This is a solid breakdown, I've lived here for a few years and I'd add that the Cangqiao Old Street area is even better in the morning. Most tourists don't get out until 10am, but if you're staying at a guesthouse there, you can grab a jianbing from a street cart around 7am and have the canals basically to yourself. The light on the stone bridges is really nice before the crowds show up.

One thing the guide doesn't mention is that some of those budget guesthouses in the old town can be noisy if your room faces the street. The buildings are old and the windows aren't great at blocking sound. I'd recommend asking for a room facing the courtyard if you're a light sleeper, especially at Shaoxing International Youth Hostel, because the walls are thin and you'll hear everything from the common area.

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honestly the old town hostel tip about courtyard rooms is real, i made that mistake my first time and the street noise from the scooters at 6am was brutal. one thing missing here is the area near luxun's former residence, there are a couple of newer apartment hotels on luxun road that rent by the week for around 250 a night and they have a washing machine which is clutch for longer trips. the metro tip is solid too, line 1 drops you right at the city square station and from there you can walk to most of the old town in ten minutes which is way easier than dealing with taxis during rush hour

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The guide covers the main areas well, but I'd say the Keqiao District recommendation is worth a second look if you're into food. The area around the Textile Market has a cluster of small restaurants serving Keqiao-style river eel and stinky tofu that's much more pungent than what you'll find in the touristy parts of town. I stayed at that Holiday Inn last year and it was fine, but the real draw is walking five minutes to Guazhu Lake at sunset when the local families come out to fly kites and the light hits the pagoda just right. Also, if you're in the Yuecheng District, skip the hotel breakfast and head to a xiaolongbao place on Renmin Road instead, the soup dumplings there are 8 yuan for eight and way better than the buffet.

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fwiw the hangzhou day trip tip someone else gave about su causeway is spot on, i'd also say if u have time walk up to baochu pagoda on the north side - it's a 15 min hike from the broken bridge area and gives u the best view of the whole lake without paying anything. most tourists dont bother climbing it so it's usually quiet up there

for xinchang, the guide's right about the buddhist caves but the real hidden gem is wozhou lake itself, not the caves. theres a walking path along the east shore that takes u past these old fishing villages and bamboo groves, hardly anyone goes there. i spent a whole afternoon just sitting on a dock watching the fishermen pull in their nets, way more relaxing than the cave area which gets tour groups in the afternoon

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yeah this is a good rundown, i'd add that the keyan scenic area is worth the trip but dont bother with the boat ride there, it's kinda short and overpriced at 50 rmb. instead walk up to the temple behind the buddha, there's a little tea house up there with views over the lake that most tourists miss, and they sell fresh longjing tea for like 10 rmb a cup

also for local food, the guide mentions zha jiang mian but honestly shaoxing does a better version called gan mian - it's dry noodles with shredded pork and pickled veggies, you'll find it at any xiaochi stall near the old town for around 12 rmb. way more flavorful than the standard stuff

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honestly this guide is solid, i've lived in shaoxing for a few years and i'd add one thing - if you're doing the hangzhou day trip, skip leifeng pagoda and walk the su causeway instead at sunset. the pagoda's always packed and the causeway gives you that classic west lake view without the queue or the 40 rmb ticket

also for anchang, the stinky tofu is fine but the real move is the fermented tofu spread on those little rice cakes, there's an old lady near the second bridge who's been making it for decades, costs like 5 rmb and beats anything you'll find in the touristy bits

one more thing the guide kinda glosses over - if you're heading to xinchang for the buddhist caves, the bus from shaoxing station takes about 90 mins but the last bus back leaves around 4pm. i learned that the hard way and ended up paying 150 rmb for a taxi back. check the schedule before you go

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