The Venice of the East, the city of wine and culture - do you know the amazing city of Shaoxing?

Shaoxing, the pearl of Southeast China, lies in the scenic Yangtze River Delta and covers an area of more than 8200 km². With a population of 5.39 million and a dynamic economy, it is one of the richest and most developed cities in Zhejiang Province. In 2024, the city's GDP reached a respectable 836.9 billion yuan, with annual growth exceeding 6.5 %. But Shaoxing is not just a number in economic statistics - it is a city that combines the ancient past with the modern future, and that is what fascinates its visitors.

Shaoxing's history dates back more than 2,500 years, making it one of the oldest cultural centres in East Asia. It is considered the cultural capital of East Asia and is often referred to as the "museum without walls". The city's millennia-long history is linked to important figures, from the legendary Da Yu, founder of the Chinese nation, to the calligrapher Wang Xizhi, to Lu Xun, considered the father of modern Chinese literature. Shaoxing was also the birthplace of Zhou Enlai, the first Prime Minister of the PRC.

The city is also known as the "Venice of China": more than 7,000 rivers cross it and there are more than 10,000 bridges.

Modern infrastructure includes a metro network, high-speed rail and motorway connections. The city has been awarded both the China Habitat Environment Award and the United Nations Habitat Award and is among the leaders in the quality of public services in the province.

Strong industry, research and innovation

In addition to its cultural heritage, Shaoxing is an industrial giant. The per capita disposable income in 2024 reached 72,900 yuan - the highest in Zhejiang province. A quarter of the world's textile trade passes through this city. Shaoxing is also the largest distribution centre for freshwater pearls, accounting for 70 % of world production.

The high-tech sector is also developing dynamically - for example, integrated circuits, whose production will exceed 80 billion yuan this year. The city is building a national innovation centre for the semiconductor industry. It is also investing in modern medicine, hydrogen energy storage and a low-rise economy. There are 178 multinational companies and 101 listed companies in Shaoxing. It maintains direct trade relations with 219 countries and regions.

On the outskirts of the city lies one of the local rarities - the Zhejiang Guyue Longshan Jianhu winery, which produces the iconic yellow rice wine. This is not a wine in the European sense - its taste and colour are more reminiscent of a fine cognac. The history of the winery dates back to the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty. It was established in the vicinity of Lake Jianhu, after which it is named.

The factory, now a subsidiary of Zhejiang Guyue Longshan Shaoxing Wine Co., Ltd., has preserved the manual production method and become a national base of intangible cultural heritage. The brewing process starts in winter and the wine pressing process comes only in spring. It is the first national industrial heritage of yellow wine and the only enterprise in China where everything is still made by hand.

The winery grounds are backed by well-preserved buildings from the Qing Dynasty. The original main building used to have five entrances - today three remain. In addition to the archival barrels, modern labels are being developed here - for example, the 1952, 1963 and 1979 Jianhu wines. Unique products include limited editions inspired by Song Dynasty ceramics.

Keyan: Buddha in stone

Just a short walk from the winery is the tranquil and breathtaking Keyan Scenic Area, which combines nature, faith and sculptural art in an impressive harmony. The main attraction of this place is the giant Buddha statue carved directly into the rock face of the tall stone monolith - the seated Buddha Maitreya, serene and majestic. His height exceeds 11 metres and the expression on his face seems to say: "Stop, take a breath, be here and now."

The statue is carved directly into a granite cliff and its creation probably dates back to the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th century). Yet it looks intact, as if it has always been there. According to local legends, it was created in a single night when a celestial carver descended to earth to give the locals a symbol of inner peace.

In addition to the sculpture itself, the entire Keyan site is a cultivated garden - landscaped to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. Here you will find not only rock paths, caves and water areas, but also inscriptions carved in stone that commemorate important visitors, scholars and poets of past centuries. These so-called mo-jaa-ti-kche are a protected cultural relic and show how much this place was revered among Chinese intellectuals. The area symbolizes the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony between man and nature.

Shaoxing thus remains an exceptional city that combines history and tradition with a technological future. Whether you're strolling the streets of the old town, tasting yellow wine or gazing into the stone face of Buddha in Keyan, you can't help but think that this is where Chinese history was and continues to be written.

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