[2025 Shaoxing Attraction] Travel Guide for Qingteng Book House (Updated Aug)

You've got to visit Shaoxing! Read the works of the great writers, visit their hometowns, and experience the Jiangnan they described. If this is your first time in Shaoxing, we recommend following this itinerary. It covers most of the major attractions, and the attractions are close to each other, making it very convenient to get around. ✅One-day whirlwind tour: Former Residence of Wang Xizhi➠Jiming Library➠Former Residence of Wang Yangming➠West Xiaolu Road➠Cangqiao Straight Street➠Xu Wei Art Museum➠Qingteng Study➠Lu Xun Former Residence➠Shen Garden➠Bazi Bridge ✅Two-day leisurely tour: Day 1: Shen Garden➠Lu Xun Former Residence➠Qingteng Study➠Xu Wei Art Museum➠Cangqiao Straight Street Day 2: West Xiaolu Road➠Former Residence of Wang Yangming➠Former Residence of Wang Xizhi➠Bazi Bridge 📍Former Residence of Wang Xizhi 🎫Free The former residence of Wang Xizhi and Cai Yuanpei, where calligraphy elements can be seen everywhere. The scenery is beautiful, and there are many popular photo spots. 📍Jiming Library 🎫Free The same location visited by Liu Shishi. The ink-painting-like white walls and black tiles represent the unique architectural aesthetics of China. 📍Former Residence of Wang Yangming 🎫65 The birthplace and childhood home of Wang Yangming, rebuilt on the original site. It represents the ultimate in oriental aesthetics. 📍West Xiaolu Road Historic District 🎫Free The filming location of the movie *Summer in West Xiaolu Road*. This is an original Jiangnan water town with few tourists. 📍Cangqiao Straight Street 🎫Free There are many local Shaoxing specialties here. It is very lively at night. Entrance No. 3 is more authentic and less crowded. 📍Xu Wei Art Museum/Qingteng Study 🎫Free These two places are next to each other. Qingteng Study is the former residence of Xu Wei, a brilliant painter and calligrapher. The art museum has an exhibition of Xu Wei's works. 📍Lu Xun Former Residence 🎫Free (reservations required) A must-see attraction in Shaoxing, and also the most crowded. Experience the real-life "From Baicao Garden to Sanwei Bookstore" beyond the pages of the book. 📍Shen Garden 🎫40 Known as "China's No. 1 Love Garden" because of the poignant love story of Lu You and Tang Wan. 📍Bazi Bridge 🎫Free A very low-key ancient water town neighborhood, surrounded by local residents. Come here if you don't like crowds. 📝Tips: 1. Shaoxing yellow rice wine is very famous and has a long history dating back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. It is a very suitable gift for elders. Other local specialties include yellow rice wine milk tea, which has a mild alcohol taste and is suitable for those who don't usually drink alcohol. Yellow rice wine popsicles are also delicious. I buy them every time I come here. They are sold everywhere, and the taste is similar everywhere. 2. For accommodation, it is more convenient to stay near the Former Residence of Wang Xizhi or the Lu Xun Former Residence. 3. These attractions are not far apart. It is recommended to travel on foot 🚶 + shared e-bikes/bicycles + public transportation.

Compared to Suzhou and Hangzhou, I love this low-key real Jiangnan more! When you open the map of Shaoxing, the Jiangnan water town is visualized... Take advantage of the upcoming short holiday and visit Jiangnan again~ - 【🗺️ Shaoxing 2-day and 1-night travel route】 Day 1: Lu Xun's Former Residence - Qingteng Shuyu - Cangqiao Direct Street - Xixiaolu - Yangming's Former Residence - Jiemin Library - Shusheng's Former Residence - Bazi Bridge Day 2: Shaoxing East Lake - Angsang Lake Bridge - Shaoxing North Station - 🌟 Recommended attractions 1️⃣ Lu Xun's Former Residence: From Hundred Grass Garden to Sanwei Bookstore, from textbooks to reality, it's like a dialogue with time and space. There are interesting statues and surrounding products of Xun Ge in Hundred Grass Garden, which are suitable for gifts to friends. - 2️⃣ Cangqiao Direct Street: Walking on the stone road and watching the black-covered boats coming and going on the lake, isn't this Jiangnan Water Town? - 3️⃣ Jiemin Library: Liu Shishi's same style photo machine position, it's very quiet and very photogenic. - 4️⃣ Shusheng's Former Residence: Wang Xizhi's former residence is here, and the style of the year has been preserved. The Ti Shan Bridge and Mochi are suitable for taking pictures. - 5️⃣ East Lake: One of the must-visit attractions in Shaoxing, the black cliffs on the East Lake are like ink paintings, very suitable for shooting ancient styles. - 6️⃣ Angsang Lake: Far away from the city center and close to Shaoxing North Station, the ancient towpath connecting the two banks is very distinctive. It can only be photographed with a drone, so it is not recommended to go there specially. - 💡 Travel tips: 1️⃣ Shaoxing's attractions are relatively concentrated, and the first day's itinerary can basically be citywalk... 2️⃣ You can try Shaoxing's rice wine milk tea/coffee/ice cream, stinky tofu, which are very local. 3️⃣ Most of the old city areas of Shaoxing are guesthouses without elevators, which are not suitable for friends with luggage.

✨🏯 Xianhuan Riverbank is Shaoxing's "living museum," blending historical depth with warm local vibes. Just a river away from the famous Baicao Garden! Stroll along the riverbank, savor authentic delicacies, and embrace slow living—a hidden gem for experiencing Jiangnan watertown charm. ▫️ 📜 When the oars of black-canopied boats ripple the golden-flecked river, dawn awakens along Xianhuan Riverbank. Tucked north of Lu Xun's former residence, this old street once earned its name from the salty tang of a Song Dynasty official sauce workshop. Today, it’s filled with the aroma of yellow wine, cured duck, and the bustling warmth of everyday life. ▫️ 📸 【Photo Tips】 1️⃣ Capture reflections at Xianhuan Bridge: The arch and black-canopied boats frame the perfect shot—wear a plain qipao for extra charm. 2️⃣ Autumn sun at traditional gatehouses: Glossy cured ducks and sausages on bamboo trays, elders sorting veggies—scenes more touching than any filter. 3️⃣ By the sweetshop’s upstairs window: Snap sunlight dancing on bowl rims, caption it: "Stealing a lazy half-day of life." ▫️ 🚶 【Walking Route】 Lu Xun’s Former Residence → Xianhuan Bridge → Chen Family Gatehouse → Qingteng Study (riverside path) → Tazi Bridge ⏰ 1.5 hours is enough, but leave time to linger: Watch grannies laundry-pounding at the docks, listen to pingtan melodies from teahouses, and wait for sunset to turn sauce vats amber. ▫️ 🌙 When streetlights flicker on, the river shimmers with a thousand scattered diamonds. Xianhuan Riverbank’s charm lies in the fermented richness of sauce workshops, the steam rising from dessert shops, the breeze from elders’ waving fans—unassuming, yet making every passerby wish to knead time slow and savor it.

## The Enchantment of a Water Town Jinan's scenery is undeniably beautiful. The stones of Thousand Buddha Mountain, the waters of Baotu Spring, and the lotus leaves of Daming Lake all present a refreshing and delightful sight. I once lingered there for several days, believing I had seen the best landscapes in the world, feeling quite pleased with myself, thinking nothing could surpass it. However, Shaoxing shattered my confidence with its own unique charm. Upon arriving in Shaoxing, I immediately noticed how different its waters were from Jinan's. Jinan's waters are jumping, gushing, and roaring; while Shaoxing's are silent, flowing, and quiet. Black-awning boats glide through the canals, leaving long trails that are quickly smoothed away by the water, as if they had never existed. The boatmen paddle with their feet, their bodies motionless, only their eyes occasionally moving to observe passersby on the banks. This scene created an illusion that time stood still in this place. Shaoxing's old houses are also quite interesting. Gray bricks and black tiles, with upturned eaves and walls covered in vines. Some houses are tilted yet stubbornly standing, like obstinate elders refusing to bow to the passage of time. I once got lost in a small alley, with high walls on both sides and only a sliver of sky visible above. My footsteps echoed on the stone pavement, making me feel as if I had stepped into another era. What amazed me most were the historical sites of famous scholars hidden among the ordinary streets. Turning an unremarkable corner, I suddenly saw a stone tablet inscribed with "Qingteng Study," realizing this was where Xu Wei once splashed his ink. Entering a teahouse, the owner casually pointed to a table in the corner, saying Lu Xun often read there as a young man. These historical figures seemed so ordinary in Shaoxing, as if they had never left, just stepped out temporarily and might return at any moment. I wandered around Shen Garden for half a day. The garden isn't large, but its rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers are arranged with exquisite care. The story of Lu You and Tang Wan is engraved on a stone tablet, the inscriptions now blurred. A young couple stood before the tablet, the girl softly reading the verses while the boy looked bewildered. History and reality converge here, yet pass each other by. I couldn't get used to Shaoxing wine. The dark brown Shaoxing rice wine tastes sweet initially but has a strong aftereffect. Locals drink it with relish, while I could only sip it slowly, soon becoming flushed. The tavern owner laughed at me for "not knowing how to drink," and I didn't argue, thinking perhaps it was this stubborn flavor that nurtured the unyielding character of Shaoxing people. As night fell and lights came on, Shaoxing's night scenery differed from its daytime appearance. The water reflected the lights, creating rippling patterns. Finger-guessing games echoed from taverns, while Yue Opera melodies drifted from theaters. Sitting alone at the Eight-Character Bridge, watching people come and go, I suddenly understood that Shaoxing's beauty lies not in its landscapes but in its way of life. Everything here is alive, breathing, and warm.

😂I always thought Xu Wei was from Suzhou until I came to Shaoxing. 🌱Perhaps this is one of the meanings of "traveling thousands of miles." · 🍀Xu Wei Art Museum and Qingteng Study are together, right on Cangqiao Straight Street. Next to them is the Shaoxing Shiye Museum, so you can take a city walk together. · 🍀Xu Wei was an outstanding talent in the Ming Dynasty, with remarkable achievements in painting, calligraphy, literature, opera, and military affairs. · 🌸Xu Wei Art Museum · 🌱The area around Cangqiao Straight Street is full of water-town-style residences. The Xu Wei Art Museum, a blend of classical and modern styles, is really eye-catching in this area. 🌱The art museum was rebuilt from the old factory buildings of the former Shaoxing Machine Tool Factory. With its white walls, cyan roof, and giant glass, it has a classical and modern design. 🌱The interior of the art museum is also a picture scroll of light and shadow, and the red plum blossoms in the courtyard are just right, like a poem and a painting. 🌱The museum displays Xu Wei's calligraphy and paintings and introduces his life. Among so many paintings, I especially love those crabs. I think Xu Wei, who loved to eat crabs, must have poured a lot of emotion into painting them~ · 🌸Qingteng Study · 🌱Qingteng Study is the place where Xu Wei lived the longest in his life full of ups and downs. It was originally the Xu family's old house, and later renamed Qingteng Study because of Xu Wei's deep admiration for green vines. 🌱The study is a courtyard-style residential building. It is not large, but the environment is quiet and elegant. It is a building with the characteristics of a literati garden in Shaoxing. There is a centuries-old privet tree in the courtyard, which has witnessed the centuries of wind and rain in this small courtyard, and complements the round moon gate. The bamboo on the other side is reflected on the white wall, forming a natural green bamboo picture. · 🌸Xu Wei Art Museum Opening Hours ○Open from 9:00-16:30 Tuesday to Sunday, last entry at 16:30, closed every Monday. ○Free admission, no reservation required, digital experience hall 10 yuan. · 🌸Qingteng Study Opening Hours ○Monday to Sunday 08:30-17:00, last entry at 16:30, tickets 5 yuan.

Xu Wei's Hometown is the birthplace of Xu Wei, a famous painter, writer, and military strategist of the Ming Dynasty. It is located at No. 10, Dacheng Lane, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. Xu Wei's Hometown is centered around the Qingteng Study, which is Xu Wei's former residence and features a unique Ming and Qing literati garden style. The study faces east and covers an area of 460 square meters, with a building area of 170 square meters. It is divided into two rooms, front and back. In front of the study, there is a sky pool and a wisteria vine. To the east, there is a bamboo garden with scenic spots such as Zizai Rock and Tianhan Fenyuan.

The Jiangnan region is known for its outstanding people and rich cultural heritage, with Zhejiang Shaoxing being a prime example of this tradition. Throughout its history, Shaoxing has produced many cultural figures, including a painter named Xu Wei, who is one of the great masters of Chinese flower-and-bird painting. He pioneered the freehand brushwork style of flower-and-bird painting. To this day, the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, the National Art Museum of China, and various provincial museums all vie to collect Xu Wei's flower-and-bird paintings. In his early years, Xu Wei pursued an official career, but unfortunately, his career was fraught with difficulties and setbacks. Later, he was imprisoned for killing his wife. In his later years, he was nearly insane and lived in poverty. Xu Wei's freehand brushwork in flower-and-bird painting was very avant-garde in style and was not appreciated by the aesthetics of his time. The art world of his era could not understand his freehand style. It was not until after the Qing Dynasty that people began to appreciate its artistic value. In terms of artistic innovation and life experience, Xu Wei can be considered the Van Gogh of China. Zheng Banqiao, one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, greatly admired Xu Wei. Xu Wei's study was named 'Qingteng Studio,' so Zheng Banqiao carved a leisure seal for himself that read 'Follower of Qingteng,' expressing his immense respect for Xu Wei. Qi Baishi's freehand flower-and-bird paintings also followed Xu Wei's style. He admired Xu Wei immensely and once said, 'I regret not being born three hundred years earlier to grind ink and prepare paper for you,' meaning that it would have been an immense joy for him to grind ink and prepare paper for Xu Wei. Today, when we walk into the ancient city of Shaoxing and visit Qingteng Studio, we can reminisce about the tumultuous life of that great painter from 500 years ago. In front of the studio, there is a celestial pond and wisteria. To the east, there is a bamboo garden with scenic spots such as Zizai Rock and Tianhan Spring. The studio is not large but is exquisite and elegant, embodying the characteristics of a literati garden in Shaoxing. The celestial pond, Wisteria Pavilion, and Zizai Rock in the courtyard are all remnants from the Ming Dynasty. Important collections in Qingteng Studio include: Ming Dynasty Xu Wei's 'Cursive Script Five-Character Poem Scroll,' 'White Swallow Poem Scroll,' 'Sixteen Types of Flower Paintings Scroll'; Ming Dynasty Chen Laolian's 'Banana Shade and Bamboo Painting,' among others. Location: No. 10, Dacheng Alley, Qian Guan Lane, Jiefang Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City.

🚗🚗🚗Travel route: Day1: Hidden Landlord Xiao Deng's Apartment (Cangqiao Straight Street Branch)→Qingteng Bookstore→Xu Wei Art Museum→Book Sage's Hometown→Shen Garden→Eight Character Bridge→West Small Road Historical Block→Guangming•Suxin Homestay Day2: Guangming•Suxin Homestay→East Lake→Yangcha Lake→Ci Wu Da Mian (E-commerce Park Store)→Anchang Ancient Town Day3: Ci Wu Da Mian (E-commerce Park Store)→Shaoxing Ke Rock Scenic Area