How to Get from Hangzhou to Shaoxing by High-Speed Train (2026)
Quick Answer
Take a G or D train from Hangzhou East to Shaoxing North — 18–25 minutes, ¥18–24 for a second-class seat — then a short bus or taxi to Lu Xun's hometown and the old town canals. Over 60 trains run daily from approximately 06:25 to 22:00. This is one of the shortest and easiest high-speed train trips in the Yangtze River Delta.
| Factor | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Fastest | Direct G-train Hangzhou East → Shaoxing North (18 min) |
| Cheapest high-speed | D-train (~¥17, 19–30 min) |
| Best for sightseeing | G/D-train to Shaoxing North + bus/taxi to old town |
| Best For | All visitors — easy half-day or full-day trip |
Shaoxing (绍兴) is a historic water town about 60 km southeast of Hangzhou, famous as the hometown of writer Lu Xun, the origin of yellow rice wine (huangjiu), and a city of canals, stone bridges, and ancient streets. It has a distinctly different feel from Hangzhou — quieter, more traditional, and less touristy.
Compare Your Options
| Method | Cost | Time | Transfers | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed G-train (Recommended) | ¥18–24 | 18–25 min | 0 | Easy ⭐ |
| D-train (bullet train) | ¥17–24 | 19–30 min | 0 | Easy |
| Regular K-train to Shaoxing Station | ¥12.5 | 45–60 min | 0 | Easy |
| Long-distance bus | ¥25–35 | 1–1.5 hrs | 0 | Moderate |
Option 1 — High-Speed Train (Recommended)
Which stations to use
In Hangzhou:
| Station | Chinese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hangzhou East | 杭州东站 | ⭐ Most frequent departures; Metro Lines 1/4/6/19 |
| Hangzhou Station | 杭州站 | Some trains; central location near West Lake; Metro Lines 1/5 |
| Hangzhou South | 杭州南站 | A few trains; farther from the city center |
In Shaoxing:
| Station | Chinese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shaoxing North | 绍兴北站 | ⭐ All G/D high-speed trains arrive here; ~13 km from old town |
| Shaoxing Station | 绍兴站 | Regular K-trains only; closer to old town (~3 km) |
| Shaoxing East | 绍兴东站 | Some G-trains; farther from old town; not recommended for sightseeing |
[!IMPORTANT] Most high-speed trains from Hangzhou arrive at Shaoxing North (绍兴北), which is about 13 km north of the old town. You will need a bus, BRT, or taxi to reach the scenic area. Some trains arrive at Shaoxing East (绍兴东) — this station is even farther from the old town. For sightseeing, always book to Shaoxing North.
Step-by-step
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Get to Hangzhou East Railway Station (杭州东站). Take Metro Line 1, 4, 6, or 19 to Hangzhou East. If you are staying near West Lake, Hangzhou Station (杭州站) also has some trains and may be more convenient.
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Buy your ticket. Book through Trip.com (English, international cards), 12306, or at station machines/windows. Bring your passport.
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Board the train. G-trains take as little as 18 minutes; D-trains take about 19–30 minutes. Both are comfortable and frequent.
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Arrive at Shaoxing North Station. Follow the signs to the bus stop or taxi rank.
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Get to the old town and Lu Xun scenic area:
- BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): Take BRT Line 1 from Shaoxing North to the city center. It takes about 30–40 minutes and costs ¥2–3.
- Regular bus: Several local bus routes connect the station to the old town.
- Taxi / DiDi: About 20–30 minutes, ¥30–50 depending on traffic and exact destination. This is the most convenient option for first-time visitors.
- The main scenic area — Lu Xun's Hometown (鲁迅故里) — is on Lu Xun Middle Road in the city center.
Train details (Hangzhou → Shaoxing North)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main departure | Hangzhou East (杭州东) |
| Arrival | Shaoxing North (绍兴北) |
| First train | ~06:25 |
| Last train | ~21:47 |
| Frequency | Every 10–30 min; 60–70 trains daily |
| G-train duration | 18–25 min (fastest: 18 min) |
| D-train duration | 19–30 min |
| G-train second class | ¥20–24 |
| D-train second class | ¥17–24 |
| First class | ¥28–38 |
| Business class | ¥62–83 |
| Distance | ~43–60 km |
[!NOTE] Ticket prices vary slightly depending on the specific train and route. Most G-train second-class seats cost around ¥20. D-trains start at about ¥17.
From Shaoxing North to the attractions
| Destination | From Shaoxing North |
|---|---|
| Lu Xun's Hometown (鲁迅故里) | 20–30 min taxi (~¥35–50) or BRT |
| Shen Garden (沈园) | Near Lu Xun's Hometown; walkable |
| Orchid Pavilion (兰亭) | 30–40 min taxi; farther from city |
| Anchang Ancient Town (安昌古镇) | 30 min taxi; opposite direction from old town |
| East Lake (东湖) | 25 min taxi from station |
Option 2 — Regular Train to Shaoxing Station (Closer to Old Town)
Regular K-trains from Hangzhou Station or Hangzhou South arrive at Shaoxing Station (绍兴站), which is only about 3 km from the old town — a 10-minute taxi ride (¥10–15).
- Duration: 45–60 minutes
- Hard seat fare: approximately ¥12.5
- Frequency: about 10 trains daily
This is a good budget option if a high-speed train is not available at a convenient time, or if you prefer arriving closer to the old town. However, the high-speed train is so fast and cheap that most travelers prefer it.
Option 3 — Long-Distance Bus
Buses run from Hangzhou South Bus Station and Jiubao Coach Center to Shaoxing, taking about 1–1.5 hours and costing ¥25–35. Given that the train takes 18–25 minutes and costs ¥17–24, the bus is rarely the best choice.
How to Get Back
- High-speed trains from Shaoxing North to Hangzhou East run until approximately 21:47–22:00, with frequent departures throughout the day and evening.
- If you stay for dinner in the old town (Shaoxing's stinky tofu, yellow rice wine, and braised pork in wine sauce are excellent), aim to head to Shaoxing North by 20:30–21:00 for a comfortable margin.
- Allow 20–30 minutes to get from the old town to Shaoxing North Station by taxi, plus 15–20 minutes for station security and boarding.
- Book your return ticket in advance on weekends and holidays, as the route is popular with commuters.
[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. Check return train times on 12306 or Trip.com when you arrive in Shaoxing. Set an alarm for when you need to start heading to the station.
Chinese Names You May Need
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Shaoxing | 绍兴 | Shàoxīng |
| Hangzhou East Station | 杭州东站 | Hángzhōu Dōng Zhàn |
| Hangzhou Station | 杭州站 | Hángzhōu Zhàn |
| Shaoxing North Station | 绍兴北站 | Shàoxīng Běi Zhàn |
| Shaoxing Station | 绍兴站 | Shàoxīng Zhàn |
| Shaoxing East Station | 绍兴东站 | Shàoxīng Dōng Zhàn |
| Lu Xun's Hometown | 鲁迅故里 | Lǔxùn Gùlǐ |
| Shen Garden | 沈园 | Shěn Yuán |
| Orchid Pavilion | 兰亭 | Lán Tíng |
| Anchang Ancient Town | 安昌古镇 | Ānchāng Gǔzhèn |
| East Lake | 东湖 | Dōng Hú |
| Yellow Rice Wine | 黄酒 | Huángjiǔ |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Booking to Shaoxing East instead of Shaoxing North. Some high-speed trains stop at Shaoxing East (绍兴东), which is farther from the old town and less convenient for sightseeing. Always choose Shaoxing North (绍兴北) unless you have a specific reason to go east.
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Thinking Shaoxing North is in the city center. Shaoxing North is about 13 km from the old town. Budget 20–30 minutes and ¥35–50 for a taxi to reach Lu Xun's Hometown. It is not walking distance.
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Forgetting your passport. You need your original passport to book tickets and board the train. A photo or photocopy is not sufficient.
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Underestimating how much there is to see. Shaoxing is small but packed with attractions. Lu Xun's Hometown, Shen Garden, and the old canals can easily fill a full day. If you want to visit Orchid Pavilion or Anchang Ancient Town as well, consider an overnight stay.
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Not trying the local food. Shaoxing is famous for its yellow rice wine (黄酒), stinky tofu (臭豆腐), braised pork cooked in wine (梅干菜焖肉), and fennel beans (茴香豆). Don't leave without trying them.
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Missing the last train back. The last high-speed train from Shaoxing North to Hangzhou is around 21:47. If you miss it, a taxi or DiDi to Hangzhou costs ¥200–300.
Tickets & Reservations
- Lu Xun's Hometown Scenic Area (鲁迅故里): Free entry, but advance reservation is required through the official WeChat mini-program (especially on weekends and holidays). Includes Lu Xun's former residence, Baicao Garden, and Sanwei Study Room.
- Shen Garden (沈园): ¥40 (day); the famous Shen Garden Night performance requires a separate ticket (~¥80–130).
- Orchid Pavilion (兰亭): ¥80
- East Lake (东湖): ¥50
- Anchang Ancient Town (安昌古镇): Free entry to the town; individual attractions may charge small fees.
- The Shaoxing yellow wine museum and distillery visits are popular — ask at the tourist center for current options.
Still Not Sure How to Get There?
Need help booking train tickets, arranging a Shaoxing day tour, or planning a Hangzhou–Shaoxing itinerary? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.
Related Guides
- Hangzhou Travel Guide — full city guide with West Lake and Lingyin Temple
- How to Get from Shanghai to Hangzhou by High-Speed Train — if you are coming from Shanghai
- How to Get from Hangzhou to Wuzhen by Public Transport — another easy day trip
- 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
Train schedules and fares are based on 12306, gaotie.com.cn, TravelChinaGuide, ChinaAirlineTravel, and Trip.com (verified August 2026). Station-to-attraction transport is based on Trip.com traveler reports. Schedules may change — check 12306 or Trip.com for the latest information before booking.
Last verified: August 2026
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