Ningbo

Understand

Ningbo lies on the south edge of the populous Yangtze Delta region and faces the East China Sea to the east. It has two main mountains within the prefecture boundaries, Siming Mountain and Tiantai Mountain. The Yuyao, Fenghua and Yongjiang rivers flow through the city area. Nearby Mount Putuo is an island with a major Buddhist temple on it that has been declared a national park and attracts both pilgrims and tourists. The people of Ningbo have throughout their history had a deep affinity for the ocean. Two thousand years ago, Xu Fu, a necromancer of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE), led a fleet from here, thus becoming the first to commence China's exchanges with other countries. In the early 20th century "Hong-band" tailors from Ningbo traveled extensively throughout China making their living. Portuguese sailors reached the Ningbo area in the first half of the 16th century. For a while, the city was the easternmost point of Asia known to Europeans. Portuguese attempts to establish a trading colony in the area failed, after which they turned their attention to Macau. After the Opium Wars in the 19th century, China was forced to open five Treaty Ports for foreign trade, including Ningbo. The others were Guangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou and Shanghai. As in all the other Treaty Ports, this brought a boom in Ningbo. The Hangzhou Bay Bridge, completed in 2007 to link the municipalities of Ningbo and Shanghai, has increased foreign investment and economic integration between Ningbo and Shanghai. Ningbo is not only a very important port city but also the engine of the economy on the east coast of China. Ningbo started foreign trade in the 7th century and has since become a major exporter of electrical products, textiles, food, and industrial tools in China today.

Climate

Ningbo enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate featuring high relative humidity and distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, so plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening. July is the hottest month (average daily temperature 29 °C) and January the coldest (4 °C). The annual precipitation averages 1,300–1,400 mm.

Getting there

By train From Hangzhou there are frequent high-speed "D" and "G" trains from Hangzhou East Station (杭州东站) to Ningbo Railway Station, taking 1-1½ hours. Perhaps another dozen "K", "T", and "Z" trains travel to Ningo from Hangzhou or Hangzhou East Station daily, taking as long as 3½ hours. The high-speed line from Hangzhou through Ningbo continues through Wenzhou, Fuzhou, and Xiamen to Shenzhen, and there are several high-speed ("D") sleeper trains each evening from Shanghai via Ningbo to Shenzhen and Guangzhou (although most do not stop at Ningbo on the return journey). From Shanghai there are frequent high speed trains to Ningbo via Hangzhou East Station. Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station 上海虹桥站 is the main high-speed railway station in Shanghai. Shanghai South Station 上海南站 also has trains to Ningbo.

1 Ningbo Railway Station (宁波站), East Nanzhan Rd 南站东路. Sometimes referred to as the south station, its former name. Main station in the center of the city with a metro station under it and two major bus terminals on both sides. All trains stop at this station. High-speed (160 km/h) "S"-train commuter service to Yuyao Station in Yuyao is also available. 2 Zhuangqiao Railway Station (庄桥站). Can be found downtown and most hotels are a short taxi ride away. Trying to get a taxi outside the station is virtually impossible. The tickets office is open from 06:15-19:45 to the right side of the station.

By bus 3 Ningbo South Bus Station (汽车南站), 408 Mauan Rd 马园路408号, ☏ +86 574 8713-0582. 05:20-20:00. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Shanghai using the Hangzhou Bay Bridge. It takes about 4 hours travelling via Hanghzou. 4 Ningbo central coach terminal (宁波汽车中心站), ☏ +86-574-87091120. Buses to most destinations in the south and west leave from this station. (updated Nov 2018)

By plane 5 Ningbo Lishe Airport (宁波栎社机场, NGB IATA) (Downtown Ningbo is about a 20-min drive spanning 11 km (6.8 mi). The taxi fare is ¥45-60. Metro service begins at 06:00 and the last train leaves Lishe International Airport Station at 22:00. A frequent free shuttle bus covers the 600 m between the existing airport terminal and the metro station; it runs every 8 minutes, 06:15–21:43. Alternatively, a bus (¥10) runs every hour until 18:20 to Ningbo Railway Station.). Flights to many mainland Chinese cities as well as a handful of international flights to East and Southeast Asian cities. The airport has free but unreliable Wi-Fi. The main international hub for the region is Pudong Airport in Shanghai; there are direct buses to Ningbo. The closest major international airport to Ningbo is

Getting around

Ningbo is so much bigger than the small downtown area, staying downtown can fill a few days but it's just like any major city. To really see some jaw dropping parts of Ningbo, you have to adventure into the outer districts. There are breathtaking mountain ranges steeped in a deep and meaningful history that has been relatively undisturbed.

Metro: Like many Chinese cities, Ningbo is rapidly expanding its Metro system. Line 1 with 29 stations opened in early 2014. Line 2 with 27 stations opened in 2015. Line 3 with 15 stations opened in mid 2019. Lines 4 with 25 stations opened in 2020, and 5 with 22 stations opened in 2021. Taxis are ¥10 for the first 3 km plus ¥2 fuel tax. Buses are ¥1 (¥2 with air conditioning). Rental cars: Are available at Ningbo Lishe International Airport. Motor bikes: Although Downtown Ningbo does not permit motorbikes a bike can be rented outside of downtown and can make an enjoyable way of reaching the outer districts.

See

Historical sites and monuments 1 Baiyun Manor (白云庄), Guan River Bank, West of Haishu District, Haishu District (Metro: line 1 Zemin Station). 08:30-16:30. A home from the 1300s, which the family turned into an exclusive school in the 1600s. Wooden plaques provide details on family members and students in Chinese and English. It's in a quiet area, behind a park, ringed by a garden, with canals on two sides, and gets 5-10 visitors per day so it can be a tranquil escape from the city, but is otherwise unremarkable if you don't recognize the names. Free with sign-in. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Drum Tower (鼓楼) (Metro: lines 1 and 2 Gulou). A symbol of Ningbo and an entrance to a pedestrian shopping district, this tower is a mix of architectural styles. 3 Fufu Shi (伏跗室), 鼓楼街道孝闻街91号 (Near metro line 1 Ximenkou station). Tu-Su 08:30-11:30, 13:30-16:30. Another old house that gets 5-10 visitors per day, this one displays a literature collection. Free with sign-in. (updated Aug 2018) 4 Hemudu Site (河姆渡遗址, Hémǔdù Yízhǐ) (Bus 333 from Ningbo, 06:00-17:00). 08:00-17:00. In the outer district of Yuyao about 90 minutes by road from down own Ningbo in the flourishing countryside. At Hemudu, archeologists discovered artifacts dating back thousands of years to prehistoric China, and there is a small but good museum with signs in English. Displayed are still playable 6-7,000-year-old bone flute, rice, plough shares, weaving, inlaid-bone and wood carvings, and jade ornaments. A replica of the archeological site itself is nearby. Free. 5 Ningbo Banking Guild Hall (钱业会馆) (Metro line 1 Dongmenkou), ☏ +86 574 62331147. 08:30-11:30, 13:30-16:30. Former guild hall for banking and foreign exchange, which was important in Ningbo due to significant foreign trade. Closed down when the banks were closed in 1949, it now houses an impressive coin museum ¥10. (updated Oct 2019) 6 Qing'an Guild Hall and Anlan Guild Hall (庆安会馆, 安澜会馆) (near metro line 1 Jiangxiaqiao East), ☏ +86-0574-8733-0030. 08:30-16:30. Guild halls for the formerly-adjacent shipyard, including a temple for Matu, the goddess who protects sailors. Dating to 1191, demolished several times including in 1949 and the 1960s, and rebuilt 1997-2001, they now also serve as a museum covering shipbuilding in Ningbo dating back to the Neolithic period, and have been listed as part of the Grand Canal UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. ¥10. (updated Aug 2018) 7 Shanglin Lake Kiln Site (上林湖越窑遗址). Shanglin Lake Kiln Site is situated in the area near Shanglin Lake, Cixi City. It is a national key cultural protection unit. T

Do

Parks and nature

1 Dongqian Lake (东钱湖) (Buses 106, 109, 358, 620, 621, 629, 901, 902, 906, 960. Buses 961 and 966 go around the lake. Dongqian Lake station is the southeastern terminus of metro line 4 ). The largest natural lake in Zhejiang, and a popular spot for locals to visit. It's possible to rent tandem or triple bicycles, or boats, to see the lake. Several scenic spots charge admission, including a causeway through the middle of the lake (¥30) to Xiayu Temple (霞屿禅寺) and "small Putuoshan". A variety of very old buildings overlooking the lake have been turned into tea shops. 25 Hanling old street (韩岭老街) is near the southern end of the lake. A park is built with stone carvings collected at tombs built in Southern Song Dynasty around the lake. 26 The Stone Carving Relic Park of the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋石刻公园) is near the eastern side of the lake. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Hua'ao Stone Forest (花岙石林) (There is no bus service to Hua'ao Island. From Shipu East Bus Station (see Shipu Harbour above), several buses go to Shipu West Bus Station (¥1), from where the 376 or 381 will take you to the bus terminal on Gaotang Island (高塘岛: ¥3, every 20 minutes). There, you can hire a car to the Hua'ao ferry for ¥10-15. The ferry is ¥10 return per passenger or ¥70 for a vehicle (hourly, last return 17:10, or 16:10 in winter), and the rocks are 5.5 km away at the other end of the island. A guesthouse 100 m from the ferry dock will offer to drive you there and back for ¥10), ☏ +86-574-65049222. Large area of coastal columnar-jointed tuff cliffs, islands, and towers, on an island in southern Xiangshan district, protected in a provincial geopark and not on the main tourist track. Spectacular and comes with a rocky beach, but only takes an hour to visit. The island is mostly natural and has a well-developed trail network accessing a variety of other natural attractions and old buildings, but note that the trails are not maintained to the same standard as in more-popular tourist areas. ¥40. (updated Jun 2019) 3 Moon Lake (月湖, Yuèhú). A crescent-shaped lake surrounded by a park with traditional plazas and pagodas. It's a lively area – at some times of day the park is full of residents dancing or doing tai chi. Boat rides in the lake are possible, or just take a stroll around it. Free. (updated Jul 2018) 4 Nanxi Hot Spring (南溪温泉). Nanxi Hot Spring lies in the outer district of Ninghai, Nanxi Village of Shentianchuan Township, 76 km (47 mi) to the downtown of Ninghai County. With a forest resource of 9,627 hectares, the scenic area was approved by the State Department of Fo

Buy

As a foreigner, you can exchange your money at all major banks. A maybe wiser alternative is to use your foreign debit card. International ATMs (Plus/Maestro) can give about ¥2,500 out of each ATM at every transaction, up to a total maximum of ¥5,000 each day depending on your bank, which should be sufficient. International ATMs can be found all over the place and often have an English language option available before you insert your card.

Markets 1 Cheng Huang Temple, Commercial Street 城隍庙商业步行街 (Metro: Chenghuangmiao Station). 09:00 til 20:30. Lots of small stalls selling mostly clothes, a great place to find cheap gifts to take back home 2 Gu Lou, Haishu District, Fu Qiao Street 海 曙区府桥街. 08:00 til 21:00. Lots of little shops selling items from artwork to knicknacks. Little Goods Market, Guotai Jie 国泰街. 09:00 till 20:00.

Department store In Time, 238 Zhongshan Dong Lu, ☏ +86 574-8709-2200. 3 In Time, Tian Yi Square 天一广场, ☏ +86 574-8709-3888. Golden Centre, 279 Zhongshan Dong Lu 中山东路279号, ☏ +86 574-8771-7738. A lot of watch shops and international brands on the ground floor. International Shopping Center, 166 Zhongshan Dong Lu 中山东路166号, ☏ +86 574-8768-1250. International brands at crazy prices. New World Department Store, 137 Zhongshan Dong Lu 中山东路137号, ☏ +86 574-8725-9777. New World Department Store, 269 Zhongshan Dong Lu 中山东路269号, ☏ +86 574-8733-6776. Oriental Department Store, 151 Zhongshan Dong Lu 中山东路151号, ☏ +86 574-8718-9999.

Supermarkets Metro (麦德隆超市), 1 Maidelong Rd, ☏ +86- 574-88208888. This is a wholesale store for restaurants and caterers, but shelves do stock smaller quantities of most items. In addition to food items, you can for example, buy reliable quality underwear, shoes and jackets, etc. Stock is sometimes unreliable. But given the opening hours of the store which are appropriate for caterers and restauranteurs (early in the morning to late at night) it's possible that some items are simply sold out and that day. There is a massive car park. There are not many immediately obvious places to eat out near Metro. So don't go on an empty stomach or be prepared to snack on some of your purchases. You will need a Metro card to purchase, but obtaining one is free and easy. If you are not prepared to sign up for one or are in a hurry - other shoppers will often lend you their card. Sanfo is the leading outdoor gear stores in China and their store in Ningbo is located at 1227-1229 Baizhang Dong Lu, Jiangdong District CenturyMart (Tongtu Lu and Zhongxing Lu). Three-story supermall: 1) department store, 2) groce

Eat

Western food O'Reilly's (爱尔兰酒吧). 46-9 North Caihong Rd near the Portman Plaza (市江东区彩虹北路46-9号, 波特曼大街上). Steaks, burgers, appetizers, all day breakfast, and low priced sub sandwiches (¥25/6 inch; yen;35/12 inch). Beer selection is good, and although the imported beers are a bit pricey, before 20:00 most draft beers are buy one get one free, and after 20:00 buy two get one free. Waitresses speak excellent English and Chinese. Mezzos on 2 (东港波特曼大酒店2楼), Caihong Bei Lu 50 Hao, Donggang Boteman Da Jiudian 2 Lou (2F) (Yaohang Jie-Baizhang Lu Shopping Area). Swanky Italian restaurant with 5-star interior decoration. Picanha Brazilian BBQ (比卡亚巴西烧烤), No.1-4 Lane 230 Jiefang South Road, 2nd Floor of Century Plaza (宁波市解放南路230弄1-4号大梁街口世纪广场二楼), ☏ +86 574 87360077. Pretty good Brazilian BBQ, buffet style. Can be pricey depending on the option, the food is good and chefs are actual Brazilians. If meat is what you desire, then this is the place. ¥228 for meat/buffet/unlimited beer or ¥128 for meat/buffet. (updated Apr 2018) Banana Leaf Curry House (老外滩中马路69号), Zhongma Lu 69 Hao, Lao Waitan, ☏ +86 574-87352600. Opposite the Shamrock Irish Pub. The English-speaking staff gladly advises on their offerings and are more than happy tosurprise you with a selection of their meals. Pizza Pino, 1041B, Zone C, Heyi Avenue Shopping Center, 66 Heyi Lu 和义路66号和义大道购物中心C区1041B, ☏ +86 574-8389-9535. The only place in Ningbo with a wood-fired oven but ruins the pizza by not using buffalo mozzarella. Da Bossi Ristorante, 139 Zhongma Lu, Lao Waitan 老外滩中马路139号, ☏ +86 574-8657-8777. A very fine and fancy Italian. Get a group together and enjoy an open fire in a private dining rooms on the 3rd floor. Book ahead as it gets busy. n Ganesha Indian Restaurant (葛尼沙印度餐厅), 336 Zhenming Road, Haishu District (海曙区镇明路336号镇明小区), ☏ +86 574-87624696. 11:00-23:00. Delicious, authentic Indian cuisine. ¥80. n Gino Cafe, 46-2 Caihong Bei Lu 彩虹北路46-2号, ☏ +86 574-8795-3577. 09:30-23:00. This is a below average Chinese style Italian. Spices, 28 Yangshan Lu, LaoWaitan 老外滩扬善路28号, ☏ +86 574-8767-9777. Indian food, a huge menu. The decoration is appealing and the service is a bit slow but still they have a very good menu with nice pictures to select from. You can order a delivery as well with them. Amore's, 109 Jiangdong Nan Lu 江东南路109号, ☏ +86 136-1574-0093. 11:00-14:00 and 18:00-22:00. Decent home made Italian food, available for delivery. Casa Maya, 39 Yangshan Lu, Lao Waitan, ☏ +86 574-8703-9599. Mexican food, now with a new chef the food tastes authentic and no more concerns over food poisoning!

Drink & nightlife

Beer at cheaper restaurants is quite weak and bland, and often not very cold. Foreign and more expensive Chinese restaurants have export-quality Tsingdao and European or Japanese beers. All over Ningbo many bars often have happy hour specials with buy-one-get-one until 20:00 or buy-two-get-one after 20:00 on select beers, just ask before you order. In the Lao Wai Tan area there are many bars yet they're always empty and over priced as the competition is fierce. Home to Le Cargo the late night sleazy disco that normally end up in a fight and the police being called. There are a few bars by the side of the Sheraton attract the new business men in town who like to rub shoulders and tell each other the stories they've read in the China guide books, or start offering each other shares in an idea! before running back to safety of their hotels. You will also find some foreign students trying to cross over into business around here too. Business men at one time or another will trade from the outer district of Beilun. Many bars have been springing up to cater to them before they make the short trip back to downtown, alternatively next to every bar area you can find a cheap hotel if you don't have a driver and fancy a few more drinks. If you're staying in a hotel get a business card or two before leaving the hotel so you can always get a taxi home by showing the card to your driver no matter how late it is!

Bars "The Office", in Lao Waitan. Where all the foreigners go nowadays. Taco Tuesdays ¥100 for all you can eat tacos. Tons of other specials, good food. Always someone to talk to. Legends Bar, 141 Leigong Xiang 雷公巷141号 (Down a small street opposite the Sheraton Hotel), ☏ +86 13967860446. One of the infamous girlie talking bars where unsuspecting tourists or business men buy rounds of drinks for the girls with the expectation of a little more change at the end of the night than they actually get. Do not run a tab and pay for the drinks as you get them. Z Rocks, 43-47 Zhongma Lu, Lao Waitan 老外滩中马路43-47号, ☏ +86 574 8735-9063. Getting a drink is not easy as the bar staff do not speak one word of English, terrible Chinese band tries their best, often empty. Very Expensive. The Garden, Lao Waitan (just next to the river), ☏ +86 15957425880. A great place when the weather is not too hot and not too cold, outdoor seating next to the river with super cheap drinks and student music makes this the choice place for students and those on an extreme budget. Budget. Harley Bar, 18 Ma Yuan Rd (just a bit further out of the center of town), ☏ +86 13003728695. Has a g

Sleep

Budget Ningbo Home Inn, Zhenming Lu, Zhangqi Xiang 21 Hao (near Moon Lake). Ningbo Lizhai International Youth Hotel, 77 Gongqing Rd (near Moon Lake). 4 bed dorms ¥45, singles ¥80-120.

Mid-range Crowne Plaza City Center, 129 Yaohang St, ☏ +86 574 5619-9999. ¥500. Nanyuan Hotel, 2 Lingqiao Rd, Haishu District, ☏ +86 574 8709-5678. Offers 429 guestrooms, all of which are fully-air conditioned, and have a virtual telecommuting system and free high-speed Internet. Some of its amenities include Health Club (spa, sauna, steam bath, heated pool, and exercise gym), outdoor tennis court, and barber shop and beauty salon. Ningbo Hotel, Ma Yuan Rd 251. Though it is a rather old hotel, it was renovated in 2005. It is not far away from the city center. ¥240. Ningbo Kylie Hotel, Jicao Jie 76 Hao (downtown Jiangdong District near Sheraton). Ningbo Sunny Hotel, 158 Xihe Rd, Haishu District. A 3-star business hotel with 105 tastefully appointed rooms. Impressive facilities include a well-equipped business center, conference rooms, and recreational facilities such as a spa and sauna. The hotel also serves sumptuous seafood fares in its Chinese restaurant. 1 The Study (宁波书房酒店, Níngbō shūfáng jiǔdiàn), 47 Shengyuan Alley, Haishu District 海曙区盛园盛园巷47号, ☏ +86 574 87046196. A distinctive local book-themed hotel. There's a little library downstairs, and you get into your room by swiping your card against the spine of a book on what looks like a bookshelf but is actually your door. Breakfast is free, though not especially good. Free Wi-Fi and soft beds. They have English-speaking staff. (updated Aug 2018)

Splurge Howard Johnson Hotel, Liuting Jie, 230 Hao (near Moon lake). Ningbo Marriott Hotel, 188 He Yi Rd. The view from the top floor is nice, and they serve free drinks for guests. Great rooms – all of them have a view of the river. Hanya New Jingdu Hotel (汉雅新晶都酒店), 1088 Baizhang East Road 百丈东路1088号, ☏ +86 574 87069999. New Jingdu Hotel is a 4-star hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and have an en suite bathroom, cable/satellite TV, safe, hair dryer, free high-speed Internet access, and IDD telephone. Best rates on official website start at ¥443+. Ningbo Nanyuan Hotel, No. 2 Lingqiao Rd (Haishu District), ☏ +86 574 8709-5678. A five-star hotel. Shangri-La Hotel, 88 Yuyuan Jie 豫源街88号. Marriott Hotel, 188 He Yi Road, Haishu District. This place is palatial. Sheraton Hotel, 50 Caihong Rd N, ☏ +86 574 8768-8688. Free bus to Sheraton in Shanghai for guests. 2 Pan Pacific Ningbo, 99 Min An Dong Lu, Yinzhou District, Ningbo (close to Dongqia

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