Shaoxing

Understand

Shaoxing is a historic cultural city known for its rich heritage and picturesque Jiangnan water town scenery. With over 2,500 years of history, Shaoxing is one of the birthplaces of ancient Yue culture.

Get around

The downtown is very clean, and very nice to walk around to feel the perfect combination of modern and ancient Chinese culture.thumb|240px|Modern center square in the downtown of Shaoxing

In Shaoxing, getting around is easy with a well-developed public transport system. Buses cover most of the major attractions, neighborhoods, and surrounding areas, making them an affordable and reliable choice for exploring the city. Shared bikes are commonly available near bus stops and popular tourist sites, offering a convenient way for short-distance travel and connecting to public transport.

Many locals and tourists also use ride-hailing apps like DiDi for quick and efficient transportation. Payments can be made through Alipay or WeChat, making the process seamless for travelers. However, since most taxi drivers don’t speak English, it’s advisable for visitors to prepare their destination in Chinese or ask hotel staff to write it down. This will help when asking for directions or showing it to taxi drivers. Young locals may be more familiar with basic English, so it’s worth asking them for help if needed.

Crossing the street in Shaoxing requires extra caution. Even at zebra crossings, vehicles may not yield to pedestrians. Always follow traffic signals, and it is safest to cross when the pedestrian light is green. When crossing busy streets, joining a group of locals can increase the chances of cars slowing down or stopping.

See

thumb|Bazi Bridge Shaoxing is a city with a long history, and its cultural relics and natural scenery are beloved by visitors. In Yuecheng District and Keqiao District, you can feel the ancient charm of Shaoxing. Traditional black awning boats still travel along the old canals, and the streets and historic buildings along the canals showcase the rich Jiangnan water-town style. Lu Xun's Hometown, which not only highlights the childhood life of the renowned writer Lu Xun but also preserves many late Qing and early Republic-era buildings, is a particularly popular attraction.

East Lake Scenic Area (Yuecheng District) is a famous natural and cultural attraction in Shaoxing, known for its unique rock formations, clear waters, and stone bridges. Visitors can take a boat ride on East Lake to enjoy the blend of nature and culture. Nearby, Lan Pavilion (Lanting) is renowned for being the place where the famous calligrapher Wang Xizhi wrote the "Orchid Pavilion Preface," making it a sacred site for Chinese calligraphy enthusiasts.

Shaoxing is also famous for its winemaking culture. A visit to the Shaoxing Yellow Wine Museum offers insights into the history and craftsmanship of Shaoxing rice wine. Besides cultural attractions, Shaoxing boasts beautiful natural scenery, such as Kuaiji Mountain, which is great for hiking and outdoor activities. The mountain is also home to historical landmarks like Dayu Mausoleum, which are well worth exploring.

Fishermen in this town used to use cormo…

Do

Strolling through the historic districts of Shaoxing is an experience not to be missed. At Cangqiao Straight Street, beyond admiring the stone-paved roads and traditional residences, you can participate in creating Shaoxing-style handicrafts or join workshops on water-town culture. At the street’s food stalls, handpick ingredients to try making authentic Shaoxing snacks—an enjoyable and delicious activity. thumb|259x259px|Kuaiji's Mountain  Shaoxing’s natural attractions also offer hands-on activities. At Kuaiji Mountain, visitors can hike to the summit and join a painting workshop at the top to capture their journey through art. The campsite at the foot of the mountain offers bonfire experiences, where you can participate in interactive games or enjoy barbecue evenings with others.

Cycling is another fantastic way to explore Shaoxing’s charm. Starting from Cangqiao Straight Street, cycle along the canal to the rural rice fields, stopping to try punting a traditional black-awning boat. This experience gives you a glimpse into the water-town lifestyle. Near the rice fields, you can even join rice planting activities to enjoy the hands-on fun of traditional farming.

In the city center, traditional Chinese foot therapy is ideal for relaxing after a long day. For a more unique experience, short workshops on foot massage techniques are available, incorporating local herbal knowledge. Visitors can learn how to relax and care for their feet, leaving with a certificate of part…

Buy

There are many shopping malls in the downtown area, here recommended some:

Lotus - in the north west of the downtown, a Thai cooperation's shopping center, offering variety of daily products with comprehensive prices. Trust-Mart - in the middle of the downtown, right beneath the center square underground, easy transportation. Buxing Road- in the south of the downtown, famous for its traditional Chinese small products like stamps, old money, pets and small hand made gifts. If time and weather permit, walking is the best way to explore the water-town charm of Shaoxing. Many of its distinctive streets are tucked away in back alleys, inaccessible to motorized vehicles, offering unique shopping and cultural experiences. Markets and shopping streets in Shaoxing are typically organized by product type and concentrated in specific areas or along main streets.

Eat

thumb|Meigan caiMeigan cai, or preserved mustard greens, boasts a rich history of production. People often prepare it at home, making it a staple ingredient in their cuisine. Beyond its everyday use, Meigan Cai is also a popular choice for gifting to family and friends. This flavorful pickled vegetable is especially prized for enhancing the taste of stewed dishes, with the classic Hakka delicacy Meigan Cai Kou Rou (梅菜扣肉/梅干菜烧肉) being a standout example. Shaoxing Xianggao(绍兴香糕), Shaoxing Fragrant Cake is a unique specialty of Shaoxing with a long history. It was one of the eight tribute items presented to the Qing imperial court. The cake is square-shaped with a white and yellow appearance. It has a fine texture, just meit in the mouth, and offers a sweet, aromatic flavor. Made from pure ingredients, it is moderately sweet and easy to digest.

Drink

alt=A smaller scaled version of the classic Shaoxing wine container|thumb|Shaoxing wineShaoxing wine is a variety of Chinese Huangjiu ("yellow wine") made by fermenting glutinous rice, water, and wheat-based yeast. Better quality Shaoxing wine can be drunk as a beverage and in place of rice at the beginning of a meal. Ping Shui Ri Zhu Tea(平水日铸茶) is a traditional famous tea from the Ping Shui town and surrounding areas in the Keqiao district of Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. It belongs to the green tea category and has a history dating back to the Tang Dynasty, named after the tea plants grown in the Ri Zhu Ridge area. It was even listed as a tribute in the Tea Classic.

Go next

thumb|300px|On the way from Shaoxing to Qianqing

Qianqing (钱清) — A small town not far away from downtown Shaoxing, bus 613 will get you there directly, and it is famous for its cheap textile and cloth materials with nice quality.

Hangzhou — The capital of Zhejiang Province, famous for its West Lake and rich cultural heritage. Hangzhou is only about 30 minutes away from Shaoxing by high-speed rail, making it a convenient day trip destination.

Ningbo — A bustling port city known for its historical Tianyi Pavilion and modern maritime industry. Ningbo can be reached from Shaoxing in about 50 minutes by high-speed rail.

Shanghai — China's largest metropolis, offering a blend of modern skyline and colonial architecture. Shanghai is approximately 1.5 hours away from Shaoxing by high-speed train or a 2-hour drive.

Mount Huangshan — A UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its stunning granite peaks and ancient pine trees. It is about 3 hours from Shaoxing by high-speed train, ideal for a scenic getaway.

Wuzhen — A traditional water town with well-preserved ancient architecture and canals, located approximately 1.5 hours from Shaoxing by car or train.