Ba Zi Qiao
It is claimed that Shaoxing has 229 bridges, but the one "in the shape of the character for ?eight'" is perhaps the most famous, and can be reached by boat or on foot from several directions, perhaps best from the south. From Renmin Zhong Lu, head north up the right bank of the canal. The bridge ahead at Dong Jie is attractive, and once you've climbed up to road level and gone down the other side on ramps, there's ancient housing to the left and right. The Ba Zi Qiao, rebuilt during the Southern Song era in 1256, is straight ahead and attractively bearded with creeper, its eightness the result of long ramps with a gentle gradient to either side.
After you recross the bridge and turn left, the canal-side path runs between one- and two-story white houses up to and over the seven-sided arch of theGuangning Qiaoof 1574, then abandons the canal (which swings left), narrows, and squeezes between houses. Through open doors people can be seen playing cards or mahjong, and vendors on tricycles sing out their wares (little cakes,doufuskin). This alley, Guangning Qiao Zhi Jie, ends at Shengli Dong Lu. A taxi, bus no. 6, or your feet can take you west to the main square.
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| Location | Ba Zi Qiao Zhi Jie runs east from Zhong Xing Zhong Lu | |
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| Transportation | To follow the route above, take bus no. 22 from Jiefang Bei Lu to Ertong Gongyuan stop. Continue east on the north side of the road, and take the 1st left turn after Ma Nong | |