Lanting (Orchid Pavilion): Where Calligraphy Meets Nature's Poetry

#chinatravel ### **🖌️ Why This Garden is Legendary** As the **birthplace of Chinese calligraphy culture**, Lanting is where Wang Xizhi (China’s "Sage of Calligraphy") composed the *Lanting Xu* in 353 AD. This UNESCO-listed garden blends: ✔ **Flowing serpentine canals** inspired by the "Floating Wine Cup" literary game ✔ **Ming Dynasty pavilions** surrounded by 1,600+ orchids ✔ **Stone carvings** of history’s greatest calligraphy masters --- ### **🚗 Getting There** - **From Shaoxing**: 30-min taxi (¥50) or Bus 3 to Lanting Station - **From Hangzhou**: 1h high-speed train to Shaoxing + taxi - **Entrance**: ¥70 (spring/summer), ¥50 (autumn/winter) *Tip*: Visit **before 9AM** to hear birdsong in the bamboo forest! --- ### **🎋 Must-See Spots** 1. **Goose Pool (鹅池)** – Watch calligraphers paint with water on stone 2. **Flowery Wine Cup Stream** – Try the ancient drinking game (re-enacted April-May) 3. **Imperial Stele Pavilion** – Kangxi & Qianlong emperors’ engraved poems --- ### **🍵 Local Flavors** - **Shaoxing "Drunken" Dishes** – Wine-marinated crab & chicken - **Lanting Tea House** – Orchid-scented Longjing tea --- ### **📜 Cultural Experiences** - **April Calligraphy Festival** – Watch masters create ink wash art - **DIY Ink Rubbing** – Take home a souvenir of ancient poetry **#lantinggarden #chinesecalligraphy #shaoxing #hangzhoudaytrip** 🦢🖋️🎋 *Fun Fact: The "wandering cup" game inspired Japan’s kyokusui-no-en poetry tradition!*