Ningbo (宁波 Níngbō) is a port city in Zhejiang province, a thriving prosperous city and a popular tourist destination.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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.
Haishu 海曙区 Jiangbei 江北区 Yinzhou 鄞州区 Outer districts include Cixi 慈溪, Yuyao 余姚, Zhenhai 镇海区, Beilun 北仑区, Fenghua 奉化区, Ninghai 宁海县 and Xiangshan 象山.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Oct, Ningbo typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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