Sights in Shaoxing

A must-see at Shen Garden is the newly rebuilt screen wall made from old Song Dynasty bricks. Engraved on it is Lu You's poem "Phoenix Hairpin," a poem reminiscing about Tang Wan. The stele's shape and calligraphy are both impressive and worth a photo. The garden is quite small, and the only authentic remains from the Song Dynasty are a reed-shaped pond (Hu Lu Chi) and a few rockery structures, such as the "Phoenix Hairpin" and the "Duanyun Stone."

Shenyuan Garden, known for the poignant love story of Lu You and his cousin Tang Wan, has become a symbol of love in Shaoxing. Upon entering the garden, wind chimes inscribed with messages of love tinkle in the wind, adorning the corridors. The Lu You Memorial Hall specifically recounts Lu You's life story. Within the garden lies a courtyard, a long corridor serving as a stage, and several tables within. For just 10 yuan, you can order a short Yue Opera piece. While not as good as a professional, the soft, Wu dialect and Jiangnan tunes are particularly captivating.

The Lu Xun Hometown Scenic Area is where Lu Xun and his ancestors lived. Here you can find not only the Xianheng Hotel mentioned in Lu Xun's novel "Kong Yiji", but also the Baicao Garden and Sanwei Bookstore that we are very familiar with, the Lu Xun Memorial Hall, the Lu Xun Fengqing Garden, the Changqing Temple, the Tugu Temple, the Hengji Pagoda, the Jingxiu Temple site and other attractions closely related to Lu Xun.

Lu Xun's ancestral home is where Lu Xun's ancestors lived. The Zhou family was considered a wealthy family at that time. The ancestral home is decorated according to the actual appearance of the Zhou family during its heyday, and the living scenes of the feudal scholar-official family at that time can be seen everywhere.

Sanwei Bookstore was the study of Lu Xun's teacher, Shou Jingwu. Lu Xun studied here from the age of 12 to 17. Located across from the Lu Xun Memorial Hall, the study room features his teacher's eight-immortals table and wooden chair in the center. In the northeast corner, a two-drawer hardwood desk was used by Lu Xun. The one-inch square character "早" (early morning) inscribed on the upper right corner of the desk was personally carved by the teacher. The furnishings inside have been preserved in their original style.

The collection inside the Lu Xun Memorial Hall is surprisingly rich. Texts, photos, books, and drawings are all there, but even more fascinating are the real objects: furniture and clothing used by Lu Xun, childhood toys, and even the shells that Runtu gave him...

This is where Qiu Jin lived as a child. The second row of rooms is where Qiu Jin lived and worked. There are a living room, a reception room, a dining room, and a bedroom. It was here that Qiu Jin received comrades and secretly discussed the uprising. There are many handwritten manuscripts of Qiu Jin here, and her last poem before her execution is also collected here, which is worth seeing.

This was the residence of Xu Wei, one of the three great literati of the Ming Dynasty. Compared to the bustling city nearby, it feels like a Zen retreat. Upon entering, a gabled wall bears the inscription "Zizaiyan." Entering the path, one finds a patio, a green ivy climbing along the wall, and a square pond (also known as the Heavenly Pond). The study window offers a view of the pond, which is supported by a pillar inscribed with the Chinese characters "Dizhu Zhongliu." Purified by the Heavenly Pond and the green ivy, the study resembles Xu Wei's self-described "untouched by dust," a small space yet a harmonious union with its personality.

Zhou Enlai was from Shaoxing, and the ancestral home mostly contains information about the Premier's life, such as the Zhou family tree, photos of him and his wife Deng Yingchao, descriptions of historical events, and items such as tableware and clothing used by Premier Zhou.

The Eight-Character Bridge is known as "China's oldest overpass." Its shape, resembling the character "八," cleverly connects three small rivers that converge there. Some say the design of the Eight-Character Bridge adheres to the existing layout of streets and houses within Shaoxing City, effectively utilizing the topography without demolishing houses or relocating streets, thus solving traffic problems without requiring major construction within the city. Eight hundred years later, the old bridge remains, enjoying a peaceful life. This adaptability, rather than forced demolition, has resulted in each construction project becoming a masterpiece, a principle that may be of use today.

East Lake, formed from the remains of ancient stone quarrying, is nestled between mountains and water. Its composition is simple, described by three zones: a stone path, water, and mountains. Yet, it is also extraordinary: the mountains can be described as "strange," the water as "mirror," the black-sailed boats as "fish," and the stone bridges as "clever." Hop on a black-sailed boat and journey across the stone bridges, caves, and mirror-like waters.

The most magical of all is Taogong Cave, where the winding rock walls resemble a giant screen, plunging vertically into the water. Though carved by humans, the rock faces appear as smooth as if machine-cut, as if cleaved from above by a divine axe. Boats must enter slowly through a narrow channel, echoing everywhere, reminiscent of an echo cave. From inside, you can observe the sky. It's warm in winter and cool in summer, and even if you're sweating, it's instantly washed away upon entering the cave, like a refreshing spring.

It could be considered a spiritual place of worship, surrounded by verdant trees and lined with red walls and glazed tiles, each a testament to the reverence people have for Yu the Great. The mausoleum and temple are nestled against the mountainside, creating a picturesque natural environment. Stepping into the woods, birds chirp and the wind stirs, one feels lost in thought and a sense of purpose.

To the southwest of the same mountain range lies Xianglu Peak, the highest peak outside the ancient city of Shaoxing, a place of abundant incense. On auspicious days, the people of Shaoxing have the custom of ascending to the summit to pray for blessings. Standing atop the peak, the gentle mountain breeze brings a refreshing and soothing feeling, offering a panoramic view of the ancient city of Shaoxing. The mountains in the distance stretch endlessly, shrouded in mist, like a faint ink painting. If the city itself is a series of small ink paintings, then this place is meant to be a long scroll. Reaching the summit in the morning is especially magical, as the mist-shrouded mountains echo with the murmuring Buddhist chants. As the sun rises, the eastern sky becomes a satin of color, the fog slowly dissipates, and the outline of the ancient city gradually becomes clear, like a sleeping girl slowly opening her eyes.

Houshan Scenic Area is a representative example of Shaoxing's stone culture. Key attractions include Yunshi, Shengshuidang, Yanluo Cave, and Xiangbi Rock. 2,400 years ago, it was one of the key bases where King Goujian of Yue avenged his humiliation and restored his kingdom. Kiln sites of ancient Yue celadon from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods are located here. Three generations of ancestors of the patriotic Song Dynasty poet Lu You built houses and temples here, remaining in residence for generations. Millennia of quarrying have shaped the diverse and unique landscapes of mountains, water, caves, pools, and Buddha statues.

It was here that Wang Xizhi, the Eastern Jin Dynasty calligrapher, penned the "Lanting Preface," the world's finest running script. Although Wang's original work is no longer in existence, the lush bamboo forests and tranquil surroundings of this place still offer a glimpse into the leisurely atmosphere of ancient literati and scholars enjoying the tranquility of winding waters.

In front of the Lanting Gate, you can see the words "Echi". Wang Xizhi liked geese, and the word "E" has the elegance of a southerner, while the word "chi" has the roughness of a northerner from the South China Sea. It is said that it was written by Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi together, and it is known as the "Father and Son Monument".

Walking along the path, you'll find a pavilion housing the "Lanting" stone tablet and inscription, both handwritten by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. A distinctive feature is the unusually long and bold character for "一," implying the emperor's mastery of the world.

After modern and ingenious garden construction, it includes four major scenic areas, including Keyan, Jianhu, Luzhen and Xianglin. Generally speaking, tourists will choose to visit the first three scenic areas. The last scenic area is a large area of ​​Guilin, and the osmanthus cake there is worth a try.

Built along the river, Anchang's Ming and Qing Dynasty Old Street remains remarkably well-preserved. The shimmering river, flagstone-paved streets, and the meticulously arranged arcades with verandas and covered roofs, traditional shops and workshops, arched bridges with diverse shapes, ancient and solemn gates, and secluded alleyways create a quaint and elegant atmosphere, embodying the unique characteristics of a water town. It's known as "clear water flows through the streets, thousands of residents live there, and rainbows span the river, with seventeen bridges."

"Xie" (Xie) means waterfall. The waterfall cascades down from the towering cliffs of Wuxie Mountain, cascading down in five tiers. The scenic area comprises four scenic areas: Wuxie Lake, Taoyuan, Dongyuan, and Xiyuan Canyons. The Dongyuan Scenic Area, home to the five waterfalls, is characterized by themes like "moon shrouded in a veil," "two dragons fighting over the ravine," "pearl curtains swaying in the wind," "galloping horses," and "dragons emerging from the sea." The canyon in the Xiyuan Scenic Area is also a sight to behold. The tranquil and narrow gorge, flanked by towering peaks, feels like falling into a well, and the coolness is indescribable. Walking along the paths of Taoyuan, the breeze is gentle, the tranquility is pleasant, and the trees, bamboo, banana trees, and wildflowers are enchanting.

In addition to the Xishi Hall, the scenic area also has the Chinese Ladies of All Dynasties Hall at the entrance of the scenic area, an exhibition hall with the theme of famous Chinese women of all dynasties; the Fan Li Temple, which mainly displays Fan Li's military, political and business talents and life achievements; the Folk Customs Museum displays various folk customs and household tools handed down from the Spring and Autumn Period in Zhuji; the Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall, which is used to commemorate ancestors and hold meetings; and a shopping street that winds along the Huansha River.