Departing from Hangzhou, it takes less than half an hour by high-speed rail to reach Shaoxing. As soon as you get off the train, you will be greeted by the unique water town atmosphere of Shaoxing, which instantly makes you feel a completely different atmosphere from the metropolis. In the next few days, I deeply experienced every aspect of Shaoxing, and I have to say that this city is really good at “grasping” people!
1、 Long lasting ancient charm: the hometown of Lu Xun and the hometown of literary masters
When it comes to Shaoxing, we cannot ignore Lu Xun. As one of the founders of modern Chinese literature, Lu Xun’s works have influenced several generations of Chinese people. And Shaoxing is the place where this literary giant was born.
Entering Lu Xun’s hometown feels like traveling back a century. The small alley paved with bluestone, the quaint Sanwei Bookstore, and the famous Hundred Herbs Garden all evoke vivid characters and stories from Lu Xun’s works. Standing in front of Lu Xun’s former residence, I seem to see the scene of the young Lu Xun reading, thinking, and growing up here.
What surprised me was that Shaoxing is not only the hometown of Lu Xun, but also a monument in the history of Chinese calligraphy – the hometown of Wang Xizhi. At Lanting, I visited the Wang Xizhi Memorial Hall and learned about the life story of this’ sage of calligraphy ‘. Although more than a thousand years have passed, Wang Xizhi’s achievements in calligraphy art are still admirable.
At Lanting, I also personally experienced a “curved water flowing cup”. Sitting by the stream, watching the small wine glass slowly drift by with the current, one cannot help but imagine the grand scene of Wang Xizhi and literati reciting poetry here back then. This perfect combination of nature and culture is truly breathtaking.
2、 Water Town Charm: Ancient Bridges, Old Streets, and Wupeng Boats
Another major feature of Shaoxing is its unique water town style. Strolling through the old city area, one can see stone bridges, small rivers, and Ming and Qing architecture on both sides, forming a moving picture of the water towns in Jiangnan.
The most impressive one for me is Donghu Lake. Here, a large number of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings are preserved, and old houses built along the lake are reflected in the lake, forming a moving image. Sitting in a teahouse by the lake, drinking Shaoxing yellow wine and looking at the beautiful scenery in front of me, is truly a rare enjoyment.
At Donghu Lake, I also experienced a Shaoxing style transportation vehicle – the Wupeng boat. The boatman skillfully controlled the long pole and led me through the narrow water lane. The ancient buildings on both sides of the Taiwan Strait slowly pass by before our eyes, and occasionally we can see cured meat and salted fish hanging on the walls to dry. This authentic water town life scene makes us feel as if we have traveled back hundreds of years.
Besides Donghu Lake, the old streets of Shaoxing are also not to be missed. Especially the Cangqiao Straight Street in the Shusheng Hometown Scenic Area preserves a large number of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. Walking on the cobblestone paved street, there are various time-honored shops on both sides, selling Shaoxing characteristics of yellow rice wine, Stinky tofu, dried vegetables and other specialties. Every brick and stone here seems to be telling the long history of Shaoxing.
3、 Food Paradise: Yellow Rice Wine, Stinky tofu and Shaoxing Flavor
When it comes to Shaoxing, one cannot ignore its cuisine, especially Huangjiu. As the “hometown of Huangjiu”, Shaoxing’s Huangjiu has a long history and excellent quality. I visited a local Huangjiu museum and learned about the brewing process and cultural significance of Shaoxing Huangjiu.
After tasting authentic Shaoxing Huangjiu, I finally understood why it has become one of the four famous Chinese liquors. The mellow and soft taste, slightly sweet with a hint of freshness, is truly unforgettable. What surprised me the most was that Shaoxing people have many rules when drinking yellow wine, such as temperature, utensils, etc.
In addition to rice wine, Stinky tofu in Shaoxing is also unique. Although the name doesn’t sound very elegant, the crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fragrant but not greasy taste, is really irresistible. I tried Stinky tofu from several different stores on the old street, each of which has its own characteristics, making it difficult to choose which one is better.
In addition, the traditional snacks in Shaoxing have also opened my eyes. For example, fermented dried Shaobing (Baked cake in griddle), fennel beans, drunk crab, etc., each has its own unique flavor. Especially for drunken crabs, crabs soaked in yellow wine not only have the mellow aroma of yellow wine, but also retain the deliciousness of crabs. It’s a wonderful combination.
4、 Cultural heritage: Ancient capital of Yue and former residences of famous figures
Shaoxing not only has a long history, but also a profound cultural heritage. As the capital of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period, Shaoxing preserved a large number of historical relics. I visited the ruins of the Sword Pool of King Goujian of Yue and imagined the scene of Goujian lying on the firewood, tasting gall, and striving for governance. I couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for this ancient hero.
Besides Lu Xun and Wang Xizhi, Shaoxing is also the hometown of many famous people. For example, the great literary figure Qiu Jin and the famous playwright Xia Yan. I visited the former residence of Qiu Jin and couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions.
In Shaoxing, almost every corner can feel a strong cultural atmosphere. Whether it’s calligraphy inscriptions on the streets and alleys, or cultural relics exhibitions in museums, they all tell the story of the cultural heritage of this city.
5、 Natural scenery: Kuaiji Mountain and Keyan Scenic Area
In addition to cultural landscapes, the natural scenery of Shaoxing is also not to be missed. Kuaiji Mountain is a symbol of Shaoxing and a famous Taoist mountain. I climbed to the top of the mountain, overlooking the entire city of Shaoxing, and the feeling of sudden enlightenment was refreshing and invigorating. The Great Yu Mausoleum on the mountain is also an important historical and cultural relic, which makes people pay tribute to this water control hero.
The Ke Yan Scenic Area has brought me a different experience. This place combines natural and cultural landscapes, especially the famous “Ke Yan Jian Hu Tu”, which perfectly combines landscape and calligraphy art, making it a stunning sight. Sitting in a tea house by the river, gazing at the beautiful scenery in front of me, sipping fragrant tea, is truly a great pleasure in life.
