Shanghai Pathways

The history of Chinese alcohol flows as long as the 5,000-year-old country's civilization.

Baijiu, the liquor with a strong smell and taste, has drifted deep into the blood of Chinese men and been integrated into people's everyday life.

The Shenxian baijiu brewing factory(RMB20), hidden in the remote Situan Town in Shanghai's southwestern Fengxian District, is a place filled with fragrant earthy odor in the air all year round. It is the city's only baijiu brewer using the traditional production process.

Shenxian in Chinese literally means an immortal, who lives in the heaven, leisurely and carefree. Local Chinese think this liquor can also give people this walking-on-clouds experience, making people spiritually free from the real world's troubles for a while. The history of the town's Shenxian liquor dates back to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). A farmer surnamed Cai opened a shop in the town center, brewing baijiu in an old-fashioned way with a simple steaming wok and using grains such as sorghum and wheat. The ancient technique stretched across generations, as ideas were passed on and embellished. The drink earned its popularity in the town and even spread to the city.

We will visit this factory and its baijiu museum to learm about the traditional brewing skills. The museum highlights some interesting facts about liquor, illustrates the culture and history of baijiu, along with some folk tales. We will also be able to try genuine baijiu at the exhibition.