Stand on Bazi Bridge and you are standing on one of the oldest overpass bridges in China, built during the Northern Song Dynasty, its figure-eight shape carrying foot traffic over two canals at once. Below you, the old waterways of Yuecheng District still run between stone-paved lanes and traditional houses, and the Jiangnan water-town layout of Shaoxing is laid out in front of you rather than behind glass.
Shaoxing suits travellers who want literature, calligraphy, gardens and canals in the same day, and who are willing to walk between them. The city is tied to Lu Xun, Wang Xizhi, Lu You and Yu the Great, and much of what is worth your time sits close together in the centre or a short ride out.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the sources describe, ordered from the strongest down, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions travellers ask most.
Top things to do in Shaoxing
1. Lu Xun's Hometown Tourism Precinct
An assortment of buildings associated with Lu Xun, the early 20th-century Chinese writer, at 241 Luxun Zhong Lu in Yuecheng District. The precinct highlights his childhood life and preserves many late Qing and early Republic-era buildings, which is why it is a particularly popular attraction in the city.
Entry is free. Because it sits on Luxun Zhong Lu, you can walk straight from here to Shen's Garden at number 318 on the same road, making the two an easy pairing for a single outing.
2. Shen's Garden
A historic garden at 318 Luxun Zhong Lu in Yuecheng District, known for its Song Dynasty style and for the love story of the poet Lu You and his first wife Tang Wan. Bridges, flowing streams and greenery give it a classical atmosphere, and it is a good place to experience Southern Song culture.
Combine it with Lu Xun's Hometown Tourism Precinct next door rather than making a separate trip. The garden's romantic associations make it a natural stop for couples.
3. Bazi Bridge
One of the oldest existing overpass bridges in China, built during the Northern Song Dynasty and named for its figure-eight shape. The design and structure are ingenious, and the surrounding rivers and ancient alleys show the water-town culture of Shaoxing.
There is no charge to see it. Come to explore the city's history and traditions on foot, and to watch the old canals that traditional black awning boats still travel along.
4. The Orchid Pavilion
Lanting, at the foothills of Lancome about 13 km southwest, is where the Eastern Jin calligrapher Wang Xizhi is said to have written the "Orchid Pavilion Preface." Legend holds that he once planted orchids here and set up a pavilion, giving the site its name. The present buildings were reconstructed in the 27th year of Ming Jiajing (AD 1548) by Shen Qi, and the site was restored to the style of Ming and Qing gardens in 1980.
It is open 08:00-17:00 and admission is ¥80. It is a sacred site for Chinese calligraphy enthusiasts, and you can pair it with the Lanting Calligraphy Art Center for a hands-on session.
5. East Lake Scenic Area
About six kilometres east of the ancient city, East Lake combines cliffs, caves, stone bridges and water. Though small, its unusual rocks and caves have earned it a reputation as a rare "marvel among lakes," and it is known as one of the three famous lakes in Zhejiang Province.
It is open 08:30-17:00 and admission is ¥50. Take a boat ride on the lake to enjoy the blend of nature and culture.
6. Kuaiji's Mountain
In the southeastern part of Shaoxing, Kuaiji Mountain is known for its history and scenery, with the Mausoleum of Yu at its base. Dense forests, winding hiking trails and summit views make it a place for trekking and relaxation.
It is open 8:00-16:30 and admission is ¥50. At the summit you can join a painting workshop to capture the walk through art, and the campsite at the foot of the mountain offers bonfire experiences with interactive games or barbecue evenings.
7. Tomb of Yu the Great
The mausoleum of Yu the Great, legendary founder of the Xia dynasty, sits at the base of Kuaiji Mountain. The present site of the mausoleum dates to the 6th-century Southern dynasties period.
Visit it as part of your Kuaiji Mountain outing rather than as a separate journey, since the two are in the same place.
8. Cangqiao Straight Street
Also known as Warehouse bridge straight street, this is one of Shaoxing's well-preserved ancient streets, with stone-paved roads, old bridges and traditional houses that reflect the city's history and culture.
There is no charge to walk it. Beyond admiring the streets, you can make Shaoxing-style handicrafts, join workshops on water-town culture, or handpick ingredients at the food stalls to try making authentic Shaoxing snacks. It is also the starting point for a cycle along the canal to the rural rice fields, where you can try punting a traditional black-awning boat.
9. Mount Fu
Also called Mount Wolong, Mount Fu holds the Palace of King Yue and the Stadium of King Yue, where King Yue lived for 19 years. You will also find the Tomb of WenZhong, the Spring of Innocence discovered and named by Fan Zhongyan during his one-year commission in the State of Yue, and the Old dragon Spruce said to have been planted by Emperor Zhao Gou in the Southern Song dynasty.
It is a compact way to see several historical sites in one walk, so allow time to move between them rather than treating it as a single stop.
10. Shaoxing Museum
At 75 Pianmen Street in Yuecheng District, this comprehensive museum covers the history and local culture of Shaoxing, with ancient artifacts, calligraphy, ceramics and traditional handicrafts, and a special focus on Yu the Great, Lu Xun's literary contributions and Shaoxing rice wine culture.
It is open 09:00-16:30 with no entry after 16:00, and closed on Mondays. Admission is free, and bus routes 6, 6A, 18, 23, 28, 52, 177, 177a, 302 and 1001 serve the museum.
11. Chinese Yellow Wine Museum
The Shaoxing Yellow Wine Museum showcases the brewing history and cultural traditions of Shaoxing yellow wine. You can explore the fermentation process and enjoy wine tasting and making.
It is open 08:30-17:00. Shaoxing wine is made using the "pure" water of the Jianhu-Mirror Lake, and the museum is the place to understand that process before you drink or cook with it.
12. Green Vine Studio
The former home of Xu Wei, the Ming period painter and calligrapher. It is one of the historical places in the downtown area connected to the city's artistic lineage.
It fits naturally into a walking route through the centre, so slot it in alongside the other downtown historical sites rather than planning a separate trip.
13. Qiu Jin's House
The Qing period residence of Qiu Jin, preserved as one of the city's historical sites in the downtown area.
Pair it with the other centrally located historical houses, since they are close enough to visit in the same stretch of walking.
14. Zhou Enlai's ancestral home
The Ming period ancestral home of Zhou Enlai, listed among the historical places in the downtown area.
Like the other downtown sites, it is best folded into a single walking day in the centre of the city.
15. Shaoxing Grand Theater
On 375 Jiefang North Road in Yuecheng District, the theatre organises more than 100 performances every year. It has hosted major events including the 6th World Chorus Festival, the 7th China Art Festival, the opening and closing shows of the China Yue Opera Art Festival, and the 21st Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival.
You can join interactive sessions to learn basic movements and singing techniques of Yue Opera. Yue opera, sung in the local dialect, is the second most popular genre of Chinese opera after Peking opera, and Shengzhou, which falls under Shaoxing, is its birthplace.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Lu Xun's Hometown Tourism Precinct on Luxun Zhong Lu, then walk along the same road to Shen's Garden. Continue to Bazi Bridge to see the figure-eight overpass and the canals around it, and if time allows, add the nearby downtown historical houses such as Green Vine Studio, Qiu Jin's House and Zhou Enlai's ancestral home.
Afternoon: Head out to East Lake Scenic Area for the cliffs, caves and stone bridges, and take a boat ride on the lake. If you would rather stay closer to the centre, spend the afternoon at Shaoxing Museum instead, remembering that it closes on Mondays and stops admitting visitors after 16:00.
Evening: Finish at Cangqiao Straight Street, walking the stone-paved road and old bridges, trying Shaoxing snacks at the food stalls, and looking for a performance or an interactive Yue Opera session at Shaoxing Grand Theater.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit for Shaoxing's wine culture?
The Shaoxing Yellow Wine Festival is held every autumn, usually in October or November, and celebrates the city's renowned yellow wine. If you cannot make the festival, the Chinese Yellow Wine Museum covers the brewing history and traditions year-round.
Do I need to pay to see the main sights?
Several are free, including Lu Xun's Hometown Tourism Precinct, Bazi Bridge, Cangqiao Straight Street and Shaoxing Museum. The Orchid Pavilion charges ¥80, East Lake Scenic Area ¥50, and Kuaiji's Mountain ¥50.
Can I see Yue opera while I am in Shaoxing?
Yes. Shaoxing Grand Theater organises more than 100 performances every year and offers interactive sessions where you can learn basic movements and singing techniques of Yue Opera. Shengzhou, which falls under Shaoxing's jurisdiction, is the birthplace of Yue opera.
What should I combine with a trip to the Orchid Pavilion?
The Lanting Calligraphy Art Center, where you can admire classic calligraphy works and create your own under expert guidance. The Orchid Pavilion is about 13 km southwest of the city and is open 08:00-17:00.
Decide which of these you want most, check the opening times that matter for your dates, and start building your days around the canals.