Xianheng Tavern

Xianheng Tavern is a historic tavern on Lu Xun Middle Road in Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China, next to Lu Xun Native Place. It takes its name from the tavern in Lu Xun's well-known short story Kong Yiji, in which the impoverished scholar Kong Yiji drinks standing at the counter and is mocked by other customers. The present building recreates an early twentieth-century Shaoxing wine shop, with a long wooden counter, rustic tables and benches, wine jars and period decoration. The tavern serves warm huangjiu, the yellow rice wine for which Shaoxing is famous, usually poured from small pewter or ceramic pots into bowls and sometimes taken with a little sugar or dried plum. The classic accompaniment is fennel beans, called huixiang dou, the snack mentioned in the story, along with dishes such as drunken chicken, stinky tofu, braised pork with preserved vegetables and local fish and river shrimp. Entry is free and visitors can step in to look around or sit down for a meal, with prices in the moderate range. Typical opening hours are about 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, though they should be confirmed locally. A visit takes 45 to 90 minutes. Late morning and early evening are good times, and the tavern gets busiest at lunch and on weekends and holidays when tour groups arrive. The counter area and the wine jars give the best photographs. Most visitors pair it with a visit to the former residence and memorial hall next door, ending the literary walk with a drink. Those wary of rice wine can ask for tea or lighter alcoholic options.