Food

Shaoxing's culinary delights reflect the agricultural richness of the Yangtze basin. Food in Shaoxing takes advantage of Shaoxing's famed wine and many of the dishes have a distinct aroma. Shaoxing meigancai (shào xīng méi gān cài 绍兴霉干菜) is made from preserved cabbage or mustard greens and served as a side dish or used as an ingredient for other dishes. Meat stew with preserved vegetables (gān cài mèn ròu 干菜焖肉) is one of Shaoxing's better-known traditional dishes. Shaoxing preserved tofu

(shào xīng fǔrǔ 绍兴腐乳) takes tofu and preserves it in Shaoxing wine, giving it a mellow flavor. Steamed mandarin fish

(qīng zhēng guìyú 清蒸鳜鱼) with Shaoxing wine is a delicious local specialty. Shaoxing stinky tofu (shào xīng yóu zhá chòu dòu fu 绍兴油炸臭豆腐) tastes better than it sounds or smells, it's particularly good deep-fried.

Souvenirs

Shaoxing has many souvenirs on offer. Shaoxing wine (shào xīng lǎo jiǔ 绍兴 老酒) is one of the most popular products with four brands that stand out: yuanhong (元红), jiafan (加饭), shanniang (善酿) and xiangxue (香雪). Shaoxing tea (shào xīng cháyè绍兴茶叶) is an alternative for those who don't drink. Famous brands are pingshui zhucha (平水珠茶), rizhu xuehua (日铸雪花) and qiangang huibai (前岗辉白). Bamboo handicrafts (shèng zhōu zhúbiān 嵊州竹编) and Shaoxing paper fans (shào xīng zhǐshàn绍兴纸扇) are some local handicrafts; they're not only artistic but also practical. The local pottery, called shengzhou zisha (嵊州紫砂), is unique to Shaoxing. They come in a variety of shapes and uses such as vases, tea and wine sets and dishes. Shaoxing pearls are also a good buy. The antique market (步行街古玩市场) is stocked with curios and assorted souvenir stores. The Zhuji pearl market (诸暨珍珠市场) in Shanxiahu Town (shān xiàhú zhèn 山下湖镇) is the biggest pearl market in China.

Drink

Shaoxing is also known for more than its people, Shaoxing wine is famed throughout China. From the lowliest farmer to the highest official, they all take pleasure in imbibing this delight. The wine is made from glutinous rice and is distilled to a low-alcohol content, which is a blessing for those who've had enough of fiery Chinese spirits (bái jiǔ 白酒). Perhaps

only an excuse to drink more, Shaoxing wine is also claimed to have therapeutic effects, like aiding digestion. The most famous brands today are Guyuelong Shan and Kuaiji Shan. The wine become famous during the Qing Dynasty and one small restaurant has been immortalized because of it.

Lu Xun wrote a short story about the decline of the scholarly class, once the elite of Chinese society by the end of the Qing Dynasty many intellectuals were reduced to mere paupers. In his story, Kong Yiji, a failed scholar and alcoholic visits a small restaurant called Xianheng (xián hēng 咸亨) for a cup of wine and a dish of huixiang beans whenever he scrounged up enough money. Lu Xun set his story in Shaoxing and based Xianheng on the restaurants near his home. A real Xianheng opened its doors not long after his story was published.

Today the restaurant retains its turn-of-the-century atmosphere; from the furniture and décor to the recipes,

everything has been preserved. Many visiting tourists have a small meal and a bottle of Shaoxing wine at this restaurant and locals claim that everyone in Shaoxing has eaten here at least once.

Water

Being a water city, it's natural that Shaoxing would have many bridges and waterways, and the city doesn't disappoint with more than 4,000 stone bridges crisscrossing the waterways that connect the roads. The waterways are filled with tiny sampans called wupeng (乌蓬), unique to Shaoxing with their black awning, and despite being extremely narrow they can seat five to six people. Built low, these boats give passengers a feeling of precariously sitting in the water. The rowers wear traditional Shaoxing wuzhan hats (wūzhān mào 乌毡帽) and row using the feet and steer with their free hands. Sitting in a wupeng while watching the street scenes float by is a defining Shaoxing experience.

One peculiar bridge that connects the streets in Shaoxing is called the Bazi Bridge (bāzì qiáo 八字桥) because it looks like the number eight (bā 八) in Chinese. This exceptional bridge connects three streets over three waterways. It's 5 meters high, and uses large rocks for the walking surface. With the railings also made of stone, this 800-year-old bridge was made to last. The bridge and the surrounding area is typical Shaoxing beauty, with relaxed waterways crowded with wupengs and white painted buildings covered by black-tile roofs.

A visit to Shaoxing is more than escaping the frantic city to a quiet water-crossed city. It's taking a step into history and paying homage to some of China's most influential and prestigious movers and shakers.