Shaoxing   is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Located on the south bank of the Qiantang River estuary, it borders Ningbo to the east, Taizhou to the southeast, Jinhua to the southwest, and Hangzhou to the west. It was once known as "Ô½" . Shaoxing central districts of Yuecheng and Shaoxing are now part of Hangzhou built up area which is home for more than 7 million inhabitants.