Lu You, in memory of his encounter with Tang Wan, penned the renowned ‘Phoenix Hairpin’ at Shen Garden, imbuing this exquisite Jiangnan garden with romantic imagination. Nowadays, visitors to Shen Garden not only admire the classical garden but also immerse themselves in the essence of love, considering it a sanctuary for steadfast affection.
Shen Garden is open during the day and evening, with the daytime visit primarily focused on the garden’s architecture. Although the original Song Dynasty structures no longer exist, the current Shen Garden, reconstructed and expanded on the original site over the past few decades, does not detract from the experience of love. The garden is divided into three sections: the Ancient Ruins Area, East Garden, and South Garden, which can be toured on foot in about two hours. The Ancient Ruins Area is the highlight of the visit. If you are a fan of traditional theater, the evening Shen Garden Night will be to your liking. Upon entering Shen Garden, you are greeted by a Taihu stone inscribed with ‘Poetic Realm,’ marking the beginning of your tour. To your left is a corridor with numerous poetic inscriptions on the walls, eaves adorned with wind chimes, and small wooden signs filled with lovers’ messages. Walking along the garden path, passing by Wen Mei Kan and Ba Yong Lou, you arrive at the Liu Chao Well Pavilion. The well and the adjacent gourd-shaped pool are the only remnants from the Six Dynasties period. Adjacent to the pavilion, the Gu He Xuan is the heart of Shen Garden, with the famous ‘Phoenix Hairpin’ stele to its south. Visitors cannot help but pause here, reciting a few lines of ‘Phoenix Hairpin’ and reminiscing about the love story of Lu You and Tang Wan. To the east of Gu He Xuan is Shuang Gui Tang, the venue for the Shen Garden Night performances, with its entrance near the entrances to the South and East Gardens. The South Garden features the Lian Li Garden and Lu You Memorial Hall, exuding a scholarly atmosphere rather than the melancholy of the Ancient Ruins Area. The Lu You Memorial Hall displays steles of Lu You’s poetic manuscripts and a panoramic model of Shen Garden. To the east, the East Garden, themed around love and known as the ‘Garden of Love,’ features historical and legendary landscapes full of romantic symbolism such as the heart-shaped Qiong Yao Pond, Magpie Bridge, and Xiang Yin Hall, making it an ideal spot for couples. Shen Garden’s unique charm lies in its night tours, where the garden takes on a more romantic and mysterious ambiance than during the day. A must-see is the performance at Shuang Gui Tang, where you can witness actors performing ‘Phoenix Hairpin’ and the story of Lu You and Tang Wan in a contemporary style, as well as various Shaoxing local operas, including Ying Ge Ban and Lian Hua Luo, which are truly fascinating. Shen Garden is only about 200 meters from Lu Xun’s former residence. If you wish to visit the gardens only, you can tour both during the day. Alternatively, visiting Lu Xun’s former residence during the day and enjoying the performances at Shen Garden in the evening is also a good option. The garden is open all year round from 08:00 to 17:00, and Shen Garden Night performances are from 18:30 to 21:00 (last entry at 20:30). Children’s preferential policy applies.Children under 2 meters (excluding 2 meters) are free of charge. Children between 1.2 meters (including 1.2 meters) and 1.5 meters (excluding 1.5 meters) enjoy half price. For the elderly: those aged 70 years old or above can enter for free with valid certificates. Those aged between 60 years old (including 60 years old) and 70 years old (excluding 70 years old) enjoy half price with valid certificates. For students: full-time college or undergraduate students can enjoy half price with valid certificates. Supplementary note: The above is the ticket policy of Shen Garden scenic area, not including the service of Shen Garden Night. Facilities: Mother and baby room: Address: There are third toilets and mother and baby rooms in the scenic area.
