[2025 Shaoxing Attraction] Travel Guide for Cai Yuanpei Former Residence (Updated Apr)

When you visit Shaoxing, a trip to the Calligraphy Sage's Hometown is a must. This area, the birthplace of Wang Xizhi and Cai Yuanpei, is also the best-preserved historical and cultural district in Shaoxing. Amidst the misty rain of Jiangnan and along the bluestone paths, you'll be immersed in a rich cultural atmosphere and profound historical heritage, a true embodiment of what all Jiangnan ancient towns aspire to, yet few achieve. Many historical sites in the Calligraphy Sage's Hometown are associated with Wang Xizhi, such as the Fan-inscribing Bridge, Jie Zhu Temple, and Ink Pond, each with its own captivating story. Wandering through the narrow alleys, old houses, ancient bridges, and flowing water, you'll find yourself wishing for a rainy day, where the misty atmosphere truly transports you to the heart of Jiangnan. [Tour Route] Cai Yuanpei Square → Xiaoshan Street (old street with a strong market atmosphere) → Tanhua Bridge → Wang Xizhi Exhibition Hall → Fan-inscribing Bridge → Ji Fang Bridge → Plum Blossom Poetry Corridor → Duo Po Alley → Ink Pond → Jie Zhu Temple → Grandpa's Bookstore → Cai Yuanpei's Former Residence → Zi Min Library. [Instagrammable Spots] 1. Ink Pond (where the Calligraphy Sage washed his inkstones). 2. Fan-inscribing Bridge. 3. Duo Po Alley (where Wang Xizhi hid from his mother-in-law to practice calligraphy). 4. Plum Blossom Poetry Corridor (featuring poems about plum blossoms). 5. Ji Fang Bridge (pagoda, bridge, river, and boats). 6. Grandpa's Bookstore (a testament to time). 7. Cai Yuanpei's Former Residence. 8. Zi Min Library. [Tour Tips] 1. Wang Xizhi's former residence is not located in Shaoxing's Calligraphy Sage's Hometown (it's in Linyi, Shandong Province). Navigate to "Jie Zhu Temple" on your map. The plaque reads "Donating the Residence to Become a Temple," referring to the story of Wang Xizhi's "Jie Zhu" after moving here. The Ink Pond outside the temple is where Wang Xizhi washed his inkstones and raised geese. Behind Jie Zhu Temple is Ji Shan, with the Wenbi Pagoda at its summit, which can be seen from various points within the Calligraphy Sage's Hometown (great for photos). 2. A brief visit to the Wang Xizhi Exhibition Hall is sufficient. The two-courtyard building, about 200-300 square meters, mainly displays prints and replicas of his works, so a quick look will suffice. 3. Cai Yuanpei's Former Residence is located near the entrance (Bi Fei Alley). It's recommended to visit it last, followed by the Zi Min Library, which exhibits Cai Yuanpei's life story and introduces the May Fourth Movement, Peking University, and the history of the founding of the Communist Party of China, allowing you to relive the passionate moments of the New Culture Movement. 4. From Tanhua Bridge to Ink Pond, along Ji Shan Street, you'll find various local snacks, such as stinky tofu, yellow rice wine popsicles, cream puffs (very sweet), shredded radish cakes, yellow rice wine, preserved mustard greens, yellow rice wine milk tea, etc. You can also take a Wu Peng boat ride (60/boat, limit 3 people, about 10 minutes, mornings are best, afternoons have long queues).

Shaoxing is so fun to visit that you will never get bored even if you go there n times. During the summer vacation, it was so crowded that you had to wait in line to get a photo opportunity. Finally the off-season has arrived! In your spare time, you can come to Shaoxing for a walk and experience the real Jiangnan as described by Lu Xun! Below 👇 we have compiled 15 lightning avoidance tips for you, as well as travel routes. 1⃣️Be sure to make reservations in advance for each attraction! Otherwise, if you arrive at the door and don’t have an appointment, you won’t be able to enter😭 2⃣️For rice wine popsicles, just buy 5r, if it’s more than 5r, there’s no need to buy! 3⃣️Take photos at the bridge over Lu Xun’s hometown. There aren’t many people there and it’s easy to take beautiful photos. The atmosphere of the Jiangnan water town is full. 4⃣️Go to Cangqiao Zhijie Street to eat stinky tofu, which is relatively authentic compared to other scenic spots. 5⃣️Lu Xun's hometown, Chen Garden, Cangqiao Street, Xu Wei Art Museum, Qingteng Bookstore and other attractions are close to each other and can be reached on foot or by bicycle. 6⃣️Go to Qingchun Story Cultural and Creative Life or Huijingxuan (there are many stores) to get stamps. Stamps are free and you can get a lot of them. 7⃣️Best route: Lu Xun's hometown - Chen Garden - Cangqiao Street - Bazi Bridge - The hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy 8⃣️If you want to experience the atmosphere of fireworks, go to Anchang Ancient Town and Yellow Wine Town. 9⃣️You can experience the Wupeng boat. 1⃣️0⃣️It is recommended to go to Baji Bridge because the commercial atmosphere is not so strong, and many grandparents of the older generation live there, and it is full of life everywhere. 1⃣️1⃣️The hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy also includes the former residence of Cai Yuanpei, the Wang Xizhi Exhibition Hall, and the Jiemin Library, where you can check in together. 1⃣️2⃣️When you come to Shaoxing, you can wear new Chinese style or cheongsam. To be honest, you can’t imagine how beautiful it will be in the photos. 1⃣️3⃣️Donghu Lake It is far from the attractions in the city, and it costs 50 yuan on weekdays. There is nothing special in it, so you don’t need to make a special trip. 1⃣️4⃣️ Choose accommodation directly in the city, around Lu Xun's hometown. It is very close to the attractions. 1⃣️5⃣️It’s better to take photos in Shaoxing on rainy days than on sunny days ☀️, so you can come no matter what the weather is.

|A giant in academia and a model for the world.⭐Leave Yangming's hometown, go east along the main road, and visit Cai Yuanpei's former residence. When you come to Jie Min Square, Cai Yuanpei's former residence is located here, which is the hometown of the sage. ✔️There is a statue of Cai Yuanpei in the square, and there is also a wall next to it, which says "A giant in academia and a model for the world", which is the great man's evaluation and summary of his life. ✔️There is a modern-style building on the side of the square, called Jie Min Library. Next to it, there are white walls and gray tiles. The houses are exposed from the screen wall, and there is a pagoda on Jishan Mountain. Follow the sign, in the quiet alley, find the gate of the former residence. ✔️Cai Yuanpei's former residence is a traditional Shaoxing platform gate building, which was purchased by his grandfather during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It initially had three halls, and later added five floors and five bottoms to the house for three generations to live together. Cai Yuanpei's father was the eldest son, and he was divided into one floor and one bottom, plus a riding building. On January 11, 1868, Cai Yuanpei was born here and spent his childhood and adolescence here. Subsequently, every time he returned to Shaoxing, he also lived here. ✔️Part of the former residence is preserved as it is, and part of it is arranged as a memorial hall to help tourists understand Cai Yuanpei's life. ✔️Cai's ancestral home is Zhuji, and he moved to Shanyin at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Cai's grandfather was a pawnshop manager, and he bought this property with a little savings. Cai's father was a bank manager, but he died relatively early. His mother, Mrs. Zhou, was smart and capable, and raised her children. ✔️He was diligent and studious, participated in the imperial examination and became a scholar, and entered the Hanlin revision. After the failure of the Hundred Days' Reform, he resigned and returned to his hometown, and embarked on the road of "education to save the country". ✔️In the late Qing Dynasty, he served as the first president of the Guangfu Society, among which Tao Chengzhang, Xu Xilin, and Qiu Jin were important members, known as the "Three Heroes of the Revolution of 1911", and the Guangfu Society was later incorporated into the Tongmenghui. During his tenure as the Minister of Education and the President of Peking University, he hired Lu Xun to work together. After Lu Xun's death, he spared no effort to promote the publication of "The Complete Works of Lu Xun". ✔️In the troubled times of the Republic of China, his life can be described as ups and downs, and he has experienced several resignations, going abroad and other changes, but his patriotic and national salvation heart has remained unchanged. He is committed to abolishing the feudal education system and laying the foundation for China's new education. His historical contributions have been widely praised by all walks of life.

The former residence of Cai Yuanpei is located at No. 13 Penfei Nong, Xiaoshan Street, Shaoxing City. It is a Shaoxing Taimen building with Shaoxing characteristics. It is also the only celebrity memorial in China that specializes in introducing Cai Yuanpeis life. The former residence of Shaoxing has been listed as a key cultural relics protection unit in Zhejiang Province. . The main building has a foyer, a hall and a grand building. It has a total area of 1,856 square meters and a building area of 1,004 square meters. It has a brick and wood structure, a lattice door and window, a Uwa powder wall and a bluestone floor. On the streets of such Ming and Qing architectural complexes, there are many celebrities' former residences. These 8 old neighborhoods have also become the most representative neighborhoods in Shaoxing. The water town of Shaoxing is also relying on such neighborhoods and has gained wide attention from tourists. The historical and cultural neighborhood is quite similar. It is also very good to walk around.