Spent 3 days in Shaoxing, and my spending philosophy collapsed

After staying in Shaoxing for 3 days, I finally understood what "low-key luxury" means—hidden in the seemingly simple ancient town are century-old brands, a bowl of noodles that feels ceremonial, and even the street-side stinky tofu has its own finesse! I used to think "expensive means good," but after coming here, I realized there’s so much to the spending culture here. Here’s a guide to help you understand Shaoxing’s "spending philosophy"👇 Get big things done with little money on transportation🚇 ✈️ Transfer at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: Shaoxing has no airport, but from Xiaoshan Airport, take Metro Line 1 and transfer to Shaoxing Metro Line 1, reaching downtown in 1 hour🚇, costing only 12 yuan, saving 80 yuan compared to a taxi! 🚄 Shaoxing North Station/Shaoxing Station: North Station connects to the metro, 20 minutes to Lu Xun’s hometown; Shaoxing Station is close to the old town, rent a shared bike🚲 after exiting, 5 minutes to Cangqiao Straight Street, just 1 yuan to enjoy the breeze and street views~ 🚗 Locals know best: Don’t drive in Shaoxing! The old town has many one-way streets, parking costs 20 yuan/hour. Rent a "Little Red Bike" (public bike), free for the first hour, super flexible for exploring the ancient city~ Value-for-money accommodation is key🏠 • Core ancient city area📍: Shaoxing Xianheng Hotel is amazing! A century-old hotel renovated, rooms display models of black-awning boats, and opening the window reveals the bluestone streets of Lu Xun’s hometown~ Although a bit pricey, breakfast and free guided tours are included, making the stay very ceremonial✨ • Cangqiao Straight Street homestay: "Zhenhe Renjia" homestay costs about 150+ yuan per person! Wooden old house with a courtyard, fall asleep to the sound of oars at night, and the owner gives homemade fennel beans, 100 times warmer than chain hotels~ • Pitfall warning: Don’t trust the "river view room" gimmick! Many face smelly ditches; choose "alley rooms" for a more authentic experience, opening the window to the real smoke and fire of old Shaoxing~ Spend wisely on attractions🎈 📚 Lu Xun’s Hometown: Free but priceless! Mulberries in Baicao Garden ripen in July (don’t pick randomly), Sanwei Study shows Lu Xun’s carved character "zao" (early), wearing a blue cloth shirt for photos instantly transports you back in time~ Hire a guide (50 yuan per session) to truly understand Lu Xun’s stories~ Black-awning boat experience: 120 yuan for 40 minutes! The boatman rows with his feet impressively, passing under the Eight-character Bridge and West Small River, seeing riverside homes—this money feels like buying a "time travel ticket"🚣 🏯 Shen Garden: 30 yuan ticket is worth crying over! This Southern Song garden hides the love story of Lu You and Tang Wan, lotus flowers bloom in July, and the "Shen Garden Night" live show with lighting and Yue opera gives you goosebumps~ ⚠️ Don’t waste money: The so-called "internet-famous glass plank road" is artificial, 60 yuan ticket not worth it; some "celebrity former residences" are replicas, check guides in advance to avoid them~ Spend smart on food to truly enjoy🍜 🍜 Shaoxing yellow wine popsicle: 5 yuan each! Yellow wine flavor mixed with milkiness, tipsy but not drunk, available at street stalls, better deal than trendy shops~ 🥢 Kong Yiji fennel beans: 10 yuan a plate at Xianheng Hotel! Eat with yellow wine, the more you chew the more fragrant, this is the taste Lu Xun wrote about~ 🦆 Shaoxing drunken chicken: Must order at the old "Ding Daxing" shop! Chicken soaked in yellow wine, tender to melt in your mouth, 35 yuan a portion can be a snack, vacuum-packed to take away~ 🍚 Sha Sanxian (Three Fresh Delicacies): Go to the small "Wuli Cai" restaurant! Bamboo shoots, meatballs, dried shrimp stewed to perfection, 58 yuan a big bowl, 3 people can’t finish it, much better than tourist restaurants~ ⚠️ Don’t spend on these: The "Shaoxing Eight Bowls" set (298 yuan) in scenic spots is flashy but not practical; go to local small restaurants, 40 yuan per person to eat until full, and the taste is authentic! Summary of Shaoxing spending philosophy⚠️ 1️⃣ Expensive doesn’t mean better: 5 yuan yellow wine popsicle tastes better than 30 yuan trendy ice cream, noodle shops in old alleys are more authentic than star hotels~ 2️⃣ Spend on experiences: Black-awning boat and Shen Garden shows seem pricey but are unique to Shaoxing, missing them is regretful~ 3️⃣ Follow the locals: If you see a stall with more than 3 people in line, go for it! Like "Grandma’s Stinky Tofu" on Cangqiao Straight Street, 5 yuan a portion, so fragrant you’ll stomp your feet~ 4️⃣ Don’t buy packaged goods: Buy fennel beans and preserved vegetables at the market (half the price of scenic spots), have the owner pack fresh for you, fresher and more genuine~ Spending in Shaoxing is like tasting yellow wine—slowly savor to understand the flavor. Spend wisely and eat happily, that’s the most comfortable way to travel~ Sisters planning to go, follow this guide to avoid pitfalls!🚀