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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solid guide, but the metro tip is key. line 1 only goes so far though, if you're heading to Anchang or East Lake you're better off taking a Didi than figuring out the bus, it's like 20-30 RMB and saves you an hour of confusion.

also, don't sleep on the night market near Cangqiao. after 7 PM the street vendors set up and you can get these little fried river snails and grilled skewers for like 5-10 RMB each. way better than the touristy restaurants and you'll see actual families eating there, not just visitors. grab a stool, point at what looks good, and the sellers are super patient with hand gestures.

for the yellow wine, the guide's right that it's everywhere, but try it warm. locals heat it up in winter with a bit of sugar and goji berries, it's a whole different drink, smoother and less harsh. a lot of the small eateries will do this if you ask, just say "re yi xia" and they'll sort you out.

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yeah this guide covers the basics well, but if you're here in autumn, dont skip the osmanthus wine. it's only around for a few weeks, tiny shops near the canal sell it in plastic jugs, tastes like flowers and honey, way lighter than the regular huangjiu. pair it with the osmanthus cake from the same stalls, it's a whole different shaoxing experience.

also, the metro's fine but the city's small enough that renting a bike is better for the old town. there's a share bike dock right by the lu xun

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fwiw the guide's spot on about the metro but honestly the buses arent that bad if u download the "bus life" app, it shows real-time stops in english and u can just follow the map. i got lost once trying to find the Orchid Pavilion and a grandma literally walked me to the bus stop and told the driver where i needed to go, people are super helpful if u smile and show them the address.

one thing nobody mentioned: theres a small museum inside the Lu Xun residence complex thats free, the one about his childhood and the baicaoyuan garden. most people rush through to the main house but that little courtyard with the mulberry trees is where he actually played as a kid. sit there for ten minutes, its way quieter than the main drag, and u can picture the whole "From Baicaoyuan to Sanwei Study" essay come alive.

also if u want a real taste of the locals, hit the morning wet market near the East River bridge around 7 AM. grab a bowl of "doujiang" (soy milk) with the fried dough sticks the guide mentioned, but get it salty not sweet, that's how shaoxing people do it. costs like 5 RMB total and u'll be the only tourist there.

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