Ningbo Travel Guide

 Ningbo As one of the eight river systems of Zhejiang province, Ningbo is rich in water resources for occupying Yuyao River, Fenghua River, Yongjiang River etc. Ningbo has a long coastline, with tortuous harbors and scattered islands. Ningbo occupies a total sea area of 9,758 square km and a total coastline of 1,562 km including 788 km of mainland coastline and 774 km of island coastline, which takes one third of the coastline of Zhejiang province.
 

History

Ningbo is one of China's oldest cities, with a history dating back to the Hemudu Culture in 4800BC. Once known as Mingzhou, Ningbo became one of the origins of “Silk Road on Sea”, then as a major port, along with Yagzhou and Guangzhou in Tang Dynasty; thereafter, important ports for foreign trade in Song Dynasty and the cradle of East Zhejiang Culture, the outpost of wars against foreign invasions since the Ming and Qing Dynasty, and for the birthplace of the "Overseas Ningbo Folks" and the large number of well-preserved historic relics and remains.

Attractions

The hot landscapes in Ningbo include Tianyi Pavilion where is specialized in book collecting, Baoguo Temple which is the most ancient best-preserved wooden architectural group; Jiulong Lake where you will feast the natural beauty of four lakes ( Jiulong Lake, Fenghuang Lake, Moon Lake and Goose Lake).
 

Transportation

By air: Ningbo Lishe International Airport locates at 13 km from the city area. Airport bus can be taken at the office of CAAC (91 Yongxing Lu), the standard price is RMB10.. There are also airport buses to prefectures further away from Ningbo with less frequency.

By train: Ningbo Railway Station is outside the South Gate. Bus1 and Bus 10 can get here. There are trains to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jilin and many other big cities.

By ferry: Ningbo Port is located at ZhongmaLu, 5 lines are arranged regularly a day which are heading to Dinghai, Putuo, Taihua Island, Li Port, Daishan.

By bus: 4 coach bus stations are there in Ningbo, departing to each city in China.

Besides that, there are over 3,100 taxies in Ningbo; the starting fee is 8 Yuan/ 3km.
 

Weather

Subjected to the subtropical monsoon climate, Ningbo boasts warm and moist weather. The annual mean temperature is only 16.2 C (61.16 F). The highest month mean temperature is 28.8 C (83.84 F) in July; the lowest month mean temperature is 4.6 C (40.28 F). The annual average rainfall is 1400 millimeters (55 inches) and mainly concentrates in June and September. It is the rainy season during May and June. The temperature is moderate while the humidity is quite high. In September, typhoons are frequent.

Food and Restaurant

 
Bingtang Jiayu (Steamed Turtle in Crystal Sugar Soup) takes the first place in the ten famous Ningbo dishes. The bright golden color easily arouses one's appetite. It is both sweet and salty with a strong fragrance. In addition to being delicious, it also boasts of being rich in protein, iodine and vitamin B.

Braised Eel is cooked with fresh river eel. The prepared eel is first braised until the skin turns transparent. Then the flesh, with bones carefully removed, is cooked in a brown sauce. The result is tender and juicy and has a lovely bright color. This dish is a veritable tonic of calcium and vitamins.

Bean Curd Skin Roll with Yellow Croaker is very popular in Ningbo. Each roll is cut into small pieces and deep-fried. The bean curd skin is quite crisp while the yellow croaker inside is very tender. The vinegar sauce gives it a special flavor.

Others like Fried Eel, Braised Yellow Croaker with Pickled Potherb Mustard, and Fish with Seaweed are also made with the bounty of the sea.

Yongshang Grandma’s Bridge
Recommend Dishes: Stir-fried Shrimp; Icy Jellyfish; Hongtang Mantou, Ganguo Huacai
Address: 93An Jie, Jiangdong Town.
Price: Y55
Tel: 0574-87757676

Tiegebi
Recommend Dishes: Shengjian Bao, Sweet Dumplings with Red Bean; Croakers with salted vegetables; Croaker Hundun.
Address: 16 Dongdu Lu, Haishu District.
Price: Y62
Tel: 0574-56681666

Jiaoye
Recommend dishes: Curried Crab; Mango Weaver;
Address: 238 MayuanLu, Haishu District.
Price: Y100
Tel: 0574-87155833

Shopping

Ningbo is an integration of traditional culture south of the Yangtze River and of fashionable elements of modern cities. Here, traditional handicrafts, passed down for hundreds of years, reveal special cultural connotations belonging only to this ancient coastal city. Shopping malls and department stores also satisfy people's need for modern goods.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Ningbo in recent years has become much more colorful. Various bars, pubs, and cinemas provide perfect places for people to pass the evening. Night markets serving delicious local food satisfying any hunger pangs or thirst for a culinary adventure.

When the night falls, Ningbo takes on a charming atmosphere, enveloped in colorful neon lights. The night cruise ships on the Yong River slowly sail around this attractive city showing passengers a different image of the city. The night views of Lao Waitan in the Sanjiangkou area endow Ningbo with charms of a modern city but unlike the bustling big cities, the night scenery reveals a sense of peace and leisure.
 

Q$A

1. Is there Liang&Zhu statue in the cultural park?
No, there isn’t. This park was built to commemorate the love between them for their tombs are here.

2. Where is the snack chain？
It is called Ningbo Food City: 22XianxueJie, Haishu District.

3. Where is the sea beach in Ningbo?
There isn’t beach in the city area, but some rural towns have. Like Xiangshan, Zhoushan and Beilun. There are buses to these places from the Ningbo Bus Station.

4. Where is the night bar in Ningbo? Better environment first.
Dajie Bar（Address;142 Zhongma Lu, Jiangbei District. Phone：0574-87203344）
No.88 Bar (Address: Tianyi Square, 188Zhongshandong Lu, Haishu District. Phone: 0574-82066606)

5. How can I get to Baoguo Temple? And the entrance ticket is?
If you are in the urban, take Bus332. The entrance ticket is 12 Yuan. I can offer the phone there: 0574-87586317