The Hometown of Xi Shi scenic area is a general term, which includes the Huan River and the landscape belt on both banks. It boasts beautiful Jiangnan landscapes and vast Chinese gardens. Various themed exhibition halls within the scenic area allow visitors to learn about the life of Xi Shi. The core area for sightseeing is around Xi Shi Hall. The scenic area is open-style and does not require a ticket for entry.
However, some attractions such as Xi Shi Hall, the Chinese Historical Beauties Museum, Fan Li Temple, Folklore Museum, and Zheng Family Ancestral Hall are ticketed. If you plan to visit these, it is recommended to purchase a combined ticket directly. Xi Shi Hall is located under Zhuluo Mountain, opposite the other attractions, and requires crossing the Huan Sha Bridge or a floating bridge. Xi Shi Hall is worth visiting in the entire scenic area. Although the architecture is not ancient, it was rebuilt in the 1980s. The wood carvings, flower windows, and brackets were constructed using tens of thousands of pieces collected from local buildings in Zhuji, making it not only a memorial to Xi Shi but also a showcase of Zhuji’s folk architectural art. To the right of Xi Shi Hall is the Ancient Yue Terrace, where the upper level enshrines King Goujian of Yue, Wen Zhong, and Fan Li, and the lower level is the ‘Xi Shi’s Journey’ story exhibition hall. Zheng Dan Pavilion faces Xi Shi Hall from afar, and to its left is the Xi Zi Stele Corridor, where one can see steles inscribed with poems and portraits of Xi Shi by historical literati. Passing through the newly built Camphor Museum and Pearl Museum, and descending from the Huan Sha Pavilion, one arrives at the Huan Sha Stone, where it is said that Xi Shi washed silk in ancient times. Today, the word ‘Huan Sha’ written by Wang Xizhi is still clearly visible. Climbing the Zhu Luo Pavilion to the south of the stele corridor, one can overlook the scenery of Huan Sha River. The antique street under Golden Rooster Mountain on the south bank features various newly built landscapes, and the Chinese Historical Beauties Museum near the scenic area entrance collects stories of famous women in history, with a focus on the ‘Four Great Beauties’—Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan, and Yang Yuhuan. The exhibition mainly features portraits and wax figures, which are quite distinctive in content and layout. The Chinese Folklore Museum displays some local traditional daily necessities, offering insights into the local culture. Fan Li Temple and Zheng Family Ancestral Hall are typical Jiangnan ancestral halls, mainly showcasing architecture and the lives of the individuals. If you prefer not to spend money on these man-made attractions, simply strolling along the antique-style Ancient Yue Street for tea and shopping, or walking on the Huan River promenade and admiring the sculptures of washing women by the river, can also be very pleasant. In summer, the area is filled with blooming lotus flowers, and in spring and autumn, the river water is as calm as a mirror—both are beautiful scenes of Jiangnan. Opening hours are 08:00-17:00 from May 1st to September 30th, and 08:00-16:30 from October 1st to April 30th.Service facilities include nursing rooms:
