Shaoxing Ancient City: Where Chinese Poetry Meets Yellow Wine
Shaoxing Ancient City: Where Chinese Poetry Meets Yellow Wine
Why Visit Shaoxing Ancient City
Shaoxing is one of China's most culturally significant cities outside the capital, and among the most underrated by international travelers. For 2,500 years, this canal city has been the center of Chinese wine culture — the yellow rice wine aged in clay pots is still produced here using techniques documented in the Zhou Dynasty. Shaoxing is also the hometown of Lu Xun, China's most influential modern writer. The city's layout is essentially a series of canals lined with whitewashed houses and stone bridges. A visit combines literary pilgrimage, wine tasting and a boat ride through the extraordinary East Lake quarry.
Highlights You Cannot Miss
East Lake
A man-made lake carved from a former quarry. Take a paddle boat through narrow cliffs into hidden coves.
Lu Xun's Hometown
The preserved home and school of China's greatest 20th-century writer. See where he grew up and the herbal medicine shop his father visited.
Shaoxing Wine Tasting
Visit a traditional winery. Yellow wine aged 10-20 years. The production process has remained unchanged for centuries.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| From Hangzhou | 20 min by high-speed rail |
| Best Time | Spring and Autumn |
| Must-Try | Yellow wine with stinky tofu |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
How to Add to Your Itinerary
Browse all attractions across 4 provinces and build your perfect China itinerary. This spot can be combined with nearby destinations for a rich travel experience.
Recommended Tours
Hangzhou, Wuzhen and the essence of Jiangnan.
Hangzhou, Wuzhen with tea culture immersion.
Plan Your Zhejiang Adventure
Let us help you discover the best of Zhejiang with private, flexible tours designed around your interests.
More Than Travel. It’s the Plus That Matters.
