Don't just visit Cangqiao Bridge for a night tour of Shaoxing | A route I personally tested and compiled after three nights of research, including waterfront lights, night markets, and Yue Opera teaho

On my third overnight stay in Shaoxing, I finally caught up on what I hadn't seen enough of during the day. Shaoxing's nights aren't bustling, but it's precisely because of this quietness that the lights, waterways, Shaoxing rice wine, and the traditional opera performances in the old houses truly shine. This time, I retraced the entire route from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, removing two tourist-only photo spots and keeping a route closer to the locals' nighttime routine: "Waterfront Lights—Old Town Night Market—Yue Opera Teahouse."

18:00-19:10 From the Ring River Water Management Square to the Fengzejiang Covered Bridge: First, enjoy a section of underrated waterfront lighting.

The starting point is at Zhishui Square. Around 6 PM, as dusk settles, the light strips along both sides of the city moat and the Fengzejiang Covered Bridge light up simultaneously. This isn't the main entrance to the scenic area, and no tickets are required. The riverside walkway is mostly frequented by local residents taking walks or jogging. The bridge's reflection on the water appears even more serene than during the day in Shaoxing.

From Zhishui Square, walk along the east side of the path towards Fengzejiang Covered Bridge, a leisurely stroll of about 25 minutes. Along the way, you'll pass several waterfront platforms; these are less crowded and breezy, making them a good place to slow down. It's not recommended to rush to take out your camera at this point, as the sky isn't blue enough when the light is just beginning to brighten; better spots for night photography will be available later.

Walk under the covered bridge and take another picture of the river's depth, with the lights casting long shadows on the water. Then, scan a shared bicycle on the north side of the covered bridge and ride for about 8 minutes to Shuigouying.

19:20-20:40 Shui Gou Ying Night Market: A late-night carbohydrate street that locals really flock to after get off work.

The name Shuigouying is not well-known to tourists from other places, but locals often flock to this area at night in search of food. Unlike those food streets that are uniformly developed by businesses, this area is lined with snack stalls, noodle shops, and braised food stalls that have been open for many years, and the atmosphere of everyday life is stronger than the lights.

After trying it for three nights in a row, the safest option is to "first order a bowl of wontons or Pian'erchuan noodles to fill your stomach, then pack a serving of braised duck wings and a cup of Shaoxing wine to go." The prices here are affordable, averaging a few dozen yuan per person. They don't focus on fancy plating, but they excel in fast service and hearty flavors. If you don't eat carbs, there are also steamed dishes and clear broth river fish to choose from.

It takes about 8 minutes to cycle to Shuigouying. Adding in some time to explore between meals, 70 minutes is a good timeframe. It's recommended not to eat your fill at the first restaurant; instead, stroll along the street and buy as you go. Several long-established braised food stalls are usually still restocking around 8 or 9 pm.

20:45-21:30 Ride shared bicycles through Bazhi Bridge and Xixiaolu: Night ride along a buffer zone of the old town's waterways

Starting from Shuigouying, ride a shared bicycle northwest for about 12 minutes to reach Bazhiqiao. This section is almost like breathing through the old town; small lights are lit at the entrances of houses along the river, and the bridge arches and stone-paved roads are just the right amount of dark, making it suitable for riding slowly.

After reaching Bazhi Bridge, it's recommended to dismount and push your bike for a short distance. The bridge itself is a historical site during the day, but with the added lighting at night, it becomes even more three-dimensional than during the day. Continue riding west along the small road for about 6 minutes, and the old houses on both sides of the West Small River will gradually converge into a narrow, long waterway. After 9 pm, only residents are coming and going, making it as quiet as stepping into an old painting.

This section isn't for rushing; it's specifically added to give my stomach and eyes a break. The total cycling time will be kept under 20 minutes, with 30 minutes allocated for photos and walking while pushing the bike. Always use your headlights when cycling at night, as some sections of the cobblestone road are uneven and you can easily slip if you ride too fast.

21:40-23:00 Enjoy a Yue Opera performance in an old-style teahouse: Shaoxing rice wine and lotus flower ballads are the real secrets of Shaoxing's late-night atmosphere.

About a 5-minute bike ride from Xixiaolu, turn into a small alley near the birthplace of the Calligrapher Sage. During the day, this place sells Shaoxing rice wine and tea, and at night, a small teahouse converted from an old traditional courtyard house still stands. There are no stage lights, just a few square tables, a pot of tea or half a jin of rice wine, and the distance between the performers and the audience is less than three meters. Excerpts from Yue Opera and Shaoxing Lotus Ballads are performed in turn, and the performances continue until late into the night without any rush.

"Don't go expecting a formal performance" is my most important piece of advice. It's more like a community evening gathering; some people hum along, some are shelling sunflower seeds, and some are just there for a sip of warm rice wine. Because of this, it feels more authentic than the performances in tourist areas.

Drinks cost between tens and hundreds of yuan per person, and there's no pressure to order a performance. A full show lasts about 60 to 90 minutes, which is plenty of time. Before you go, check the small blackboard at the entrance; some shows feature Yue Opera, while others feature Lianhualuo (a type of folk opera). Don't go in only to find out that it's not the type of performance you want to hear that day.

23:05-23:30 Night ride back to the city moat to wrap things up: refreshing myself with the breeze and taking some great night photos.

After leaving the teahouse, I rode a shared bike for about 8 minutes back to the city moat. The moat was quiet at this time of day, the lights were still on, and occasionally a night cruise boat would pass by, creating ripples that shimmered the reflections in the water like scattered gold. It was a perfect time to slowly digest the carbohydrates and rice wine I had eaten earlier.

If you feel you have enough energy, you can ride a short distance along Hexi Road and find a stone bench to sit on for five minutes opposite the covered bridge. Shaoxing at night won't surprise you, but the tranquility of "the whole city sleeping lightly" is something tourists rarely encounter during the day.

Night photography: 5 camera angles + 4 safety tips

Five good camera positions for night photography: directly beneath the Fengzejiang Covered Bridge to capture the bridge and its reflection in the river; the waterfront platform at Zhishui Square to capture the depth of the city moat's light strip; in front of the braised food stall at the entrance of Shuigouying Alley to capture the steam and warm yellow lights; atop the Bazhiqiao Bridge to capture the bridge arches and riverside houses; and the waterfront steps of Xixiaolu to capture the narrow alley and its reflection. It is recommended to bring a small-sensor camera or a mobile phone in night mode, prioritizing shutter speed to ensure a sharp image.

Four safety tips: First, the route is mostly paved with stone slabs and bridges, so be sure to turn on your headlights and control your speed when riding at night; Second, although the rice wine is warming, only drink a small half cup before riding and let yourself sober up before returning; Third, the lighting in the old town alleys is weak at night, so do not step onto the water without guardrails in search of a good spot; Fourth, shared bicycles are easily stolen in front of teahouses and in the maze-like alleys, so remember to lock your bike and take a picture of the parking area.

In summary, this route avoids chasing popular tourist spots and rushing through too many attractions. It's more like the routine of an old Shaoxing resident after dinner: watching the lights along the waterfront, enjoying a meal at a local night market, cycling through old alleys, and sitting in an old courtyard to listen to a piece of Yue opera or Lianhualuo. If you've already visited Lu Xun's Former Residence and Cangqiao Straight Street during the day, consider following this route in the evening. Shaoxing's true culture and art aren't in exhibition halls, but in these places where the lights are still on and people are still around at night.