East Lake in Shaoxing

East Lake in Shaoxing

East Lake in Shaoxing is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

East Lake in Shaoxing: Located about 3 kilometers east of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, nestled within the mountains. It was formed over time by quarrying stone from the mountain. With towering cliffs and rugged rocks stretching hundreds of meters around an embracing lake, its waters are bluer than the sky. The lake features nine bridges and two caves, all navigable by boat. The seamless blend of landscape and water, along with the intricate cave formations—man-made yet naturally charming—creates a picturesque scene. Along the lakeshore stand structures such as the Xiangji Pavilion and the Tingyuan Pavilion.

Located about six kilometers east of the ancient city of Shaoxing, East Lake is a renowned garden known for its skillful integration of cliff faces, caves, stone bridges, and lake surfaces. It is one of the three most famous lakes in Zhejiang Province. Though compact in size, the lake’s extraordinary rock formations and caves have earned it the reputation—recognized by tourism professionals—as a rare “wonder of the lakes.” A survey conducted by the Japanese travel agency JTB among Japanese tourists who had visited both West Lake in Hangzhou and East Lake in Shaoxing revealed that impressions of East Lake surpassed those of West Lake, showing that such praise is not merely a matter of local pride.

The area where East Lake now lies was originally a Qing stone mountain. Emperor Qin Shi Huang stopped here to rest and water his horses during his eastern tour, hence the mountain was once called Ruokui Mountain. After the Han Dynasty, Ruokui Mountain became a quarry site for Shaoxing. Over centuries of carving and chiseling using special stone extraction techniques, nearly half of the mountain was removed, forming steep cliffs as high as 50 meters. Workers also quarried deep underground—at times 20, even 40–50 meters down—eventually forming a clear water pond approximately 200 meters long and 80 meters wide. By the late Qing Dynasty, Tao Junxuan, a notable local scholar, recognized the site’s potential. He enclosed the quarry area, slightly expanded the water surface, and thus created East Lake, where mountain and water complement one another. After a century of human enhancement, East Lake evolved into an exquisite man-made landscape resembling a giant bonsai.

The reason East Lake leaves such a profound impression is likely due to the visual impact of its man-made cliffs. Therefore, the most essential aspect of visiting East Lake is appreciating these cliffs. Observing the cliffs at East Lake varies greatly depending on distance—viewing from afar, mid-range, or up close. Walking along the path beside the ancient canal and the enclosing wall offers a distant view: the cliffs display varying shades of color, with uniquely shaped cavities creating a layered, dynamic panorama. A stroll along the lake’s pathways provides a mid-range perspective, where the cliffs and their cave formations evoke a sense of wonder and compel admiration for the perseverance of ancient laborers. The closest encounter comes from boating into the caves, experiencing East Lake beneath the cliffs, where one may feel a sense of their own smallness. The most magical part of the boat tour is seeing Tao Gong Cave and Xiantao Cave up close—for many, not entering these two caves means not truly visiting East Lake. The entrance to Tao Gong Cave is so narrow that only a small boat can pass through, yet inside reveals an unexpected world. Looking up from the cave floor, one gazes at a patch of sky, evoking the feeling of "viewing the sky from the bottom of a well." From the shore, Xiantao Cave appears to be just a simple stone-framed opening, but upon close approach—and with guidance from a tour guide—you’ll see the immense image of a peach combined with its reflection in the water.

The East Lake scenic area features marvels such as Tao Gong Cave and Xiantao Cave, complemented by thoughtfully placed artificial structures including Tingqiu Pavilion, Xiachuan Bridge, Yinlv Pavilion, Guiling, and Qin Bridge—making you feel as if you're within a painting. Beyond its natural beauty of mountains, stones, and lake waters, East Lake is also a site of historical significance. Figures such as Sun Yat-sen, Tao Chengzhang, Xu Xilin, and Lu Xun once visited the lake for leisure or to discuss revolutionary plans. After Tao Chengzhang was martyred, the people of Shaoxing built Tao She in his honor within East Lake. In August 1916, Dr. Sun Yat-sen personally visited Tao She to pay his respects. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, leaders such as Mao Zedong visited East Lake multiple times. The poet Guo Moruo left behind a verse here: “Ruokui East Lake, carved by human hands. Walls rise a thousand feet, paths are hard to traverse. Large boats enter caves, gazing at the sky from a well. Don’t say the lake is small—the sky is within it.” Visitors to East Lake are captivated not only by the picturesque scenery but also moved by the miracle created through the hard work of laborers.

East Lake is one of the main attractions for out-of-town visitors in Shaoxing. Taking a Wupeng boat (a traditional black-canopied boat) is a highlight of lake tours, often giving first-timers an exhilarating experience. Aside from sightseeing on the water, visitors can also hike up the mountain. The mountaintop has tea plantations and teahouses, as well as excellent spots for panoramic views. In spring, the plains northeast of East Lake offer views of classic Jiangnan water town scenery rarely seen elsewhere.

Suggested Duration

3 hours

Transportation

Bus: Routes 1, 29, 107, 117, 127, 137, 157, 167, 207, get off at East Lake Scenic Area Station

Self-driving: 12 km from the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway exit; the expressway is 10 km from Shaoxing Passenger Transport Center, which is about 2 km from the East Lake scenic area (via outer ring road)

Ticket Price

Admission: 40 RMB (Wupeng boat ticket: 85 RMB per boat, max 3 people per boat; boat guides provide free commentary throughout; ticket booths are located at both ends of the lake, buy tickets at either, a round trip requires two boat tickets; the scenic area also offers rock climbing at 30 RMB per session)

Opening Hours

8:30-17:00

Location

Yundong Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, East Lake Town