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Weather in Shaoxing
Huangjiu rice wine town of Lu Xun's literary legacy
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About Shaoxing
A remarkable destination worth exploring.
Best months to visit
May, October
Things to do in Shaoxing
Explore
Dine
Culture
Nature
Shopping
Day trips
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
10C
Cool, with some rainy days.
February
12C
Cool, with some rainy days.
March
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
April
22C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
Recommended
May
26C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
June
29C
Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.
July
33C
Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.
August
33C
Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.
September
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
October
23C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
November
18C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
December
11C
Cool, with occasional showers.
Shaoxing is a working canal city rather than a museum piece, famous across China for its amber rice wine and as the birthplace of writer Lu Xun, whose childhood home and the surrounding old neighbourhood are now open to visitors. Black-roofed houses line the waterways where locals still travel by narrow wupeng boats poled along by foot, and the city's wine houses serve warm huangjiu alongside simple dishes of stewed beans and dried tofu.
Best areas to stay in Shaoxing
Lu Xun's Former Residence area
The preserved neighbourhood around the writer's childhood home, with museums and traditional houses.
Cangqiao Historic Street
A canal-side street of old shops, wine houses, and traditional crafts.
Shen Garden
A classical garden linked to the famous poet Lu You, peaceful and rarely crowded.
East Lake (Dong Hu)
A scenic park just outside the centre with dramatic quarried rock formations and boat rides.
Getting to Shaoxing
✈
Flights
Fly into Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGZ) from the UK via hubs like Doha or Hong Kong, then take a high-speed train to Shaoxing (around 30 minutes).
⏱
From London
~14–16 hours total journey time from London including connections
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Getting around
Buses and taxis cover the city; the old town and canal areas are best explored on foot or by boat.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Shaoxing?
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the canals and old town on foot, avoiding the humid summer months.
How do I get to Shaoxing?
High-speed trains connect Shaoxing with Hangzhou (around 30 minutes) and Shanghai (around 1.5 hours), making it an easy add-on to either city.
What is Shaoxing famous for?
Its amber-coloured rice wine (huangjiu), the wupeng black-canopy canal boats, and as the hometown of celebrated writer Lu Xun.
What should I eat in Shaoxing?
Try stinky tofu, drunken chicken marinated in rice wine, and dishes cooked with the local huangjiu, best enjoyed in one of the old wine taverns.
Is Shaoxing touristy compared to Hangzhou?
Much less so — it's primarily a regional city with pockets of preserved old town, so it feels more authentic and less geared towards tourists.
Traveler reviews
★★★★☆
A nice change of pace from Hangzhou — much more low-key, with great old wine houses where you can try local huangjiu with simple snacks.
David K. · March 2024
★★★★☆
Lu Xun's old neighbourhood was fascinating and the canal boats give a real sense of how the city used to function. Worth a day trip.
Fiona W. · November 2023
★★★★★
East Lake surprised me — dramatic carved cliffs around the water that you don't expect. Combine it with the old town for a full day.
Liang Z. · May 2024
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