Shaoxing East Lake | A Hidden Mountain and Water Bonsai in Jiangnan

Dear friends, Shaoxing East Lake is truly worth a visit! It is known as the "World's Number One Mountain and Water Bonsai," featuring unique natural scenery and profound cultural heritage. Now, let me provide you with a super detailed travel guide~

📍Address: Yundong Road, Gaobu Street, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City

🕙Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, please note that boat tickets stop being sold at 4:30 PM.

🎫Tickets: Adult tickets are 50 RMB per person. Students and seniors can enjoy a half-price discount with valid ID. It is recommended to buy tickets online 2 hours in advance, there might be discounts.

🚗Transportation:

- Bus: Take routes 1, 57, or 37 directly to the East Lake Scenic Area stop.
- Self-driving: The scenic area has a parking lot, parking is very convenient.

🌟Must-See Attractions:

1. Wupeng Boat Exploration: This is the soul of East Lake! Boat tickets are 35 RMB per person. It’s more cost-effective to buy the "ticket + Wupeng boat" combo. Sitting on the Wupeng boat, you’ll travel through Taogong Cave and Xiantao Cave, experiencing the amazing "viewing the sky from a well" scene. The boat trip lasts about 20 minutes.
2. Taogong Cave: A Han Dynasty quarry site, filled with stalagmites inside, cool and deep. The entrance only allows one small boat to pass through. This spot is definitely worth seeing!
3. Xiantao Cave: Named for its peach-like shape. When the boat approaches, the stone gate and its reflection form a huge peach shape, perfect for photos!
4. Xiachuan Bridge: This was a filming location for the 1986 version of "Journey to the West." The ancient bridge and lake water complement each other, creating a full atmospheric vibe, absolutely worth a visit!
5. Jishou Tower: Free water town folk opera performances are held here daily. Paired with fennel beans and tea, you can feel the Shaoxing charm described by Lu Xun.

📸Photo Spots:

1. The lotus pond at the entrance is especially beautiful after rain, don’t miss it!
2. The shady path near the cliff cave is a great place for photos without too much sun.
3. Photos taken on the Wupeng boat are stunning! Use a 0.5 wide-angle lens with the mountains and water as the background for breathtaking shots!

🍜Food Recommendations:

1. There are some snack stalls inside the scenic area where you can try Shaoxing specialties like stinky tofu.
2. Nearby restaurants outside the scenic area offer dishes like braised pork with preserved vegetables and Shaoxing three fresh delicacies, very appetizing and highly recommended!

⚠️Useful Tips:

1. If you like a quiet environment, 8-10 AM in the morning is the best time with fewer people and beautiful scenery. Also, East Lake on rainy days has a more ink-wash Jiangnan ambiance.
2. Some paths inside the scenic area are not very easy to walk on, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Don’t forget these practical tips!