring pleasant for walking and photography; occasional rain showers are common so pack a light rain jacket.

Hot, humid and often the wettest season with heavy afternoon thunderstorms; bring sun protection and be prepared for disrupted transport on rainy days.

Often the most comfortable season with clearer skies, cooler temperatures and stable weather — ideal for outdoor activities and hiking.

Mild compared with northern China but cooler and damp; occasional cold snaps happen — layers and a warm jacket are useful.

Vegetarian options exist (tofu dishes, vegetable stir-fries, noodles) but many dishes use fish stock; ask vendors to prepare without meat/stock and use the Mandarin phrase “我吃素 (wǒ chī sù)” to indicate vegetarian.

Vegan choices are more limited and cross-contamination with fish or egg is common in small kitchens. Carry allergy cards in Chinese for specific ingredients (e.g., peanuts, shellfish) and prefer simple vegetable dishes from market stalls where ingredients are visible.