Looming above little Keqiao (Kēqiáo, 柯桥) just outside Shaoxing is the massive wholesale and retail textile market China Textile City (Zhōngguó Qīngfǎng Chéng, 中国轻纺城). What is now China Textile City started out life as a street market in the mid 80s. Moving to an indoor market in late 1988, this little market would grow to become the center of the China's textile industry and the largest such market in the world. The market, which has developed like a mini-city all of its own with restaurants, hotels and even a cinema, has four zones specializing in trade, raw material, fabric and garments and accessories. Zhejiang guide | Shaoxing guide | Shaoxing attractions Shaoxing flights (Hangzhou) | Shaoxing hotels | Keqiao hotels Shaoxing on the China Travel Blog more >>

Born during the decline of the Qing, Lu Xun would go on to be one of China's most important modern writers for his literary efforts to cure the body China. Today, Lu Xun's Former Residence (Lǔ Xùn Gùjū, 鲁迅故居) is part of a number of sites, alongside Lu Xun's former school (Sānwèi Shū Wū, 三味书屋), Lu Xun's Ancestral Home and Lu Xun Memorial Hall, forming a block named the Lu Xun Native Place (Lǔ Xùn Gùlǐ Fēngjǐng Qū, 鲁迅故里风景区). The residence preserves the traditional Zhejiang garden compound trappings Lu Xun grew up in while the Lu Xun Memorial Hall (Lǔ Xùn Jìniànguǎn, 鲁迅纪念馆) takes the journey on to the author's later exploits with manuscripts and personal effects from his later life. Lu Xun's Ancestral Home (Lǔ Xùn Zǔjū, 鲁迅祖居) housed his ancestors until they moved into what is today called Lu Xun's Former Residence be... more >>

Orchid Pavilion (Lán Tíng, 兰亭) commemorates, and seeks to recreate, the most famous poem of Jin Dynasty calligrapher extraordinaire Wang Xizhi (Wáng Xīzhī, 王羲之), "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" ("Lán Tíng Jíxù," 兰亭集序). In "Preface," Wang described a gathering of poets coming together to compose works and drink at the Orchid Pavilion. With the invention of beer pong centuries away, Wang and company made do by floating cups of rice wine in Qu Shui (Qǔ Shuǐ, 曲水), a winding manmade stream. Whomever the cup stopped by would have to drink it and compose a verse. "Preface" would go on to be an extremely popular work, so much so that one Tang Dynasty emperor sought out the original to be buried with him in his tomb. The work was reported lost to keep it safely in the hands of W... more >>

A cluster of still venerated temples in the Kuaiji Shan Scenic Area (Kuàijī Shān Fēngjǐng Dùjiàqū, 会稽山风景度假区) make up the Mausoleum of Yu the Great (Kuàijī Shān Dà Yǔ Líng, 会稽山大禹陵), an ancient historical (or possibly legendary) figure who is still honored today. Believed to be a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, the legendary progenitor of Han Chinese culture, Yu is traditionally held to be the founder of the Xia Dynasty, the first Chinese dynasty. Yu's claim to fame and the reason for calling him "the Great" comes from his legendary conquering of a major flood of the Yellow River, which has periodically flooded throughout Chinese history, a fact echoed in its nicknames of both "mother river" and "China's sorrow." He is believed to have died while touring his kingdom and was buried nearby at the site now ... more >>

Those looking to check out Yue Opera (Yuèjù, 越剧), a traditionally all-female opera form originating in Shaoxing county, can catch performances at the Shaoxing Grand Theatre (Shàoxīng Dàjùyuàn, 绍兴大剧院). Built in 2003, the building's design was inspired by Shaoxing's traditional Wupeng boats. Other performances, like the World Choir Games and China Art Festival have also been held here. Zhejiang guide | Shaoxing guide | Shaoxing attractions Shaoxing flights (Hangzhou) | Shaoxing hotels Shaoxing on the China Travel Blog more >>

Shaoxing's East Lake (Dōng Hú, 东湖) is a man-made lake just a few minutes east of the center of the city. But before you get stuck on the images of man-made suburban ponds that are running through your head, keep in mind that this spot began life as a stone quarry, 1,300 years ago, during the Sui Dynasty. Once the beautiful green rock had been removed from the site, the people of Shaoxing dammed the surrounding streams, filling the quarry with water. With the addition of pagodas and winding paths, the lake soon became a place for quiet walks and introspection, with an ominous cliff face dominating the landscape above the water.  Today, the lake functions primarily as a tourist destination, but that's not to say that it isn't pretty, or relaxing. As long as you avoid the major holidays and the height of tourist season (late spring, early fall), you're bound to have a ni... more >>