I thought Suzhou was all there was to Jiangnan, until I met Shaoxing

[Tree]In many people’s impressions, Suzhou is synonymous with the Jiangnan water town. The exquisite gardens, the leisurely ancient canal, and the gentle Wu dialect seem to have brought the romance of Jiangnan to its extreme. However, the moment I stepped into Shaoxing, I realized that the charm of Jiangnan has another unique expression. If the beauty of Suzhou is the dignified elegance of a lady from a noble family, then the beauty of Shaoxing is the gentleness and agility of a beautiful girl from a small family. If you want to experience the unique romance of the Jiangnan water town, Shaoxing is definitely the best choice. [Tree] Shaoxing, this low-key and introverted city, is not as famous as Suzhou, but it has its own charming charm. Spend a day strolling through the streets and alleys of Shaoxing, and you will be able to deeply appreciate the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town. This is also the hometown of the famous writer Mr. Lu Xun. From the Baicao Garden, which has "not to mention the green vegetable plots, smooth stone well rails, tall soapberry trees, and purple mulberries", to the Sanwei Book House, where "there is also a garden behind the Sanwei Book House. Although it is small, you can climb up the flower bed to pick wintersweet flowers and look for cicada shells on the ground or on the osmanthus trees", the scenes in the books have come alive one by one in reality. [Tree] Next, I will introduce to you the must-see attractions in Shaoxing. [Tree] After thousands of years of excavation, East Lake has formed its unique landscape of steep cliffs and deep abysses. Taogong Cave is like a mysterious entrance to the earth, standing quietly by the lake. The lake water is crystal clear, like a huge mirror, reflecting the steep cliffs on both sides. Sit on a small boat and drift leisurely on the lake, with the breeze blowing on your face and the water rippling, as if time has slowed down. The sound of oars paddling on the water, intertwined with the occasional bird calls from the shore, forms a beautiful natural melody. [Tree] The Angsang Lake Ancient Towpath is a small ancient bridge on the water in Shaoxing. It lies quietly across the lake, like a silent old man, telling stories of the past. Walking on the ancient towpath, the stone slabs under your feet have been polished by time and are smooth and thick. Surrounded by endless lakes and in the distance are scattered villages. A typical picture of a Jiangnan water town slowly unfolds before your eyes. [Tree]Lu Xun's hometown, which includes Lu Xun's ancestral home, Sanwei Bookstore and Lu Xun's former residence. Stepping into it, it feels like traveling back to that turbulent era, and you can truly feel the childhood scenes described by Lu Xun. The mottled walls, the old desks, the small rooms, each one carries the memory of history. Here, we can follow the footsteps of Mr. Lu Xun, feel the environment in which he grew up, and understand the profound thoughts contained in his writings. [Tree] Baji Bridge is a very original bridge in the Jiangnan water village. It does not have too much commercial atmosphere and retains its most original appearance. There is gurgling water under the bridge, pedestrians are walking leisurely on the bridge, and on both sides of the bridge are residential houses with white walls and black tiles. Occasionally, you can see residents washing clothes and vegetables by the river, which is full of the flavor of life. [Tree] The hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy is where Wang Xizhi and Cai Yuanpei lived. Walking into here, it feels like stepping into a world of calligraphy. The Yao Chi described by Mr. Wang Xizhi is like a fairyland, which makes people yearn for it. The calligraphy walls on both sides of the street display the works of calligraphers from past dynasties, and every stroke reveals a rich cultural heritage. This is also an old neighborhood in Shaoxing that is relatively well preserved. Walking through it, you can seem to hear the footsteps of history. [Tree] Cangqiao Street has a strong water town style. The waterway beside it is beautiful, and the river water sparkles in the sunlight. The street is mainly composed of traditional houses, integrating residence, commerce and tourism. Here, you can taste authentic Shaoxing cuisine, buy handicrafts with local characteristics, and experience the unique charm of Shaoxing. [Tree] West Lane is named after the West River that runs through the neighborhood. This is a historical district that is not overly commercialized and is mostly home to indigenous people. Walking on the street, you can see old people sitting at their doorsteps basking in the sun and children playing in the alleys, creating a warm and homely atmosphere. [Tree] Shaoxing, this charming city in the south of the Yangtze River, is waiting for more people to discover its beauty. Come here and start your own journey to Jiangnan.