Let's go, brew Shaoxing.

Author: Lian Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: This book catches the eye and jumps out from among the colorful covers on the bookstand. Its design is unique: an antique-style bound book with an elegant cover photo—a middle-aged man in a black felt hat, happily sipping yellow wine on a wooden boat. The title is also distinctive: a trendy and fashionable five-character phrase—Let’s Go, Brew Shaoxing. It seems to call out to the energetic and adventurous crowd. This book makes you want to reach out and pick it up, open it, even if you only have a faint and unforgettable impression of Shaoxing as a city because of Lu Xun. Upon closer look, the words on the cover inspire deep respect: "Many cities in China are historic and cultural landmarks. But those that maintain a high level of quality while shedding imperial grandeur are few and far between. Among these, only two or three cities can be said to densely gather this non-courtly high culture. If we further demand that this cultural aggregation extends into the modern era, into the Xinhai Revolution and the May Fourth Movement, then only one city remains. That is the city of Wang Xizhi, Lu You, Xu Wei, Qiu Jin, and Lu Xun—Shaoxing." In just a few words, Yu Qiuyan elevates Shaoxing to a position of supremacy. This tone is similar to how he described Yue Lu Academy in Hunan: "You see, throughout the entire Qing Dynasty, so many mind-boggling things were happening—weren’t they all swallowed up by this mountain courtyard?" Yu Qiuyan says he is always amazed by Shaoxing every time he visits. How could such a small city carry such a profound historical spirit, enduring for millennia without fading? Shaoxing is indeed profound, its white-walled black-tiled houses, its small bridges and flowing water, its wooden boats, felt hats, and pickled mustard greens—all exude a sense of cultural weight. Yet Shaoxing is also approachable and suitable for relaxed interpretation, whether it’s water-town opera, the charm of Xianheng Liquor, the tradition of flowing wine along curved streams, or the joyous wedding celebrations with Huadiao wine. You can stroll leisurely, savoring each experience. Just like the book’s title suggests, "bathing" in Shaoxing—this single word conveys a sense of ease, spontaneity, and deep immersion. The small city of Shaoxing is such a "paradise," seemingly far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern civilization’s rapid expansion and the relentless pursuit of fame and fortune. It absorbs and infects you with its own rhythm and charm. I have visited Shaoxing repeatedly, each time just skimming the surface but never able to leave quickly. If Shaoxing were a painting, it would be a traditional Chinese landscape in the style of freehand brushwork, with an elegant and subtle mood. No bold colors or dramatic tension. If Shaoxing were a woman, she would be a refined and gentle beauty, modest and demure, with a calm pond at her door reflecting her grace. Shaoxing’s tranquility is such that it makes you reluctant to shout or make a fuss, compelling you to tread lightly and hold your breath, like Yu Qiuyan, arriving "quietly." Rowing across Jian Lake, wandering through Shen Garden, reflecting at the Orchid Pavilion, chatting with gaunt elders at the Tai Gate, or sharing wine with hearty boatmen—all are done in quiet, slow whispers, as if afraid to disturb a dream that has lasted for thousands of years. Yes, Shaoxing is a dreamland. Once you step into it, you become part of that dream. It can be said that Let’s Go, Brew Shaoxing has found a very suitable narrative style for this city. From the perspective of a backpacker traveler, it sets off on an adventure, speaking gently and vividly, presenting Shaoxing’s many charming aspects to the reader. The lively and engaging descriptions of attractions, the helpful service tips along the way, paired with vivid photographs, make this book a rather practical guide to exploring Shaoxing. Even if you’ve never been to Shaoxing, you can follow the book at your own pace, enjoying the journey and the sights. The book clearly outlines the transportation, accommodation, attractions, and itineraries for all the must-see places in Shaoxing, so you don’t have to blindly follow a travel agency like a "duck," hurriedly rushed from place to place. Let’s Go, Brew Shaoxing has once again stirred my longing for Shaoxing. As the Tourism Bureau Director of Shaoxing City says, Shaoxing always has endless scenery to behold and countless stories to tell. This book presents a feast for travelers, with a dazzling array of delicious dishes, leaving you both delighted and overwhelmed, unsure of where to start. Perhaps too many features make it lose its focus. With a critical eye, the book’s comprehensive yet evenly distributed descriptions of Shaoxing’s various attractions are regrettable. Maybe this also touches on Shaoxing’s strategic positioning for tourism—should Shaoxing make which dish its most alluring "golden brand"?