Shaoxing Travel Guide: The Poetry and Charm of a 2,500-Year-Old Water Town

"White jade embankments and black-canopied painted boats" – Shaoxing, this ancient Jiangnan city steeped in 2,500 years of ink-wash charm, blends the scholarly aura of Lu Xun's writings with the earthy fragrance of rice wine. In 2025, why not embark on a spontaneous trip to Shaoxing? Stroll along bluestone paths, boat across Mirror Lake, and lose yourself in the melodious tunes of Yue Opera. Let this "museum without walls" soothe your soul! ✨ 🏯 Must-Visit Attractions: A Millennia-Old Cultural Journey 1. Lu Xun’s Hometown 📚 - Step into the Jiangnan memories from textbooks: Sanwei Study and Baicao Garden, connected by bluestone paths. Free entry but requires advance booking; visit early to avoid crowds. - Must-try: Fennel beans at Xianheng Hotel, paired with "Kong Yiji"-style rice wine. 2. Shen Garden 💌 - A timeless love story in a Song-style garden, with Lu You and Tang Wan’s "Phoenix Hairpin" poem carved on walls. Explore pavilions by day, watch the Yue Opera "Shen Garden Love" by night, and dream of the Southern Song Dynasty. 3. Anchang Ancient Town 🏮 - A free-to-explore millennium-old town! Sausages and soy-sauce ducks hang from eaves, while black-canopied boats glide by. Must-dos: Try soy sauce ice cream, watch a water wedding, and buy aged rice wine. 4. East Lake 🚣♂️ - A filming site for "Journey to the West." For ¥50, take a black-canopied boat through Taogong Cave and gaze up at the "Thread of Sky." Sunset turns the cliffs golden—breathtaking! 5. Hometown of Calligraphy Sage 🖋️ - A sacred site for Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy. Free visits to Ink Pool, Jiezhu Temple, and Tishan Bridge. Rent Hanfu for vintage photos—Cai Yuanpei’s former residence is also here. 🍜 Shaoxing’s Must-Try Flavors: 12 Jiangnan Delicacies - Rice Wine Milk Tea: ¥15/cup in Calligraphy Sage’s hometown—tea meets wine. - Fennel Beans: Xianheng Hotel’s signature, perfect with rice wine. - Stinky Tofu: Crispy outside, tender inside, served with sweet-spicy sauce on Cangqiao Straight Street. - Cream Puff: Shaoxing’s "egg tart" with crispy meringue, ¥5 each. - Shaoxing Sanxian: Braised pork belly, fish balls, and river shrimp—Fengle Restaurant’s version is the best. (More to try: Fermented amaranth with tofu, drunken crab, soy-sauce duck!) 🚶‍♀️ 3-Day Itinerary **Day 1: Cultural Heritage** - Morning: Lu Xun’s Hometown → Sanwei Study - Afternoon: Shen Garden → Cangqiao Straight Street (stinky tofu + boat ride) - Evening: Night cruise on Moat River (¥80/person, lit-up ancient views). **Day 2: Water Town Exploration** - Morning: East Lake → Calligraphy Sage’s Hometown - Afternoon: Anchang Ancient Town (sausages + soy sauce culture) - Evening: "Shen Garden Night" (Yue Opera "Phoenix Hairpin"). **Day 3: Nature & Calligraphy** - Morning: Orchid Pavilion (birthplace of "Lanting Xu") - Afternoon: Keyan Scenic Area (stone Buddha + Mirror Lake cruise) - Evening: Sip rice wine milk tea before departure. 💡 Travel Tips - Transport: Metro Line 1 to Lu Xun’s Hometown; 15-min taxi from Shaoxing North Station. - Stay: Book a Jiangnan courtyard homestay (¥200/night) near Calligraphy Sage’s Hometown. - Tickets: ¥210 combo pass (East Lake, Orchid Pavilion, etc.) saves money. - Outfits: Hanfu/plain dresses + flats for bluestone paths. "Shaoxing’s beauty hides in bluestone cracks, floats in rice wine’s aroma, and etches into ancient bridges." In 2025, come dream of Jiangnan here! 💖 📌 Save this guide for more tips! Which spot excites you most? Comment below~ 👇