Shaoxing Shen Garden｜A Millennium Love Ballad

Shen Garden is located at No. 318 Luxun Middle Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, adjacent to Luxun’s Hometown. It is a living fossil of private gardens from the Southern Song Dynasty and is known as "China’s No.1 Love Garden" due to the legendary "Chaitou Feng" poem by Lu You and Tang Wan. Here, you can find historical marks such as the "Broken Cloud Stone" and "Poetry Stele Pavilion," as well as an immersive experience brought by the new live performance "Dream Back to Shen Garden・Chaitou Feng." Enjoy the garden’s elegance by day and attend a millennium rendezvous by night. - 🗺 Best Tour Route (Unlock the dual charm of day and night)​ ▫ Recommended duration: 2.5-4 hours (including the show)​ ▫ Best time: Enter at 2 PM (to avoid tour group peaks), reserve time for the evening show; misty rain weather enhances the atmosphere of "Broken Clouds and Drizzling Rain"​ - 🏮 In-depth Experience by Time Slot​ 1. Daytime: Read millennium love poems deep in the garden (14:00-17:00)​ 📍 Core areas: Historic sites area, East Garden, South Garden​ ✅ Must-visit highlights:​ "Love Imprint Tour": The Poetry Stele Pavilion is the soul landmark, with steles inside engraved with Lu You’s "Chaitou Feng・Red Soft Hands" and Tang Wan’s "Chaitou Feng・Worldly Affairs Are Thin." The tearful exchanges of "Wrong, wrong, wrong" and "Hard, hard, hard" draw countless visitors to pause and recite; the Broken Cloud Stone symbolizes "broken clouds and drizzling rain," metaphorically expressing the regret of their forced separation. The pool beside the stone reflects withered lotus leaves, creating a poignant scene; Heartbreak Bridge is named after Lu You’s line "Under Heartbreak Bridge, spring waves are green." Standing on the bridge, one can imagine the fleeting reunion scene from long ago.​ "Song Dynasty Garden Appreciation": As a representative of classical Jiangnan gardens, the garden features exquisite layouts of pavilions, terraces, waterside pavilions, winding paths, and corridors. The weeping willows and water lilies by the Gourd Pond complement each other beautifully. When crabapple blossoms bloom in spring, it perfectly matches the poetic scene of "The city full of spring colors and palace wall willows"; the "Plum Viewing Fence" in the East Garden is a great spot to admire plum blossoms, forming a stunning picture with the ancient garden buildings when winter plum blossoms bloom.​ "Cultural In-depth Interpretation": The scenic area offers a free electronic guide (scan QR code to access), detailing the stories behind each attraction; every Saturday afternoon, there is a "Shen Garden Poetry Gathering," where local literati recite Lu You’s poems, open for free listening and participation.​ ⚠ Tips: Daytime opening hours are 8:00-16:40, entry must be at least 1 hour before closing. - 2. Evening: Explore Shaoxing flavors in Luxun’s Hometown (17:00-18:30)​ 📍 Food concentration areas: Luxun’s Hometown Pedestrian Street, shops along Shen Garden exit​ ✅ Must-try foods (per person 50-80 RMB):​ "Time-honored Signatures": The fennel beans (8 RMB/plate) and yellow wine popsicles (10 RMB/each) at Xianheng Hotel (Luxun’s Hometown branch) are classic must-tries, paired with a cup of Shaoxing yellow wine (20-50 RMB/cup) to feel the literati’s elegance; the drunken chicken (38 RMB/portion) at Kong Yiji Restaurant is richly aromatic, and the "Three Pickled Delicacies" (28 RMB/portion) are authentically refreshing.​ "Street Specialty Snacks": The stinky tofu (15 RMB/portion) at the entrance of Luxun’s Hometown is crispy outside and tender inside, with a unique flavor from sweet and spicy sauce; Shengzhou soup dumplings (12 RMB/steamer) have thin skin and ample filling, paired with a bowl of soy milk to warm the stomach and cut the greasiness.​ "Preferred Souvenirs": Shaoxing sesame cakes and fragrant cakes from Zhenyuantong (chain store) make great gifts; the Tapai Yellow Wine specialty store sells small bottles of yellow wine (30 RMB/bottle), convenient for carrying.​ - 3. Night: Dream back to the Southern Song in the live performance (18:30-21:00)​ ✅ Must-see experience: "Dream Back to Shen Garden・Chaitou Feng" immersive performance​ "Performance Highlights": As the core of Shen Garden’s night tour, the show uses the entire garden as the stage, with pavilions and waterside terraces as scenes, and 400 seats fully booked every show. The play is divided into four acts: "Spring Banquet," "Summer Love," "Sad Autumn," and "Winter Reunion," depicting Lu You and Tang Wan’s newlywed sweetness to their reunion after ten years. The Yue opera singing is melodious and poignant, combined with movable lanterns, water mist effects, and light shows, immersing the audience in the timeless love story. The final scene featuring the writing of "Chaitou Feng" often moves the audience to tears.​ "Practical Information": Night tour hours are 18:30-21:00, with additional shows on weekends and holidays, subject to the scenic area’s daily notice; tickets must be booked 1-2 days in advance via the "Shaoxing Cultural Tourism Group" WeChat official account. Regular seats are 150 RMB/person, VIP seats 220 RMB/person (including tea and snacks).​ "Night Tour Easter Egg": During intermissions, NPCs such as lantern sellers and fan-holding ladies interact with visitors. You can buy ancient-style lanterns (20 RMB/lantern), making strolling the garden with a lantern even more atmospheric.​ ⚠ Tips: The show lasts 1.5 hours, and entry for ticket check is required 30 minutes in advance.​ - 🚗 Transportation Guide​ Shaoxing North Station: Taxi takes 25 minutes (about 40 RMB), or take Metro Line 1 to "Luxun’s Hometown Station" (35 minutes, 5 RMB), then a 3-minute walk.​ Shaoxing Station: Taxi takes 15 minutes (about 20 RMB), or take Bus No. 5 directly to Luxun’s Hometown Station (25 minutes, 2 RMB).​ Self-driving: Navigate to "Shen Garden Parking Lot," charged 10 RMB/hour. Green travel is recommended during peak seasons due to limited parking spaces nearby.​ Shen Garden