Shaoxing

Shaoxing: A living ink painting of Jiangnan

Welcome to Shaoxing, a water town in Jiangnan with a history of over 2,500 years. It is renowned for its idyllic landscape of "small bridges, flowing water, and traditional houses," its mellow and lingering Shaoxing rice wine, and its profound cultural heritage. Shaoxing is not only the hometown of the literary giant Lu Xun, but also the location of the Lanting Pavilion, a sacred site for calligraphy. Stories of Yu the Great taming the floods and King Goujian of Yue enduring hardship and humiliation have been passed down through generations here. Strolling through Shaoxing, you'll find time seems to slow down. The ancient stone-paved streets, the swaying awning boats, and the faint aroma of wine in the air weave together a captivating picture of Jiangnan life. Xootour will take you deep into the fabric of this city, allowing you to experience its unique historical charm and cultural allure.

Footprints of History: From Yu the Great to Lu Xun

Shaoxing boasts a long and rich history, dating back to the time of Yu the Great's flood control efforts. Mount Kuaiji, the site of Yu the Great's mausoleum, carries the ancient memories of the Chinese nation. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was the capital of the Yue Kingdom, where the story of King Goujian's perseverance and humiliation inspires future generations. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the great calligrapher Wang Xizhi left behind the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion," considered the finest example of running script calligraphy, making the Orchid Pavilion a sacred place for scholars and literati. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the poignant love story of Lu You and Tang Wan unfolded in Shen Garden, leaving behind the timeless masterpiece "The Phoenix Hairpin." In modern times, the great writer Lu Xun was born here; his works depicted the customs and culture of Shaoxing, making the city a household name. Shaoxing's history is a microcosm of the development of Chinese civilization; every brick and tile tells a story of past glories and vicissitudes.

Water town charm: awning boats, ancient bridges, and flowing water

What makes Shaoxing most captivating is its unique water town landscape. The dense network of waterways, the ancient bridges spanning them, and the awning boats weaving through them together form the soul of Shaoxing. The awning boats are the symbol of Shaoxing; the boatmen, propelling themselves with their feet, sway gracefully, carrying tourists along the ancient canals. On both banks are traditional houses with black-tiled roofs and white walls, cobblestone streets, and weeping willows. Taking a ride on an awning boat, listening to the boatman tell ancient stories, and savoring the everyday life on both sides of the river is the best way to experience the slow pace of Shaoxing. Areas like Cangqiao Straight Street and the Former Residence of the Calligrapher Sage further showcase this water town charm, making you feel as if you've stepped into a flowing Jiangnan ink painting.

The Hall of Literature and Art

Lu Xun's Hometown: Tracing the Footsteps of a Literary Master

Lu Xun's hometown is a must-see destination in Shaoxing. Here, you'll find Lu Xun's childhood and adolescence residence, the Hundred Herb Garden, the Sanwei Study, and the Xianheng Tavern described in his story "Kong Yiji." Strolling through the area, you can almost hear the conversations of the characters from his writings and feel the rich local flavor of his works. In the Hundred Herb Garden, search for the "smooth stone well curb and tall locust trees," in the Sanwei Study, experience the childhood joys of "from the Hundred Herb Garden to the Sanwei Study," and then at the Xianheng Tavern, savor a bowl of Shaoxing rice wine and a few fennel beans, experiencing the most authentic Shaoxing street life.

Shen Garden: A Tragic Song, A Timeless Masterpiece

Shen Garden, a classical garden brimming with poetic charm, is world-renowned for the tragic love story of Lu You and Tang Wan. Within its grounds, pavilions, bridges, flowing water, and lush greenery exude the elegance of a Jiangnan garden. The stone tablet inscribed with Lu You's poem "The Phoenix Hairpin" has moved countless visitors. Here, you can feel the profound love and helplessness, savor the weight of history and the lingering emotions, and almost hear the sighs that echo across time.

Lanting: An elegant gathering in the sacred site of calligraphy

Lanting, a sacred place for calligraphy enthusiasts, became famous because Wang Xizhi wrote the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" here. The tranquil environment, with its lush bamboo groves and winding streams, made it an ideal gathering place for ancient literati to hold elegant gatherings and purification rites. Attractions such as the Goose Pond, the Imperial Stele Pavilion, and the Flowing Wine Pavilion exude a rich atmosphere of calligraphy culture. Here, you can imagine the grand scene of scholars and artists gathering, young and old alike, feel the charm of calligraphy, and even experience the joy of using brush, ink, paper, and inkstone yourself.

Food and Wine: A Taste of Shaoxing

Shaoxing rice wine: Liquid gold with a thousand-year-old mellow aroma

When visiting Shaoxing, how can you miss sampling the mellow and sweet Shaoxing rice wine? As the birthplace of Chinese rice wine, Shaoxing rice wine is renowned for its unique brewing techniques and millennia-old history. Whether it's Jiafan wine, Huadiao wine, or Shanliang wine, they all embody the Shaoxing people's love for life and their adherence to tradition. At local taverns or wineries, you can gain a deeper understanding of the rice wine brewing process, taste rice wines of different vintages and flavors, and experience its unique richness and fragrance.

Authentic local snacks: savoring the everyday life of the city

Shaoxing's cuisine is equally mouthwatering. Stinky tofu, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, soy-braised duck, fennel beans, steamed buns, and deep-fried stinky tofu are all highly distinctive local delicacies. These snacks not only have unique flavors but also carry the memories of Shaoxing people's daily lives. Whether it's a small street stall or a time-honored restaurant, you can find something to satisfy your taste buds and deeply experience the vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere of Shaoxing.

In-depth experience: More than just sightseeing

Beyond the classic attractions mentioned above, Shaoxing offers many more places worth exploring in depth. East Lake, renowned for its unique "lake within a lake" and breathtaking grotto landscapes, is a great spot for boating and sightseeing. The Mausoleum of Yu the Great is a solemn and dignified place of worship, reflecting the Chinese people's reverence for their ancestors. Strolling through the streets and alleys of the ancient city, you'll discover many hidden historical sites, unique shops, and traditional handicraft workshops, such as Yue ware celadon and Shaoxing bamboo weaving, adding more surprises to your journey. Xootour encourages you to immerse yourself in local life, learn a traditional craft, or chat with locals in a teahouse to experience the most authentic Shaoxing.

Xootour takes you to explore Shaoxing

Xootour is dedicated to providing you with a unique and in-depth Shaoxing tour experience. We handpicked local guides to lead you away from the crowds, deep into the alleys of the ancient city, and to discover its hidden gems. Whether it's visiting a Shaoxing rice wine workshop to learn about traditional brewing techniques, sampling authentic Shaoxing snacks with locals, or creating a customized cultural journey themed around calligraphy and Yue opera, we will tailor it all to your individual needs. We ensure your trip to Shaoxing is not just a fleeting glimpse, but an immersive cultural exploration and a spiritual cleansing.

Shaoxing, this poetic ancient city, awaits you to unveil its mysteries and discover its unique charm. Let us together, amidst the sounds of oars and the glow of lanterns in Shaoxing, find your own memories of Jiangnan.