Shaoxing Accommodation | Avoid the area around Lu Xun's Former Residence! Locals' Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls: 3 Popular Spots to Avoid, These 5 Areas Are Truly Worth Staying In

In Shaoxing, eight out of ten travel guides that recommend staying at "Lu Xun's Former Residence" and "Cangqiao Straight Street" haven't actually walked down that stone-paved road with their suitcases in the middle of the night.

I don't object to scenic spots being beautiful, but "seemingly close" and "comfortable to stay" in Shaoxing's old town are two completely different things. Locals would never book a hotel in a scenic alley; dragging luggage, calling a taxi, parking, and getting home late at night are all pitfalls. The following list isn't just following trends; it's based on my experience living in Shaoxing for over five years and traveling there more than twenty times, and I'm sharing it with friends to avoid these pitfalls.

Let me first talk about three popular areas that are recommended in travel guides every day and that locals never stay in.

"Lu Xun's Former Residence/Jiefang Road Old Street": Travel guides always say that the scenic area is just downstairs, but in reality, the alleys are so narrow that cars can't even drive in, and dragging suitcases on the cobblestone streets will wear out the wheels. In the early morning, the loudspeakers of tour groups start earlier than alarm clocks, and the soundproofing of the old houses and guesthouses is practically nonexistent. At night, once the shops close, it's pitch black, parking spaces are extremely scarce, and it's common for out-of-town license plates to get ticketed.

"Cangqiao Straight Street/Fushan Heng Street area": Popular with internet celebrities during the day, bars with live music until the early hours of the morning, old wooden houses with poor soundproofing, earplugs are necessary to sleep. The stone-paved streets flood after rain, motor vehicles are prohibited, and taxis have to take detours on one-way streets. The alleyway leading back to the guesthouse late at night is dark and narrow with few security cameras, so solo women should not stay there.

"Lakeside B&Bs on the outskirts of Keyan/Jianhu Resort": While it looks close to Keyan, it's actually far from Lu Xun's Former Residence, the Former Residence of the Calligrapher Lu Xun, and Shen Garden. If you're not driving, you'll need to take a taxi, and the evening rush hour traffic will be unbearable. There are very few dining options nearby, and takeout is slow and expensive. After the scenic area closes, the surrounding area is very desolate with sparse streetlights; locals wouldn't stay there just to explore the ancient town.

Ideal local residential area #1: The area around Yintai City in the south of the city

Suitable for families, road trips, and those who don't want to go too far from the ancient city. This area is a well-established residential area with a high density of locals in Yuecheng, with complete daily amenities and none of the chaotic feeling of a tourist attraction.

It takes about three to four stops, just over ten minutes, from Chengnan Avenue Station on Metro Line 1 to Lu Xun's Former Residence; a taxi ride takes about fifteen minutes to Lu Xun's Former Residence and Shen Garden, and about twenty minutes to Cangqiao Straight Street, making commuting very inexpensive.

The area has a high concentration of restaurants, with local eateries clustered around Yintai City and both sides of Jiefang South Road. These restaurants offer noodle shops, Shaoxing cuisine, and late-night snacks, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan per person. Many of these establishments are open until the early hours of the morning.

Returning to the hotel late at night felt reassuring; the streetlights were bright, and there were plenty of convenience stores. The shopping malls and hotels had ample underground parking, and street parking was also well-organized, making it much easier to park than in the old town, especially suitable for families with cars.

The second ideal local residential area: Jinghu Fenglin Road area

Suitable for business travelers, families with elderly members and children, and those who prefer a quiet new urban area. The Jinghu area boasts wide roads and new buildings, lacking the cramped feeling of the old city, making it a clean and tidy place to live.

It takes about 20 to 25 minutes by subway to Lu Xun's Former Residence; about 20 minutes by taxi to Lu Xun's Former Residence, about 20 minutes to Keyan, and about 15 minutes to Shaoxing North Railway Station. The location is in the middle.

The nearby Jinghu commercial district has chain restaurants and local eateries, which can solve three meals a day, but it lacks the lively atmosphere of the old town and is more like a shopping mall, with an average cost of tens to hundreds of yuan per person.

The new urban area has wide, well-lit roads, numerous residential communities, and good public security. People stroll along the lakeside path in the evenings. There are plenty of underground parking spaces in hotels and shopping malls, and roadside parking is well-organized, making it very convenient for drivers.

The third ideal local residential area: Paojiang Century Street area

Suitable for those catching the high-speed train from Shaoxing North Station, on a budget, transiting, or staying for an extended period. The cost of living in this area is low, with most accommodations being mid-range and affordable, making it a popular commuting area for locals.

It takes about 30 minutes by subway to Lu Xun's Former Residence; about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi to Shaoxing North Station, and about 25 to 30 minutes to Lu Xun's Former Residence. It is especially convenient to catch the high-speed train.

There are many local fast food restaurants, Ciwu noodles, stir-fries and barbecue restaurants around Century Street, with an average price of several tens of yuan per person. There are also noodle shops and night snack stalls in the early morning, which are down-to-earth and can keep you up all night.

This area has a lively atmosphere; in the evenings, there are workers leaving get off work and late-night food stalls, so it's not deserted overall. However, there are many large trucks on some sections of the road, so you need to pay attention to the traffic lights when crossing. Most hotels have free parking spaces, and it's also easy to park on the roadside.

The fourth ideal local residential area: Keqiao Lantian Wanda area

This place is suitable for people planning to visit Keyan, Anchang Ancient Town, or those traveling from Hangzhou, as well as those who enjoy modern shopping. Keqiao itself has well-developed amenities, so staying here won't interfere with your shopping trips.

It takes about 15 minutes by taxi to Keyan Scenic Area and about 20 minutes to Anchang Ancient Town; it takes about 30 to 40 minutes by subway and 25 to 35 minutes by taxi to Lu Xun's Former Residence. It is a bit far to the ancient city, but it is acceptable.

Lantian City Center Plaza and Wanda Plaza are densely packed with restaurants, offering local Shaoxing cuisine, Hangzhou cuisine, and hot pot. They are popular spots for locals to dine together, with an average cost of around 100 yuan per person.

The commercial area is bustling at night, with well-lit main streets. While there are delivery vehicles near the textile market in the early morning, the core area remains safe. The mall has ample underground parking, and the hotel has plenty of parking, making it ideal for those driving.

Fifthly, the Didao Lake Shimao area is a truly ideal local residential area.

It's perfect for young couples, people who enjoy nightlife, and those who want to get up early for a run by the lake. The area is more lively at night than during the day, so it's not stuffy, which young people will appreciate.

It takes about 15 minutes by taxi to Lu Xun's Former Residence. Taking a bus or subway requires a transfer, so taking a taxi is the most convenient option. It also takes about 15 minutes to reach East Lake Scenic Area, making it a good place to visit both.

Shimao Plaza and the surrounding night market offer a wide variety of dining options, with hot pot restaurants, pubs, and barbecue shops open until the early hours of the morning. The area is even more lively at night than during the day, and it's convenient to stroll along the lake after a big meal.

The area around the shopping district has high pedestrian traffic and well-lit streetlights, and the lakeside walkway is also well-lit, making it generally safe. However, avoid walking into the most secluded corners of the lakeshore late at night. Parking is plentiful in shopping malls and hotels, but may be a bit tight on weekend evenings.

In closing, don't ask the locals if I didn't tell you:

First, Shaoxing's old town is best explored during the day, but not ideal for overnight stays. What you perceive as "near" often means "close but inaccessible."

Second, for any guesthouse that claims to be "within walking distance of Lu Xun's former residence" in the travel guide, first check the map to see if you have to walk through alleys before deciding whether to book it.

Third, when traveling by car, avoid staying within the first ring road, as parking spaces are scarce and there are many one-way streets. It's more convenient to choose hotels along subway lines or next to shopping malls.

Fourth, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Shaoxing, but the old town gets very damp during the plum rain season, so don't stay in old houses just to take photos.

Fifth, when returning to the hotel late at night, try to choose main roads and areas near commercial districts. Don't book in back streets and alleys of scenic spots just to save money. Safety is more important than atmosphere.