Things to do in Shaoxing

A rain shower brought a rare moment of clarity to the bustling scenic area; a guided tour brought life to the ordinary scenery; today we were very fortunate to have our guide, Ms. Xu, lead us on a tour of Lu Xun's former residence. Her explanations were clear and logical, and her voice was gentle and soothing. The entire journey, accompanied by intermittent rain, was truly a wonderful experience.

In Shaoxing, I visited Lu Xun's former residence, Sanwei Study, and then Chen Garden, all of which are very close by and within walking distance. The garden is small but exquisite, with swaying willows, clear ponds, and pavilions scattered throughout, exuding a distinctly Jiangnan (southern China) charm. The most memorable feature was the stele inscribed with the poem "Chai Tou Feng" on the wall; the characters were clear and conveyed the poignant regret of Lu You and Tang Wan. Compared to the throngs of tourists outside, strolling through this garden was far more enjoyable.

Shaoxing's representative Song Dynasty gardens are very close to Lu Xun's former residence, making it convenient to visit both on the way. Key attractions include the Hairpin Phoenix Stele, Gourd Pond, Broken Cloud Stone, and the Six Dynasties Well.

Anchang Ancient Town is an old market town, and you can still tell how prosperous it was in the past just by looking at it now. The shops are packed together, displaying a dazzling array of goods, and several stone bridges connect the two banks of the river, where crowds of people come and go. When you get tired of walking around, you can sit at a bamboo table by the river, brew a pot of tea, have some snacks, and enjoy a rare moment of tranquility.

I traveled alone from Tangshan, Hebei Province, to Shaoxing and then to Keyan. I fell deeply in love with this landscape. Having visited over a hundred scenic spots across the country, Keyan ranks among the top.

I spent 50 yuan to walk around East Lake. The exit is right next to the entrance. If you take the land route, you can only return the same way. If you take the water route, you can choose to go by land or up the mountain path and return by water. It was a bit disappointing.

If you prefer a quiet environment with few people, and are interested in calligraphy and can appreciate the works, I highly recommend this place. The entire scenic area is very quiet. I went on a weekday morning, and it wasn't crowded, so you can look at the calligraphy and carefully read its content. A quick tour of the area shouldn't take too much time.

Definitely worth a visit! The largest Buddha statue in Jiangnan, with its thousand-year-old grotto sculptures, is truly breathtaking. The mountains and forests are serene and imbued with a strong sense of Zen. There are also large stone carvings of Mi Fu's "Facing the Wall" on the cliff face, which are worth a closer look. The area isn't too noisy with tourists, making it perfect for a peaceful stroll.

The Wuxie Waterfall, with its five cascading sections, is not a grand, sweeping torrent, but rather a graceful, layered display. From the roar of the fifth cascade to the gentle trickle of the first, each step feels like listening to the breath of the mountains and waters. A leisurely boat ride across the emerald-green Wuxie Lake, followed by a winding path up the stream, with autumn leaves lining the way and the sound of water sometimes near, sometimes far, truly feels like "traveling through a painting." If you visit after a rain shower, the valley is shrouded in mist, and sunlight filters through the trees, dappling the waterfall with an almost unreal beauty. Wuxie in Zhuji is definitely worth a special trip.

The Shaoxing Lu Xun Memorial Hall was first built in 1973. In early 2003, to restore the traditional appearance of Lu Xun's hometown, the exhibition hall, which was out of proportion with the surrounding environment, was demolished and replaced with the Zhou Family New Gate. The newly built memorial hall is located on the east side of Lu Xun's hometown. It is adjacent to Lu Xun's ancestral residence to the east, the Zhou Family New Gate to the west, the Zhu Family Gate to the north, and Dongchangfangkou to the south, facing the Shou Family Gate across the river.