Shaoxing 绍兴 — City of Waterways, Wine & Lu Xun
Shaoxing is a water town with 2,500 years of history, famous for its yellow rice wine, traditional opera, and as the hometown of Lu Xun, modern China's greatest writer. The ancient waterways, stone bridges, and whitewashed walls create a quintessential Jiangnan landscape.
The preserved childhood home and school of Lu Xun (1881-1936), China's most important modern writer. Includes the Baicao Garden (from his stories), Sanwei Study, and Xianheng Tavern. Essential for understanding modern Chinese literature.
Hours: 8:30–17:00
Admission: Free (register)
Site of the famous 353 AD 'Orchid Pavilion Gathering' where Wang Xizhi composed China's greatest calligraphy masterpiece, the 'Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion.' A pilgrimage site for calligraphy lovers.
Hours: 8:00–17:00
Admission: ¥30
Take a traditional wupeng boat (乌篷船) through Shaoxing's ancient canals. The stone bridges, old houses, and willow-lined waterways create one of China's most atmospheric water town experiences.
Hours: 全天开放
Admission: ¥30 (boat)