Shaoxing Attractions Travel Guide: Follow Xu Xiake's Classic Route

How to explore Shaoxing: map your route against Xu Xiake's first

If you're looking for China's "original travel blogger," Xu Xiake and his Travel Diaries of Xu Xiake are impossible to skip. Shaoxing (including Zhuji's Wuxie and Xinchang's Tianmu Mountain, both on Xu Xiake's route) offers both old-town charm and waterfalls along ancient trails. Visitors planning a trip to Shaoxing but unsure of the route can start by reading this guide in order: "Attractions at a Glance → Practical Info → Wuxie & the Xu Xiake Route → Old-Town Culture → Food & Souvenirs." Ticket prices and opening hours are subject to official announcements on the day. Once you have the basics down, book a private car to minimize transfers, or compare it with the group tour "Shaoxing Day Tour" (Lu Xun's Former Residence and Shen Garden, with Donghu Lake and Lanting listed in the summary). Want to build your own itinerary linking the Xu Xiake route and the old town? Try our custom travel service. Prefer someone to walk you through the local legends? Hire a guide. Need rides to or from Shaoxing Station, Keqiao, Hangzhou East, etc.? Fill out the station transfer form.

The white cascade plunging down the Wuxie cliffs and visitors pausing at the viewing platform—a highly recognizable scene among Zhejiang's waterfalls. Below, we first give a quick overview of Shaoxing's attraction types, then move on to the routes linked to Xu Xiake.

Once you arrive, here's how to match your plans: to fit Lu Xun's Hometown, Shen Garden, East Lake and Lanting into one day, first check the group tour "Shaoxing 1-day tour"; to arrange your own itinerary along the Xu Xiake route and old town, use custom private travel; for historical commentary, you can hire a guide; for door-to-door travel between multiple spots in the old town and Zhuji Wuxie, choose private car; for arrivals and departures at Shaoxing Station/Keqiao/Hangzhou East, book station transfer in advance.

Shaoxing attractions at a glance: ancient towns, former residences and landscapes

Shaoxing has it all: ancient towns and streets for local flavor, former residences of famous figures for cultural heritage, and scenic landscapes to follow in the footsteps of Xu Xiake. Get a sense of the map first, then decide whether to spend one day in the old city or two days linking Wuxie and Tianmu.

Ancient towns and streets in Shaoxing

Ancient towns and streets are living samples of Jiangnan: Banzhu Village blends mountain scenery with post-station character; Cangqiao Straight Street has the most authentic local vibe; Bazi Bridge is famous for its ancient bridge structure; Anchang Ancient Town is known for its soy-marinated foods and Wupeng boats. You can also add Dongpu Yellow Wine Town, Fenghui, Chongren, or Fengqiao based on your interests.

The 3D "Shaoxing" sign and rows of red lanterns at the alley entrance make Cangqiao Straight Street instantly recognizable—a great spot for an evening stroll.

Red lanterns and Wupeng boats reflected in the canal at dusk give Anchang Ancient Town a highly distinctive nightscape. Festival decorations depend on what's actually on site.

Hometowns of famous figures in Zhejiang

Prioritize the literary trail: Lanting (Orchid Pavilion) is where Wang Xizhi held his famous streamside poetry gathering; Lu Xun's Hometown lets you see Hundred-Plant Garden and Sanwei Study from your school textbooks. Add Calligrapher's Hometown, Shen Garden (linked to poets Lu You and Tang Wan), and Xishi's Hometown based on your interests. When there are many historical stories to unpack, hiring a private guide is easier than reading audio-guide scripts yourself.

The hall at the foot of the hill and the stone-paved plaza—a classic "hall-and-mountain" layout at Lanting, perfect for kicking off a calligraphy-themed visit.

The waterside pavilion and corridors sit right above the lotus pond—the most quintessential garden view in Shen Garden, ideal for wrapping up a romance-themed photo walk.

Shaoxing landscapes

The nature route overlaps heavily with the classic travelogue of Xu Xiake: Wuxie Waterfalls (in Zhuji), Tianmu Mountain, and the Xiake Ancient Trail, plus Donghu (East Lake), Keyan Scenic Area, and Yuewangzheng near the city center. Since physical demands and driving times vary widely, it's best to book a custom trip or hire a private car for the day to keep to your schedule.

A Wupeng boat glides slowly along the stone cliffs while a stone bridge spans the water in the distance—the classic "cliff–lake–boat" scene at East Lake, perfect to pair with the old town on the same day or the next.

The stone causeway trail runs just above the lake surface toward a green islet—Keyan's waterside route is instantly recognizable. Landmarks like Yungu and the Stone Buddha are covered in depth in another article.

Shaoxing travel info: tickets and opening hours

Wuxie, Lanting, Banzhu, Tianmu Mountain, and the Xiake Ancient Trail are most closely linked to Xu Xiake. The ticket prices and hours below are for reference only—always confirm with the attraction's official information on the day.

A stone arch bridge covered in vines, with a flash of bright clothing on someone crossing it—Banzhu Village has a strong ancient-trail atmosphere and is often remembered as the gateway and rest stop for Tianmu.

Ticket info

Wuxie Waterfall: Adults about ¥80 (including boat); students/seniors about ¥45; children under 1.2m and seniors over 70 enter free (boat fare about ¥10)—all subject to the attraction's posted prices on the day.

Lanting (Orchid Pavilion): about ¥70 per person; half price (about ¥35) for students and seniors. The free-entry policy for Shaoxing residents with an ID card is subject to on-site notices. Banzhu Village and the Xiake Ancient Trail are mostly free; Tianmu Mountain may require reserving a free experience ticket.

Opening hours

Wuxie: summer season (about Apr–Oct) roughly 7:30–17:00; winter season (about Nov–Mar) roughly 8:00–16:30. Lanting roughly 8:00–17:20 (last entry around 16:50); the Calligraphy Museum is closed on Mondays (except public holidays). Banzhu Village: weekdays roughly 8:30–16:30, weekends and holidays roughly 8:00–16:30. Tianmu Mountain roughly 9:00–16:30 (ticket sales and entry stop around 15:00). The Xiake Ancient Trail is mostly open all day. All times above are subject to the site's daily notices.

If you arrive at Shaoxing Station, Keqiao Station or Hangzhou East Station and don't want to transfer, book a station pickup/drop-off first to go straight to your first stop; for cross-district trips to Wuxie or Tianmu, add a private car.

Waterfalls in Zhejiang: Wuxie's "one stream, five falls"

History and Xu Xiake's footsteps

The name Wuxie was recorded among Jiangnan waterfalls very early on: Li Daoyuan's "Commentary on the Water Classic" documented its grandeur based on earlier texts, and Xu Xiake included it in his itinerary, verifying this "travel blogger endorsement" with his own footsteps. Cliff inscriptions carved into the rock faces were another way for scholars to leave a lasting mark.

A white cascade pouring down beside an orange-railed walkway — a classic angle framing both the Wuxie trail and the rushing water, perfect for setting the expectation that you can get up close.

If you're short on time and just want to cover the classic spots in the old town, start by comparing our group tour Shaoxing day tour. To combine Wuxie, Lanting and East Lake into a private itinerary, use custom private travel.

How to view the scenery: from the first fall to the fifth

Wuxie isn't a "snap one waterfall and leave" spot: you can walk down from the First Fall to the Fifth, with the drop and roar building as you go. The First Fall is gentle and graceful; the Second is often split into two streams by a rock; the Third spreads wide; the Fourth funnels through a narrow gorge with a fierce roar; the Fifth has the biggest drop and the most striking pool. Which fall photographs best depends on water flow and the season—check on-site notices.

A high-drop cliff waterfall crashes into an emerald pool, with wooden railings right at the viewing spot—closer to the roar and feel of the "fifth fall"; water flow varies by day (illustrative).

Shaoxing scenery visited by Xu Xiake

A must for calligraphy fans: Lanting in Shaoxing

Lanting became a calligraphy mecca thanks to Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion. The park's Goose Pool Stele, Winding Stream, and Imperial Stele Pavilion are the main highlights: the winding stream recreates that ancient poetry gathering, while the imperial stele—combining Kangxi's calligraphy copy and Qianlong's poem—is exceptionally rare. Xu Xiake may not have devoted a chapter to Lanting, but when "following his travel notes through Shaoxing," it remains the cultural anchor of the old city.

The long covered bridge spans the water with green hills framing the opposite bank—the waterscapes at Lanting are beautifully proportioned, making it a great mid-route spot to rest and take photos.

Visitors pausing by the stream stones, dappled light filtering through the bamboo—this is the closest you'll get to experiencing the ancient "Winding Stream" wine-cup game. Hanfu costume rentals are subject to on-site availability.

Ancient Shaoxing village: Banzhu Village

Banzhu Village is where Xu Xiake clearly recorded staying overnight in his Zhejiang Travel Diary: "...lodged at the Banzhu inn." That short line confirms its role as a post station; the "ten-day gap" in his diary is also a topic of debate among Xu Xiake scholars. The village's ancient post road, old bridges and ancestral halls are well preserved, and the Sima Hui Bridge and the Tianmu Gateway are often mentioned in local stories.

The stone-paved alley winds upward past white walls and red lanterns — the lanes in Banzhu Village are perfectly sized for a leisurely stroll, so don't just snap a photo at the entrance and leave.

The white walls and stone steps at the entrance of Zhang Da Ancestral Hall — a fine example of Banzhu Village's ancestral architecture, ideal for understanding the social structure of this ancient village.

Cultural landmark: Mount Tianmu

Tianmu Mountain is the core image of the "East Zhejiang Tang Poetry Road": Li Bai's poem Dream Journey to Tianmu: A Farewell Song gave poetic place names like the "blue cloud ladder" a real-world home. Xu Xiake later pinned this "mountain of dreams" to reality with his walking coordinates. Cloud sea views from the main peak Boyunjian and the condition of the hiking trails are subject to on-site notices; if you're low on stamina, use private customized travel to skip sections.

The gravel trail along the ridge leads to distant peaks and valley villages—the classic view of hiking Mount Tianmu, "standing on the ridge and looking out over layered ranges."

Beyond the wooden railing of the observation deck, the road winds along the ridge—a great spot to rest and take in the view. Check the park's signage for the exact location of the platform (illustrative).

White characters carved into the cliff face, framed by emerald water at the foot of the mountain—this pairing of stone carvings and scenery is Tianmu's signature. Interpretations of the inscriptions are subject to on-site explanations.

Hiking in Zhejiang: Which section of the Xiake Ancient Trail should you choose?

The "Xiake Ancient Trail" isn't a single official road but a commemorative hiking route pieced together by later generations from his travel diaries across Ninghai, Tiantai, Xinchang and other areas. The Ninghai section follows the starting point of his diary; the Tiantai section is dense with cultural sites and temples; the Xinchang section crosses Tianmu Mountain and links to Banzhu Village, offering a strong Tang Poetry Road vibe. Trail conditions and closures are subject to on-site notices.

Mossy stones and trickling streams in the forest ravine—the typical shaded, humid woodland of the ancient trail, perfect for imagining Xu Xiake's daily hiking environment.

Stone steps rising into the tree-shaded forest with a distant hiker—the image that best captures "following in Xu Xiake's footsteps." Watch your footing and pace yourself.

Cross-county hikes demand solid navigation and transport planning: use station transfers from the station to the trailhead, and for multi-day segmented routes, book a private car or a full custom private trip.

Turn Xu Xiake's route into your itinerary

When opening hours and ticket policies vary, planning everything at once saves hassle: a dedicated travel consultant can tailor Wuxie, Lanting, and the Old City to your schedule and connect them with a group tour or private custom trip. Collaboration rules for influencer site visits are subject to business agreements.

Once you arrive, here's how to match your plans: to fit Lu Xun's Hometown, Shen Garden, East Lake and Lanting into one day, first check the group tour "Shaoxing 1-day tour"; to arrange your own itinerary along the Xu Xiake route and old town, use custom private travel; for historical commentary, you can hire a guide; for door-to-door travel between multiple spots in the old town and Zhuji Wuxie, choose private car; for arrivals and departures at Shaoxing Station/Keqiao/Hangzhou East, book station transfer in advance.

Famous figures from Shaoxing to know before traveling to Zhejiang

Lu Xun: His hometown features Hundred-Plant Garden, Sanwei Study, and Wupeng boat waterways; Wang Yangming's former residence is in Yuyao (Ruiyun Tower, etc.); Wang Xizhi made Lanting a calligraphy landmark. When commentary at the hometown sites gets dense, it's best to hire a private guide.

The neatly arranged desks under the "Sanwei Study" plaque are the most reliable indoor highlight at Lu Xun's Hometown—perfect for recreating scenes from your textbooks.

White walls covered in calligraphy alongside the Tishan Bridge stone tablet—Shusheng Guli (Calligrapher Sage's Hometown) is packed with cultural symbols. Just frame out the modern AC units when taking photos.

What to eat in Shaoxing

Shaoxing flavors are unhurried: braised pork with preserved mustard greens is savory and perfect with rice; rice wine with fennel beans is the classic pairing at Xianheng Tavern; Shao Sanxian brings land and river delicacies together in one bowl. Check on-site notices for exact locations and wait times.

Glossy braised pork with preserved mustard greens steamed in a bamboo basket, served alongside steamed buns and a clay pot—a classic combination at a home-style Shaoxing banquet.

Two bowls of rice wine paired with a plate of fennel beans, with the character "drunk" on the Xianheng box in the background—the ultimate Shaoxing drinking spread.

A large bowl of Shao Sanxian soup with a rich, milky broth and garnishes around the rim—perfect for sharing. Portion sizes vary by restaurant.

Shaoxing souvenir list

Souvenirs are affordable: for rice wine, choose established brands like Tapai or Guyuelongshan; fennel beans make a great drinking snack; Xianggao cakes are small and easy to carry. If you pick up items at the airport or station, ask your pickup travel consultant to remind you.

Wine jars and bowls arranged as a display—before buying rice wine, check whether the packaging is suitable for checked baggage and meets customs import limits.

Xianggao rice cakes arranged on a wooden tray and in bowls—small and not fragile, perfect for filling gaps in your luggage.

Where to go after Shaoxing

Both high-speed rail and driving are convenient: Tongxiang's water towns offer a different waterside pace; Tiantai Mountain is linked to Guoqing Temple and Xu Xiake's opening travelogue; Haining is where you watch the Qiantang River tidal bore. For multi-city trips, take the Shaoxing leg of a group tour and extend it with a private custom trip, or simply book a private car.

Vines climbing a stone bridge, a Wupeng boat drifting beneath the arch—a classic scene of slow-paced waterside life in Tongxiang.

Tiered cliff waterfalls plunge straight down through the trees—a common sight around Tiantai Mountain.

FAQ

Is one day enough for a first visit to Shaoxing?

One day works best for Lu Xun's Hometown plus Shen Garden, along with either East Lake or Lanting. Wuxie, Tianmu and the ancient trails cross districts, so plan at least two days. For a one-day version, check out our group tour Shaoxing 1-day tour; if you prefer to customize your own itinerary, use our private custom travel.

Following Xu Xiake's footsteps, which spots should I prioritize?

Prioritize Wuxie Waterfall, Banzhu Village, Tianmu Mountain and the sections of the Xiake Ancient Trail. On the old town side, add Lanting, East Lake and Keyan for culture and scenery. For cross-district transfers, book a private car or a station transfer to your first stop.

How do I get from Shaoxing Station, Keqiao or Hangzhou East to the attractions?

Ride-hailing works after arriving by high-speed rail, but if you have lots of luggage, catch an early train, or need to go straight to Wuxie or Lanting, booking a station transfer is more reliable; add a private car if you plan to visit multiple spots in a day. Travel times and traffic depend on real-time conditions.

How much are tickets for Wuxie and Lanting?

Reference prices: Wuxie is about ¥80 for adults (boat included) and Lanting about ¥70. Discounts and free-entry policies for locals change often, so check official sources on the day before booking. For ticket inclusion rules on group tours, see the group tour product details.

Should I hire a guide if I don't know the stories behind the sites?

Lanting, Lu Xun's Hometown and Shen Garden are packed with historical references, so we recommend hiring a private guide. Mountain and hiking routes focus more on safety and pacing, and can be combined into a private custom trip.

Group tour or private custom trip: which should you choose?

If you want to visit the classic spots and prefer transport and tickets handled for you, choose a Shaoxing 1-day group tour. For an in-depth Xu Xiake route or an old town night tour combo, go with a private custom trip, and keep using station transfers for your arrivals and departures.

Every Shaoxing attraction has its own story: natural scenery and cultural heritage "named after great figures" are both worth a dedicated trip. Once you have a rough idea of the route, just tell us how many days you have and where you're departing from, and we'll turn the places in The Travel Diaries of Xu Xiake into a real itinerary you can walk.