Shaoxing travel guide: where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Shaoxing.
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1
Lu Xun Native Place
Preserved quarter around the home of writer Lu Xun (1881-1936), with his Former Residence, the Zhou family house, the Three Flavours Study, Baicaoyuan Garden, the Lu Xun Memorial Hall and Xianheng Tavern.
Tip: Make the free reservation online before arrival and carry a passport or ID · Arrive near the 8:30 AM opening to avoid tour groups · Allow 2-3 hours to cover the residence, study, garden and memorial hall · Hours change seasonally, so confirm opening times locally · Combine with Shen Garden and Cangqiao Straight Street, both within about 15 minutes on foot · Avoid weekends and national holidays when queues at the entrance grow
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2
Shen Garden
Song-dynasty garden famous for the poet Lu You's 'Phoenix Hairpin' poem about his lost love Tang Wan, with ponds, rockeries, pavilions and a poem wall.
Tip: Arrive at the 8:00 AM opening on a weekday for the quietest visit · Day tickets cost about 40 yuan; evening show tickets are priced separately · Check dates before planning on the evening programme, as it runs only on selected nights · Pair with Lu Xun Native Place, about 10-15 minutes away on foot · Visitors who read some Chinese will enjoy the poems more; translations are limited
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3
Cangqiao Straight Street
Well-preserved canal-side lane of old Shaoxing houses with arched bridges, tea shops, small eateries and wupeng boat moorings.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for the best light and boat activity · Agree the price of a wupeng boat ride before boarding · Weekdays are far less crowded than weekends and holidays · Combine with Lu Xun Native Place and Bazi Bridge on one walking route · Wear shoes with grip, as canal-side steps can be slippery when wet
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4
Bazi Bridge
Ancient stone arch bridge in the Song-dynasty style, reportedly dating to about 1256, where streets and canals meet at angles that form the Chinese character for eight.
Tip: Go early in the morning or at dusk for calm water and good reflections · Allow 30-45 minutes, or combine with Cangqiao Straight Street nearby · Watch your step on the worn, steep stone stairs · No ticket is needed, and the bridge is open 24 hours · Walk down to the canal bank for the best reflection photograph
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5
Qiu Jin Former Residence
Memorial site on the family home of Qiu Jin (1875-1907), the feminist poet and revolutionary executed in Shaoxing after a failed uprising.
Tip: Bring a passport or ID, as free admission may require registration · Confirm opening hours locally, as they are listed as typically 8:30 AM-4:30 PM · Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school groups · Allow 45-60 minutes · Pair with Lu Xun Native Place nearby · Use a translation app for the mostly Chinese captions
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6
Zhou Enlai Ancestral Home
Restored family home of Zhou Enlai's ancestors, a modest Ming-era house in the old town; Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) became China's first premier.
Tip: Bring a passport or ID for free admission · Confirm hours locally, as they are typically 8:30 AM-4:30 PM · Visit on weekday mornings to avoid groups · Allow about 45 minutes · Use a translation app for Chinese captions · Expect larger crowds around national holidays
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7
Orchid Pavilion (Lanting)
Garden where the calligrapher Wang Xizhi hosted the cup-floating poetry gathering of AD 353 and wrote the 'Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion', with a curved stream and calligraphy steles.
Tip: Arrive at the 7:30 AM opening for the quietest visit · Confirm the ticket price at the gate, as sources report 60-70 yuan · Allow 1.5-2 hours for the full loop · Use weekend and holiday sightseeing buses linking the site with other Shaoxing attractions · Visit in spring for the Calligraphy Festival · Avoid weekends and national holidays if possible
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8
Mausoleum of Yu the Great (Dayu Mausoleum)
Memorial complex for Yu the Great, the legendary flood-controller who is said to be buried at the foot of Kuaiji Mountain, with a long processional way, the Yu Temple, a memorial hall and ritual spaces.
Tip: Arrive at 8:00 AM on a weekday for the quietest visit · Last tickets are sold at 4:30 PM · Confirm the 50-60 yuan admission at the gate · Combine with Kuaiji Mountain, which has a separate ticket · Allow 1.5-2 hours · Expect crowds around Qingming and national holidays
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9
Kuaiji Mountain Scenic Area
Forested mountain associated with Yu the Great and the First Emperor of Qin's visit in 210 BC, with trails, temples and views over the Shaoxing plain.
Tip: Start by 8:00 AM to climb in cooler hours · Wear sturdy shoes for the stone steps · Bring water, as supplies on the upper trails are limited · The ticket is separate from the Dayu Mausoleum, so confirm prices locally · Choose spring or autumn for clear views · Allow 2-4 hours depending on how far you climb
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10
East Lake (Dong Hu)
Former stone quarry reshaped into a scenic lake with cliffs, caves, stone bridges and boat rides, a classic place for canal-style boat trips.
Tip: Visit in the morning for stiller water and fewer crowds · Boat rides cost extra, so confirm the price before boarding · Admission is reported at 50 yuan for adults and 25 yuan for children and seniors · Allow 2-3 hours · Avoid weekends and holidays when boat queues lengthen · Duck under low bridges as instructed by the boatman
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Literary_and_historic_homes
Canal_streets_and_bridges
Ancient_sites_and_mausoleums
Lakes_and_scenic_areas
Museums
Food_and_drink
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Best Time To Visit Sites
- Weekday mornings right after opening avoid the largest tour groups at Lu Xun Native Place, Shen Garden and the Orchid Pavilion; spring and autumn are most comfortable
- Reservations
- Lu Xun Native Place is free but requires an advance reservation through the official Shaoxing tourism channel and a passport or ID; other sites are generally walk-in
- Security
- Bag screening and passport or ID checks are standard at Lu Xun Native Place and other major sites; carry a passport
- Combined Tickets
- Keyan sells a combined ticket (about ¥115 (about $17.04 USD) per one travel guide) covering Lu Town and the Jian Lake cruise; Shen Garden's evening show is ticketed separately
- Accessibility
- Old-town streets and Cangqiao Straight Street are flat but have stone bridges with steps; Kuaiji Mountain trails and Anchang's arched bridges involve steps and uneven stone
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Lu Xun Native Place?
Yes. Admission is free but visitors must reserve in advance through the official Shaoxing tourism channel and bring a passport or ID. Walk-up entry is not guaranteed.
How much do the main Shaoxing attractions cost?
Lu Xun Native Place and Cangqiao Straight Street are free. Shen Garden is about ¥40 (about $5.93 USD), the Orchid Pavilion about ¥60-70 (about $8.89-10.37 USD), the Dayu Mausoleum about ¥50-60 (about $7.41-8.89 USD) and East Lake about ¥50 (about $7.41 USD). Prices vary by source, so confirm at the gate.
How many days do I need in Shaoxing?
Two days covers the old-town cluster (Lu Xun Native Place, Cangqiao Straight Street, Shen Garden, Bazi Bridge) plus the Orchid Pavilion and Yu Mausoleum. A single day trip from Hangzhou covers only the old town.
What is the best way to see the canals?
Take a wupeng black-awning boat near Lu Xun Native Place or Cangqiao Straight Street; boats are priced per boat at roughly ¥100-200 (about $14.81-30 USD), so agree the fare before boarding.
Which sights are outside the old town?
The Orchid Pavilion (about 12.5 km southwest), the Dayu Mausoleum and Kuaiji Mountain (southeast), East Lake (east), Keyan (west) and Anchang Ancient Town (northwest) are reached by bus, taxi or Didi.