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Beautiful getaways with an educational value
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CULTURAL scenic spots are ideal for those who want to learn something during a short getaway. Zhejiang Province boasts a large number of historic sites, from temples and traditional gardens to relic spots and ancient towns. Shanghai Daily took a look around and picked the best spots.
Asoka Temple
The temple could date back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD 420-589) when Buddhism was booming in the country. It is considered the only temple in China named after Asoka. Today, it is noted for Buddhist relics preserved here.
The original temple architecture was ruined in a fire during the Qing Dynasty, and then rebuilt. The present-day temple is comprised of 600 pavilions, halls and houses. The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) pagoda features brick-wooden structure with seven floors.
The temple also boasts a depository of Buddhist sutras that preserves more than 1,000 Buddhist scriptures printed during the Qing Dynasty. In addition, 58 stone-engraved tablets have been protected in the temple throughout the centuries, including those from poet Su Shi and calligrapher Zhang Jiucheng of the Song Dynasty.
Address: Baodong Minglun Village, Wuxiang Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo
Tel: (0574) 8833-8558
How to get there from Hangzhou: G92 Expressway — S1 Expressway
Shen’s Garden
The garden could date back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). A rich man surnamed Shen is said to have built this jiangnan-style garden as a private residence. It is the only Song-style garden remained in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, since the others were mainly constructed during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
It features a porch, bonsai trees, lush vegetation, classical Chinese architecture, small ponds and meandering paths. However, most visitors come to hear the story of Lu You and Tang Wan.
Lu grew up with his cousin Tang, and they were married when Lu was 20. Though they were happy together, they were forced to divorce since Lu’s mother did not like Tang.
Ten years later, Lu ran into Tang and her husband in Shen’s Garden. His heart broke when he saw her tear-filled eyes. Recalling the life they once shared, Lu wrote the poem “Phoenix Pin” on the garden’s wall.
When Tang came to the site and read Lu’s poem, she wrote one in response. Less than a year later, she died. At the age of 85, Lu wrote another poem titled “Shen’s Garden” to commemorate Tang.
Their story was later turned into a traditional Yueju Opera play and spread across Zhejiang Province.
Today, the garden houses a Lu You Memorial Garden to commemorate this patriotic poet and his tragic love story.
Address: 318 Luxun Rd M., Yuecheng District, Shaoxing
Tel: (0575) 8806-4863
How to get there from Hangzhou: G92 Expressway — Zhongxing Ave
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