Floral Hotel·Shijian Hotel (Shaoxing Branch)

Staying in Shaoxing has been an absolute dream—especially at Floriette·Time Inn! Waking up and drawing the curtains felt like stepping into a Jiangnan watertown straight out of a Chinese textbook. Stone bridges arched over crystal-clear canals, while black-canopied boats drifted lazily past my window. The boatman even waved and greeted me with a grin! After a night of growling hunger, I rushed downstairs for a bowl of *Ciwu hand-pulled noodles*. Oh. My. Goodness. The chewy noodles had this perfect springy texture, and the broth was so rich it felt like my taste buds were doing backflips! I slurped up every last drop, instantly revived. No wonder—the owner said the noodles are hand-slapped by master artisans! But the real MVP was the innkeeper—a walking Shaoxing travel encyclopedia! Over afternoon tea in the lobby, he’d mark up maps like a strategist: *"This pavilion in Shen Garden is where Lu You mourned Tang Wan—perfect for photos!"* *"The stinky tofu stall near Eight Characters Bridge? Third alley, blue awning."* *"Bring a jacket for evening boat rides—canals get chilly."* He even shared where to find the cheapest *huangjiu* (yellow wine) ice cream bars! It felt like staying with your most thoughtful relative—the kind of hospitality that deserves all the stars. This place redefined what I call "those little moments of joy that make traveling so special." Five stars? More like a whole constellation!