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Explore the region
About East Lake Scenic Area
Cut rock faces rise close to the water, giving the landscape a sharply enclosed scale. Taogong Cave and Xiantao Cave reveal how quarrying and water produced openings, cliffs and reflections unlike those of a broad natural lake. Compare the shore and bridge viewpoints before deciding whether to take a currently operating boat route; the caves and water passages do not form an unrestricted walking circuit.
Stone quarrying began here during the Han dynasty. Under the Sui, Yang Su (杨素) expanded extraction to provide material for the city walls. In the late Qing period, Tao Junxuan (陶浚宣) laid out a garden inspired by Tao Yuanming's (陶渊明) Peach Blossom Spring. An embankment measuring one hundred zhang (丈) separated the outer river from the inner lake.
Bridges including Qin Bridge (秦桥) and Xiachuan Bridge (霞川桥) connect the banks, while lakeside pavilions form part of the garden composition. On the western side stands Tao She (陶社), created to commemorate Tao Chengzhang (陶成章). The lake takes its name from its position east of the city and is designated a national 4A tourist attraction (国家4A级旅游景区).
What to look for
- Taogong Cave and Xiantao Cave reveal the former quarry’s dramatic cut-rock forms.
- Bridges and narrow water spaces frame close views of cliffs and their reflections.
Location & getting there
Getting to East Lake Scenic Area
Approach the East Lake scenic area in Gaobu, east of central Shaoxing, then follow the managed shore and boat-entry arrangements.
Combine your visit
A suggested sequence linking the specific features of this visit.
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Bridge and lakeside viewpoint
Begin by reading the relationship between the water and cut cliffs.
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Taogong Cave viewpoint
Inspect one of the quarry landscape’s characteristic openings.
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Xiantao Cave viewpoint
Compare the second formation from the permitted shore or boat route.
This order is editorial. Confirm access and any transfers between stops; it does not establish a walking route, same-day connection or common admission ticket.
Find East Lake Scenic Area
绍兴东湖 · 绍兴市
The pin marks the area, not the entrance.
More places nearby
Approximate straight-line distances between map pins, not travel distances.
Shusheng Cultural Street 书圣故里
5 km awayShaoxing’s Shusheng Guli streets connect a waterside neighbourhood with the memory of calligrapher Wang Xizhi. Jiezhu Temple and the Ink Pool are associated with his former home in local tradition, while Tishan Bridge carries…
View guide →Bazi Bridge 八字桥
5 km awayBazi Bridge sits where waterways and streets converge in Shaoxing’s old city. Its stone-beam crossing divides into several descending approaches, producing the splayed shape behind its name, the Eight-Character Bridge. The…
View guide →Shen Garden 沈园
5 km awayShen Garden is a literary memorial landscape associated with Lu You and Tang Wan. Its poem wall, ponds and Song-inspired pavilions frame the story remembered through the Chaitoufeng poems. Much of the present garden results from…
View guide →Sources & visit information
The sources below support the place-specific description and arrival information. Suggested combinations are editorial planning ideas; confirm current opening, entry arrangements and transport services for your date.
Visitor information adapted and edited from Wikipedia contributors, “东湖 (绍兴)” · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 92159937.
Visitor information adapted and edited from Wikivoyage contributors, listing “East Lake Scenic Area” · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Background paragraphs translated and condensed from Wikipedia contributors, "东湖 (绍兴)", Chinese Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 92159937.