Whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and riverside homes—take a boat ride to recall the ancient charm of Shaoxing.

Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Chen Guanxin

 

As China’s grand mountains and mighty waters increasingly shine on the world tourism stage, the rich and enduring cultural landscapes of ancient towns have become the next sought-after experience for travelers. Among the water towns of the Jiangnan region, Shaoxing, spanning 2,500 years of history, still retains its quaint small bridges, flowing waters, and black-canopied boats. This ancient town, with its “small bridges over flowing waters,” “whitewashed walls and black tiles on bluestone,” is hailed as an “open-air museum without walls.”

Located on the southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta, Shaoxing has a history of over 2,500 years dating back to the establishment of the capital by King Goujian of Yue during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The ancient city of Shaoxing still retains its original site. Within the 8.3-square-kilometer old city area, five major historical districts and 270 ancient buildings are well preserved. These include the Lu Xun Hometown Historical Block, which showcases the charm depicted in Lu Xun’s works; Cangqiao Old Street, known for its ancient city features and awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award; the best-preserved Shu Sheng Hometown; the Baziqiao Block, a typical representation of Shaoxing’s ancient street-river layout; and the Xixiaohé Block, which highlights Shaoxing’s water town scenery. Together, they continue the millennia-old cultural heritage of the ancient city.

 

When visiting Shaoxing, the must-experiences include the ancient city culture, scenic spots, and local offerings such as Huangjiu (yellow wine) and traditional opera. Stroll through the ancient city, visit the town’s treasure—the Lu Xun Hometown—and experience scenes from Lu Xun’s writings, such as “Three Early Readings” and “Blessing.” Then, hop on a distinctive tricycle to explore historical districts like Cangqiao Straight Street and Shu Sheng Hometown. Visit Lanting to immerse yourself in the fragrance of calligraphy and enjoy the fun of “floating cups along a winding stream.” Go to the Dayu Mausoleum to witness the grandeur of the Dayu worship ceremony. Back in the city, savor a meal at the century-old Xianheng Restaurant. In the evening, don’t miss the “Shen Garden Night” performance, a theatrical showcase of Shaoxing’s local culture and opera.

Nature and landscape lovers can visit East Lake to admire its unique rock formations, head to Xianglu Peak to experience the misty charm of “furnace smoke and rain,” explore Ke Yan to witness the breathtaking stone scenery crafted by nature, tour Wu Xi to enjoy a picturesque, graceful, and meandering mountain-water scroll, visit Fengming Mountain in Shangyu to see the spectacular scene of hanging rocks and waterfalls, and in Shengzhou, admire the “No. 1 Waterfall Group of Jiangnan”—Baizhang Waterfall—before boating on Wozhou Lake to retrace the poetic journey of the Tang Dynasty’s immortal poet.

For travelers who enjoy tracing history through their taste buds, Shaoxing offers not only a visit to the Huangjiu Museum and a taste of authentic Shaoxing Huangjiu banquets, but also a chance to observe the brewing process and even try painting your own flower-embellished wine jars. You can also enjoy an elegant wine ceremony performance at Xianheng Hotel or explore the origins of Huangjiu in the ancient town of Dongpu by Mirror Lake. Additionally, catch a graceful and tender performance of Yue Opera at the Yue Opera Museum in Shengzhou or the Xishi Hometown in Zhuji.

 

 

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