Shaoxing Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 绍兴 (shào xīng)
Population: 5,057,000
Area: 8,273.3 square kilometers (3194.3 square miles)
Location: in the north-central of Zhejiang, east China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Yuecheng, Keqiao, Shangyu); 1 county (Xinchang); 2 county-level cities (Shengzhou, Zhuji)
Area Code: 0575
Zip Code: 312000
GDP (2019): CNY 578.1 billion (USD 83.8 billion)

Lying to the south of the Yangtze Delta and in the north of the centrally located Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing, like a pearl with simple but elegant light, stands between Hangzhou and Ningbo. Shaoxing is famous for producing a kind of low alcohol brewing rice wine with full-bodied fragrance and rich in 21 kinds of amino acids. It is always used for cooking in the Chinese kitchen. However, as one of the three ancient wines in the world, Shaoxing Yellow Wine can be drunk as well. On a trip to Shaoxing, the Yellow Wine can be found even in corner stores.
 
Besides the wine, many famous people's former residences, historical attractions, Anchang Ancient Town with old streets and bridges add more charm to this city. Shaoxing is also home to Lu Xun (1881 - 1936), a leading writer of modern Chinese literature. His former residence offers a glimpse of his life.

Until nowadays, this city doesn’t have its own airport. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) is the nearest one. The distance is about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). Upon landing, passengers can take the convenience shuttle buses to Shaoxing directly. Also there are two railway stations in the city: Shaoxing Railway Station and North Railway Station. And train routes in the city extend to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an. Tourists can also take a train to Zhuji Railway Station from Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo. The city is equipped with well-developed road system that highways extend in all directions. In addition, city-bus and taxi are favorable ways to tour around downtown area.  
See also Train Schedule

 Features: Although the city appears quite simple and peaceful, the economy here has been developing rapidly, especially with regards to the textile industry. Thanks to the advanced silkworm rearing over thousands of years, silk products here are famous all over the country for their high quality as well as a large quantity. Every year, there are various textile exhibitions and fairs featuring silk goods production. The China Light & Textile Industrial City in Keqiao Town here is one of the largest professional marketers of light and textile products and the largest marketers of cloth in Asia.

 History: It is one of the famous historical cities in China. Numerous accomplished scholars or figures were born or lived here such as Yu the Great in the far ancient China and the famous writer Lu Xun in modern times. This city thus boasts the title of 'City of Personages.' It was also the seat of the ancient Yue Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) and quite prosperous during that time. Owing to its long history, this old city reveals less vanity and tinsel than some modern metropolis. What's commonly seen and felt here is a kind of leisurely and peaceful ambience.

 Local Highlights: A local highlight is surely the delicacies here. As an important branch of Zhejiang Cuisine, Shaoxing dishes are famous for their rural style in ingredients, such as duck fed with vinasse-the sweet residue of the distillery process- and the pollution-free local chickens. Owing to this raw material, the local dishes serve up a fresh taste teeming with nutrition.
 
Recommended Tour Itinerary:
Hiking Tour: Information about hiking in Shaoxing for your reference.