Shen Garden Travel Guide
Lu You and Tang Wan · Hairpin Phoenix Stele · Song Dynasty Gardens
Shenyuan Garden is the only surviving Song Dynasty garden in Shaoxing, famous for a story: Lu You and Tang Wan reunited here, and Lu You inscribed the poem 'Hairpin Phoenix'. In the garden, there are still two stone tablets standing, one engraved with his poem and the other with her response.
This site only handles information compilation and itinerary design; prices and bookings are based on final confirmation.
Destination Details
Shen Garden is located beside Luxun Road in the urban area of Shaoxing. It was originally the private garden of a wealthy Shen family merchant during the Southern Song Dynasty. The garden itself is not large, and water is the main feature: a gourd-shaped pond runs through the entire garden, with pavilions arranged along the pond.
Main Highlights
Chaitoufeng Stele
The most important cultural relic in the garden. Two stone steles stand side by side; the left one is carved with Lu You's handwritten "Chaitoufeng · Red Crisp Hands," and the right one with Tang Wan's responding poem. The couple was originally married but was separated by Lu's mother. Many years later, they unexpectedly met again in Shen Garden, and the poems describe that moment. Visitors often linger in front of the stele for a long time.
Guhe Pavilion and Gourd Pond
Guhe Pavilion is built by the water and offers the best view in the garden. The name "Guhe" (Solitary Crane) reflects Lu You's self-description in his later years after adopting the pseudonym "Fangweng." The pond is not large, but its shoreline is winding. Combined with old trees and stone bridges, it embodies the typical style of a Jiangnan scholar's garden.
Suggested Route
- One-hour version: Entrance → Guhe Pavilion → Chaitoufeng Stele → East Garden.
- Combine with Luxun's Former Residence and Cangqiao Straight Street for a half-day tour of Shaoxing Old Town.
Practical Information
Shen Garden is next to Luxun's Former Residence; the two sites are a five-minute walk apart, so visiting both is recommended. In the evening, there is a Yue opera performance called "Night of Shen Garden," requiring separate tickets. It is less crowded during the day, offering a quiet atmosphere suitable for leisurely reading the inscriptions.
