Shen Garden

Shen Garden

Shen Garden is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

A renowned garden in Shaoxing and an important scenic spot within the ancient city. After restoration, reconstruction, and expansion, Shen Garden now covers an area of 57 mu, divided into three main sections: the Historic Site Area, East Garden, and South Garden. Scenic elements such as the Solitary Crane Pavilion, Half-Wall Pavilion, Twin Laurel Hall, Eight Poems Tower, Song Dynasty Well, Archery Range, Plum Inquiry Balustrade, Zither Platform, and Broad Plow Studio are thoughtfully arranged across the three zones based on their historical features or the cultural themes of Shen Garden, forming ten scenic highlights: “Broken Clouds and Sorrowful Song,” “Poetic Love,” “Spring Waves and Startled Swan,” “Ruined Wall and Lingering Regret,” “Solitary Crane’s Lament,” “Green Lotus in Sunshine,” “Palace Walls and Resentful Willows,” “Snow Walk and Plum Inquiry,” “Fragrance of Poetry and Books,” and “Magpie Bridge of Love.”

Located by the Mulian Bridge River in Shaoxing, Shen Garden was already a famous garden during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). It is said that the original garden was several times larger than it is today and was built by a gentleman surnamed Shen—hence the name Shen Garden. With its pavilions, artificial hills, ponds, and beautiful surroundings, it attracted many poets and painters throughout Chinese history. Another reason for its fame is its connection to a tragic love story involving the great Song Dynasty poet Lu You (1125–1209). The Gourd Pond, Song Dynasty Well, and earthen mound in the garden are relics from the Song Dynasty. Two Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) buildings in the northeast corner have been restored to their original appearance, and a Lu You Memorial Hall has been established. Additionally, Shen Garden used excavated Song bricks to construct a “Shen Garden Relics Wall,” beside which a stone tablet is engraved with the famous poem “Phoenix Hairpin” by Lu You, written by the eminent scholar Xia Chengtao. On the back is a poem Lu You wrote during his revisit to Shen Garden 40 years after meeting Tang Wan.

After eight hundred years of rise and decline, by the time Shaoxing was liberated, only a small part of Shen Garden remained. When Guo Moruo visited in 1962, the garden was still desolate, and he wrote “Phoenix Hairpin” describing its scenery. The three characters “Shen’s Garden” on the current gate were inscribed by Guo Moruo himself. One should not forget Han Kehua, former head of China’s National Tourism Administration, who had a special fondness for Shen Garden. He visited Shaoxing multiple times and always made sure to include Shen Garden in his itinerary. Perhaps due to his advocacy, national investment in Shen Garden began as early as the 1980s, initiating its journey back to prominence.

In 1987 and 1993, the government and relevant departments rebuilt the Song-style garden on the original site. Coupled with recent restoration projects, Shen Garden has gradually taken shape and become an important scenic site in Shaoxing’s ancient city. After restoration, reconstruction, and expansion, the garden now covers 57 mu and is divided into three parts: the Historic Site Area, East Garden, and South Garden. Features such as the Solitary Crane Pavilion, Half-Wall Pavilion, Twin Laurel Hall, Eight Poems Tower, Song Dynasty Well, Archery Range, Plum Inquiry Balustrade, Zither Platform, and Broad Plow Studio are arranged according to their historical or cultural significance, forming ten scenic views. The Gourd Pond and small hill in the Historic Site Area are original Song Dynasty relics, while most other structures were restored based on archaeological findings. The East Garden, located east of the Historic Site Area, is also known as the Couple’s Garden and showcases classic Jiangnan garden design. The South Garden lies south of the Historic Site Area and mainly consists of the Lovers’ Garden and the Lu You Memorial Hall. The garden is thoughtfully laid out with solemn and elegant tones, and its scenic spots complement one another, exuding authentic Song Dynasty charm. Since Lu You loved plum blossoms, many winter sweet trees are planted in the Historic Site Area. When they bloom in winter, their fragrance fills the entire garden, making winter visits a unique highlight of Shaoxing tourism—especially poetic when it snows.

Time Needed

2 hours

Transportation

By car: Hangzhou – Exit at Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway – Shaoxing Central Road – Lu Xun Road to the garden

By bus: Take bus 30 to Lu Xun’s Hometown Station (walk 200m); from Shaoxing Coach Terminal, walk to City People’s Hospital Station (100m), then take bus 8, 88, 13, 315, 317, 318, or 319 to Lu Xun’s Hometown Station (walk 200m)

Ticket

Free entry during the day; Shen Garden Night Show: A Zone 138 RMB, C Zone 80 RMB; guide fee 70/80/90 RMB per group

Opening Hours

Daytime: 8:00–17:00; Nighttime: 17:30–22:00

Location

No. 318, Lu Xun Middle Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province

Type: Garden/Historic Site

Rating: AAAAA

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units