Shaoxing 2-3 Day Light Trip | No Detours, No Pitfalls! A Complete Guide Including Wupeng Boat Trip, Shaoxing Wine, and Local Delicacies
I. Core Itinerary (Combine Classic and Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences)
2-Day Basic Itinerary
1. Day 1: Lu Xun's Former Residence (Free, Advance Reservation Required) → Chen Garden (Daytime 40 RMB / Evening 80-180 RMB) → Cangqiao Straight Street (Free), Evening Stroll through Xixiaolu Historical District (Free, Less Crowded, Quiet Scenery)
◦ Additional Dining Details: After exiting Lu Xun's Former Residence, you can visit Xianheng Hotel to try fennel beans and yellow wine milk tea; Xixiaolu's lanterns light up in the evening, creating a stunning nighttime water town atmosphere.
2. Day 2: Baziqiao Historical District (Free, 800-year-old bridge perfect for photos) → Donghu Lake (50 RMB, experience a traditional awning boat ride) → Anchang Ancient Town (Free admission, combined ticket for smaller attractions 50 RMB)
◦ Additional Meal Details: Visit Bazhiqiao Bridge in the early morning for unobstructed views; choose a one-way boat trip on Donghu Lake to save time; watch the sun-drying of sauces in Anchang Ancient Town in the evening, and take stunning photos of braised duck and sausages.
3-Day Upgrade Version
Additional Day 3: Lanting (70 RMB, a sacred site of calligraphy) → Shusheng's Hometown (free, near Wang Xizhi's former residence) → Jishan Park (free, climb Wenbi Pagoda for panoramic city views)
• Additional Meal Details: Experience calligraphy rubbing at Lanting, and take your finished product home as a souvenir; visit the Ink Pond and Jiezhu Temple at Shusheng's Hometown, and try your hand at calligraphy on folding fans at street shops; climb Jishan Park in the evening to watch the sunset bathe the old city of Shaoxing.
II. Must-Try Food List (Safe Choices)
Classic Meals
• Must-Order Dishes: Shaoxing Three Delicacies, Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables, Xishi Tofu, Fermented Chicken, Drunken Crab, Fennel Beans
• Recommended Restaurants: "Zhuangyuanlou," "Xunbaoji" (local favorites, good value), "Kong Yiji Restaurant" (great atmosphere, great for photos)
Street Food
• Must-Try: Yellow Wine Popsicles (5 RMB/popsicle, more authentic at street stalls), Mulan Tofu (3-5 RMB, minty flavor for a refreshing treat), Stinky Tofu (10 RMB/serving, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside), Creamy Mini Pancakes, Anchang Sausage (by weight, vacuum-packed for takeaway), Fermented Rice Buns
• Hidden Delight: Fermented Rice Buns with Stinky Tofu, a wonderful sweet and savory combination!
Specialty Drinks
• Must-Drink: Freshly Brewed Yellow Wine (available for tasting at restaurants; Huadiao is mellow, Nu'erhong is sweet), Fermented Rice Wine-Inspired Ice Cream (available at the Yellow Wine Museum, rich in aroma), Yellow Wine Milk Tea (sweet but not cloying, suitable for women)
III. Key Information (Tickets + Transportation + Accommodation)
Tickets
• Free Attractions: Lu Xun's Former Residence, Cangqiao Straight Street, Bazhi Bridge, Xixiaolu, Shusheng's Former Residence, Jishan Park. Lu Xun's Former Residence requires advance reservation one day in advance via the "Shaoxing Cultural Tourism Group" WeChat official account.
• Paid Attractions: Chenyuan Garden (daytime 40 RMB/nighttime 80-180 RMB), Donghu Lake (50 RMB), Anchang Ancient Town (50 RMB), Lanting Pavilion (70 RMB)
• Cost-Effective Combo Ticket: Keyan + Jianhu Lake + Luzhen Town 115 RMB (includes boat ride, suitable for tourists with ample time)
Transportation
• City Transportation: Attractions are concentrated, easily accessible by walking/bus. Bus route 2 directly reaches key points such as Dayu Mausoleum and Lu Xun's Former Residence, with a fare of 1 RMB. Shared bicycles are readily available, making short-distance travel very convenient.
• Inter-district Transportation: Anchang Ancient Town can be reached directly by bus route 118; Lanting Pavilion can be reached by bus route 3; taxi fares start at around 10 RMB, making taxis within the city very affordable.
• Wupeng Boat Guide: Shared boats cost 20-30 yuan per person (high cost-performance ratio). In Anchang Ancient Town, it's 65 yuan per boat on weekdays (limited to 3 people). It's recommended to bargain or choose a one-way trip to avoid sitting for too long and getting bored.
Accommodation Recommendations
• Cost-effective options: Guesthouses near Cangqiao Straight Street/Lu Xun's Former Residence, within walking distance of attractions, average price 150-300 yuan/night. The Jiangnan courtyard style is very photogenic.
• High-end options: Shaoxing Hotel (garden-style hotel, near Chenyuan Garden), Dayu Kaiyuan Guantang (ancient village, suitable for vacation).
IV. Avoiding Pitfalls (New Practical Tips)
1. Don't rush to popular attractions after 10 am. Lu Xun's Former Residence can be visited before 9 am to avoid tour groups.
2. Don't buy overpriced souvenirs at the scenic area entrance. Yellow wine popsicles, sausages, etc., are more authentic and cheaper (1-2 yuan) from the old alley stalls.
3. 4. Avoid East Lake on rainy days, as the mountain paths are slippery. When visiting Jishan Park and Lanting in summer, remember to bring mosquito repellent, as there are many mosquitoes due to the abundance of vegetation.
5. Prioritize free, less-visited spots: Ancient Towpath (stunning sunsets at dusk, perfect for atmospheric photos), Yangming's Former Residence (ink-wash style architecture, less crowded and peaceful).
6. Eat drunken crab and drink Shaoxing wine in moderation, especially on an empty stomach, to avoid alcohol intoxication.
7. Don't buy too much "pulled white sugar" in Anchang Ancient Town; it's very sweet and can be cloying. Just try it once.
Shaoxing is a Jiangnan region steeped in the aroma of Shaoxing wine. Black-awning boats glide across the bluestone slabs of the Eight-Character Bridge, the Broken Cloud Stone of Chenyuan Garden holds memories of bygone eras, and the lively atmosphere of Cangqiao Straight Street is enveloped in the aroma of stinky tofu and the coolness of wood lotus tofu. No need to rush; simply stroll along the moss-covered paths, bite into a popsicle with a hint of wine, and watch the sunset paint the black tiles golden red—this is the most pleasant way to experience Shaoxing.