Sanwei Bookstore

Sanwei Book House, diagonally across from the Zhou family's ancestral home, faces east and west, bordering a small river to the north. It's across the river from the Zhou family's old gate, making it quite close to where Mr. Lu Xun went to school. No wonder Mr. Lu Xun wrote in his essay: "Go east, less than half a mile away, cross a stone bridge, and you will find my teacher's home."



I wonder if the article "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookstore" is still in students' textbooks now. I still remember the word "early" that Mr. Lu Xun carved on his desk.



Why is it called Sanwei Bookstore?



The three flavors used to vividly describe the taste of reading ancient books such as poetry, books of various schools of thought, etc. Reading the classics tastes like rice and millet; reading history tastes like delicacies; reading the various schools of thought tastes like pickled meat (a kind of meat sauce).



Just as Mr. Lu Xun described in his article: "Under the plaque is a painting of a very fat sika deer lying under an ancient tree."



It is said that the plaques and paintings were not restored, but were found by the Party and the government after liberation.

The plots of Lu Xun's novels suddenly came alive: the portrait of Mr. Shou Jingwu in Sanwei Bookstore, the story about the word "early", and especially the classroom in Sanwei Bookstore: neatly arranged desks, each with a small hat on the upper right corner, and a child's voice reciting the poem "If jade is not polished, it will not become a useful object; if people do not learn, they will not know the meaning of righteousness..." It was as if I had traveled back in time, back to the past, with young scholars sitting at their desks, and the white-haired teacher, hands behind his back, slightly bowed, approving the students reciting...

There wasn't much to see at Sanwei Bookstore, but there was a long line, and you had to scan your ID to get in. The Wupeng boats at the entrance were quite nice to see. The river was so small, it felt like a creek, and it was amazing that they could operate. Sanwei Bookstore only had a small door open, so you could only take a peek and take a photo. After a quick stroll, you had to leave quickly because it was too crowded during the Qingming Festival.

Sanwei Academy, located at No. 11 Duchangfangkou, was a renowned private school in Shaoxing Prefecture during the late Qing Dynasty. It was also where Lu Xun studied from the age of 12 to 17. Its teacher, Shou Jingwu (later known as Jinghu), was upright, unpretentious, and erudite. His character and scholarly spirit left an unforgettable impression on Lu Xun. Shou Jingwu taught there for 60 years, preserving the building's architecture, interior furnishings, and surroundings largely in their original state. Sanwei Academy, a small, three-bay hall, originally served as the Shou family's study. Facing east and west, it faces a small river to the north, facing the Zhou family's old gate across the river.

Sanwei Academy was an important place for Lu Xun's youthful studies, its history and cultural significance deeply embedded in the waterside fabric of Shaoxing. This late Qing Dynasty private school, originally the study of the Shou Jingwu family, faced east and west, overlooking the river and facing the Zhou family's old gate across the water. Lu Xun studied here for five years, starting at the age of 12. The character "早" (early) carved in the lower right corner of his desk still bears witness to his growth from the playful days of Baicao Garden to the study of his time.



The name "Sanwei" (Three Flavors) comes from the plaque on the wall, which evokes Shou Jingwu's interpretation of the realm of reading: Scriptures nourish the foundation like rice and millet, historical texts enrich knowledge like delicacies, and the teachings of various philosophers stimulate thought like vinegar and soy sauce. The existing building maintains its Qing Dynasty layout. The three-bay small flower hall displays the original lecture chairs and student desks. Black-lacquered bamboo doors and ancient paintings of sika deer recreate scenes from Lu Xun's works. Visitors can take a 25-minute boat ride from the Xianheng Hotel along a winding waterway. The journey takes them along whitewashed walls and black tiles, reflecting the emerald waters, recreating the waterside atmosphere of the poem "Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk." The bookhouse features a plaque inscribed by Liang Tongshu, a Qing Dynasty calligrapher. The calligraphy of this masterful calligrapher complements the wintersweet plants planted by Shou Jingwu. Free admission is available daily from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM (closing early at 5:00 PM on Mondays). Experience the authentic literary scene of "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookhouse" during holidays.

Sanwei Study, where Lu Xun attended school from the age of 12 to 17, is also known as Shoujiataimen, the former residence of Shou Jingwu. In the poem "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Study," it reads: "Leaving the house and heading east, less than half a mile away, after crossing a stone bridge, you will reach my master's home. Enter through a black-varnished bamboo door, and the third room is the study. In the center hangs a plaque proclaiming: 'Sanwei Study'." Notably, this plaque was created by the Qing Dynasty calligrapher Liang Tongshu; the pine and deer image below implies longevity and good fortune.

Sanwei Academy was a famous private school in Shaoxing Prefecture in the late Qing Dynasty, located at No. 11, Duchangfangkou. Sanwei Academy belongs to Shoujiataimen, and is located in the east wing of the school.

Sanwei Study, a small, three-bay hall, originally served as the Shou family's study. Facing east and west, it overlooks a small river to the north. Lu Xun studied there from the ages of 12 to 17. Everything here is remarkably well-preserved, just as he recalled it: "Entering through a black-varnished bamboo door, the third room is the study. In the center hangs a plaque proclaiming: 'Sanwei Study'; beneath it is a painting of a large, plump sika deer crouching beneath an ancient tree."

Free entry with ID card

In elementary school, I learned the text "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookstore." The most striking thing about it was the Chinese character "早" (early morning) carved by Lu Xun on a table. The table is protected by the scenic spot, so visitors can't see the inscription from legal viewing angles, so you'll have to rely on your imagination. It's a free attraction, so anyone can enter and explore freely by swiping their ID.

Sanwei Academy was a renowned private school in Shaoxing during the late Qing Dynasty. Lu Xun studied there from the ages of 12 to 17. Lu Xun's desk, located in the northeast corner of the study, is a hardwood desk that was once his own. Sanwei Academy, a small, three-bay hall, was originally the Shou family's study. Shou Jingwu taught there for 60 years, preserving much of its original appearance, from the building's architecture to the interior furnishings and surroundings. Behind Sanwei Academy lies a small garden with two osmanthus trees and a wintersweet. Sanwei Academy is approximately 35 square meters in size, and a plaque with the words "Sanwei Academy" hangs in the center, penned by Liang Tongshu, a renowned Qing Dynasty calligrapher.

2023.7.18 The two of us visited Sanwei Bookstore. There were too many tourists and the experience was average.

I went there during National Day, and there was a long line. It's the residence of Shou Jingwu, Lu Xun's mentor. Seeing the word "early" (early) in the Chinese characters, I was deeply moved to study for the rise of China.

Sanwei Book House is just opposite Lu Xun's ancestral home. It was originally the study of the Shou family and later became the place where Lu Xun's enlightenment teacher, Mr. Shou Jingwu, taught.

It's a pity not to come, but there's really nothing fun to do here.

It took nearly an hour to queue up to get into Sanwei Bookstore, but I walked out in 5 minutes. It was packed with people!

I don't have a deep impression, because all the houses in Lu Xun's house seem to be the same.

Sanwei Book House is just an ordinary house, but it is famous.

I went to Sanwei Bookstore to find the table where Lu Xun carved the character "早" (early morning). Surprisingly, it's still here! Unfortunately, you can't get close to it, so you can only take photos from outside. However, the staff thoughtfully set up a replica of the table outside for visitors to take photos. Hahahaha.

It is on the same street as Lu Xun's former residence, so you can go shopping together.

Sanwei Bookstore, located in the scenic area of Lu Xun's former residence, is a great place to visit when you come to Shaoxing. You can enter by simply swiping your provincial ID card. The table inside has broken legs, which are preserved from the past.

Lu Xun's essay "The Hundred Herb Garden and Sanwei Bookstore" was once included in my middle school textbooks. The plot of that essay is still vivid in my mind. This road trip specifically brought me to Shaoxing to visit Lu Xun's former residence and see the Sanwei Bookstore in person.

It is best to read "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Book House" again before coming here, and then look for the places described in the book.

Just look outside, in an ancient pedestrian street

Sanwei Book House is crowded with tourists, all of whom come to see the author of the novel.

The furnishings inside are still some local customs and habits

A must-see in Shaoxing, especially for children. This is the classroom where Lu Xun lived in his childhood. While there may be a long queue during holidays, there are live performances depicting what it was like back then. Children who correctly answer a question will also receive a commemorative Sanwei Bookstore bookmark, a truly meaningful experience. Sanwei Bookstore is free to enter with valid ID. While it may not be a large space, it's a truly memorable experience that requires careful exploration.

Located in the private school next to Lu Xun's ancestral home and former residence, Lu Xun's seat is marked. It won't take long to find Shou Jingwu's ruler. It also introduces the history of this academy.

Sanwei Bookstore is where Lu Xun studied in his youth. When you come here, you will recall the words in "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookstore".

In the middle of the study hangs a plaque with the words "Sanwei Study", below which hangs a painting of "Pine and Deer", and next to it is a portrait of Mr. Shou Jingwu.

The desk where Lu Xun carved the word "early" is hidden in the corner of the left wall. There is a sign next to it that makes it recognizable at a glance, but unfortunately it is blocked by a fence.

There is a Wupeng boat dock in front of Sanwei Book House, where you can take a Wupeng boat to Xianheng Hotel, which is a great water town experience.

The Sanwei Bookstore in the textbook feels exactly the same. The three flavors of Sanwei Bookstore are: reading scriptures tastes like rice and millet, reading history tastes like delicacies, and reading the various schools of thought tastes like pickled meat; the left corner in the front is said to be the seat and desk where Lu Xun sat in the past. There is also a word "early" on it, but it is too far away to see.

It's good to return to the textbook and experience Lu Xun's story

The famous private school "Sanwei Shuwu" in the late Qing Dynasty is not far from Lu Xun's home. It faces east and west, is adjacent to a small river in the north, and faces Zhou's old gate across the river.

Sanwei Book House is a small flower hall with three rooms. It was originally the study of the Shou family (Lu Xun studied calligraphy here from the age of 12 to 17). The private tutor Mr. Shou Jingwu taught here for 60 years and was Lu Xun's enlightenment teacher. Mr. Shou's personality and academic spirit left an unforgettable impression on Lu Xun.

Today, the Sanwei Study, from its exterior walls to its interior furnishings and surroundings, has largely retained its original appearance, just as Lu Xun described it in his essay: "Entering through a black-oiled bamboo door, the third room is the study. In the middle hangs a plaque reading: 'Sanwei Study'; below it is a painting of a large sika deer crouching under an ancient tree."

In the center of the study there is a square octagonal table with an inkstone and a ruler on it. On the right is a pile of heavy ancient books. What's interesting is that in front of the books there is a small picture frame in which a rubbing of the word "early" can be clearly seen.

When I was young, many of my classmates were inspired by Mr. Lu Xun's calligraphy and filled their desks with artistic creations that liberated their nature.

You will see with your own eyes the pictures in the textbooks, as well as the old house of Lu Xun.

Sanwei Book House is where Lu Xun went to school as a child. You can enter by swiping your ID card. When I went there, it happened to be a spring outing for primary and secondary school students, so it was very crowded. Lu Xun's seat was in a corner, so you couldn't see him up close.

Sanwei Bookstore was the study of Shou Jingwu, Lu Xun's teacher. Lu Xun studied here from the age of 12 to 17.

In fact, you can tell from the text that this is a small part. My child just learned this part and was very excited when reading it. Haha

When I was studying Chinese in junior high school, I was captivated by the story of Lu Xun and Sanwei Bookstore. I came to read it in person to feel the atmosphere of the time and experience Lu Xun's life.

Schools, private schools, morning classes, on weekends you can also see local primary school students coming to experience Lu Xun culture, wearing old school uniforms, reciting lessons in the classroom in the morning, which is quite interesting.

On Sunday, October 15, 2016, two lines of tourists were already lined up in front of Lu Xun's Sanwei Bookstore. The tour guide was walking and explaining with a loud speaker, and you had to listen even if you didn't want to.

Sanwei Bookstore was the study of Lu Xun's teacher, Shou Jingwu. In the center of the room is his eight-immortals table and wooden chair. In the northeast corner is a hardwood desk with two drawers, which Lu Xun used. The one-inch square character "早" (early morning) in the upper right corner of the desk was carved by Lu Xun himself. The furnishings inside have all been preserved in their original style.

Regarding the pine and deer painting hanging on the wall, Lu Xun clearly explained it in his novel: "Under the ancient tree lies a deer." The key phrase is "古树伏鹿," which sounds like "古书福禄." This means that reading ancient books brings happiness and even a salary (the equivalent of a modern salary). This is what our teacher taught us in class.

The ancients had two interpretations of the "three flavors." The first is a metaphor for the experience of reading: "Reading the classics is as delicious as rice and millet, reading history is as delicious as gourmet food, and reading the works of various philosophers is as delicious as pickled meat." These three experiences are collectively referred to as the "three flavors." The second interpretation of the "three flavors" comes from Li Shu's "Handan Book List" from the Song Dynasty: "Poetry and books are like the taste of a rich soup, history is like a plate, and philosophy is like pickled meat. These are the three flavors." This metaphor compares books like poetry, books, philosophy, and history to delicious food, representing them as excellent spiritual nourishment.

It's exactly the same as described in the book, time

Sanwei Academy was a renowned private school in Shaoxing during the late Qing Dynasty. Lu Xun studied there from the ages of 12 to 17. Sanwei Academy, a small, three-bay hall, originally served as the Shou family's study. Shou Jingwu taught there for 60 years, and the building, interior furnishings, and surroundings have largely remained largely intact.

Free admission with ID card, this is great! Mr. Lu Xun's study

Judging from his seat, Mr. Lu Xun might not have been a good student back then!

The house is ordinary, mainly because of the influence of literary masters. It is said that the desk where Master Lu engraved the word "early" is in the upper left corner of the picture below.

The service and environment at Lu Xun's hometown are quite good. Because it's so crowded, everyone who comes to Shaoxing comes here, so the small attractions have also counted the number of people and strictly controlled the number of people. Sanwei Book House is unique because only the Sanwei Book House at Shoujiataimen is located on the south side of the street. In other words, the north side of the street is all the property of the old Zhou family.



Even during the Spring Festival, the Sanwei Bookstore, with a limit of 395 people, saw lines stretching hundreds of meters when the number reached 300. The scenic spot thoughtfully designed a maze-like, multi-sided fence to help people stay in line (see the picture for an example). While the Sanwei Bookstore itself is worth visiting, it's certainly not that large. It's Lu Xun who truly lent it a special luster. Speaking of the bookstore itself, it was once one of Shaoxing's most famous private schools. The teacher's surname was Shou, and the so-called "three flavors" were practically a ploy to encourage students to read: reading the classics is like eating rice, meaning the classics are essential for survival; reading history is like eating delicious food, meaning history can be further enjoyed; and reading the various schools of thought is like seasoning meat sauce, meaning the various schools of thought provide a refreshing change after a large meal. Sanwei uses food as a metaphor for studying. This metaphor alone, even without any other clues, tells us that private schools were truly a thing for the wealthy back then. Children from poorer families wouldn't understand the meaning of delicacies or meat sauce if you mentioned them. A true school for ordinary people would clearly state: "Reading is enough to fill your stomach." Sanwei Book House has two floors, but it's currently closed. The rooms are quite old-fashioned, with bluestone floors and wooden pillars and roofs. They look sturdy and simple in structure, but feel smaller than modern rooms. They're not very spacious and couldn't teach many students, only three or five.



Speaking of Mr. Lu Xun's famous "early" character, I felt it differently this time. I actually experienced the distance between Sanwei Bookstore and Zhoujiataimen. It's like walking downstairs to the next door, definitely not the distance you'd walk downstairs to the gate of the residential complex. So Mr. Lu Xun's "early" character suggests he was a king of lateness as a child! If you're late for a one-minute walk, what else can I say if I were a teacher?



Overall, Sanwei Bookstore is worth a visit. Most of the time is spent queuing, so focus on looking at the pictures~

Few people who have been to school in China don’t know Lu Xun. Lu Xun’s Sanwei Bookstore and the word “early” carved on the table are also memories of primary school days.

The Sanwei Bookstore described by Mr. Lu Xun, and the authentic rice wine popsicles

It is also a jointly named tourist attraction, and I was deeply impressed when I read the text as a child.

During the holidays, Lu Xun's former residence was so crowded that it exploded. The key point is that you don't need a ticket and can enter by swiping your ID card. I regretted it as soon as I entered. There were small houses inside, furnished with some furniture. People were standing next to each other looking in from the windows. I couldn't get out even if I wanted to. There were shopping places along the way, and finally the Baicao Garden, which looked like a wasteland, and was also a shopping place. We hurried past it and went straight back to the hotel.

Sanwei Shuwu was a famous private school in Shaoxing City in the late Qing Dynasty. Lu Xun studied here from the age of 12 to 17.

This is a must-see. The seat on the left against the wall is where Mr. Lu Xun sat.

Sanwei Bookstore, perhaps worried about visitors damaging the contents, has set up a restricted entry line. We gazed from afar at the desk inscribed with the word "early." With so many procrastinators these days, using this word as a motto is incredibly fitting, especially for me. Going to Sanwei Bookstore was really all about fulfilling a wish. If I could spend time with our professional instructors, it would definitely be much better than just admiring the scenery. He's like a walking library.

Lu Xun's former residence, Sanwei Bookstore, morning... It feels like a lifetime ago. I remember when I was in school, the teacher asked who hated Lu Xun the most, and I was the first to raise my hand. I really thought those articles were boring and lacked substance. I should also understand what Lu Xun was thinking at the time and what he was feeling at the time... Later, after so many years, I came to Lu Xun's former residence for the second time. Looking back at this place, looking at Lu Xun, and looking at Baicao Garden, maybe Lu Xun just wrote about some of the self-understanding of scholars in the Republic of China during social changes. Now it seems that Lu Xun's evaluation of the Chinese is not wrong. During the Reform Movement of 1898, Tan Sitong said that he would awaken the Chinese people with the blood in his neck, and Lao Shuan in "Medicine" used the blood of revolutionaries to smear steamed buns. This is the standard Chinese. Maybe I have gone too far, but I still feel that if... maybe... Haha, it seems that I am no longer young and frivolous, but I am not self-sufficient either. It's still the same sentence. There are two trees in front of my house, one is a jujube tree, and the other is still a jujube tree.

In addition, there is a snack bar at the entrance of Lu Xun's former residence that is also very good, including wonton noodles, beggar's chicken, duck blood soup, and mapo tofu. Friends passing by should not miss it.

From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Book House, it carries Mr. Lu Xun's childhood memories, the private school, the sika deer under the tree, and the old wooden tables and chairs! All the scenic spots in the hometown do not require tickets, but you must bring your ID card and scan it to enter.

Sanwei Bookstore wasn't Lu Xun's home, but rather the private school of his teacher, Shou Jingwu. You don't need a ticket to enter Sanwei Bookstore; you can enter by swiping your ID card. However, the spot where Lu Xun once sat is now fenced off, making it impossible to get a closer look.

The place where Lu Xun studied, you can see that Lu Xun was very hardworking...

Across from Lu Xun's ancestral home is Sanwei Bookstore, which still has Lu Xun's desk with the word "early" engraved on it, but it is now blocked and people are not allowed to approach.

Like it

Scenes from childhood textbooks

I searched for the word "early" for a long time.

Can't see clearly

I had a deep memory of reading this article when I was a child, so I left the group and went to Baicao Garden on my own to experience the joy of Lu Xun's childhood! Lu Xun was such a happy child...

These are all in the Lu Xun hometown scenic area. The scenic area itself is nothing special, especially for children who grew up in the southern water town, these things can be seen everywhere. After we went there, we just checked in and followed the textbook to visit Shaoxing.

Whether it is Baicao Garden or Sanwei Bookstore, they no longer have the flavor described by Lu Xun back then.

Whether it is worth it to squeeze in and see the word "early morning" is a matter of opinion.

All I think of are the articles written by Lu Xun when I was a child...

Mr. Lu Xun’s famous work “From the Botanical Garden to Sanwei Bookstore” can be said to have left a deep impression on the childhood minds of too many Chinese people. Naturally, the first stop is to start from Sanwei Bookstore.

Sanwei Book House, a small, three-bay hall, served as the study of Shou Jingwu, Lu Xun's private tutor. Facing east and west, it sits by the river, and its furnishings retain their original style. Lu Xun studied here from the ages of 12 to 17. In the center of the room stands the teacher's eight-immortal table and wooden chair. Visitors often search for the desk used by young Lu Xun, a two-drawer hardwood desk in the northeast corner. In the lower right corner is a one-inch square character for "early," carved by the teacher himself.

In the Chinese textbook, how many people lined up for long periods of time during major holidays? Because I learned about the journey from Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookstore, I ran to look at the character "早" (early), but I couldn't see it because it was covered by a glass panel. However, a 200-year-old wintersweet tree behind the bookstore, with its lush greenery, caught my eye for a while.

You can just swipe your second-generation ID card. It's really important to arrive early during holidays, otherwise you'll have to queue up and wait to be let in. It's such a small bookstore, and no one wants to wait for half a day to get out after just a few minutes. They all take pictures in all kinds of poses. So, you have to arrive early! !

It's inspired by the feelings in the elementary school textbooks, so just go and have a look.

As for those commemorative houses of "God Zhou", they are not very interesting to the general public who have not done much research on that period of history. It would be better to visit the beauty Xi Shi and the Wuxie Waterfall.

Just as described in Mr. Lu Xun's book, there is an ancient painting under the plaque of Sanwei Bookstore, which shows a fat sika deer lying under an ancient tree.

Sanwei Book House is not big, but it is ancient and worth a visit.

The Sanwei Bookstore in the Chinese textbook, when these appeared in front of my eyes one after another, my youth also slipped away quietly.

Sanwei Bookstore is on the left side of the former residence. It's free and you can enter by swiping your ID card. There's also a Sanyu Bookstore specifically designed to replicate the Sanwei Bookstore. The table with Lu Xun's "Zao" inscribed on it is blocked off, so you can't see if there's any inscription on it.

An ordinary mansion, which preserves Mr. Lu Xun's study place, and even specially standardizes the desk he once made. As for the word "early" on the desk, I didn't see it.

I remember a passage I learned in elementary school at Sanwei Book House that left the deepest impression on me. So, being able to actually read it here felt like it was just yesterday. It was truly moving.

Lu Xun's former residence, his ancestral home, and Sanwei Academy are all within easy reach. Sanwei Academy was a renowned private school in Shaoxing at the time. Lu Xun began studying there at the age of 12 and spent approximately five years there. The most striking thing about Lu Xun's schooling is the character "早" (early morning) carved on his desk. This desk is located on the left wall, right in the center, where the sign indicates it. Admission is free.

It's just some old furniture and stuff, all surrounded by railings.

Enter with ID card, specially went to see Xun Ge's "Morning", the place where a generation of literary masters studied since childhood, paying tribute

It's average, relatively small, just to see and understand the place where Lu Xun studied

It's worth a visit. It's unique, well-made, and beautifully crafted. It has a strong bookish flavor and is worth seeing.