[2025 Shaoxing Attraction] Travel Guide for Xianglu Peak (Updated Mar)

Lanting Pusheng | Where humanity and nature converge, there lies enchantment. Shaoxing truly is a land of outstanding people, a place that has nurtured talent throughout history. Mount Kuaiji seems to possess an otherworldly aura. This weekend, I brought my child here for their birthday and to experience the magical atmosphere of the mountain. Pusheng, formerly known as Lanting Anlu, is now independently operated by the owner. The service remains impeccable, with butlers readily available and a rich array of hotel activities. Nestled at the foot of Mount Weiwan in the Kuaiji Mountains, the hotel is graced by the flowing waters of the Ruoye River, a Taoist blessed land. The Yangming Grotto, one of the Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens of Taoism, is also located here, making it a truly auspicious site. Wang Shouren, later known as Wang Yangming, once resided and lectured here. The lobby is a 1:1 restoration of a general's mansion, featuring a double courtyard design that evokes a connection between humanity and the cosmos. After breakfast, you can practice Baduanjin here or immerse yourself in the tranquility of copying the Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion. The hotel is expansive, and simply wandering around can easily fill half a day. The spa, Shenlu, and Ruoye Concert Hall, each a feast for the eyes, embody Jaya Ibrahim's profound understanding of Chinese culture. Spring is the ideal season for hiking. You can ascend from the Yangming Grotto, with the highest point being Incense Burner Peak. It's said to be a three-hour climb. We turned back midway. Along the mountain path, you'll find the Yangming Academy, He Zhizhang's Longrui Palace inscription carved into the cliff face, and traces of the path where the legendary Yu the Great once walked to tame the floods. Truly, where humanity and nature converge, there lies enchantment. Nature possesses an incredibly high energy field. Perhaps it was on a clear night beneath Mount Weiwan that Wang Yangming penned the line, "Within my heart, a bright moon shines, forever whole, eternally divine."

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As the New Year bell rings, Shaoxing, a charming ancient city in Jiangnan, has put on a festive new look for the Year of the Snake. Whether you are strolling through the ancient streets or exploring ancient relics, you can feel the unique New Year atmosphere. Next, follow this guide and start your journey to Shaoxing in the Year of the Snake! 🚀 🏞️[Day 1: Encounter History and Nature] • Morning: Lu Xun's Hometown A visit to Shaoxing is incomplete without a visit to Lu Xun's Hometown! Step into this place that carries Lu Xun's childhood memories, with its bluestone roads and white walls with black tiles, and it feels like being transported back to a time full of stories. You can visit Lu Xun's ancestral home, former residence, and Sanwei Study, and experience the real Baicao Garden and Sanwei Study described in his works. Here, you can also see many New Year decorations for the Year of the Snake, and you might even find some creative elements related to Lu Xun's works. Take some photos, as it is very memorable. 📸 • Noon: Xianheng Hotel After a tiring walk, head to the famous Xianheng Hotel to taste authentic Shaoxing cuisine. Enjoy a bowl of steaming Shaoxing rice wine, paired with specialties like fennel beans, stinky tofu, and braised pork with preserved vegetables, and savor the taste of Shaoxing. During the Spring Festival, Xianheng Hotel will also have special decorations, and you might even encounter some "Kong Yiji" in ancient costumes! 🍷 • Afternoon: East Lake Scenic Area In the afternoon, head to East Lake Scenic Area. Here, you can enjoy the unique mountain and water scenery, take a boat tour, and admire the cliffs and clear lake water on both sides, as if you are in a landscape painting. During the New Year, the scenic area will also host some folk activities, such as dragon and lion dance performances, adding a lively atmosphere to the tranquil mountains and waters. 🎊 🏮[Day 2: Experience the Charm of Water Towns] • Morning: Anchang Ancient Town On the second morning, head to Anchang Ancient Town. This is an authentic water town, without too much commercialization. Stroll along the ancient streets, admire the ancient bridges and alleys, and feel the tranquility and simplicity of Jiangnan water towns. During the Spring Festival, the ancient town is filled with red lanterns, festive couplets, and the character "Fu" (fortune), creating a strong New Year atmosphere. You can also see traditional handicrafts such as making sausages and pulling white sugar, and taste various local snacks. 🍬 • Noon: Ancient Town Snack Street On the snack street in the ancient town, various delicacies await you. In addition to the aforementioned sausages and white sugar, there are also specialties like cream puffs and rice wine popsicles, each bite full of the taste of water towns. Find a riverside shop, sit down and slowly savor the food, enjoy the water town scenery outside the window, and have a leisurely time. 🍧 • Afternoon: Shiye Museum To learn about the history and culture of Shaoxing, Shiye Museum is a good choice. Here, you can learn about the unique profession of Shiye and their role and influence in history. The museum displays many artifacts and materials related to Shiye, and through vivid displays, you can gain a deeper understanding of Shaoxing's Shiye culture. 📚 🎆[Day 3: Explore Buddhist Culture and Leisure Time] • Morning: Lufeng Zen Temple For New Year blessings, Lufeng Zen Temple is a great place to visit. This thousand-year-old temple is located on Xianglu Peak in Kuaiji Mountain, with beautiful scenery. Climb to the top of the mountain, overlook the beautiful scenery of Shaoxing City, and feel the charm of nature. In the temple, you can burn incense and pray for peace and smoothness in the new year. During the Spring Festival, the temple will also host some Dharma assemblies, allowing you to experience the rich Buddhist cultural atmosphere. 🙏 • Noon: Nearby Farmhouse After descending from Lufeng Zen Temple, enjoy a farmhouse meal at a nearby farmhouse. Fresh ingredients and simple cooking methods allow you to taste the purest flavors. Dishes like chicken soup, braised pork with dried bamboo shoots, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables are all good choices. 🥗 • Afternoon: City Square In the afternoon, return to the city and visit City Square. This is a great place for Shaoxing residents to relax and entertain, with spacious squares, beautiful gardens, and modern buildings. During the Spring Festival, various cultural performances and exhibitions will be held in the square, allowing you to enjoy leisure time while experiencing the cultural vitality of Shaoxing. 🎭 💖The beauty of Shaoxing needs to be savored slowly. In this New Year of the Snake, come to Shaoxing to experience the charm of the ancient city and leave with beautiful memories! Remember to plan your itinerary in advance and book your hotel to make your trip smoother! 🎉

Xianglu Peak is located in Kuaiji Mountain, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. It is 354 meters above sea level and is named after the incense burner-shaped peak. It is a tourist attraction with both Buddhist temples and scenic spots, and Lufeng Temple is the largest. "Lufeng Misty Rain" is one of the 12 scenic spots in Yuezhong. On cloudy and rainy days, the top of the mountain is shrouded in mist and smoke. There are three ways to climb the mountain from the south of Dayu Mausoleum: Jiao Road, Luoshuixuan, and Koushan Road. There are strange peaks and rocks such as Banyue Rock on the ridge, and Dalaoshu Tower on the east side. Every year on the 19th day of the second, sixth, and ninth lunar months, there is a Lufeng incense market, which attracts many pilgrims, incense burners, and tourists.

The peak is steep and resembles a censer. When shrouded in mist, it feels like being in a fairyland. With over a thousand steps, the scenery along the way is fantastic! After reaching the top, you can overlook Shaoxing City, and a feeling of grandeur arises spontaneously. Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick, and every tile seems to be telling an ancient story. Tour Itinerary: Arrive at Xianglu Peak Scenic Area around 8 AM and start climbing from the foot of the mountain. Enjoy the pavilions, strange peaks, and rocks along the way, which takes about an hour and a half to reach the top. Stay at the top for half an hour, then choose another route to descend, ending the trip around 11:30 AM. Tips: Bring water and snacks to replenish energy. The scenery at the top is absolutely beautiful, don't miss it 😘! 📍Detailed Address: Inside Lufeng Zen Temple, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. • Self-driving: Navigate to Xianglu Peak, Shaoxing, Zhejiang. The scenic area has a parking lot. • Public Transport: Take Shaoxing Metro Line 1 to City Square Station Exit F, then transfer to bus line 2 or 68 to Dayu Mausoleum Bus Station, and walk about 1 kilometer to reach the destination.

I must say responsibly that even Shaoxing locals may not know where the Shiwu Zen Monastery is, let alone the fact that it is surrounded by cemeteries, making it a definite off-the-beaten-path destination. The atmosphere there is quite eerie, to be honest. Although this mountain road is a necessary path for pilgrims heading to the Xianglu Peak of Mount Kuaiji, there is not a single person in sight now. When I asked the villagers if there were any statues nearby, they thought I was there to tend to graves... If it weren't for the sight of a cultural heritage marker, I might have given up. 📍Location: Jiuli Village, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing 📸Highlights ✅Niche one: Statues of the Medicine Buddha, Sakyamuni's merciful father, and Amitabha sitting, slightly rough in craftsmanship, with the Buddha's head possibly restored later; the main gate is closed, requiring one to peer through the window gap. ✅Niche two: Standing statues of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, very elegant and dynamic. ✅Niche three: Seated Maitreya statue, the big-bellied Maitreya Buddha is very characteristic of Zhejiang. ✅Niche four: Seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue, wearing a Vairocana hat, with ears draped over the shoulders and wearing a kasaya, with a small lion beside, probably the mount Diti. 🧑🏻‍💻The grotto statues in Zhejiang are generally very secularized, with no fixed style for the Buddhas. I think many are carved according to the appearance of the patrons, not particularly exquisite, but very down-to-earth. Although they cannot be compared with the royal grottos in the north, they are still precious historical relics. 📌tips: The Zen Monastery no longer exists; next to it is the Fayin Temple. One must walk along a dirt road that goes uphill, surrounded by the village cemeteries, ancient in age. Unless you are a crazy enthusiast of grotto statues, don't go alone for no reason. Is it a Zen Monastery or a 'Chan' Monastery? I don't understand