The revitalized district by the Shangyu Canal is a great leisure destination!

Shaoxing Shangyu's Cao'e area connects to Tiantai in the south, leads directly to Shanghai via the sea in the north, and reaches Ningbo by crossing eastward. Historical figures like Cai Yong, Xie Lingyun, and Li Bai once traveled through this area via dams and rivers. Since the Qing Dynasty, the old Cao'e district flourished commercially, filled with steamships, docks, teahouses, taverns, and inns—many historical traces remain preserved today. 1. At the confluence of rivers, Cao'e has thrived since ancient times. Along the canal-born Lizhi Street, black-tiled white-walled houses are arranged in picturesque disorder, showcasing the charm of Jiangnan water towns. This area was once the terminus of the Xiaoshao Canal and a crucial freight transit hub, bustling with 38 transit firms, numerous docks for steamships and speedboats, and countless teahouses, taverns, and inns at its peak. 2. Following Chinese tradition, east-west streets are usually called "hengjie" (horizontal streets), while north-south ones are termed "zhijie" (straight streets). However, Lizhi Street, though running east-west, was exceptionally named "zhijie" due to its close proximity to the canal. This subtle naming difference reflects the locals' reverence and reliance on the canal as their lifeline. 3. Over time, boats gave way to hurried vehicles, and Lizhi Street gradually quieted down. In recent years, an urban renewal project has "awakened" this long-dormant old street, ushering in a magnificent rebirth. 4. Under the warm sun, strolling along this historic street, every step echoes with the past. The weathered mooring banks by the canal, the simple low courtyard walls, the docks carrying life's memories, the faded street nameplates, and the patterned brick walls embedded with history—all create a unique dialogue across time and space. 5. With Lizhi Street's revival, young creators are collaboratively shaping their ideal lifestyle through fun and innovative ways. They embrace the galaxy in summer, search for the moon during Mid-Autumn, and join city walks with urban-rural groups—this new generation has made the old street a trending hotspot. 6. Wandering here, you can truly feel how these diverse, dream-driven creators transform bold ideas into tangible realities. With boundless creativity and unique perspectives, they've draped this centuries-old street in a sophisticated yet down-to-earth new identity, turning it into a warm, principled hub of cultural innovation.