Major city · China
Shaoxing绍兴
Give Shaoxing one full day and one night from Hangzhou (25 min by high-speed rail): old-town canals, Lu Xun's lanes and a yellow-wine tasting. Skip as a base.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Jul–Aug (35°C and rain), Chinese New Yearavoid Jul–Aug (95°F and rain), Chinese New Year
- Airports
- HGH · NGB · YIW
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Shaoxing is a 2,500-year-old canal town 25 minutes by high-speed rail from Hangzhou, known for Lu Xun's former residence, black-awning boats, East Lake and yellow rice wine. The historic core is compact and walkable; most sights sit in Yuecheng District. One day covers the centre, two days add Lanting or Keqiao. It works as a day trip or a single overnight, not a multi-night base.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shaoxing, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyShaoxing is a low-crime city; the real risks are traffic that ignores zebra crossings, summer heat and rain, and unposted bar prices.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (About 30 km west; shuttle bus, taxi or transfer to Shaoxing, roughly 1 h).HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (About 19 mi west; shuttle bus, taxi or transfer to Shaoxing, roughly 1 h).
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice dish¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxi¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus ride¥2–5 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥50–100 (≈ US$7–14)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or garden entry¥0–60 (≈ US$0–9) (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥450 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥650 (≈ US$95) · High CN¥1,400 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (About 30 km west; shuttle bus, taxi or transfer to Shaoxing, roughly 1 h) · NGB Ningbo Lishe International (About 120 km southeast; intercity bus or private transfer, 2 h+) · YIW Yiwu Airport (About 100 km southwest; smaller regional airport, bus or taxi)HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan International (About 19 mi west; shuttle bus, taxi or transfer to Shaoxing, roughly 1 h) · NGB Ningbo Lishe International (About 75 mi southeast; intercity bus or private transfer, 2 h+) · YIW Yiwu Airport (About 62 mi southwest; smaller regional airport, bus or taxi)
Weather and climate
Shaoxing: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C48°F
2°C36°F
12 rd
Feb
11°C52°F
4°C39°F
12 rd
Mar
16°C61°F
8°C46°F
15 rd
Apr
22°C72°F
13°C55°F
14 rd
May
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
14 rd
Jun
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
15 rd
Jul
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
12 rd
Aug
33°C91°F
26°C79°F
13 rd
Sep
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
12 rd
Oct
23°C73°F
16°C61°F
10 rd
Nov
18°C64°F
10°C50°F
9 rd
Dec
12°C54°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable. Buses cover the city and suburbs; shared bikes sit near stops and sights. DiDi ride-hailing works with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Most taxi drivers speak no English, so have your destination written in Chinese.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hangzhou
goDoor to door: About 1 h
High-speed rail from Shaoxing North or Shaoxing station, about 25 min
West Lake and tea hills; the easiest pairing with Shaoxing.
Ningbo
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
High-speed rail, about 1 h
Old bund, Tianyi Pavilion and seafood.
Lanting (Orchid Pavilion)
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or taxi about 13 km southwest of the centreBus or taxi about 8.1 mi southwest of the centre
Calligraphy shrine where Wang Xizhi wrote the Orchid Pavilion Preface.
Keqiao and Jianhu Lake
cautionDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Metro or bus from the centre
Textile market plus lake scenery; only worth it if you have a second day.
Wuxie Waterfall (Zhuji)
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
High-speed rail to Zhuji, then bus or taxi
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Zhuji.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Yuecheng District (old town)
Walk to Lu Xun's Hometown, Shen Garden and Cangqiao Straight Street; best for one night.
Shaoxing North station area
High-speed rail hub about 10 km north; practical for early departures, thin on sights.High-speed rail hub about 6.2 mi north; practical for early departures, thin on sights.
Keqiao
Textile-trade district with Jianhu Lake and Lanting nearby; use only if business brings you.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × CN¥450 | CN¥450 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥650 | CN¥1,300 |
| High-speed rail Hangzhou–Shaoxing, both ways2 × CN¥80 · check | CN¥160 |
| East Lake boat ride2 × CN¥60 · check | CN¥120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥70 | CN¥140 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥217 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,194 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,387≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Noodle soup or rice dish | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxi | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Metro or bus ride | ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥50–100 (≈ US$7–14) |
| Museum or garden entry | ¥0–60 (≈ US$0–9) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Vehicles may not yield at zebra crossings: cross on the green pedestrian light, ideally with locals.
- Most drivers and station staff speak no English; carry addresses in Chinese.
- Foreign travellers should confirm hotel acceptance of foreign guests before booking, especially near stations.
- Book ahead for the October Yellow Wine Festival and Chinese New Year.
- International driving permits are not accepted; you need a Chinese licence to drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Shaoxing绍兴
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No US or UK consulate in Shaoxing; the US consulate-general is in Shanghai and the UK consulate-general in Shanghai too. Keep your embassy's number for Shanghai or Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hangzhou East → Shaoxing North, high-speed rail: about ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6), 25 min (check)
- Taxi Shaoxing North → old town: ¥40–60 (≈ US$6–9) (check)
- East Lake boat ride: about ¥60 (≈ US$9) (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shaoxing. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Jul–Aug (35°C and rain), Chinese New Year · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for HGH and NGB: last shuttle and rail times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Lu Xun's Hometown, Cangqiao Straight Street, Bazi Bridge, East Lake.
- Place pages with verified hours (Lu Xun precinct, Shen Garden, East Lake, Lanting) and eat pages with last orders.
- Yellow Wine Festival and Chinese New Year fixtures so gates A–D can go green.