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Shaoxing is accelerating its development into a high-level cultural city, turning its ancient heritage into a thriving cultural industry that balances tradition with economic growth in 2025.

Excavation team work at the Tashan and Changfang ruins site, Shaoxing. [Photo/Shaoxing Daily]

Alive heritage remains a central focus. Archaeologists discovered a Yue State sacrificial site at Tashan and Changfang ruins. Finds from the Neolithic era linked to the Majiabang culture date human activity in the region back 6,000 years. In a city-wide review, authorities re-examined 5,442 old relics and identified 682 new heritage sites, mapping a more complete cultural gene-pool for Shaoxing.

Local heritage is no longer confined to display cases. In Shengzhou, the Yueju Opera town held a cultural carnival, while the second phase of the Lu Xun Native Place project is turning literary symbols into interactive cultural experiences. The city's cultural and creative sector generated 46.62 million yuan ($ 6.59 million) in revenue, up 48.8 percent since last year. Educational travel programs, meanwhile, hosted over 295,000 participants and earned more than 100 million yuan.

Cultural activities are increasingly driving the local economy. Old Chengnan Subdistrict has been transformed into a local food street, and key scenic areas in Shaoxing now feature new shops and attractions. Evening activities and entertainment options have been expanded, encouraging tourists to stay overnight rather than just visit for a short daytime trip.

The old city north gate is illuminated by night lights in Shaoxing. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]

 Immersive performances such as Tracing Lu You blend traditional art with modern staging, forming a complete performance economy. From January through October, Shaoxing received 77.81 million visits, up 9.8 percent year-on-year. Overnight stays reached 40 million, up 7.2 percent.

Shaoxing is promoting its culture internationally through festivals and digital media. Local events such as the Lanting Calligraphy Festival and the Conference on Wang Yangming Mind Philosophy have become international platforms, while the China International Yellow Rice Wine Industry Expo and World Pearl Conference have placed local culture onto global industrial and trade stages.

Participants attend the 41st Lanting Calligraphy Festival, Shaoxing. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]