Shaoxing is located in the north-central part of Zhejiang Province, on the south bank of Hangzhou Bay, covering a total area of 8,274.79 square kilometers. It has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, warm and humid, with an average annual temperature of 16.4°C and average annual precipitation of about 1,400 mm.
Shaoxing has a history of over 2,500 years as a city and is one of the first national historical and cultural cities. It served as the capital of the Yue Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn period and was a temporary capital during the Southern Song Dynasty. Throughout history, it has produced numerous notable figures such as Yu the Great, King Goujian, Wang Xizhi, Lu You, and Lu Xun.
Shaoxing boasts profound cultural heritage and is known as the land of water towns, bridges, wine, and calligraphy. Special local cuisines include Shaoxing rice wine, stinky tofu, preserved vegetable braised pork, fennel beans, and cream tart. Folk cultures such as black awning boats, village operas, and Yue opera are uniquely charming.
Modern Shaoxing is an important city in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, with an economy dominated by textiles, chemicals, rice wine, and tourism. Urban development focuses on preserving the ancient city's appearance while developing new districts, making it a charming city for living and working.
The best time to visit 绍兴 is Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November).
Spring (March-May): Shaoxing warms up with blooming flowers, pleasant climate, ideal for visiting ancient city and gardens. Special events like Lanting Calligraphy Festival can be experienced.
Autumn (September-November): Clear and crisp autumn weather, cool and comfortable, best season for tasting rice wine and enjoying water town scenery. Autumn also features the Rice Wine Festival.
Summer (June-August) is hot and rainy, winter (December-February) is damp and cold, but fewer tourists allow experiencing a different tranquil atmosphere.
King Goujian of Yue built a city in Shaoxing as a base for reviving the Yue state, historically known as 'Goujian's Small City'.
Wang Xizhi held a gathering with friends at Lanting and wrote the 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection', hailed as the 'best running script under heaven'.
Emperor Gaozong of Song elevated Shaoxing to a temporary capital and changed the era name to Shaoxing, hence the city's name.
Recommended places to visit
Includes Lu Xun's former residence, Hundred-Plant Garden, and Three-Flavour Study, important sites to understand Lu Xun's childhood and literary creation.
A Song Dynasty garden famous for the love story of Lu You and Tang Wan, with the poem 'Phoenix Hairpin' inscribed on the wall.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
As part of the World Heritage Site of the Grand Canal of China, the Shaoxing section showcases ancient hydraulic engineering wisdom and water town scenery.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
Listed in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, a traditional brewing technique passed down for thousands of years.
A narrative art performed in Shaoxing dialect, with beautiful tunes and content close to life.
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
About 40 km from Shaoxing, accessible by airport shuttle bus or taxi to downtown Shaoxing.
Airport shuttle bus about 30 RMB
Connects to Hangzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo, etc. High-speed rail to Hangzhou takes about 20 minutes, to Shanghai about 1.5 hours.
To Hangzhou about 30 RMB
Covers major attractions and urban areas, fare 2 RMB, payable by Alipay or bus card.
2 RMB
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
China's national geographical indication product, brewed with glutinous rice, wheat yeast, and Jianhu Lake water, mellow taste and rich aroma.
Traditional Shaoxing snack, crispy outside and tender inside, with a unique smell but delicious taste, often served with chili or sweet sauce.
The sacred place of calligraphy where Wang Xizhi wrote the 'Lanting Preface', featuring Goose Pond and Winding Water Pavilion.
Known for the ingenious combination of cliffs, caves, stone bridges, and lake surface, reputed as 'the best waterscape bonsai under heaven'.
Comprising Keyan, Jianhu Lake, and Luzhen Town, featuring stone culture, water culture, and celebrity culture.
The mausoleum of Yu the Great, a national key cultural relic protection unit, with annual sacrificial ceremonies.
Classic Shaoxing dish, preserved mustard greens absorb the oil and become fragrant, pork belly fatty but not greasy, melts in the mouth.
A snack mentioned in Lu Xun's story, broad beans cooked with spices like fennel, soft and chewy, salty and flavorful.
Shaoxing specialty dessert, similar to egg tart, with cream on top and egg yolk filling below, sweet but not greasy.
Chicken marinated in Shaoxing rice wine, rich wine aroma, tender meat, a great cold dish.