The Ultimate Guide to a Spring Day Trip to Shaoxing's Shen Garden for Flower Appreciation
Visiting Shaoxing, one must go to Shen Garden, which is a national 5A scenic spot located in Yuecheng District. It is a famous garden from the Song Dynasty, also known as Shen's Garden. With a history of over 800 years, it is known as the top romantic garden due to the love story of Lu You and Tang Wan. The garden features pavilions, bridges over flowing water, shaded green trees, and the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River. It is the only well-preserved Song Dynasty garden among many classical gardens in Shaoxing.
A thousand years ago, the plum blossoms in the garden witnessed the poignant love of Lu You and Tang Wan. A thousand years later, the stories and flowers in the garden remain as usual.
⌚Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00, no entry after 16:40
🎫Ticket: Free during the day (the scenic area is free in the first quarter of each year, reservation in advance through the official WeChat account)
🎫Shen Garden Night Performance Ticket: 98💰
🚗Transportation: Navigate to 'Lu Xun's Hometown' by car, and you can visit both places.
The layout of Shen Garden divides the whole garden into three 'gardens within the garden'—South Garden, East Garden, and North Garden.
✅The first to visit upon entering is the North Garden, which is the area of ancient relics with many preserved ancient remains and is the main garden area;
✅The South Garden is the memorial area, which houses the Lu You Memorial Hall, separated only by a wall;
✅The East Garden is themed around the love story of Lu and Tang, and is separated from the South and North Gardens by Yanghe Alley, only an alley apart; the South and East Gardens have rockeries and a distinctive heart-shaped pool.
⭐Flower Appreciation Guide
1️⃣Plum Blossoms: From early to mid-March, the plum blossoms in Shen Garden bloom in competition, attracting many tourists to come and watch.
2️⃣Wintersweet: From March to April, the wintersweet flowers in the garden bloom in the wind, like finely carved gold and jade, with a subtle fragrance. Standing in the garden, one can feel the crisp fragrance of wintersweet invading the nostrils, as if all the fatigue of the day can be dispelled.
3️⃣Magnolia: From early March to mid-April, white jade adorns the branches, without green or worry; the wind stirs the thick fragrance, and only then do you know the magnolias have bloomed. After watching the night at Shen Garden, reminiscing about Lu You and Tang Wan's 'Phoenix Hairpin', viewing the night magnolias has a different taste.
🌈Flower Viewing Route
✔️Enter from the South Gate - Lu You Memorial Hall - Guhe Pavilion - Banbi Pavilion - Lengcui Pavilion - Bayong Tower - Shuanggui Hall - Gourd Pond - East Garden
✔️Enter from the East Gate - Shuanggui Hall - Bayong Tower - Guhe Pavilion - Lengcui Pavilion - Banbi Pavilion - Lu You Memorial Hall - East Garden
Visiting Shen Garden, looking at the stone walls, savoring ancient poetry, and lamenting the love story missed by a thousand years. The Jiangnan-style garden, with its pavilions and towers, is complete, and though a thousand years have passed, one can still feel the poignant beauty.
Shenyuan is free to make an appointment during the Spring Festival, but Shenyuan Night is still charged. I saw the performance of Shenyuan Night. It feels okay. In addition to the price, there is no problem. It is the afternoon security guard to clear the scene to catch tourists. It is not so good.
I have always liked the story of Lu You and Tang Yu. The performance of Shenyuan Night depicts the story of Lu You and Tang Yu very well, so that people who have not heard the story can also immerse them. Unlike the well-regulated performance, there are many unique interestingnesses. The only pity is that Zhao Shicheng is a very good person. In this story, Zhao Shicheng is almost not described, but the story of Lu You and Tang Yu is still very complete, and it is worth seeing a performance. The scenery of Shenyuan is also beautiful, with green trees and quiet forests, small bridges and flowing water. You can also do a boat, it is the kind of Shaoxing characteristic boat, the experience is very good.
OK attractions! There are not too many people going to the first day of the New Year. It is very big inside. It is really a big family! Rockery loft pavilion! There is also a stage! It is really good to have such a house in this location! Come visit again next time!
Shen's two gardens have different styles, and stroll in the garden to experience leisure and fun outside the city. The surrounding public houses are slightly incongruous. Since they are not during the holidays, there are fewer people and more scenery, and the blue waves in the sun are rippling and the scenery is full.
Shenyuan is not only a small and exquisite Jiangnan forest garden, but also has a deep cultural heritage. Ancient literati and ink guests gathered with this, but also staged the love story of Lu You and Tang Wan. Leave a great song of "Shantou Feng" for ages. Shenyuan divided into day tours and night tours, Shenyuan under the lights has another charm, and another performance is very worthwhile.
Shantou Fengbei is worth punching in. I didn’t see the drama at night because of the itinerary. It’s a pity. I want to make up for it next time.