Jiangnan's Number One Water and Stone Bonsai | Stunning Cliff Walls, Secluded Caves, and Beautiful Waters | Ride a Wupeng Boat to Explore the Thousand-Year-Old Landscape Bonsai

Shaoxing Donghu Travel Guide: Ride a Wupeng Boat to Explore the Thousand-Year-Old Landscape Bonsai Shaoxing Donghu, along with Hangzhou West Lake and Jiaxing Nanhu, is known as one of the "Three Famous Lakes of Zhejiang." This scenic area, evolved from a Han Dynasty quarry, is praised as the "World's Number One Water and Stone Bonsai" for its "stunning cliff walls, secluded caves, and beautiful waters." The core experience lies in the sound of the oars on the Wupeng boat and the play of light and shadow in the stone caves. This guide will help you enjoy the highlights. Quick Core Information - Address: Yundong Road, Gaobu Town, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City (Donghu Scenic Area) - Opening Hours: Peak season (April to October) 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM; Off-season (November to March) 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Raomen Mountain 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (may close during rain, snow, or icy weather) - Ticket Information: Full price 50 RMB, half price 25 RMB (students and seniors with valid ID); free for children 6 years and under or under 1.2 meters tall, and free for local Shaoxing residents with ID (except during Golden Week) Transportation Guide - Public Transport: Take bus routes 1, 57, 37, etc., directly to the "Donghu Scenic Area" stop; from Shaoxing North Station, take BRT Line 1 to Zhongxing Road Renmin Road Intersection, then transfer to bus 57; from Shaoxing Station, take bus 1 directly - Self-Drive: The scenic area has parking lots, about 5-6 km from Shaoxing city center, a 15-20 minute drive - Metro + Shuttle: Take Shaoxing Metro Line 1 to "Donghu" station, then transfer to a bus or taxi within 10 minutes to reach the area Must-Do Experiences: Highlights Without Missing Out 1. Wupeng Boat Lake Tour (The Core of the Core) This is the only proper way to explore Donghu. Only by boat can you enter the narrow waterways and mysterious caves. Boat tickets are 85 RMB per boat (limit 3 people). The recommended route is "boat in, walk out": take the boat from the entrance dock, pass through Taogong Cave and Xiantao Cave, then get off and explore the mountain scenery on foot without backtracking. - Taogong Cave: The cave entrance only allows one boat at a time, with towering cliffs inside. Light filters through the stone cracks, creating a "looking at the sky from a well" atmosphere. - Xiantao Cave: The natural skylight on the cave ceiling forms a "peach" shape, which, combined with its reflection on the water, creates a complete immortal peach. The stone wall couplet reads, "The cave is 500 feet deep with no bottom in sight, the peach blooms once every 3,000 years," adding a poetic touch. - Tips: Avoid boating at noon (no sunshade). Arrive before 9 AM to skip the line. If you don’t understand the boatman’s dialect, scan the QR code for an audio guide. Children should sit firmly and hold on. 2. Walking and Climbing Highlights - Tingqiu Pavilion: The best viewing platform accessible by climbing, overlooking the entire Donghu, capturing the condensed beauty of the "landscape bonsai." - Jishou Tower: Commemorates Tao Junxuan, the creator of Donghu. Near the dock, traditional community theater performances are often held; arrive 10 minutes early to secure a spot. - Guiling and Ancient Bridges: The mountain is full of osmanthus trees, fragrant in autumn; ancient bridges like Xiachuan Bridge and Qin Bridge span the lake, perfect spots for taking photos with a modern Chinese style. 3. Hidden Experiences - Night Tour of Donghu (Summer Only): The cliffs are illuminated by lights, and riding the boat feels like entering a fairyland. Tickets must be purchased separately. - Dawn Redwood Forest Hike: A 10-minute walk outside the scenic area, with stunning red leaves in autumn, ideal for niche photography. Food and Souvenirs - Around the Scenic Area: Try the authentic local flavors like stinky tofu and yellow wine popsicles on Donghu Old Street. - Souvenirs: The old-style bean crisp candy inside the scenic area is crispy, sweet, and not sticky, with vintage packaging perfect for gifts. The beauty of Donghu is a collision of natural wonders and ancient wisdom. Riding a Wupeng boat through the caves, touching the thousand-year-old chisel marks with your fingertips, and hearing the sound of oars and water drops—this is the true taste of Shaoxing’s water town.