Sights in Shàoxīng
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Yìngtiān Pagoda
Rising up within Tǎshān Park (Tǎshān Gōngyuán) and originally part of a Song-dynasty temple, Yìngtiān Pagoda stands gracefully on a hill overlooking modern-day Shàoxīng. Destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion (1850–64) and later rebuilt, the pagoda offers good views from the top.
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Lu Xun's Former Residence
Lu Xun (1881–1936), one of China's most mould-breaking and talented modern writers and author of such seminal works as Diary of a Madman and Medicine, was born in Shàoxīng and lived here until he went abroad to study. He later returned to China, but was forced to hide out in Shànghǎi's French Concession when the Kuomintang decided his books were too dangerous. His tomb is in Shànghǎi.
Sights linked to Lu Xun are clustered along Lu Xun Zhonglu, which these days is more like a carnival street in a permanent state of festivity and tourist mayhem. You can visit Lu Xun's Former Residence; the Lu Xun Memorial Hall (鲁迅纪念馆; Lǔ Xùn Jìniànguǎn), at the same location; and the…
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King Yu's Mausoleum
According to legend, in 2205 BC the Great Yu became the first emperor of the Xia dynasty, and earned the title 'tamer of floods' after he conquered the dragons that lived underground and caused floods.
A temple and mausoleum complex to honour the 'great-grandfather of China' was first constructed in the 6th century and was added to over the centuries that followed. King Yu's Mausoleum is about 4km southeast of the city centre and is composed of a huge 24m-tall Main Hall, a Memorial Hall and Meridian Gate (Wǔ Mén). A statue of Yu graces the Main Hall.
Bus 2 will get you to King Yu's Mausoleum from the train station area or from Jiefang Beilu (get off at the last stop).
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Ancestral Homes
The studio of controversial Ming painter, poet and dramatist Xu Wei (1521–93) is off Renmin Xilu in a small alley. Born in Shàoxīng, Xu's artistic talents brought him early fame and later he served as a personal assistant to the governor of the southeastern provinces. When the governor was killed for treason, Xu spiralled into madness. Over a period of years, he attempted suicide nine times, once by trying to split his skull with an axe. Later, in a fit of rage he beat his wife to death and was sent to prison. Skilful manoeuvring on the part of his friends got him free. In his later years Xu remained in Shàoxīng, living in this study where he spent the remainder of his li…
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