Shaoxing facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shaoxing 绍兴市 Shaohsing
Prefecture-level city
Left to right, top to bottom: Bazi Bridge over the Eastern Zhejiang Canal, Shaoxing cityscape, Didang subdistrict, Tishan Bridge, traditional houses in Zhuji.
Country	People's Republic of China
Province	Zhejiang
County-level divisions	6
Municipal seat	Yuecheng District
Area
• Prefecture-level city	8,279.1 km2 (3,196.6 sq mi)
• Urban	2,965.1 km2 (1,144.8 sq mi)
• Metro	8,107.9 km2 (3,130.5 sq mi)
Population  (2020 census)
• Prefecture-level city	5,270,977
• Density	636.661/km2 (1,648.943/sq mi)
• Urban	2,958,643
• Urban density	997.822/km2 (2,584.35/sq mi)
• Metro	13,035,326
• Metro density	1,607.731/km2 (4,164.005/sq mi)
GDP
• Prefecture-level city	CN¥ 679.5 billion US$ 93.0 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 127,875 US$ 17,500
Time zone	UTC+8 (China Standard)
Area code(s)	0575
ISO 3166 code	CN-ZJ-06
License Plate Prefix	浙D

Shaoxing
"Shaoxing" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese	绍兴
Traditional Chinese	紹興
Postal	Shaohing
Literal meaning	(An era of the Song dynasty)
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shàoxīng Gwoyeu Romatzyh Shawshing Wade–Giles Shao4-hsing1 IPA [ʂâu̯ɕíŋ] Wu Romanization Soh-shing Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Siuh-hīng IPA [sìːuhéŋ] Jyutping Siu6-hing1 Southern Min Tâi-lô Siāu-heng Middle Chinese Middle Chinese d͡ʒjèw xing
Kuaiji
Simplified Chinese	会稽
Traditional Chinese	會稽
Postal	Kwaiki
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Kuàijī Gwoyeu Romatzyh Kuayji Wade–Giles Kʻuai4-chi1 IPA [kʰu̯âi̯tɕí] Wu Romanization Kwae-ji Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Kui-kāi Jyutping Kui3-kai1 Southern Min Tâi-lô Kuè-ke
Shanyin
Simplified Chinese	山阴
Traditional Chinese	山陰
Postal	Shanyin
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shānyīn Gwoyeu Romatzyh shan'in Wade–Giles Shan1-yin1 Wu Romanization Sae-yin Yue: Cantonese Jyutping saan1jam1

Shaoxing is a large city in eastern China, located in the Zhejiang province. It sits on the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay, near the mouth of the Qiantang River. Shaoxing borders Ningbo to the east and Hangzhou to the west. In 2020, over 5.2 million people lived in Shaoxing.

Shaoxing is famous for many things! It's the home of Shaoxing wine, a special type of Chinese rice wine. The city is also known for its unique foods like meigan cai and stinky tofu. A local style of Chinese opera called Yue opera is very popular here, second only to Peking opera. Many famous people have come from Shaoxing, including the writer Lu Xun and the parents of Zhou Enlai, a former Premier of China. In 2010, Shaoxing celebrated its 2,500th birthday!

The city's economy is strong, with many factories making textiles (like fabrics), electronics, and energy-saving lights. Zhejiang province, where Shaoxing is located, has one of the highest economic outputs per person in China.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Shaoxing

The city got its name "Shaoxing" in 1131 A.D. during the Southern Song dynasty. The name comes from a special time period called the Shaoxing reign period of Emperor Gaozong of Song. It's a beautiful, poetic name that means "inheriting the imperial task and rising again to prosperity."

A Look Back: Shaoxing's History

Ancient Times: Early History of Shaoxing

A city gate in Shaoxing, built in 1223 during the Song dynasty.

Shaoxing is located north of the Kuaiji Mountains. These mountains were an important place for the ancient state of Yue during China's Spring and Autumn period. Old Chinese stories say that Yu the Great, who founded the Xia dynasty, was connected to these mountains.

Around 500 BC, during the time of the famous King Goujian of Yue, people started building towns in the flat lands north of the mountains. After King Goujian was freed from being held captive, his helper Fan Li built a large fort in the area that is now Yuecheng District in Shaoxing. Later, the Yue kingdom conquered the Wu kingdom, but its royal family moved to the former capital of Wu (which is now Suzhou).

In 222 BC, the Qin Empire took over the area. The first emperor, Shi Huangdi, even visited the town in 210 BC. He climbed Mount Kuaiji and honored the spirit of Yu the Great. The stone tablet he put up is now lost, but it was mentioned by the famous historian Sima Qian. By the 12th century, the city was known as Kuaiji, but then its name was changed to Shaoxing.

From Dynasties to Modern Times

During the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty, Shaoxing was a very important area. It was known for its many people who worked in the Chinese government. These people from Shaoxing often helped each other out because they came from the same hometown. This group included officials, legal experts, and clerks. The legal experts were very important because they helped officials understand the complex laws.

During the Taiping Rebellion, a local leader named Bao Lisheng from Shaoxing organized people to fight against the Taiping army. He was a skilled martial artist and gathered many followers. Even though his village was captured after a long fight, his efforts showed the spirit of the local people.

In the early 1900s, under the Republic of China, the old system of areas was changed. Shaoxing became a new county. Today, Shaoxing is a modern city, but it's a bit smaller than it was in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Shaoxing's Weather

Shaoxing has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cool and damp. The city gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.

How Shaoxing is Organized

Shaoxing is a "prefecture-level city," which is a type of administrative division in China. It includes three main districts, two cities that are like counties, and one county.

Map
Yuecheng Keqiao Shangyu Xinchang County Zhuji (city) Shengzhou (city)
Name	Hanzi	Hanyu Pinyin
Yuecheng District	越城区	Yuèchéng Qū
Keqiao District	柯桥区	Keqiao Qū
Shangyu District	上虞区	Shàngyú Qū
Zhuji City	诸暨市	Zhūjì Shì
Shengzhou City	嵊州市	Shèngzhōu Shì
Xinchang County	新昌县	Xīnchāng Xiàn

Exploring Shaoxing: Downtown Sights

A pagoda in Shaoxing.

Fushanzhi Street, a historic street in Shaoxing.

A traditional canal scene in Shaoxing.

Shaoxing has many interesting places to visit, especially those connected to its rich history and famous people.

Places Connected to Lu Xun

• Lu Xun Native Place (鲁迅故居): This is the childhood home of the famous writer Lu Xun, located in the city center.
• Xianheng Hotel (咸亨酒店): Founded in 1894, this hotel is mentioned in Lu Xun's stories. You can see a statue of Kong Yiji, a character from one of his tales, outside.
• Sanwei School (三味书屋): Built around 1890, this was a school used by Lu Xun's family. He grew up here and studied both Western and Chinese subjects. Later, he turned it into a primary school to help educate children in Shaoxing.
• Baicao Garden (百草园): This garden is also connected to Lu Xun's childhood.

Other Historical Sites

• Mount Fu (府山), also known as Mount Wolong (卧龙山): This mountain holds the Palace of King Yue and the Stadium of King Yue. King Yue Goujian lived here for 19 years. You can also find the Tomb of WenZhong, his minister, and the Spring of Innocence.
• Shen Garden (沈园): Located on Yan'an Road, this garden dates back to the Southern Song dynasty. It's famous for its connection to the poet Lu You and his love story.
• Green Vine Studio (青藤書屋): This was the home of Xu Wei, a famous painter and calligrapher from the Ming Dynasty.
• Qiu Jin's House (秋瑾故居): The home of Qiu Jin, a revolutionary woman from the late Qing period.
• Zhou Enlai's Ancestral Home (周恩來祖居): This house dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is the ancestral home of Zhou Enlai, China's first Premier.

Exploring Shaoxing: Suburban Sites

• Tomb of Yu the Great (大禹陵): This is the burial place of Yu the Great, a legendary founder of the Xia dynasty.
• Orchid Pavilion (兰亭): This site honors Wang Xizhi, one of China's most famous calligraphers. His famous work, Lantingji Xu, was written here in 353 AD.
• East Lake (东湖): A beautiful scenic area located just outside the city.
• Tomb of Wang Yangming: The burial site of Wang Yangming (1472–1529), a famous general and philosopher.
• Keyan Scenic Area: A natural park in the Keqiao part of Shaoxing, known for its beautiful scenery.

Special Events in Shaoxing

Shaoxing has hosted big international events. In 2010, it was the location for the official world choir games, where choirs from all over the world competed. In late October 2011, Shaoxing also hosted the world Korfball championship.

Shaoxing Wine: A Local Specialty

Chinese rice wine is often called Shaoxing wine because it's a specialty of this region. It's also known simply as Shao Wine (绍酒). This wine is made using a natural process with the pure water from Jianhu-Mirror Lake. It has a special taste and is well-known both in China and around the world. Shaoxing wine is used in cooking to add flavor to dishes. The China Shaoxing Yellow Wine Group Corporation makes a lot of this wine every year for people in China and other countries.

Zhufu: A Special Shaoxing Tradition

The Dashan Pagoda in Shaoxing.

Boats on Donghu (East Lake) in Shaoxing.

Shaoxing has a very old and special culture called "Yue Culture." A big part of this culture is a traditional custom called Zhufu (Chinese: 祝福; literally "worshipping the God of Blessing"). This ceremony is still very important to the people of Shaoxing.

The Story Behind Zhufu

Zhufu is also called Zuofu and is the most important yearly ceremony in Shaoxing. People worship gods like Nanchao Shengzhong and Huangshan Xinan. This tradition started during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368 CE).

Long ago, when the Song dynasty was taken over by the Mongolian army, the Han people (the original Chinese people) were worried about the new rulers. They secretly held ceremonies at night to remember the emperors of the Southern Song dynasty and the brave people who died trying to save the country.

Nanchao Shengzhong refers to these brave people who fought against the Mongolian invasion. The Mongolian rulers treated the Han people very strictly. So, the Han people cleverly disguised their true reasons for the ceremony. They made it seem like they were just praying for good luck and a good harvest. The rulers believed this, and so the ceremony continued. Over time, its original political meaning faded, and it became a pure ceremony to thank the God of Blessing and ask for good fortune in the new year.

When Zhufu Happens

Zhufu usually takes place between December 24 and December 28 on the Chinese lunar calendar. Families choose a lucky day for the ceremony. In Shaoxing, the days leading up to the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) are called "nights" to remind everyone to get ready for Zhufu and the festival.

How the Ceremony Works

The main person leading the ceremony is usually the man of the house. He lights incense and red candles, hangs special paper decorations, and places cushions for kneeling. Women are not allowed to be present during the sacrifice. After everything is set up, the male family members kneel and bow to the god. During this time, there are many rules to follow, like not spilling wine or dropping chopsticks. Everyone stays quiet to avoid bad luck.

Once the main part is done, wine is poured for everyone present. They quickly raise their cups to say goodbye to the god. Then, the leader burns the special stick and paper decorations in the courtyard. After this, the family honors their ancestors, which is similar to Zhufu but has some differences. Finally, the family sits down together to eat special food called Fuli, which they call Sanfu or "sharing the blessings."

Zhufu is a unique and well-protected part of Shaoxing's culture. It became even more famous because of the writer Lu Xun, who was born in Shaoxing. He wrote a short story called Zhufu [zh] (祝福), named after this ceremony. Through his story, readers learn about this special tradition.

Sports in Shaoxing

Shaoxing has a modern sports center called the Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Centre. It's the biggest baseball and softball venue in China that meets international standards. This stadium was built for the 2022 Asian Games, where it hosted the baseball and softball games.

In September 2024, Shaoxing also hosted the 2024 U-23 Baseball World Cup. This was the first international baseball world cup ever held in mainland China!

Famous People from Shaoxing

Shaoxing has been the home or ancestral home of many important figures throughout history:

• Yu the Great (~2123 – 2025 BC): A legendary ruler known for controlling floods and founding the Xia dynasty. He is buried in Shaoxing.
• Gou Jian (~520BC-465BC): A famous king of the Yue Kingdom.
• Fan Li (536-448BC): A smart politician, philosopher, and economist who helped King Yue conquer Wu.
• Xi Shi (506 BC–?): One of the Four Beauties of ancient China, born in Zhuji county, Shaoxing.
• Wang Xizhi (303–361): One of China's most famous calligraphers, who lived in Shaoxing.
• Lu You (1125–1209): A famous poet from the Southern Song Dynasty period.
• Xu Wei (1521–1593): A talented painter from the Ming dynasty, born in Shaoxing.
• Wang Shouren (1472–1529): A Ming dynasty politician and scholar.
• Liu Zongzhou (1578–1645): A scholar and politician from the later Ming period, born in Shaoxing.
• Zhang Dai (1597–1684): An essayist and historian from the later Ming period, born in Shaoxing.
• Cai Yuanpei (1868–1940): A well-known educator and thinker, born in Shaoxing.
• Qiu Jin (1875–1907): A brave feminist and revolutionary, raised in Shaoxing.
• Lu Xun (aka Zhou Shuren) (1881–1936): A very important writer and a leading figure in modern Chinese literature, born in Shaoxing.
• Ma Yinchu (1882–1982): An educator and economist, born in Shengzhou, Shaoxing.
• Chen Yi (1883–1950): A Kuomintang soldier and politician, born in Dongpuzhen, Shaoxing.
• Zhou Zuoren (1885–1967): An essayist and translator, and the brother of Lu Xun, born in Shaoxing.
• Chu Kochen (1890–1974): A meteorologist, geographer, and educator, born in Shaoxing.
• Zhou Enlai (1898–1976): The first Premier of the People's Republic of China, whose family roots are in Shaoxing.
• Zhao Zhongyao (1902–1998): A theoretical physicist.
• Hsu Tao-Chiuh (1917–2003): A cell biologist and geneticist, born in Shaoxing.
• Wong Tin Lam (1927–2010): A Hong Kong screenwriter, producer, director, and actor.
• Tong Jinquan (1954–): A real estate billionaire.
• Dai Xiangyu (1984–): An actor.
• Zhou Quan (1987–): A film director and producer.

See also

In Spanish: Shaoxing para niños