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.
Lu Xun Native Place is a preserved quarter along Lu Xun Middle Road in Yuecheng District, the old core of Shaoxing in Zhejiang, China. It centres on the childhood home of Lu Xun (1881-1936), the writer widely regarded as the founder of modern Chinese literature, and brings together several linked sites within a short walk of one another. Visitors can enter the Lu Xun Former Residence, the larger Zhou family compound with its courtyards, wooden halls and the small garden at the back where the writer played as a boy. Nearby are the Three Flavours Study, the old private school where he studied, the Baicaoyuan Garden that he described in his essays, and the Lu Xun Memorial Hall at 393 Lu Xun Middle Road, which holds manuscripts, photographs and first editions. Xianheng Tavern, named in the short story Kong Yiji, stands beside the quarter and completes the literary circuit. The architecture is typical of Shaoxing's late Qing merchant houses, with whitewashed walls, black tile roofs, carved timber screens and narrow lanes laid out beside canals. Most visitors follow a loose loop from the residence to the study, the garden and the memorial hall, then finish at the tavern for huangjiu and fennel beans. Allow two to three hours for an unhurried visit, longer for those who read the Chinese and English panels closely. Entry is free but requires a free reservation and a passport or ID, so arrive with documents in hand. Mornings soon after the 8:30 AM opening are the quietest; tour groups usually arrive from mid-morning and weekends, public holidays and summer school breaks bring the heaviest crowds. In peak season some lanes stay open into the evening, and the lantern-lit alleys and canal reflections reward a second visit after dark. Photography is generally permitted outdoors and in courtyards, though some exhibition rooms restrict flash or tripods. The quarter is also the best single orientation point for understanding why Shaoxing is called a literary hometown, since many scenes from Lu Xun's fiction can be matched to real buildings, bridges and shops within a few hundred metres.
| Admission | Free; free reservation and passport or ID required |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 AM-5:00 PM (Zhejiang culture department listing); some evening opening in peak season, hours change seasonally |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday morning right after opening, or a summer evening when the lanes are lit |
| Getting there | Walk from the old town; bus to Lu Xun Native Place stop; Didi/taxi from Shaoxing North Railway Station, about 20-30 minutes |
| Address | Lu Xun Middle Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China (Lu Xun Memorial Hall at 393 Lu Xun Middle Road) |
Location
Lu Xun Middle Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China (Lu Xun Memorial Hall at 393 Lu Xun Middle Road)
29.9985, 120.5870 View on map
Highlights
- Walk through the Lu Xun Former Residence and its rear garden
- See manuscripts and photographs in the Lu Xun Memorial Hall
- Visit the Three Flavours Study, the writer's boyhood school
- Finish at Xianheng Tavern with warm huangjiu and fennel beans
- Stroll the lantern-lit lanes in the evening in peak season
Tips for visiting
- 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
When to visit
Weekday mornings just after opening are quietest, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. In summer, the evening lantern lighting adds atmosphere.
Accessibility
The lanes are mostly flat, but the historic houses have raised thresholds, steps between courtyards and uneven stone paving. Wheelchair users can see the lanes and some halls, though access inside older buildings is limited.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Lu Xun Native Place take?
Most visitors spend 2-3 hours covering the former residence, Three Flavours Study, Baicaoyuan Garden and memorial hall. Adding a meal at Xianheng Tavern extends the visit.
Is Lu Xun Native Place free to enter?
Yes, admission is free, but a free reservation and a passport or ID are required. Foreign visitors should bring their passport.
Is it worth visiting for children?
Younger children may find the literary content limited, but the canals, courtyards and garden are pleasant to explore. Older students of Chinese literature usually get the most from it.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally allowed in the lanes and courtyards. Some exhibition rooms in the memorial hall may restrict flash or tripods, so check signs.