Where to Go in Shaoxing: An Attractions Guide to the City's Authentic Side

Everyone says Jiangnan is full of poetry

but only by exploring Shaoxing

will you understand its ancient cultural roots

and the charm hidden in its water towns.

Known as a museum without walls, this city offers

Yuecheng's bluestone paths,

Keqiao's awning boats,

Zhuji's waterfalls,

and Xinchang's Tang poetry.

Every inch of land holds a thousand-year story,

and every view is worth slowing down

to explore.

To understand Shaoxing's cultural roots,

your first stop must be Yuecheng District,

the cultural heart of Shaoxing.

It holds the classics from school textbooks

and the everyday life of Jiangnan.

Step into Lu Xun's Hometown,

where bluestone paths connect Lu Xun's Ancestral Residence,

Sanwei Study, and Hundred-Plant Garden.

Look at the desk in Sanwei Study

carved with the word "early",

and touch the old well and plants in Hundred-Plant Garden

to feel the childhood memories and deep love for his hometown behind his words.

Nearby Shen Garden

is Jiangnan's most romantic garden,

famous for the poem "Phoenix Hairpin" by Lu You and Tang Wan.

Pavilions and towers reflect on the pond,

and the verses on the mottled walls

hold the love and sorrow of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Winding corridors at night

add even more poetic charm.

On Guangcang Bridge Straight Street,

the bluestone path winds forward,

stone bridges arch over the water,

and shops along the street give off the aroma of rice cakes.

When lanterns light up at dusk,

their glow reflects in the water,

blending local life with ancient charm—

the perfect place to experience Shaoxing's slow pace.

Climb Kuaiji Mountain to visit the Mausoleum of Yu the Great,

where stone inscriptions preserve the ancient legend of flood control.

Incense curls around the temples,

earning it the reputation of a Buddhist kingdom in Yue.

From the heights, the entire ancient city unfolds below,

and a thousand years of culture

blend beautifully with the landscape.

Leave Yuecheng

and head to Keqiao District

to experience

the double romance of water towns and quarry wonders.

Anchang Ancient Town is built along a river,

with homes on the south bank

and shops on the north.

Miles of covered corridors

shelter you from wind and rain,

making it Shaoxing's most authentic ancient town.

In the twelfth lunar month,

every household hangs sausages and soy-braised ducks,

filling the alleys with savory aromas.

Awning boats glide under the corridors,

oars creaking,

bringing the Jiangnan water town to life.

Keyan Scenic Area

hides a thousand-year quarrying miracle.

Quarries dating back to the Sui Dynasty

created wonders like the Stone Buddha

and Cloud Valley,

where every rock and cave has character.

The area connects Keyan,

East Lake,

and Luzhen.

Take a boat on Jianhu Lake,

the mother lake dug during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Its vast waters

bring Li Bai's poetic line "lake water like the moon" back to life.

Fishermen sing by the lake

amid stunning scenery—

every snapshot

looks like a landscape painting.

Luzhen recreates the water town described in Lu Xun's stories,

with live performances

that bring literary classics to life.

Next, head to Zhuji to visit

the hometown of a legendary beauty and the Wuxie waterfalls.

At Xishi's Hometown,

bordering the Pujiang River,

Xishi Hall and Mingyuan Pavilion

stand quietly.

White walls and black tiles

reflect in the river,

and bright night lights

tell the thousand-year legend of Xishi and the ancient Yue Kingdom.

Strolling through the garden,

you'll find scattered pavilions,

lush flowers and trees,

and a new view at every step—

pure Jiangnan elegance.

Drive to the Wuxie Scenic Area,

where five tiers of waterfalls rush down the mountain,

each with its own style.

The fifth cascade

roars like thunder, spraying mist everywhere,

most spectacular when water flows heavily in spring and summer.

Hiking along the valley through lush forests,

greenery surrounds you

and cool mist hits your face,

making it a perfect summer retreat.

Amid the mountains and waters,

Zhuji's natural elegance shines.

Enter Shengzhou

to enjoy the refined art of Yue Opera.

As the birthplace of Yue Opera,

the Yue Opera Town echoes with melodies.

Ancient stages and waterside pavilions

recreate the charm of Jiangnan gardens.

Watch authentic Yue Opera performances

and feel the gentle emotion of Jiangnan opera.

Head to Xinchang County to explore

the grandeur of the Tang Poetry Road.

Stepping into Tianmu Mountain

means entering the poetic world of Li Bai's

"Dream Journey to Tianmu Mountain."

Mist swirls

among jagged peaks,

and every step reveals a scene

straight out of Tang poetry.

As a core site of the eastern Zhejiang Tang Poetry Road,

scholars throughout history

have left thousands of poems here.

Overlooking the winding Hanfei River like a ribbon,

the mountains and waters

create a magnificent view.

Visit Dafo Temple,

a thousand-year-old temple

hidden in the forest.

Its stone Maitreya Buddha, known as the finest in Jiangnan,

stands solemn.

Banruo Valley and Shediao Village

offer different views,

where Buddhist culture blends with nature

in peaceful seclusion.

Finally, check in at Shangyu

to enjoy the relaxed poetry of the landscape.

Climb Dongshan Mountain,

the Eastern Jin hermitage of Xie An,

whose story of "rising again from Dongshan" has been told for centuries.

The forests are quiet

and ancient trees tower overhead.

Here you'll find

the charm of white walls and dark tiles,

the warmth of waterside homes,

the elegance of calligraphy and books,

and the beauty of mountains meeting water.

Slow down,

board an Wupeng boat in Shaoxing,

sip aged rice wine,

admire the ancient water town,

and listen to a thousand-year story.

This city has both historical depth

and the warmth of daily life.

Every stop

is a gentle encounter with Jiangnan's poetry

and ancient culture.

Once you've visited, you'll never forget

Shaoxing's unique grace and depth.