Shaoxing is amazing, but I won't go back

After returning from Shaoxing, when friends asked if I'd visit again, I firmly said "No"—not because it wasn't good, but because its beauty is simply unfair! Small bridges and flowing water winding around bluestone paths, black-canopied boats gliding by as if floating through an ink painting, even the air carries the fragrance of yellow wine. I'm afraid if I go again, I won't want to leave😭 I've compiled this guide to share its charm with more people👇 Arriving in Shaoxing is incredibly soothing🚇 ✈️ Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: Take the airport shuttle bus🚌 for a 1-hour direct ride to Shaoxing Passenger Transport Center. Along the way, you'll see rice fields and small rivers—more relaxing than staring at your phone. A taxi costs around 100 yuan, and the driver might tell you how beautiful Shaoxing's bridges are～ 🚄 Shaoxing North Station/Shaoxing Station: The North Station connects to Metro Line 1, taking 30 minutes to reach Lu Xun's Hometown. Shaoxing Station is in the old town, just a 10-minute walk from Cangqiao Straight Street—you can start exploring right after arriving with your luggage～ 🚗 For self-drivers, slow down: Park and walk in the old town! The narrow bluestone paths aren't car-friendly. Rent a shared bike to weave through alleys, stopping at small bridges to watch black-canopied boats—this is the proper way to experience it～ Staying in the right place feels like living in a painting🏠 •Near Lu Xun's Hometown📍: Shaoxing Xianheng Hotel is fantastic! Right across from Lu Xun's Hometown, its Republic-era architecture oozes charm. Rooms overlook the green vines of Hundred-Grass Garden, and breakfast includes fennel beans just like Kong Yiji's～ •Cangqiao Straight Street B&Bs✨: "Riverside Homes" B&B is hidden in an alley! Open the window to a small river, with black-canopied boats passing below. Falling asleep to the sound of oars at night feels like stepping into Shaoxing a century ago～ •Budget-friendly option💰: Chain hotels near subway stations cost just 120+ per person! Convenient for visiting East Lake and Orchid Pavilion, with local breakfast stalls serving soy milk and fried dough sticks—a daily staple for locals～ Breathtaking must-visit spots🎈 📖 Lu Xun's Hometown: Go at dawn! At 7 AM, the dew in Hundred-Grass Garden is still fresh, and the desks in Three-Flavors Study retain the warmth of bygone days. Avoid tour groups, sit on a stone slab watching grandma wash clothes, and suddenly understand Lu Xun's nostalgia～ 🚣 East Lake: 10 times fewer crowds than West Lake! Take a boat into "Tao Gong Cave," where moss-covered cliffs glisten. The boatman's rhythmic paddling echoes in the cave, and sunlight filtering through cracks scatters like gold dust～ 🏮 Cangqiao Straight Street: Most enchanting at dusk! When lanterns light up, the shadows of old gatehouses fall on bluestone paths. Bite into a yellow wine popsicle—sweet with a hint of wine—and turn a corner to find fennel bean stalls, the perfect touch of local life～ 🌿 Shen Garden: The love story of Lu You and Tang Wan is heart-wrenching! In July, the lotus pond blooms with pink and white flowers. Visitors linger before the Hairpin Phoenix stele, and the evening "Shen Garden Night" performance brings the garden to life with lights and storytelling～ 🖌️ Orchid Pavilion: A must for calligraphy lovers! The stone slab of the "floating wine cups along the winding stream" still remains. Amid lush bamboo, the aroma of Wang Xizhi's ink lingers. Try writing by the pond—even the breeze carries a scholarly air～ Food you'll love at first bite🍜 🍶 Yellow wine popsicle: A must-try! Mild yellow wine flavor blended with creamy sweetness, refreshing and not cloying. 5 yuan on Cangqiao Straight Street—perfect for strolling～ 🦆 Drunken chicken: "Kong Yiji Restaurant" does it best! Tender meat falling off the bone, infused with wine aroma. Pair it with plain congee for an umami explosion～ 🍲 Braised pork with dried mustard greens: Local aunties make the best version! Dried greens soak up the pork's richness, while the meat stays tender. Two bowls of rice won't be enough—this is the "hometown flavor" Lu Xun wrote about～ 🥢 Fennel beans: Xianheng Hotel's are authentic! Chewy and savory, best paired with Shaoxing yellow wine. Sit on a stone stool at the entrance and channel Kong Yiji's leisurely vibe～ 🍜 Shaoxing "mian bo bo": 3 yuan from street vendors! Crispy outer layer with bamboo shoot and minced pork filling—hot, fragrant, and a local breakfast favorite～ Handy tips⚠️ 1️⃣ Occasional light rain in July! Pack a compact oil-paper umbrella—it doubles as a rain shield and photo prop. Raindrops on bluestone paths create perfect reflections for black-canopied boat shots～ 2️⃣ Choose "hand-paddled boats" for black-canopied rides! Foot-paddled boats are more unique, and boatmen share stories along the way. Bargain to around 50 yuan per person for an hour～ 3️⃣ Buy yellow wine from "Guyue Longshan"! Avoid bulk wine in scenic spots—supermarket bottles are better for cooking, herbal infusions, or gifts～ 4️⃣ Wear comfy shoes! Bluestone paths can be rough—after a day of exploring, flats are your best friend～ Shaoxing's beauty lies in its subtle tenderness—the ripples from black-canopied boats, the courtyards of old gatehouses, the blend of yellow wine and osmanthus fragrance. Once you're here, you won't want to leave. That's why I say "won't go back"—one more look, and I might never leave～💫