23-minute high-speed rail ride direct to this hidden Jiangnan gem — the real-life Shangri-La!

23-minute high-speed rail ride direct to this hidden Jiangnan gem — the real-life Shangri-La!

       It may not be the most popular destination when heading "down south" to Jiangnan, but once you visit, you'll know it's absolutely worth it ↓

  Here, you’ll find misty mountains, dense forests, murmuring streams — all resembling a true paradise as depicted in ancient poetry ↓

  Here, there are ancient paths lined with houses, blooming flowers everywhere, and every turn hides a romantic little story ↓

  This is the hometown of the legendary beauty Xi Shi and the birthplace of ancient Yue culture. Though quietly tucked away, it holds wonders within ↓

  This place is Shaoxing · Zhuji. When Zhuji is mentioned, many might draw a blank, but bring up Xi Shi and almost everyone knows her name. With breathtaking landscapes, the countryside here has preserved the tranquil charm of Jiangnan amid the bustle of modern life. Watch the flowers bloom and fade under blue skies, or listen to the rain tapping the leaves — isn't this exactly what your dream escape looks like?

Play in Zhuji

       Wuxie Scenic Area | Experience summer at 25°C here

   As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to visit Wuxie. Though it remains relatively undiscovered, it’s actually one of the most popular waterfall destinations in Zhejiang Province. At Wuxie, you can witness the spectacular sight of water cascading down five levels in one go, as well as marvel at nature’s incredible craftsmanship. Summer is especially ideal for visiting Wuxie and catching rainbows under the clear blue sky.

   Summer at Wuxie is full of cool relief: lush greenery covers the mountains, crystal-clear streams and lakes glisten beneath your feet, birds sing all around, and wildflowers of all colors bloom on the hillsides — red like flames, white like clouds, dotting the landscape like petals scattered by a fairy, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.

   Wuxie is covered in dense vegetation, with towering ancient trees. It’s a national-level forest park — forests on the mountains, by the lakes, and along the streams and paths. The most magical part is the water forest, where emerald reflections shimmer on the water’s surface, turning visitors’ clothes a tinge of green, blending everything into a world of green, with nature’s freshness refreshing the soul.

   Ticket price (reference only): 60 RMB per person

   Address: Wuxie Scenic Area, Wuxie Town, Zhuji City, Shaoxing

   Xi Shi’s Hometown | Bask in the aura of the legendary beauty

   This is the true birthplace of Xi Shi. Her beauty, her romance with Fan Li, and the mystery of her fate remain some of the most intriguing aspects of any trip to Zhuji. Stroll through Xi Shi’s Hometown, listen to tales of “the fish sinking and the goose alighting” and “Dongshi mimicking Xi Shi’s frown.” Among the various attractions along the meandering Huansha River, some see acts of devotion, others romantic encounters, and some the very essence of love.

   Sip tea and shop along Ancient Yue Street, take a relaxing walk along the boardwalk by the Huanshajiang River, and admire the statues of the washerwomen by the river — it’s all quite delightful. In summer, lotus flowers bloom; in spring and autumn, the waters are mirror-like — all classic scenes of Jiangnan beauty.

   Ticket price (reference only): 80 RMB per person

   Address: No. 2 Zhuluo East Road, Zhuji City, Shaoxing

   BaiTa Lake National Wetland Park | Zhejiang’s Little Dongting Lake

   They say, “Zhuji’s Bai Ta Lake is Zhejiang’s Little Dongting Lake.” As a rare farming-style river-network lake wetland in the Jiangnan region, Bai Ta Lake National Wetland Park boasts enchanting scenery. Under the sunlight, the waters sparkle, crisscrossed by waterways that twist and turn, with winding channels and looping causeways, creating a ever-changing watery wonderland as you glide across.

   It’s a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. In the fishing zones, you’ll find anglers skillfully outwitting fish, each enjoying their own moment of peaceful solitude — a scenic sight in itself. In summer, Bai Ta Lake shimmers with light dancing on the waves, kites soaring overhead alongside vast lotus leaves, forming an incredibly vibrant, expansive painting. At sunset, under the golden-red glow, the view is simply stunning.

   Ticket price (reference only): 50 RMB per person on weekdays, 80 RMB per person on weekends

   Address: Bai Ta Lake, Jinjia Station, Ruan Town, Zhuji City, Shaoxing

   Dongbai Mountain | A top spot for camping

   With plum groves in winter and streams in summer, Dongbai Mountain is in its most pleasant season of the year: vast alpine meadows, rows upon rows of wind turbines… It may lack meticulously sculpted peaks and waters, but it offers winding charm and bold grandeur. When fog rolls in, the grasslands become vast and hazy, with wind turbines silhouetted in the mist; when the mist lifts, sunlight spills over Taibai Peak, illuminating distant mountains and lakes. The Temple of the Fairy Maiden here is a renowned love sanctuary — couples shouldn’t miss it.

   Dongbai Mountain attracts many campers each year. You can pitch a tent either at the hut at the summit or near the small temple. As night falls, everyone sets up tents under a sky full of stars and the moon, forgetting worries and stress while quietly enjoying the moment of solitude. The mountain is accessible by car, making transportation quite convenient. Be sure to bring extra water and clothing, as the mountain winds can be chilly at night.

   Ticket price (reference only): Free

   Camping gear: Must be brought by yourself

Address: at the junction of Zhuji, Dongyang, and Shengzhou cities in central Zhejiang Province

Tangjiangyan Scenic Area | Awe-inspiring grandeur

Even before entering, you’ll be struck by this several-hundred-meter-high towering rock. This massive rock standing by the Tangjiang River is Tangjiang Rock: surrounded by green mountains on three sides and a lake on the other, it stands solitary and majestic. Its numerous cracks divide the huge rock into countless unique cliff clusters, creating a magnificent sight. The scenic area consists of main attractions such as Tangjiang Grand Rock, Tiger Cave Mountain, Lingping Temple, Five-Finger Mountain, and Bugu Lake. There are vast forests as well as rugged rocky slopes.

The superior natural conditions of Tangjiangyan Scenic Area make it highly suitable for outdoor adventure activities. The largest and most fully equipped outdoor training base in East China is located here. Activities include paintball, trust falls, assault nets, dragon boat racing, cycling, and more—there’s something for all skill levels. At the foot of the mountain lies Bugu Lake, where clear blue waters ripple under emerald-tinted mist, and a variety of novel water amusement activities offer a cool escape in summer.

Ticket price (for reference): 30 RMB per person

Address: Tangjiangyan Scenic Area, Tongshan Town, Zhuji City, Shaoxing

Ancient Torreya Grand Road | The world’s only Torreya spectacle

Hidden deep within the majestic and verdant Kuaiji Mountains lies an ancient Torreya road, weathered by a thousand years of wind and rain, telling tales of the passage of time. Through dynastic changes, literati such as Su Shi left behind poems themed around Torreya, many of which have been passed down to this day. Walking along the classic stone-paved path that retains its ancient charm, the rustic and simple landscape of the old road evokes visions of its former bustling merchant activity.

As a rare species in the world, Torreya is a gift from nature to this land. Having survived ice ages and glacial catastrophes, 105,000 Torreya trees stand in continuous mountainous groves quietly guarding the 30th parallel north, serenely witnessing the historical turbulence once stirred by ancient Shanyan. These Torreya trees are tall and straight, lush and leafy, with twisted roots and diverse postures, forming a true forest wonder.

Ticket price (for reference): Free!

Address: Torreya Grand Forest Park, Zhaojia Town, Zhuji City

Recommended route: Zhongjialing – Xikeng – Xuanjiashan Village – Jinjiayan – Xinjiangxia Village – Dongxi – Torreya Grand Forest Park, approximately 13.8 km

Miguo Farm Town | The most playful rural town

In the early summer blooming season of Zhuji, there’s a train full of childlike wonder traveling through a corridor of spreading greenery. Flowers bloom year-round here. It houses the country’s first dragon fruit-themed pavilion, a love park favored by couples, and is both a paradise for leisure and an idyllic retreat beyond the city. It’s Miguo Farm Town.

After being in the hustle and bustle of the city for too long, occasionally returning to a pastoral life feels especially comforting. Countryside fences, fruit picking, cooking over a traditional stove… a completely self-sufficient lifestyle instantly relaxes you.

Ticket price (for reference): 128 RMB per person

Address: Jiefang Village, Shanjiahu Town, Zhuji City, Shaoxing

Food · Zhuji

Every Dragon Boat Festival, people in Zhuji have the custom of eating fried wheat crisps. The older generation of Zhuji natives say that in the past, making these crisps before the festival was a way for daughters to “show off”—they had to be beautifully made and delicious. Making wheat crisps is very simple: fold a square dough, cut thin slits into it, use a straw to dot on eyes, and you get an adorable, lifelike wheat peacock that’s particularly endearing.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang once praised △Cixi Hand-Pulled Noodles as “noodles you can’t get tired of eating.” They are chewy and smooth—the secret lies in the “pulling.” The dough is repeatedly beaten thin with a rolling pin, then folded and cut into noodles. One bite reveals a Q-textured, refreshing, and resilient taste.

Among Caota Rice Cakes, the term “jian” (jian) in the local Zhuji dialect sounds like “zhou” (zhou), or porridge.Among Shaoxing’s intangible cultural heritage, rice cake “jians” are listed. Freshly steamed glutinous rice balls are kneaded into flat cakes while hot, then wrapped around freshly baked scallion pancakes. The aroma of rice, shredded radish, and meat blend together, teasing the taste buds.

Majian Steamed Buns are made with a fermentation process using wine lees, giving them a strong wine aroma upon eating. There’s an art to eating Majian Buns: first split the bun, place a large piece of braised pork belly inside, take a big bite, letting the broth seep out to truly savor the flavor.

When talking about Zhuji cuisine, △Fengqiao Torreya is definitely not to be missed. It has enjoyed fame for over a thousand years. Su Dongpo once wrote: “That beautiful fruit of Yushan, shining bright as golden platter fare.” Fengqiao Torreya has thin shells and full kernels, with a tender, delicate texture, crisp and fragrant—truly a heavenly delicacy.