The Most Low-Key Tourist City Beside Hangzhou: Beautiful Scenery and Many Free Attractions
When it comes to popular tourist cities in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou is undoubtedly the most sought-after, followed by Wenzhou with the scenic Yunyang Mountains, Zhoushan with Mount Putuo, Jiaxing with West Towns and Xiaotian, and Huzhou with South Ancient Town. Compared to Hangzhou, Shaoxing appears remarkably understated. This historic city was very famous during the Spring and Autumn period, with numerous prominent figures in history, including Wang Yangming, Xi Shi, Lu Xun, and Lu Yu, all originating from here.
The long history has left Shaoxing with abundant tourism resources, which many visitors affectionately call 'a museum without walls.' Shaoxing's most human-friendly aspect is that many scenic areas are free of charge. The Lu Xun Former Residence, Cangzhou Street, and Shaoxing Museum are its main representatives within the city.
01 Lu Xun Former Residence
Lu Xun Former Residence is one of Shaoxing's most charming areas with a Jiangnan water town style. The architecture here is built along the river, with white walls and black tiles, showcasing a historical and nostalgic atmosphere. Lu Xun and his ancestors lived here, and the three-flavored house, Baocao Garden, and Xianheng Hotel, which appeared in textbooks, are all located within the area.
Lu Xun and his ancestor's residences preserve the grand and elegant characteristics of traditional Jiangnan mansions, with meticulous interior decorations and furnishings.
For visitors, touring the Lu Xun Former Residence is not just about sightseeing, but also about emotional connection. The excerpts from textbooks and literature evoke strong feelings, and the sights here are deeply ingrained in people's minds.
02 Cangzhou Street
Cangzhou Street, approximately 1.5 kilometers long, is located within Shaoxing city. The architecture here preserves the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many elderly residents still live in the area, and many families' backyards have small river towns, where you can occasionally see locals drawing water and washing clothes.
Currently, Cangzhou Street is part of Shaoxing's historical street district, but it has not been overly commercialized, maintaining its original rustic charm, which is very valuable.
The many bridges of Cangzhou Street are its biggest feature, including Cangzhou Bridge, Longmen Bridge, and Baozhu Bridge. The water here is clear and refreshing, with lush greenery on both sides, and the reflections of blue sky, old houses, and trees and lanterns in the river create a dreamy scene.
03 Shaoxing Museum
When traveling to Shaoxing, don't miss another free attraction – the Shaoxing Museum.
The Shaoxing Museum introduces Shaoxing's development history through various forms, including illustrations and artifacts. It's a great place for visitors interested in human history and culture to learn a lot of knowledge.
