Visited Lanting Scenic Area 4 times, finally figured it out!

As a frequent visitor and "Lanting class representative," I've painstakingly compiled this in-depth guide to help you avoid pitfalls and fully enjoy the essence! 🏞 Address 308 Provincial Road, Lanting Town, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City Lanting is hidden at the foot of Kuaiji Mountain. It is named after King Goujian of Yue planting orchids in the Spring and Autumn period and the Han dynasty setting up a post station. It is also the sacred place where Wang Xizhi wrote the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering." 🚌 Transportation Guide - Self-driving: Navigate to "Lanting Scenic Area Parking Lot," parking fee 10 RMB/day, about 1.5 hours from Hangzhou/Ningbo. - Bus: Take routes 3 or 303 from Shaoxing city center to "Lanting Scenic Area Station," about 30 minutes from Lu Xun's Hometown. - High-speed rail: Arrive at Shaoxing North Station, then a 40-minute taxi ride. 📜 Scenic Area Introduction Lanting is famous for its "four uniques": serene scenery, elegant events, exquisite culture, and unparalleled calligraphy: - Historical significance: In the ninth year of Yonghe in the Eastern Jin dynasty, Wang Xizhi and 41 scholars gathered here for the winding water drinking game, writing the "world's greatest running script" Preface to the Orchid Pavilion. - Core attractions: Goose Pond (Wang Xizhi’s favorite place for geese), Winding Water Drinking Game (recreation of ancient elegant gatherings), Imperial Stele Pavilion (rare stele inscribed by Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong, grandfather and grandson), Lanting Calligraphy Museum (housing copies of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion from various dynasties). - Summer features: Bamboo forest shading the sun, cool creek water, a secret summer retreat in Shaoxing! 🎯 Travel Guide ⏰ Recommended route (3 hours total): 1. Goose Pond: Watch white geese play, admire the "Father and Son Stele" (calligraphy by Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi). 2. Winding Water Drinking Game: Sit on stone benches by the creek and enjoy the elegant fun of "floating wine cups" (restoration event in April). 3. Imperial Stele Pavilion: Check in at the rare double-inscribed stele by grandfather and grandson emperors. 4. Wang Youjun Shrine: Learn about Wang Xizhi’s life, the reflection in Mohua Pavilion is stunning. 5. Lanting Calligraphy Museum: Interactive rubbing experience (10 RMB per session), immerse yourself in the charm of calligraphy. ✨ Deep Experience - Bamboo Rafting: Wear Hanfu and ride a bamboo raft on Lanting River, instantly entering the artistic realm of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion. - Calligraphy Copying: Practice calligraphy with a brush dipped in water at the "Eighteen Water Basins" (free!). - Hidden route: From the back door of the Calligraphy Museum, take a small path directly to the Tianzhang Temple ruins, quiet and scenic with few people. 💡 Tips for Visiting - Best time: Enter right at opening at 8 AM or after 4 PM (soft light perfect for portraits). - Dress code: Hanfu or modern Chinese style! Bamboo forest, ancient pavilions, and creekside are perfect photo spots. - Essentials: Mosquito repellent (many insects near water), comfortable flat shoes (stone paths). - Avoid crowds: Avoid the peak calligraphy festival in April; autumn with osmanthus blossoms is more tranquil. 🍜 Food Recommendations - Inside the scenic area: - Yellow wine popsicle (5 RMB): light wine aroma, refreshing without intoxication. - Lanting crisp cake (15 RMB/box): crispy with preserved vegetable filling, a top souvenir choice. - Nearby specialties: - Winding Water Banquet: bamboo tube rice, bamboo forest pork belly, recreating Eastern Jin elegant feast flavors. - Farmhouse meals: Recommended "Lanting Family" for native chicken pot and dried bamboo shoots with vegetables. - Shaoxing cuisine: Xianheng Hotel (Lu Xun Road) for braised pork with preserved vegetables and fennel beans. 🛏 Accommodation Recommendations - Luxury choice: Lanting Anlu - Designed by Aman, 9.2 hectares of Hui-style ancient buildings, private courtyards + pool, starting at 1,000 RMB per person. - Cost-effective guesthouse: Lanting Bieyuan - Located on Water Street inside the scenic area, mountain views from the window, ancient-style tea room + book bar, 200-600 RMB per person. - Family-friendly: Lanting Hanmo Xiang Resort Hotel - Includes pool, kids’ playground, combo ticket includes Lu Xun’s former residence tour, 499 RMB for 2 nights with meals. 🌄 Nearby Attractions 1. Lu Xun’s Hometown (30-minute drive): Visit Baicao Garden, Sanwei Study, eat stinky tofu, experience the lively Jiangnan from textbooks. 2. Donghu Scenic Area (25-minute drive): Ride a black-awning boat through towering cliffs, explore the "Fairy Peach Cave" wonder. 3. Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Palace: Giant lotus sculpture on the summit, panoramic view of Shaoxing, full of Zen atmosphere. 4. Dayu Mausoleum + Shenyuan Garden: Trace the footsteps of Yu the Great, listen to Yue opera "Chaitou Feng," experience Shaoxing’s cultural heritage in one day. 💌 Final Reminder The beauty of Lanting lies in savoring slowly—the bamboo forest breeze, lingering ink fragrance, and babbling winding water are poetic gifts spanning a thousand years. Keep this guide and may you write your own "Lanting story" here! 📅 Best seasons: March-May (spring elegant gatherings) / September-November (autumn osmanthus in full bloom).