Museum
Lu Xun Native Place
Birthplace and former residence of China's greatest modern writer Lu Xun, featuring his childhood home, Baicao Garden, and Sanwei Study.
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Free
Shaoxing's history spans approximately 9,000 years, beginning with the Neolithic Xiaohuangshan culture. The ancient capital of Yue State was established here in 490 BCE, marking over 2,500 years of urban history.
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE), the Yue State with Shaoxing as its center became one of the major powers. King Goujian of Yue famously endured hardships to eventually defeat the Wu State, a story that has become legendary in Chinese history.
The Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 CE) saw one of the most celebrated events in Chinese cultural history. In 353 CE, calligraphy master Wang Xizhi gathered 41 scholars at the Orchid Pavilion for the "Lanting Gathering," where he wrote the "Lanting Xu" - the supreme masterpiece of Chinese calligraphy.
During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Emperor Gaozong renamed the city "Shaoxing," meaning "inheriting the great legacy and reviving the great cause." This name has been used ever since.
The city has produced numerous luminaries throughout history, including the philosopher Wang Yangming, the painter Xu Wei, and the modern writer Lu Xun. Their legacies continue to shape Shaoxing's cultural identity.
Today, Shaoxing preserves its rich heritage while developing as a modern city in the Yangtze River Delta economic zone.
