Orchid Pavilion (Lanting)

Compared to Suzhou and Hangzhou🌿, the understated Shaoxing is the true Jiangnan that I love even more!|||Whenever people talk about Jiangnan Many would think of Hangzhou and Suzhou But after visiting Shaoxing, I realized This is the Jiangnan water town I've been longing for 🌿 - This cozy little city, brimming with the essence of Jiangnan Countless little bridges over flowing water, blue-grey tiles on quaint buildings Walking through it, you find peace and the warmth of everyday life No matter spring, summer, autumn, winter, or whether it's sunny or snowy It's all filled with poetic and picturesque charm~ - 🗺Tour itinerary: DAY1: Xixiao Road➠Lu Xun's Hometown➠Cangqian Straight Street➠Hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy➠Bazi Bridge DAY2: East Lake➠Angsang Lake➠Orchid Pavilion➠Anchang Ancient Town - 1️⃣Lu Xun's Hometown Visit the residence of Mr. Lu Xun, see the scenes from 'From the Herb Garden to the Sanwei Study' that we learned about in our childhood~ 2️⃣Bazi Bridge, Hometown of the Sage of Calligraphy, Cangqian Straight Street, Xixiao Road These are all places full of cultural atmosphere and the warmth of life in the Jiangnan water towns, with little bridges and flowing water, blue-grey tiles, sitting in a leisurely boat cruising through the water towns... 3️⃣East Lake A filming location for 'Journey to the West', with high mountains and inscribed stone cliffs, take a black-awning boat and step into a Jiangnan painting~ 4️⃣Angsang Lake The ancient towpath with a thousand years of history meanders across the lake, walking on it while enjoying the lake breeze and scenery is simply delightful! 5️⃣Orchid Pavilion Come and see the Orchid Pavilion as described by Wang Xizhi! Walk around the Goose Pond, Tianzhang Temple, and Qu Shui Liu Shang... Just as beautiful as described in the poems! 6️⃣Anchang Ancient Town This ancient town of Shaoxing, full of life and nestled by the river, is even more pleasant and romantic during the sunset and evening blues! - ✔️Accommodation, food, transportation You can stay near Lu Xun's Hometown, all these places are close by~ Some are accessible by walking and biking🚲! For food, try the yellow wine popsicles, stinky tofu, yellow wine milk tea, radish silk cake, cream Xiaopan... To travel to Shaoxing, just take the high-speed train directly! From Shaoxing North Station, just take a 🚗 and you're there~ -

When I visited Zhejiang, I was amazed by Shaoxing—the little bridges over flowing water, the black tiles and white walls, without the noise of the city or excessive commercialization. Especially on rainy days, Shaoxing is as beautiful as a misty rain painting. I regret only now visiting Shaoxing, this low-key water town in the south of the Yangtze River, which is a must-visit in my heart❗️ 🚶 Shaoxing 3-day 2-night itinerary ▫️day1 Lu Xun's Hometown→Xu Wei Art Museum→Jie Min Library→Sage's Hometown→Fu Mountain Park→West Xiaolu ▫️day2 Lanting→Anchang Ancient Town ▫️day3 Shaoxing Museum→Yangming's Hometown→Pioneer Bookstore→Ancient Canal Path 🎐 Must-visit attractions in Shaoxing Spend two or three days in the hometown of Lu Xun, take a ride on a black-awning boat, and appreciate the ancient literati landmarks, and you will be moved by the beauty of Shaoxing. 1️⃣ Lanting The 'Orchid Pavilion Preface' by Wang Xizhi was born here, with the stunning Goose Pond🪿, Tianzhang Temple, and Qu Shui Liu Shang... A beautiful scene at every step, you won't want to leave. 2️⃣ Lu Xun's Hometown Lu Xun's hometown could guarantee Shaoxing a lifetime of glory and wealth🤣 The Hundred Grass Garden and Sanwei Study are childhood memories. 3️⃣ West Xiaolu Compared to the crowded Cangqiao Straight Street, I recommend the original West Xiaolu, which also has a super beautiful heart-shaped tree🌳 4️⃣ Yangming's Hometown The hometown of Wang Yangming, arguably the most beautiful architecture in Shaoxing, with great Chinese aesthetics. 5️⃣ Anchang Ancient Town One of the four great ancient towns of Shaoxing, the two-kilometer old street is built along the river, and it's very pleasant to walk on the small bridges🌊 6️⃣ Fu Mountain Park A free, less crowded treasure park, it's like a green fairyland, and the Yue Wang Terrace is worth a visit. 7️⃣ Sage's Hometown The hometown of Wang Xizhi and Cai Yuanpei, with the Ink Pool, Bi Fei Nong, and Ti Shan Bridge, has a historical atmosphere. 8️⃣ Xu Wei Art Museum & Green Vine Book House The former residence of the Ming Dynasty painter Xu Wei, where you can view his handed-down paintings and calligraphy. 9️⃣ Shaoxing Museum Few tourists, but the collection is not to be underestimated❗️ Yue kiln celadon, Wu Yue bronze swords, and ice crack bowls are all treasures. 🔟 Jie Min Library 'Jie Min' comes from Mr. Cai Yuanpei's name, and the architecture is beautiful. 1️⃣1️⃣ Pioneer Bookstore·Jianhu Store Pioneer Bookstore's new store in Shaoxing, almost no tourists, overlooking the bookstore is like a whale in Jian Lake. 1️⃣2️⃣ Ancient Canal Path The ancient path in the lake built during the Tang Dynasty, with a total length of more than nine thousand meters, has been preserved for a thousand years. 🏨 Accommodation & Food Recommendations I recommend staying near Lu Xun's Hometown for convenient transportation, with direct access by subway and bus. For food, you must try Shaoxing's drunken crab, yellow wine, stinky tofu, yellow wine milk tea, and Ciwu noodles. During my days in Shaoxing, I really didn't want to leave; this is the true Jiangnan of my dreams.

🌱 Shaoxing | Anshan Ancient Trail + Lanting Anshan Ancient Trail (morning) ⮕ Lanting Scenic Area (afternoon) 1️⃣ It is recommended to 【drive by yourself】. Renting a car for 【24 hours】 is enough, with a total cost of about 【350】; 2️⃣ It is advised to arrive at Anshan Ancient Trail 【before 8:00 am】 for fewer people and more time to enjoy and take photos; stay the previous night near 【Jingling Town】 or 【Huangao Village】, about 6km away; We chose the return route, which took about 3.5 hours to get back to the starting point (including time for photos and rest). Hiking route options: ❶ Return route: Xiaoxiquan Village - Youlongtan - Huguoan - Feilong Waterfall - Ancient Castanopsis Tree - Anshan Village (mostly flat roads + small stream paths, with some steps to climb) ❷ Loop route: Xiaoxiquan Village - Youlongtan - Huguoan - Feilong Waterfall - Ancient Castanopsis Tree - turn left at the fork before Anshan Village (the latter half of this route mainly involves wild paths and climbing slopes; we climbed almost half but it was too tiring so we returned the same way) 3️⃣ After hiking, you can stop by the 【Mumen Gongxue】 on Jingling Old Street for lunch; we tried it the night before and found it delicious, so we reserved lunch for after the hike. The energy replenishment was timely; The guesthouse restaurant seems to be run by a young owner, with a kind grandmother cooking; there's no menu, but you can directly ask if they can make what you want to eat; the ingredients are fresh, and the taste is reminiscent of the food our grandmothers used to make; 4️⃣ Next, head to the 【Lanting Scenic Area】. The entrance's goose pond, ancient pavilions, and bamboo forests are stunning; if it's crowded, you might start with the 【Tianzhang Temple Ruins】. The beauty of Tianzhang Temple varies with the seasons and weather; Fushan Park ⮕ Hotel Check-out 1️⃣ On the last day, you can visit 【Fushan Park】 next to the hotel to breathe in the fresh air and overlook the entire city from above; five minutes out of the park, there's an 【Undertree Coffee】 where you can take a break with a cup of coffee; for lunch, head to 【Zhuji Authentic Ciwu Noodle (Renmin West Road Store)】 for a carb delight. Remember to go early to avoid long queues during meal times; 2️⃣ Time to go home! Shaoxing is beautiful, often reminding one of childhood summers spent at grandma's house, a memory that's vague yet familiar; 3️⃣ The best weather for visiting Anshan Ancient Trail is after a day of rain, which will ensure a plentiful water flow; during our visit, it was sunny all week, and the water flow was not strong; 4️⃣ Be prepared for mosquitoes, as those in Anshan Ancient Trail and Lanting are aggressive and can cause blister-like bites

After visiting Shaoxing, don't just crowd into Lu Xun's hometown; make sure to set aside half a day to see the 'Lanting' described by Wang Xizhi. · Let me borrow the words of a literary giant to introduce Lanting: This place has towering mountains and lush forests, as well as clear streams and torrents that reflect the surroundings. · After spending an afternoon here, it feels like entering a green fairyland. The ancients did not deceive me; Lanting is truly worthwhile. 🤩 · 📍｜Lanting Scenic Area, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City 🚘｜About 0.5h drive from Shaoxing city center, or take the direct route 3 bus from Lu Xun's hometown 🎫｜70r, free for Shaoxing locals 🗺️｜Tour route: Enter the park—Goose Pond—Lanting Stele Pavilion—Qu Shui Liu Shang—Wang Youjun Temple—Linchi Eighteen Pots—Chenghuai Bridge—Lanting Ancient Trail—Tianzhang Temple Ruins—Lanting Calligraphy Museum—Exit the park · ❇️-Goose Pond- It is said that the words 'Goose Pond' were written by Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi. There are indeed a few big white geese by the pond, looking very cute. -Lanting Stele Pavilion- One of the four famous pavilions in China, it is a landmark building. ❇️-Liu Shang Pavilion- Built to commemorate the 'Qu Shui Liu Shang' event, the pavilion is arranged with a different view at every step. ❇️-Linchi Eighteen Pots- Next to the Imperial Stele Pavilion, there are eighteen calligraphy platforms and eighteen pots. Visitors can write on stone slabs to experience the literary art of calligraphy. ❇️-Tianzhang Temple- Rebuilt on the original site, the temple still retains ruins. The interior layout is exquisite, and looking through the doors and windows at the green bamboo leaves outside is very healing. · ✨｜Tour tips 1⃣The reflection of Tianzhang Temple is like the effect of a mirror, or use the Photoshop technique, the wider the lens the better. 2⃣The scenic area is not too small; walking around and taking photos takes about 2h. The snack bars inside are quite expensive 😥. Before going, buy some sugar-free tea, Gardenia Oolong, at the convenience store. The fragrance of gardenia makes spring tangible, and it's not bitter at all. The transparent bottle matches the green scenery perfectly, making for great photo ops! 3⃣As the weather gets hotter, bring some mosquito repellent. · 🙆‍♀️I am Fei Shishi, who loves to share and never stops moving 📸Passionate about capturing the beauty of travel with my camera ❤️Follow me 🤩 🙌I'll provide you with more travel photo and fun strategies ·

Don't just go to Lu Xun's hometown where it's crowded when visiting Shaoxing, make sure to set aside half a day to see the 'Lanting Pavilion' described by Wang Xizhi. Borrowing the words of a literary master to introduce Lanting: This place has towering mountains and steep hills, dense forests and tall bamboo, as well as clear streams and rapid torrents, reflecting and surrounding the area. After spending an afternoon here, it felt like entering a green fairyland. The ancients did not deceive me; Lanting is truly worthwhile. 🤩 📍｜Lanting Scenic Area, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City 🚘｜About 0.5h drive from Shaoxing city center, or take the direct line 3 from Lu Xun's hometown 🎫｜70r, free for locals from Shaoxing 🗺️｜Tour route: Enter the park—Goose Pond—Lanting Stele Pavilion—Qu Shui Liu Shang—Wang Youjun Shrine—Linchi Eighteen Vats—Chenghuai Bridge—Lanting Ancient Path—Tianzhang Temple Ruins—Lanting Calligraphy Museum—Exit the park -Goose Pond- It is said that the two characters of Goose Pond were written by Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi. There are indeed several big white geese by the pond, looking very cute and silly. -Lanting Stele Pavilion- One of the four famous pavilions in China, it is a landmark building. -Qu Shui Liu Shang Pavilion- Built to commemorate the 'Qu Shui Liu Shang' event, the pavilion is arranged with a different view at every step. -Linchi Eighteen Vats- Next to the Imperial Stele Pavilion, there are eighteen practice stone slabs and eighteen vats. Visitors can write on the stone slabs to experience the literati's brushwork. -Tianzhang Temple- Reconstructed on the original site, the temple still retains ruins. The interior layout is exquisite, and looking through the doors and windows at the green bamboo and leaves outside is very healing. ✨｜Tour tips ❶ The reflection of Tianzhang Temple is like the effect of a mirror, or use Photoshop magic, the wider the lens the better. ❷ The scenic area is not too small; walking around and taking pictures takes about 2h. The small shops inside are quite expensive 😥. Buy some sugar-free tea in advance at the convenience store before going. The fragrance of gardenia makes spring tangible, and it's not bitter at all. The transparent bottle matches the green scenery perfectly, making for great photos yyds! ❸ The weather is getting hotter, bring some mosquito repellent. Stay tuned for more fun travel information across the country, Come and follow this travel commando!

The green light forest of Shaoxing is where Wang Xizhi wrote the 'Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion'. If one were in such a beautiful place, inspiration would surely surge! I finally understand the meaning of 'a clear sky with gentle breezes'. . 🛋️: Shaoxing City Orchid Pavilion Scenic Area 🎫: 70⭕️/person, free admission for Shaoxing residents with ID 🅿️: 10⭕️ per entry 🚌: Take bus No. 3 or 303 to 'Orchid Pavilion Scenic Area' 【Orchid Pavilion Tour Route】: Entrance➡️Goose Pond➡️Orchid Pavilion Stele Pavilion➡️Qu Shui Liu Shang➡️Wang Youjun's Stele Pavilion➡️Eighteen Pots by the Pond➡️Ancient Path of Orchid Pavilion➡️Ruins of Tianzhang Temple (Glazed Glass Temple)➡️Orchid Pavilion Calligraphy Museum (closed on Mondays)➡️Exit 📷Photography Strategy: 1️⃣At the entrance, the green hut with inscribed poems and writings on the wall is a must-see (Pic 1) 2️⃣The ruins of Tianzhang Temple, the recently popular Glazed Light Court, note that there is no glass reflection, so you can't capture that kind of reflection effect, but it's really lush and green (Pics 2, 6, 8) 3️⃣From the ruins of Tianzhang Temple to the Calligraphy Museum, there is a green light forest. In the evening, the light shining on the green lake surface with the willow fluff in the air really shows the style of Jiangnan; 4️⃣Orchid Pavilion Calligraphy Museum, the 'Zhi' character of Wang Xizhi is simply too beautiful, but it is recommended to take a silhouette photo against the light; 🙋‍♂️I am Qian De who loves to take photos 🏃Turning life into a cinematic experience ❤️Thank you for watching

Shaoxing Lanting Scenic Area, named after the legend that King Goujian of Yue planted orchids here during the Spring and Autumn period, and a post station was established during the Han dynasty, hence the name Lanting. It is a 4A-level tourist attraction in China, located at the foot of Lanzhu Mountain, and is known both domestically and internationally for the famous calligraphy work 'Lanting Xu'. With the development of the times, the Lanting Scenic Area has kept pace with the times, transforming the relics into a garden. It features cultural highlights such as the Zhenwen Cultural and Creative District, Goose Pond Stele Pavilion, Goose Pond, Qu Shui Liu Shang, Wang Youjun Shrine, Linchi Eighteen Vats, Imperial Stele Pavilion, Chenghuai Pavilion, Tianzhang Temple Song and Ming Dynasty ruins, and the Lanting Calligraphy Museum. For first-time visitors, you can follow the route: Entrance — Goose Pond — Lanting Stele Pavilion — Qu Shui Liu Shang — Imperial Stele Pavilion — Wang Youjun Shrine — Yuechi — Lanting River — Tianzhang Temple Ruins — Lanting Calligraphy Museum — Zhenwen Creative District. Located on Provincial Road 308 in Lanting Town, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, you can take bus routes 3A; 3B; 3; 303A; 303B; 303C; 331A; 331; Lanli Special Line East Ring; Special 0003 to the 'Lanting Scenic Area' station.

If you only have half a day of leisure time on the weekend, and you're tired of the crowded 'heaven on earth', and just want to sit among the mountains and fields, daydreaming, drinking tea, and flipping through books, Yun Song Village, next to the Lan Ting scenic area of Mount Kuaiji, will not disappoint. The village has been fashionably renovated, with a refined and elegant style that meets modern aesthetic standards. Have lunch, stroll through the tea gardens, and wander along the ancient Yun Song trail. A five-kilometer loop can be easily completed in an hour and a half. Before leaving, sit in the village library to experience the scholarly atmosphere of Shaoxing, which is quite pleasant. 🌿 🏷 Destination: Yun Song Village, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing 🚗 There is a parking lot in front of the Cultural Auditorium at the entrance of the village Shaoxing · Zhejiang

Do not miss the good times of summer. Take advantage of July when the lotus flowers 🪷 are in full bloom, and visit the misty and rainy Jiangnan again~ Shaoxing, a hidden gem in Jiangnan that is directly accessible by high-speed train and subway from Hangzhou, has a history of over 2500 years of city building. It is one of the first batch of national historical and cultural cities and a United Nations Habitat Award city. Every corner of the city is filled with cultural relics. Lotus Viewing Spots Shili Lotus Pond The best viewing time is from early to mid-July, when the 🪷 lotus flowers are in full bloom. It is recommended to view from the wooden walkway near Ze Xiang Pavilion, where the drone aerial photography is quite stunning. Address: Shili Lotus Pond in Shaoxing Mirror Lake National Park, Jiefang Avenue, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City Tickets: Free Dayu Mausoleum Scenic Area The lotus flowers 🪷 here truly have the gentle and soft charm of the Jiangnan water towns. You can take a black-awning boat to the lotus pond to view the lotus flowers up close. Address: Dayu Mausoleum in Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, on the Second Ring South Road Tickets: Free for Shaoxing residents Shen Garden In Shen Garden, the summer is serene, the lotus flowers are unique, and with a pot of tea, you can enjoy tea in front of the flowers, leisurely and comfortably. Address: No. 318 Luxun Middle Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province Tickets: Admission fee required Kuai Ge Park There's no need to squeeze into the crowded Shili Lotus Pond. There is also a great spot for viewing 🪷 lotus flowers in the urban area of Shaoxing, which is particularly photogenic. Address: South Gate of Qingdian Lake Community, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province Tickets: Free Lanting In Shaoxing's calligraphy haven, you can enjoy the lotus flowers 🪷 while experiencing the strong fragrance of ink and dance of the brush, offering a unique coolness of Jiangnan. Address: Lanting Scenic Area in Lanting Street, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City Tickets: Fee required Shaoxing B&Bs Hua Zhu She·Keqiao Ancient Town Gu Xi B&B Hua Zhu She·Lotus Pond Moonlight B&B (Shaoxing Keyan Scenic Area Store) Hua Zhu She·Shaoxing Ancient City Sage's Hometown B&B

Lanting in the Rain: The Poetic Secret Realm of Misty Jiangnan In the misty drizzle, I stepped into Lanting, as if entering a flowing ink painting. Here, every step is a scene, and every scene is filled with poetry. By the goose pond, the white geese play joyfully, interacting intimately with you and me; inside the Imperial Stele Pavilion, the handwritten inscriptions by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong seem to narrate stories of history; the Wang Xizhi Shrine appears to retain the fantastical colors of 'Journey to the West'; and Tianzhang Temple is an excellent spot for photography, with its corridor pillars, houses, green bamboo, and verdant leaves, all brimming with vibrant green life. Here, I encountered an unexpected little episode. A starving cat was wandering around Tianzhang Temple. I fed it some dried tofu and biscuits, and it ate with relish. To this day, I still think of that cat and hope to meet it again on my next visit. Lanting in the rain has its own unique charm. The light rain makes this place even more serene and beautiful. If you also love the misty rain of Jiangnan and the profound history, then why not take a walk in Lanting and experience this poetic secret realm of Misty Jiangnan for yourself. Half a day is enough to intoxicate you and make you linger on, reluctant to leave.

At the foot of Lanzhu Mountain, by the bank of Lanting Stream. In the late spring of the year 353, Wang Xizhi composed the 'Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion' here. It stands as the pinnacle of Chinese calligraphy, with more than twenty instances of the character '之', leading generations to study and emulate it, to revere it with the utmost respect. Just as with Lu Xun's use of '然'. In fact, in ancient times, calligraphy was mostly found in letters, and the writers were all scholars. The saying 'the style is the man' reflects one's scholarship, insight, and breadth of spirit, akin to Confucius's 'The gentleman is not a tool'. It is not a mere skill, but a cultivation, a natural outcome when conditions are right. Just like brewing tea, pouring water over it, the tea buds rise and fall, acting naturally, forming a harmonious whole. Whether studying or practicing, it's all but an affectation. Elegance, like smoke.

Stepping into the Orchid Pavilion is like traveling through a thousand years of time, back to the distant Wei and Jin dynasties. The simple architecture and mottled steles tell the vicissitudes of the ages. Here lies the legendary Orchid Pavilion site, bearing the poetic and wine-filled years of countless literati, and carrying on the celebrated verses that have been passed down through the ages. The cobblestone paths wind, ancient trees tower, and the air is filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers. Strolling among them, one feels the profound cultural atmosphere, as if hearing the ancient people's poetry and smelling the overflowing fragrance of ink. Wandering through the secluded paths, it's like being in a fairyland, making one linger and forget to return. The calligraphy art here is uniquely charming. The inscriptions on the stone tablets are like pearls and jades, with sharp strokes that cut deep as if carved with a knife. Those pieces of calligraphy treasures, passed down for a thousand years, still shine brightly today. To experience the free-spiritedness of bold brushstrokes and to savor the long-lasting charm of ancient rhymes is intoxicating. Entering the Orchid Pavilion is like entering a landscape painting. Here lies the wisdom and talent of the ancients, the sediment of history, and its heritage. Let us together appreciate the peerless elegance of this millennium-old site and feel the cultural charm that transcends time and space. May the ancient site of the Orchid Pavilion endure forever, and its cultural treasures be passed down eternally!