Stop only focusing on Suzhou and Hangzhou! Stay in Shaoxing to experience the beauty of Jiangnan

Friends, whenever Jiangnan is mentioned, do you, like me, immediately think of Hangzhou and Suzhou? 😜 But recently I visited Shaoxing and realized that this low-key small city truly captures the essence of Jiangnan perfectly! Today, I’m sharing a fresh Shaoxing travel guide with you all. Friends from Shanghai and Hangzhou, you’re so close, don’t miss out! 🚀 🏨 Accommodation gem — Shaoxing Hotel Dongyueli is amazing First, let me talk about accommodation. Shaoxing Hotel Dongyueli was the “stroke of genius” on this trip! 👏 Prime location: The hotel is perfectly located in the C spot, right in the heart of the attractions! It’s a 10-minute walk to Lu Xun’s Former Residence, 800 meters to Zhou Enlai’s Former Residence, and you don’t even need a taxi to get to Cangqiao Straight Street for delicious food 🚶‍♀️. For lazy people like us, it’s truly a “lazy travel” blessing! Turn left out the door and you’re surrounded by rich historical charm; turn right and you enter the lively human world 🔥 🚣 Super convenient water fun: The hotel is right at the main route of the city moat, and it even has kayaks you can use to get on the water directly! 🚣‍♂️ Rowing under Baozhu Bridge, the white walls and black tiles on both banks gently sway with the water ripples. Every shot looks like a perfect ink painting, cool and photogenic—who else understands this joy! 🌊 🍵 Lots of perks: Check-in comes with cold brew tea and chilled welcome fruit, and you can even fish in the lobby by casting a fishing rod 🎣. Parents with kids can finally relax; kids chase cats while we leisurely sip tea in rattan chairs. Isn’t that what a vacation should feel like! 😽 😼 Cat lovers’ paradise: The lobby is home to several “working cats.” Sometimes you’ll see them lounging on the windowsill watching the river view, looking lazier than us vacationers! Can’t resist petting them a few times~ 🐱 🚲 Slow cycling time: The hotel offers 3 free bicycles for us to ride at will 🚲. Just 200 meters to Fushan Park to see the Yue King relics, 300 meters to Cangqiao Straight Street to try all kinds of delicacies like cream buns and stinky tofu. When tired, park by the ancient bridge and watch the black-awning boats drift slowly under the bridge arch, time seems to slow down~ 🕰️ 📸 Rooms with a view: Open your window to the famous Baozhu Bridge. In the early morning, you can see mist swirling around the bridge arch; in the evening, capture sunsets coloring the stone bridge. No need to squeeze into crowds for a shot, you can take stunning photos for your social feed right from your bed 📷, making it easier to get up in the morning! 👉 Such a great hotel, click below to unlock more hidden experiences 🔗 🌟 Must-visit attractions 🎈 Lu Xun’s Former Residence: This is a must-visit! It includes Lu Xun’s ancestral home, Sanwei Study, and Lu Xun’s former residence—all childhood textbook memories! 📖 Here, it feels like the childhood scenes from Lu Xun’s writings come to life. Note: book in advance at the [Lu Xun Memorial Hall]. Same-day booking is fine, no specific time slots, super convenient! The recommended visit order is Lu Xun’s ancestral home → Sanwei Study → Lu Xun’s former residence (Baicao Garden is here!) → Lu Xun Memorial Hall. These spots are close together, so literary fans don’t miss out, great for photos! 🤩 🎈 Bazhi Bridge: The oldest existing city bridge in China, a Song Dynasty ancient bridge! Named for its shape resembling the character “eight.” There’s no commercial vibe here, very original and natural, a true depiction of a small bridge and flowing water in a riverside home. You can feel the authentic slow pace of Shaoxing here ⏳ If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this and go straight to the Calligraphy Sage’s Former Residence. 🎈 Calligraphy Sage’s Former Residence: The area of Wang Xizhi’s former home, full of scholarly atmosphere 📚! The Ink Pool (legend says Wang Xizhi washed his brush here) and the popular Grandpa’s Bookstore are here. Don’t forget to try the street’s mianbao (steamed buns with soup), the broth is super flavorful 🥟 🎈 Cangqiao Straight Street: The small bridge on the right side of the main entrance is great for photos (next to Mr. Xun’s Tea House)! Walking on the bluestone road, watching black-awning boats come and go, the Jiangnan water town vibe is right here! Highly recommend [Zhuji Ciwu Handmade Noodles], their handmade noodles are chewy and the broth is delicious 🍜 🎈 East Lake: Formed by a millennium of excavation, it features steep cliffs and deep ravines, with attractions like Taogong Cave. The lake water is clear, and the cliffs on both sides are steep and dramatic. Taking a boat tour offers a unique experience, plus it was a filming location for the Daughter Kingdom in Journey to the West 🎬