May Day Shaoxing Travel Guide | Drinking with Time in the Ink-Wash Jiangnan

| Drinking with Time in the Ink-Wash Jiangnan. Shaoxing is a poem floating in wine fragrance, a dream resting on rippling waters. For the May Day holiday, I've specially prepared this practical three-day, two-night Shaoxing travel guide for you to save. Day 1: A Thousand-Year Echo of Literature and Love 📍 Lu Xun's Former Residence & Shen Garden Scenic Area In the morning, push through Shaoxing's mist to visit Lu Xun's Former Residence as your first stop. Winding along bluestone paths to the Hundred Herbs Garden, the pagoda trees and raspberry vines from childhood textbooks sway gracefully in the sunlight. Inside the Three-Flavor Study Room, the character "early" carved on the wooden desk corner seems to still carry young Lu Xun's stubbornness. In the afternoon, walk to Shen Garden, a Southern Song Dynasty garden colored with melancholy due to Lu You and Tang Wan's poem "Phoenix Hairpin." Between white walls and dark tiles, a Yue Opera rendition of "Phoenix Hairpin" plays melodiously in Shuanggui Hall. As dusk falls, take a lantern for a night tour of Shen Garden, where under the Song Dynasty lantern shadows, even the wind is infused with poetic sentiment. 🫘 Food Recommendations 👉 Xianheng Hotel: Fennel beans paired with Taizhou rice wine, bringing Kongyi Ji's flavors to your taste buds. 👉 Cangqiao Straight Street: Crispy outside, tender inside stinky tofu dipped in sweet spicy sauce, full of local flavor. Day 2: Ancient Town Life and Yellow Wine Intoxication 📍 Anchang Ancient Town Anchang is an undisturbed old dream of Jiangnan. Sausages and marinated ducks hang from eaves, while the rich aroma of soy sauce flows along stone paths. Take a black-awning boat under ancient bridges, where the oars break the water's surface as storytelling music drifts from old teahouses along both banks. Don't forget to take home a bottle of Renchang Sauce Garden soy sauce, as featured on "A Bite of China," to preserve the savory memories of your journey. 📍 Yellow Wine Town (Dongpu) In the afternoon, head to the hometown of yellow wine. The air in the town floats with the sweet fragrance of glutinous rice. In the Yellow Wine Museum, from winter brewing to opening the vats, each jar of wine contains the craftsmanship of Shaoxing people. Taste a yellow wine popsicle where dairy and wine flavors intertwine; then drink a cup of yellow wine milk tea, as the warm intoxication slides from your throat to your heart. 🌙 Accommodation Recommendation Huazhu Luxury: A Zen-inspired homestay with a serene and elegant environment. Day 3: The Beauty of Yue Women and Clear Mountain Waters 📍 Xi Shi's Hometown Tourist Area Along Huansha River, the legend of Xi Shi has flowed for thousands of years. Stroll along Ancient Yue Street, where white-walled, gray-tiled houses create an interesting contrast with the lush green mountains. If time permits, take a painted boat along the river for a truly pleasant experience. Before returning, consider taking a detour to Bazi Bridge. Water flows gently under the bridge. Without the noise of tourists, only the authenticity of everyday life remains. Here, bid farewell to Shaoxing, leaving behind memories soaked in yellow wine fragrance. Travel Tips 🚴 Transportation: Attractions are concentrated in Yuecheng District; cycling or walking is recommended to experience the texture of the ancient city. 🎫 Tickets: Lu Xun's Former Residence, Cangqiao Straight Street, and Bazi Bridge are free; Shen Garden night tour is 80 yuan, Lanting is 80 yuan (optional). 👗 Outfit: Solid-colored qipao or Hanfu would match the ancient town perfectly! Shaoxing is a city worth measuring with your footsteps and tasting with your palate. During the May Day holiday, let time pause here to dialogue with literature and become intoxicated with the landscape.