Shaoxing
Lu Xun's hometown · Yellow wine capital · Jiangnan water town
About Shaoxing
Shaoxing, in northern Zhejiang, is a 2,500-year-old Yue kingdom capital on the Kuaiji hills. Famous as the hometown of Lu Xun, a producer of China's most iconic yellow wine, and a Jiangnan water-town city laced with canals, stone bridges, and Ming-Qing lanes. Calligraphy heritage (Lanting/Orchid Pavilion), literary sites (Lu Xun's Baicao Garden), and mellow stinky tofu define the local experience.
Best Season
Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Days Recommended
2 Days
Avg Budget
$171
Location
Zhejiang, China
Must-See Spots
Top Attractions in Shaoxing
Lu Xun's Hometown & Shen Garden
The 5A complex around Lu Xun's childhood home (Baicao Garden and Three-Flavor Study), paired with Shen Garden, the Southern Song love-story garden of Lu You and Tang Wan. Walk the cobbled lanes, dip into the original Lu family kitchen, then cross to Shen Garden for the love poem inscribed on a wall.
Free entry to Lu Xun's home, Shen Garden charges 40 RMB. Allow 3-4 hours for both. Weekends are very crowded.
East Lake (Dong Hu)
A cliff-walled lake east of the old city, where Song-dynasty quarrying left sheer rock faces that today are navigated by traditional black-canopy sampans. The narrow canals between the cliffs are a signature Shaoxing experience, often compared to a miniature Guilin.
Boat ride is the highlight (40 RMB extra). Pair with a half-day at Lu Xun's home in the morning.
Lanting (Orchid Pavilion)
A 4A calligraphy sacred site in Kuaiji hills southwest of the city. Wang Xizhi composed the Lantingji Xu (Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Poems) here in 353 AD, the most celebrated work of running-script calligraphy in East Asia. The current grounds recreate the original pavilion, stream, and bamboo setting.
Bus 303 from downtown Shaoxing takes ~40 min. Spring brings flowing streams, the original setting for the famous curved-wine cup poetry game.
Anchang Ancient Town
A living water town 12 km north of Shaoxing, famous for its Lunar New Year sausage fair and traditional pulled-sugar candy. The old alleys along the canal still produce soy sauce, vinegar, and rice wine in small family workshops that visitors can watch and taste.
Visit the Ren Tang soy sauce workshop (free entry, samples sold). Winter (Lunar New Year period) is peak time for sausage tastings.
Dayu Mausoleum
The tomb and temple complex of Yu the Great, legendary founder of the Xia dynasty and flood-tamer of ancient China, on the southern foot of Kuaiji Mountain. The annual Yu Festival is still observed, and the surrounding hill is good for a short hike.
Combine with a Kuaiji Mountain half-day. Bus 2 or 10 from downtown.
Shaoxing Yellow Wine Town
An industrial tourism park around the China Yellow Wine Museum and a working Guyuelongshan distillery. The museum walks through 5,000 years of Chinese wine history; visitors can fill and seal a personal jar of vintage huadiao wine.
Don't miss the 1914 cellar. Tasting flights available. Sealed jars take 6-12 months before you can drink them.
Keyan & Jianhu & Lu Town
A 4A cultural complex south of the city combining the Song-era stone-carved Keyan giant Buddha, the Jianhu lake district, and a recreated Lu Town themed around Lu Xun's fiction. The combined ticket covers a black-sampan lake cruise and traditional Sichuan opera shows in Lu Town.
Allow a full day. The Lu Town theater shows run 3-4 times daily. Boats connect Keyan to Lu Town across Jianhu.
Qiaobo Ice & Snow World
An indoor ski and snow play center in Keqiao district, open year-round. The slope is short but the snow quality and family activities (snow tubing, kids' sledding) make it a half-day option for families with younger children.
Ski gear and snowsuits are included. Book online for weekday discounts.
Zhuji Wuxie (Five-Cascade Waterfall)
A 4A nature park in Zhuji county south of Shaoxing, with five successive waterfalls descending through a cool canyon. Summer is the peak season for the rushing water; spring and autumn bring wildflowers and red leaves.
About 1 hour by bus from Shaoxing railway station. Bring rain gear in summer - the spray from the top falls is heavy.
Xishi Hometown
A 4A cultural park in Zhuji commemorating Xi Shi, the legendary beauty whose diplomacy is said to have helped topple the Wu kingdom. The grounds include a reconstructed ancient village, the Huansha River walk, and a small museum.
Combine with Wuxie in a full day south of Shaoxing. Boat rides on Huansha River are the highlight.
Local Flavors
What to Eat in Shaoxing
Shaoxing Stinky Tofu (Chou Doufu)
Shaoxing's signature street snack. Fermented amaranth brine gives it the famous smell; the outside is crisp and the inside custardy. Served with sweet chili sauce and chopped cilantro.
Recommended: Cangqiao Straight Street stalls near the Lu Xun home entrance
Mei Gan Cai Kao Rou (Preserved Vegetable Pork)
Yue-cuisine classic: Shaoxing-style preserved mustard greens braised with sliced pork belly. The greens soak up the pork fat and soy sauce, while the pork turns meltingly soft.
Recommended: Xianheng Hotel (咸亨酒店) on Lu Xun Road
Fennel Beans (Hui Xiang Dou)
Slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with fennel, star anise, and Shaoxing yellow wine. The famous dish Lu Xun's character Kong Yiji eats in his short story - chewier the second day.
Recommended: Xianheng Hotel side entrance (open window counter)
Shaoxing Yellow Wine (Huadiao)
China's most famous rice wine, brewed in Shaoxing for 2,500 years. Aged versions (10, 20, 30 years) develop amber color and a deep, slightly sweet finish. Poured warm in winter, chilled in summer.
Recommended: Guyuelongshan (古越龙山) brand or any yellow wine city cellar
Creamy Xiaopan (Naiyou Xiao Pan)
A Shaoxing-only pastry: egg-custard tart in a crispy cone, dusted with sugar. Sweet, light, and best eaten warm from the street oven.
Recommended: Cangqiao Straight Street, south end
Shengzhou Xiaolong (Shengzhou Small Buns)
Shengzhou city, south of Shaoxing, is famous for its pork dumplings - the wrappers are paper-thin and the broth inside explodes on the first bite. Often eaten at breakfast.
Recommended: Old Liu Xiaolong near Shengzhou Coach Station
Ciwu Hand-Pulled Noodles (Ciwu Mian)
Zhuji Ciwu village noodles, hand-pulled at the table with a side of preserved vegetables, peanuts, and chili oil. The noodles are thick and chewy, the broth savory.
Recommended: Ciwu Old Noodle House
Xinchang Stir-Fried Rice Cake (Xinchang Chao Nian Gao)
Xinchang county rice cakes stir-fried with pork, bok choy, and soy sauce. The rice cakes are chewy and absorb the savory sauce.
Recommended: Any Xinchang old-town restaurant
Curated Itineraries
Suggested Routes in Shaoxing
Shaoxing Classic 2-Day Trip
Cover Shaoxing's literary and water-town essentials - Lu Xun's home, East Lake, Lanting, and Anchang in two compact days.
Shaoxing Food & Yellow Wine 2-Day Trip
A foodie itinerary focused on Yue cuisine and Shaoxing yellow wine, from morning fennel beans to evening wine cellar tastings.
Shaoxing & Zhuji Deep Dive 3-Day Trip
Two days in central Shaoxing plus a day trip south to Zhuji for Wuxie Waterfall and Xishi Hometown.
Trip Planning
Travel Budget for Shaoxing
Transport
Dining
Attractions
Accommodation
Total estimated budget: $171 per person
Actual costs vary by travel style, season, and booking choices.
Common Questions
Shaoxing Travel FAQ
What is the best time to visit Shaoxing?
Mar-May, Sep-Nov is generally the best season, with comfortable weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
How many days are recommended for Shaoxing?
2 days is a practical baseline for first-time visitors covering major highlights.
What is a typical travel budget in Shaoxing?
A common reference is around $171 per person, depending on hotel level, transport, and attraction choices.
Is Shaoxing suitable for family travel?
Yes. Shaoxing has diverse attractions, flexible route options, and accommodation levels suitable for family trips.
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