After a boat ride in a black-awning boat, enjoy a bowl of fermented rice balls

❤The cliff walls of East Lake are soaked in thousand-year-old moisture. While passing through Taogong Cave on a black-awning boat, the boatman's silhouette, paddling with one foot, casts against the moss-covered rock walls. Turning past Qin Bridge, you suddenly encounter half the sky suspended upside down on the lake's surface, like a piece of Yue celadon porcelain carved out.

❤By the time we dock, dusk has thickened. We slip into an old shop on Cangqiao Straight Street. Fermented rice balls served in a rough ceramic bowl, with osmanthus petals floating like scattered gold. The moment you bite through the glutinous skin, warmth spreads, mixing with the lingering yellow rice wine fragrance on your neck, creating a slight intoxication.

❤Shaoxing has fermented time into two forms—one solidified in the steep traces of quarried stone, the other slowly flowing from my tongue into the folds of Jiangnan.

👉Shaoxing East Lake Travel Guide:
I. Scenic Area Introduction
Shaoxing East Lake is known for its "wonders within the lake" and is a famous water and stone garden in Jiangnan. Formed from Han Dynasty quarry remains, it features cliffs, unique pools and caves, earning the title "World's First Water and Stone Bonsai." Cruising on a black-awning boat is the classic experience.

II. Basic Information
Admission: 50 yuan (peak season), 40 yuan (off-season)
Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
Address: East Lake Town, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City

III. Transportation Guide
From Shaoxing City:
Bus: Routes 1, 29, 137 directly to "East Lake Scenic Area" stop.
Taxi: About 15 yuan (from Lu Xun's Former Residence).
From Hangzhou:
High-speed Rail: Hangzhou East Station → Shaoxing North Station (about 20 minutes), then taxi about 30 yuan.
Driving: Exit at Shaoxing from Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway, navigate to East Lake Scenic Area (about 1 hour).

IV. Must-Visit Spots
Taogong Cave & Immortal Peach Cave
Ride a black-awning boat through narrow waterways, experiencing the "viewing sky from a well" phenomenon.
Qin Bridge
Stone bridge in the middle of the lake, overlooking picturesque landscapes.
Jishou Tower
Climb for a panoramic view of East Lake, perfect for photography.
Xiachuan Bridge
Qing Dynasty ancient bridge, creating beautiful reflections in the lake.

V. Special Experiences
Black-awning Boat Tour: 40 yuan/person (about 20 minutes), recommended route: dock → Taogong Cave → Immortal Peach Cave → return.
Watch Local Opera: Occasional traditional Shaoxing opera performances in the scenic area (free).
Waterside Tea House: Enjoy tea by the lake (about 30 yuan per person), experience slow living.

VI. Nearby Attractions
Lu Xun's Former Residence: 4km from East Lake, free admission (reservation required).
Shen Garden: Famous garden of Lu You and Tang Wan's love story, with "Night at Shen Garden" performance in the evening.
Shaoxing Ancient City: Experience the watertown atmosphere at Cangqiao Straight Street and Baziqiao Bridge.

VII. Shaoxing Food Recommendations
In the Scenic Area: Yellow rice wine popsicles (5 yuan), fennel beans (10 yuan/pack).
Nearby Restaurants:
Xunbaoji Shaoxing Cuisine (Lu Xun's Former Residence Branch): Three Shaoxing Delicacies, Drunken Crab.
Cangqiao Straight Street Stinky Tofu: Crispy outside, tender inside, 10 yuan/serving.
Xianheng Restaurant: Kongyi's yellow rice wine + Taidiao milk tea.

VIII. Itinerary Suggestions
One-day Tour: East Lake (morning) → Lu Xun's Former Residence (lunch) → Shen Garden (afternoon) → Cangqiao Straight Street (evening).
Half-day Tour: East Lake black-awning boat + core attractions (2 hours), combined with a stroll through the nearby ancient city.

IX. Travel Tips
Wear comfortable flat shoes as some sections require climbing stone steps.
Apply sunscreen in summer; bring an umbrella for rainy days (the misty lake view is even more beautiful in rain).
No large supermarkets in the scenic area, bring your own drinking water.
Avoid National Day/Spring Festival holidays; weekday mornings are less crowded for a better experience.

Shaoxing East Lake perfectly blends natural wonders with cultural charm, boating on the lake feels like traveling through thousand-year-old stone walls