Visit Shaoxing

Since arriving at the college I have been aware of a “Scenic Spot” opposite the college. One day one of the other teachers and I went there with the plan to visit – but the ticket office was unhelpful as no one spoke English. At the entrance there are two roads – one apparently to a temple high in the mountain, and the other to what is called Da Yu Mountain. Da Yu (Emperor Yu) who is famous for taming the rivers of China and preventing much flooding. Read all about Da Yu here.

So it was on Saturday May 17th, that, with a student from the college to help me with translation, that I saw close up this extra ordinary park. To be honest I had been in before – early on morning with a fellow teacher I was in the park when he was preparing for a historic event called “1000 people climb the mountain” which gave me an opportunity to see close up what this park was about, but as I didn’t have a ticket on that occasion, I resolved to go and see more of this huge park.

From Shaoxing City a number 2 and number 10 bus will take visitors to the entrance to the park which may be called Kuaiji Mountain Scenic Spot, or Da Yu Mountain. (confused? – so was I). In the ticket office get on ticket for 50¥ per person, and then enter via the big entry. You can also get a ride on a cart – perhaps costing 10¥. We chose to walk. Along the man road way are stone statues on either side and each has a story about the significance of the animal in the story of Da Yu – and that you would miss if you took the cart).

There is a central square where many ceremonies are held on the edge of a lake which has a series of boats that take passengers on a tour of the lake. One of these boats is the famous black covered Shaoxing boat, but they did not seem to be operating on this day. Of course there would be a fee for taking a boat ride.

The ticket that we purchased at entry gives you entry into three of the four places within the park, and as it was a very hot day and we were keen to get out of the park before the Olympic Flame ceremony.

What is described as the Ancient Village features the life and stories of Da Yu, including his Mausoleum and buildings associated with his life and family. One pavilion had magnificent photos of an opera that is famous in China telling the story of Da Yu.

The gardens are magnificent and any garden lover would enjoy a whole day exploring the gardens.

We went to the Bird Garden – where there were many magnificent peacocks, some black swans, ducks, geese, and many other birds that I did not know.
One sad part about the park is that Cock Fighting is still held, and I was pleased that there was none to see on this day, but we walked through the Cock fighting area, and saw some of the magnificent birds in their cages.

The birds are probably well cared for – but many are in cages that are far too small, and reminiscent of the way birds were treated in parks in Australia some years ago. No doubt China will change.

There was another temple that we did not visit. It is a lot of walking and one needs to spend a whole day there really – or perhaps two days. There is much to see, it is very beautiful and exploring the history of Du Yu is fascinating.

Well worth a visit (or two)!

Some sites with more information here and here.

Shaoxing is an historic city – very much known for its canals. The Venice of China it has been called. The network of canals throughout the city snake their way around and it seems at each corner there is another canal making its way in another direction. There are small canals that surround apartment blocks and take turns here and there as the canal boat journeys through the amazing water ways.

Our boat was a little party boat – with half a dozen white plastic tables each with one or two trays containing a teapot and some cups. As we boarded the boat a tea bag was put in the teapot by the tour guide, then some boiling water and later when the tea had steeped we poured some into each cup and drank its refreshing contents.

We had quite a wait – but enjoyed the scenery, changing as it was dusk, with the big boats going past – the ones that carry coal, cement, and other building materials back and forth along the canals to building sites. People wandered along the pathways beside the boat dock, and some joined us on the boat.

We had purchased our tickets at the little ticket stand which found after a short walk in from Huancheng Rd (not far from the corner of Zhongxin Rd. The ticket prices were printed on the window of the little office and at first we were quoted 50 Yuan, but in the end were only asked for ¥40, and received a prettily printed ticket that we handed to the tour guide on the boat.

Our journey started at 7.30 pm., by which time it was dark, at least allowing us to observe the amazing lighting on the bridges, and on the buildings along the canals.

The journey took us over an hour – some places we would recognize and others not. In parts the buildings were old, and in others there was massive building of high rise residentials, as well as large corporate establishments.

We passed the impressive Shaoxing University, and under some bridges were fascinated to see groups of people ballroom dancing, line dancing or doing Tai Chi.

Apparently there is no day time boat trip from the boating dock, but I understand that there are other tour boats, and I shall be seeking those out.

The boat dock is a short walk from Jeifang Road – so for folk staying in the heart of Shaoxing City, the night canal ride is easy to get to – and well worth going on. (In fact we arranged a second trip several nights later.)

I had heard of the Orchid Pavilion, which is in Shaoxing, but had been unable to find out where it was, or how I would get there. Eventually I found a student, S, who was able to take me. She did some research to find out how to get there, as she had never been before. We caught a bus in to the city centre from the college – and made our way to a bus stop near the City Square, on Shengli Lu (Shengli Road) to catch Bus No 3, or 303 to Lanting.

The bus travels through very interesting scenery – old China and new developments reveal themselves along the journey which costs 3 Yuan.

The journey takes about 25 minutes, and if you tell the bus driver/conductor that you want to go to Lanting/Orchid Pavilion they will tell you. You will find that many passengers on the bus are keen to help Westerners too.

The entry fee is 40 Yuan per person, and you will find the Ticket office easy to find. There is Chinese and English information throughout the park – giving explanation of the historic value of this magnificent place. There are several small concessions to purchase items of calligraphy – and you can watch artists at work.

The site commemorates an event in the year 353 when 42 people met to write poetry and enjoy life. It is said that they drank wine, and sitting along the little creek, and as their cups of wine floated in the water of the creek, the men sat on stones and created poetry which was written in calligraphy.

Apparently if a cup of wine came near one of the men, he was required to pick up the cup, drink the wine and create a poem. It is said that 26 of the men created 37 poems at that time.

The park itself is beautiful with temples, a river, several pavilions, beautiful bamboo groves, the Calligraphy Museum, several ponds, including the Goose Pond where a small flock of white geese guard their territory.

The park is well signposted, and many tourists visit. On the way out, a beautiful old village with shops beg the visitor to purchase souvenirs or food.

Allow 3 – 4 hours to see this park.

Bus No 3, or 303 travels back to Shaoxing on a regular basis from the bus stop opposite the entry.

As I have said, one of the problems here is the language - in Shanghai, Ningbo, and Hangzhou there is much more English information for the traveller. Here it is like it is a secret. I've been bogged down with the flu, and computer problems so have not been able to tour very much or write, but this week I start on some more adventures. My four and a half months here is quickly coming to an end, so I must catch up.

I have decided that I must have a Chinese student with me - so that means (despite their protestations!) that I must pay for them. So I need to have the funds to not only pay their fares, their entrance ticket and some food.

I have visited some local tourist (Scenic Spots) and in the next few weeks I shall visit some more. So I will be able to add photos and information.

I just happened to meet someone in the Government a few weeks ago, and consequently have networked to find a lovely young Chinese girl, who is very familiar with the local tourist spots.

So, perhaps, I can get some good information about the city to share with readers. It is a wonderful city with so many places to see. But it is acknowledged by quite a few people that I have spoken to, that there is little information - and nothing in English.

I have visited the Tourist Office and there were NO BROCHURES at all - and certainly nothing in English. When I asked for maps or other information there wasn't any.

When I visited Hangzhou there was a really good map (in English), and there is a good magazine which is especially for the local English speakers who live in the area, but with good information about tourist spots, and restaurants. Ningbo - another city locally - also has good material for English speakers. Shaoxing? Nothing.

I have a number of friends who are working here - and we all find it difficult to get around - so we would appreciate more information in English.

Maybe between the students, my new friend, and my English speaking friends, we can put together some information.