What to Pack for Shaoxing. Clothes, Accessories, Essentials

Air Travel

Major Airports

Closest and most convenient major international airports.

Airport Options

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH): 30-40km from Shaoxing.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): ~200km from Shaoxing.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA): ~200km from Shaoxing.

Airlines & Routes

Extensive domestic and international connections.

Carrier Information

HGH: China Eastern, Air China, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Qatar Airways, AirAsia, Scoot.
HGH: Connections to major Asian cities (Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore).
PVG/SHA: Wide selection of international connections globally.

Price Fluctuations

Prices increase during peak seasons plus Chinese public holidays.

Advance Booking

Highly recommended for better prices and availability.

Flight Deals

Flexing travel dates sometimes yield significant savings. Dollar Flight Club for deals.

Airport Facilities & Transfers

HGH Facilities

Duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges.
Currency exchange, local SIM card sales, car rental.
Wi-Fi available.
DiscoverCars.com for car rentals.

Transfers to Shaoxing

From HGH: Airport Shuttle Bus (~1 hr).
From HGH: Shuttle to station, then High-Speed Train (~1-1.5 hrs).
From HGH: Taxi/Didi (~40-60 mins, 150-250 CNY).
From PVG/SHA: High-Speed Train via Shanghai Hongqiao (~2.5-3.A five-hour duration).

Flight Booking Resources

Dollar Flight Club

Get alerts for cheap flights: Dollarflightclub.com

Skyscanner

Compare flight prices from various airlines: Skyscanner.com

IVisa

Visa service for consumers: Ivisa.com

Land Transportation

Train Connections

Shaoxing exceptionally well-connected by China's modern land transportation infrastructure, mainly high-speed rail.

High-Speed Rail

Main stations: Shaoxing North (绍兴北站), Shaoxing Keqiao (绍兴柯桥站).
Frequent connections to Hangzhou (~20-30 mins), Shanghai (~1.5-2 hrs), Beijing (~6-7 hrs).
Book via 12306.cn or English-friendly Trip.com.

Long-Distance Buses

Alternative for destinations not served by train or shorter distances.

Bus Information

Several long-distance bus stations, e.g., Shaoxing Passenger Transport Center.
Connections to nearby cities and provinces.
Tickets at bus depots or local Chinese apps.

Self-Driving

Generally not for most foreign tourists.

Considerations

International Driving Permit not recognized; temporary Chinese permit needed.
Road signs mainly in Chinese.
Traffic heavy and unpredictable.

Road Conditions & Safety

Major roads are well-maintained. Traffic awareness of your surroundings.

Road Safety Tips

Major roads and highways are modern.
Traffic can be dense; driving styles may differ.
If using chauffeured car services, choose reputable operators.

Sea/River Arrivals

Shaoxing is a city not on the coast.
Sea or river arrivals for inter-city transport not applicable.
No ferry services or cruise ports.

Wupeng boats offer scenic canal tours.
Wupeng boats for enjoyment and sightseeing, not inter-city travel.
No immigration procedures at seaports.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

No separate exit fees for international flights from China; generally included in airfare.

Departure Advice

No specific exit fees for land or train departures from Shaoxing.
International Flights: Arrive HGH 2-3 hours before departure.
Domestic Flights: Arrive HGH 1.5-2 hours before departure.

Train Departure

Show up early for smooth train travel.

Train Station Information

Arrive Shaoxing North/Keqiao Station 30-45 minutes before departure.
Time for security checks, finding platform, boarding.
Chinese train stations large and busy.

Airport Facilities

Check-in, security, duty-free, restaurants, lounges at HGH.

Confirm Schedule

Reconfirm flight/train 24-48 hours before departure. Skyscanner for flights.

Train Station Services

Ticket offices, waiting areas, shops, food vendors. Security verifications are common.

Public Transportation

Bus System

Shaoxing an extensive municipal bus network covering most parts of the city and its surrounding districts.

Bus Details

Modern, air-conditioned, cost-effective.
Reach many areas not covered by metro.
Fares: 1-3 CNY. Payment: cash (exact change) or WeChat Pay/Alipay QR.

Metro System

Shaoxing Metro Line 1, opened in 2021, a significant addition to city's transport.

Metro Details

Connects Keqiao to Yuecheng District (historic city center).
Extends into Hangzhou’s metro network for seamless travel.
Fares: 2-8 CNY. Payment: vending machines or WeChat Pay/Alipay QR.

Navigation Tools

Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Amap (高德地图) for real-time routes and schedules.

Hours & Frequency

Buses: ~5:30 AM - 10:00 PM. Metro: ~6:00 AM - 10:30 PM (5-10 min frequency).

Accessibility

Newer buses/metro stations more accessible. Older areas could be missing full infrastructure.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Licensed Taxis

Offer convenient and direct transportation, especially with luggage or at night.

Taxi Details

Identification: Typically green or blue, with meter and roof sign.
Fares: Metered, starting 8-10 CNY for first 3km.
Payment: Cash, or preferably WeChat Pay/Alipay. Ask for a receipt (发票).

Ride-Sharing Didi

Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) the dominant ride-sharing app in China and highly recommended.

Didi Details

Services: Didi Express, Premier, carpooling options.
Registration: Needs a Chinese phone number.
Payment: Best with WeChat Pay or Alipay. Has English interface.

Safety Considerations

Licensed Taxis Safety

Generally safe. Ensure the meter is on. Note license number if issues arise.

Didi Safety Features

Driver background checks, real-time GPS tracking, emergency button. Share trip details.

Verification Tip

When using Didi, double-check license plate and driver photo before entering the car.

Didi Usage Tip

When using Didi, always double-check the license plate and driver photo against what the app shows before getting into the car. This confirms you are entering the correct vehicle.

What to Pack for Shaoxing