Shaoxing City, Shaoxing Opera, Shaoxing wine, antique, Historical City, Shaoxing Festivals, Mercy Pagoda

Shaoxing City

Geographic location

Shaoxing is located on the southeastern coast of China, the middle north part of Zhejiang. It is connected to Ningbo on the east and neighboring Hangzhou on the west. It is 232 kilome ters from Shanghai. Under its jurisdiction, there are two counties, three county-level cities and one district, with an area of 7901 square kilometers and a population of 4.29 million.

Famous Historical City

and Shaoxing City enjoys a history of 2400 years. It is one of the first 24 famous historical cultural cities approved by the China State Council. The muchtold ancient stories of Dayu passing his home three times but never went in during his watercontrol job, and the king of Yue kingdom sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall, planning on the restoration of his kingdom to wipe out the humiliation, both happened in Shaoxing.

Tourist City

Shaoxing is China's famous home of rivers and lakes in Jiangnan (region to the south of Yangtze River), home of thousands of bridges, home of Shaoxing Rice Wine, home of Chinese calligraphy, etc., and is also the hometown of Cai Yuanpei, an educator, Luxun, a writer, and Premier Zhou Enlai, reputed as the home of celebrities by Chairman Mao. Shaoxing owns many celebrities and cultural relics and the natural scenery of Jiangnan rivers and lakes, becoming a tourist city with distinguished features.

Economic Power

In 1997, the GDP of the whole city reached 59.5 billion yuan, a 15% increase over the last year, with a per capita GDP of 13900 yuan, among the group of coastal economic developed areas. Three of the subordinating counties (or cities at county level) has been listed as top one hundred counties of the nation in terms of comprehensive power for three consecutive years, among which Shaoxing County has been among the top ten for twice.

People's Living Standard

In 1997, the per capita annual salary of the city residents reached 8342 yuan, and per capitaannual income of farmers in rural areas reached 4119 yuan. Both the living environment and living quality of the city residents have been improved greatly

Source From: chinapages site

Shaoxing, City of Boats and Books

Food

Shaoxing's culinary delights reflect the agricultural richness of the Yangtze basin. Food in Shaoxing city takes advantage of Shaoxing's famed wine and many of the dishes have a distinct aroma. Shaoxing meigancai 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 is one of Shaoxing's better-known traditional dishes. Shaoxing preserved tofu takes tofu and preserves it in Shaoxing wine, giving it a mellow flavor. Steamed mandarin fish with Shaoxing wine is a delicious local specialty. Shaoxing stinky tofu tastes better than it sounds or smells, it's particularly good deep-fried.

Souvenirs

Shaoxing has many souvenirs on offer. Shaoxing wine is one of the most popular products with four brands that stand out: yuanhong , jiafan, shanniang and xiangxue . Shaoxing tea is an alternative for those who don't drink. Famous brands are pingshui zhucha , rizhu xuehua and qiangang huibai. Bamboo handicrafts and Shaoxing paper fans are some local handicrafts; they're not only artistic but also practical. The local pottery, called shengzhou zisha , 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 is stocked with curios and assorted souvenir stores. The Zhuji pearl market in Shanxiahu Town 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 . 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 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, unique to Shaoxing city 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 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 because it looks like the number eight 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.

Source From: ew site

Shaoxing Opera

Shaoxing Opera is a relatively new local Chinese opera popular in the southern regions of the Yangtze River. It originated in Shenxian County, Zhejiang Province, which belonged to the Yue State in ancient times, so it was popularly known as Yue Opera. Yue Opera has a history of about 80 years. It was derived from a kind of story-singing. At first, it was performed with a small drum and hardwood clappers for rhythm and later, choral and orchestral accompaniment was added. It drew some musical elements from Shao Opera and subsequently formed its own characteristics.

Yue Opera is noted for its lyricism, and singing is dominant in it. Its tunes are sweet and beautiful and the performance vivid and full of local color. Originally Yue Opera was only performed by males and then changed to all female performances. After 1949, male and females work together. Yuan Xuefen is the best known actress.

With the entry of television and movies into family entertainment in the lives of people in Zhejiang Province and neighboring cities and provinces, performances for Yue Opera are in decrease. Besides, Yue Opera is sung in local dialect and may not be understood by people from other parts of the country. And therefore it remains a local opera. But it is very popular in the countryside, especially during festivals such as Spring Festival. Open-air performances are commonplace with crowds gathering in a large square, sitting or standing, watching and listening to the actors and actress.

Every play of Yue Opera is divided into several acts, each of which depict an inseparable part of the whole story. The ending is usually a happy one.

The following is a list of synopses of famous plays.

Butterfly Lovers, The(Liang Shanbo Yu Zhu YingtaiZhu Yingtai, a woman disguised as a man, goes to Hangzhou to study. On the way, she meets Liang Shanbo and they become sworn "brothers." When they have to part after three years in school, Zhu hints that she is a woman but Liang does not understand. Later, when Liang learns the truth and hurries to Zhu's family to make an offer of marriage, he finds Zhu's father has married her to Ma Wencai, the son of the county magistrate. With grief and indignation, Liang dies of illness. As Zhu stands crying in front of Liang's tomb, it opens, Zhu jumps into it, and then the two lovers turn into a pair of free-flying butterflies.

Carp Fairy, The (Zhui Yu): Scholar Zhang Zhen marries Mudan, daughter of Prime Minister Jin. Later Jin grows tired of the poor scholar and wants his daughter to divorce him. When Zhang reads alone by the Bibo Lake, the Carp Fairy disguises herself of Mudan and meets Zhang every day. Jin can not distinguish the two Mudans and asks Judge Bao Zheng for help. The Carp Fairy asks her friend, the Tortoise, to pretend to be Judge Bao Zheng. All is confusion until Guanyin, a Budhisattva, turns the Carp into a woman and marries her to Zhang.

Dream of Red Mansions, A(Honglou Meng): Adapted from Cao Xueqin's novel of the same title, the opera focuses on the tragic romance between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu and praises their rebellious spirit. The opera starts with Lin's arrival at the Jia family and covers the original major plots such as : Jia and Lin read the banned book "West Chamber," Lin buried the fallen peach flowers; Lin burns her love poems before her death; and Jia leaves home and becomes a monk after she dies.

Jade Fan Pendant, The(Qing Tan): When scholar Wang Kui fails to pass the imperial examination he wanders destitute. Later, he marries Jiao Guiying, a famous prostitute, who supported Wang with her savings. Two years later, Wang goes to the capital for another imperial examination. Jiao gives her husband a jade fan pendant as a keepsake. But when Wang's success in the examination wins him the title "Number One Scholar", Prime Minister Han chooses him to marry his daughter. When Jiao receives this news, she commits suicide. In hell, the devils help her to punish her ungrateful husband.

Jade Fan Pendant, The(Qing Tan): When scholar Wang Kui fails to pass the imperial examination he wanders destitute. Later, he marries Jiao Guiying, a famous prostitute, who supported Wang with her savings. Two years later, Wang goes to the capital for another imperial examination. Jiao gives her husband a jade fan pendant as a keepsake. But when Wang's success in the examination wins him the title "Number One Scholar", Prime Minister Han chooses him to marry his daughter. When Jiao receives this news, she commits suicide. In hell, the devils help her to punish her ungrateful husband.

Widow Xianglin(Xianglin Shao): Widow Xianglin, a young widow, doesn't want to remarry, so she runs away from her mother-in-law's home. Later she is seized and taken to the mountain and forced to marry He Laoliu, a hunter. After the forced marriage, the husband and wife actually live in harmony and have a son named Ah Mao. Unfortunately, He Laoliu dies of typhoid fever and Ah Mao is killed by a wolf. Having no alternative, Sister Xianglin has to return to Lu Si's home again. Shunned by the local people, she goes to the temple to atone for her "crimes." She becomes a beggar and five years later, on Spring Festival, Sister Xianglin dies on the snow-covered streets of Luzhen Town.

Truth Revealed(Pan Fu): Zeng Rong marries Lan Zhen, the granddaughter of Yang Song, a treacherous court official. After the wedding ceremony, Zeng does not enter the bridal chamber, even though the wedding ceremony is long finished. Lan goes downstairs to invite her husband to join her. At the door of the study, she hears her husband's soliloquy and realizes her husband's family have all been persecuted by her father. Lan, who feels sorry for her husband, asks him for all the details. The couple finally become reconciled and enter the bridal chamber together.

Source From: shme site

SHAOXING Festivals

Shaoxing Travel

Resident People:

4.3 million (urban population: 324,000)

General Information:

Shaoxing, located in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, is a famous historical and cultural city. Shaoxing City is a typical waterways region and the numerous rivers, canals and bridges are part of the city charm.

Geography:

Shaoxing is located northeast of Zhejiang province, bordering Ningbo in the east and adjacent to Hangzhou in the west.

Climate:

Belonging to the subtropical zone with monsoon climate, the annual average temperature of the city is 16C and the annual average precipitation ranges from 1,200 - 1,600 mm.

Shaoxing Attrazioni Tourist :

East Lake is located in the east suburbs of Shaoxing city, three kilometers from the city center. Featuring an elegant landscape of lakes and mountains and fantastic stones, it, together with the West Lake in Hangzhou and Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, are known as the Three Famous Lakes in Zhejiang Province.

East Lake used to be a huge rocky hill. During the Han Dynasty, stoneman always went there to quarry stone. During the Sui, in order to build the Great Wall, more stone were quarried from the mountain. After thousands of years of excavation, some parts of the mountain were hollowed, forming a unique scene.

The scenic area consists of Taogong Cave, Xiantao Cave, Tingqiu Pavilion and other spots. "Taogong Dong" is located at the food of the hill with cliffs rising 50-60 meters on each side. Riding on the lake in a boat, visitors can fully

enjoy the wonderful scene. There are nine bridges on the lake and many pavilions dotted the banks. Visitors are sure to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Orchid Pavilion (Lan Ting)

Orchid Pavilion is located at the foot of Lanzhu Hill, 12.5 km southwest of Shaoxing City. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC), Goujian, the king of the Yue State, planted orchids here and during the Han (206 BC - 220 AD), a post pavilion was built. Hence the name.

In the spring of 353 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), Wang Xizhi, a famous calligrapher of the time, invited his friends to come here for a party. They recited poems while drinking. Wang Xizhi was challenged to compose a preface to record this event. While in high spirits, Wang Xizhi wrote an article called "Prologue to the Orchid pavilion Collection". Eminent and praiseworthy in both calligraphy and literary talent, this article became a masterpiece in these two fields. Wang Xizhi was crowned as the "sage of calligraphers" from then on and this pavilion came to prominence from this event. Now, Orchid Pavilion has been regarded as the Mecca for calligraphers. Fushan Mountain

Fu Hill (location of Fushan Park), also named Long (Dragon) Hill, is like a scroll painting which depicts the long history of Shaoxing. A wealth of historical and cultural relics are preserved here. The hill with the other two hills stands like the three legs of tripod. People used to describe the scene as "coiling dragon and crouching tiger". With it, the ancient city of Shaoxing looks most magnificent.

The King Yue's Palace in Fu Hill was built in memory of Gou Jian. It is said that Gou Jian -the King of the Kingdom of Yue was defeated by the King of Kingdom of Wu and became Wu's captive. After Gou Jian returned to his own country, he slept on a pallet of brushwood and tasted the bitter gallbladder every day so as to harden his will, and he finally defeated his enemy. The Palace is magnificent and imposing. Scenes along the way as you climb Fu Hill and visit King Yue's Terrace will remind you of walking through a gallery of Shaoxing's history and landscape paintings.

Lu's Mansion Houses

Lu's Mansion Houses are situated at the west end of Xinhe Alley of Shaoxing City, facing south. They are buildings of the Ming Dynasty, which zoned 13 enclosed courtyards. The length of the mian courtyyard is 119m, the area equivalent to about 2 hecares. It is a large-sized group buldings in Dynasty, rarely to be seen in the re gions south of the Yangtze River.

More info about Shaoxing Travel

Shaoxing Shopping Guide

Shangyu Crystal Bayberry

It is recorded that Shangyu County boasts 2,000 years history in the cultivation of white bayberry. A Tang Dynasty poet left us with the praise, "Bayberry grown on the Jishan Mountain knows no match in the world and I can nowhere find a delicacy rivaling this". A famous product in Zhejiang, the crystal bayberry grown in Hengtang town, the local people "white sand bayberry" call Shangyu city. Crystal colored like jade, and being well round and big in shape, it is a sweet and mellow fruit. However, it's really a hard job for the cultivation, because twenty years are needed to grow seedlings and for seedlings to grow up to form a forest and to bear fruits in large quantity. So, there is a saying that "The ripe bayberries are all over the orchard of May, and it's worth a thousand pieces of gold to taste the first". Exaggerated be it to say a bayberry is worth a thousand pieces of gold, we can hardly afford not to have a taste, because the bayberries contain sugar, calcium, iodine, proteins, vitamins A and C. According to ancient medical books, bayberries are quite effective in slaking thirst, helping produce saliva, stimulating appetite and cleaning intestines.

Fermented Bean Curd

Fermented Bean Curd popularly known as "moldy bean curd" is also nicknamed "vegetarian meat". There are three categories: red, white and gray. Square shaped with four angles clear-cut, it's tender and tasty, neither too salty nor too light, and is an inexpensive delicacy at table. Widely known, it was a favorite at the Southeast Asia Expo of 1910 and at Panama- Pacific Int'l Exposition San Francisco in 1915.In the Qing Dynasty, a super certificate was conferred by the ministry of agriculture and commerce and, later on at the West Lake Expo Hangzhou, it harvested a gold medal. After the founding of new China, it has been listed among quality products by the Ministry of Light Industry. We first steep in water soybean or green soybeans which are plump and moist-looking, and then mill the beans to powder to be stewed and made into glue-like bean curd on which the Macro fermentation technique is applied. The bean curd thus fermented is added with rice wine and put into sealed earthen jar for a whole summer. After the summer, we get the wine-saturated fermented bean curd, which is tender and rich in nutrition, containing proteins, sugar and calcium. The enzyme produced during the fermentation being conducive to digestion, the bean curd will stimulate appetite. It's also effective in dissipating fishy odor and greasiness. As a good condiment to season chopped pork meat, steamed bean curd, fried cuttlefish etc, it will make the dishes uniquely flavored. The fermented bean curd includes the wine-saturated, the red square, the mini-square and the gray square. By now, we have come up with new varieties mixed with hams, with sesame oil, acanthus or rose which are all popular at home and abroad.

Shengzhou Bamboo Handicrafts

Shengzhou Bamboo Handicrafts are exquisitely shaped and meticulously woven, and well known for their vivid appearance. Along the two banks of the Shanxi River, different top-grade bamboo is grown in large quantity. As early as the Tang Dynasty, local people wove bamboo into varied articles for work purpose or for daily use. Between the Qing and Ming dynasties, the bamboo handicrafts made here were quite exquisite and sold to cities like Hangzhou, Shanghai and Nanjing. After the founding of new China, the traditional know-how has been further developed and four feature handicrafts gradually taken shape: animals, flowers, bleached articles and blue lacquer-coated articles. Varieties number by thousand. The bamboo of Shengzhou is characterized by fine texture, good tenacity and elasticity. Able craftsmen split bamboo into slices and threads, which are woven with an uncanny art into strong eagle, ferocious tiger, or radiant peacock. There are as well human-shaped works such as "Birthday Celebration", "Yue Fei", and "Su Wu Herding Sheep". The life-like bamboo handicrafts are quite popular at home and overseas, and exported to over 80 countries and regions. In 1980,Shengzhou bamboo handicrafts won a national silver medal.

Please visit Shaoxing Municipal Government to find more shopping guide in Shaoxing.