Ningbo

Ningbo  (宁波 Níngbō) is a port city in Zhejiang province, a thriving prosperous city and a popular tourist destination.

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 Ningpo 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.

Downtown districts

 * Haishu 海曙区
 * Jiangbei 江北区
 * Yinzhou 鄞州区

Outer districts
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.

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.





By plane


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 Hangzhou; the most convenient is probably Shanghai Hongqiao since it is integrated with Hongqiao Railway Station, which has fast trains to Ningbo. All have many domestic flights and some international connections.

Get 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  with 29 stations opened in early 2014. Line  with 27 stations opened in 2015. Line  with 15 stations opened in mid 2019. Lines with 25 stations opened in 2020, and  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.

Historical sites and monuments
















Religious sites


















Museums and galleries








Zoos and aquariums




Old towns






Parks and nature
























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




Department store














Supermarkets



 * Sanfo is the leading outdoor gear stores in China and their store in Ningbo is located at 1227-1229 Baizhang Dong Lu, Jiangdong District
















 * n

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.










 * n


 * n











Japanese food
























Chinese food
Ningbo's local seafood style is called "Yong cuisine".


 * TianXiang YuanKongZhong ShiShang CanTing (Revolving Restaurant), 35/F, 181 Zhongshan Dong Road. They are open most of the day, but evening is best. They close at 21:00, so go at least before 19:00. Book in advance if you want a window seat. Reservation Telephone: 0574-8725-7177 – 0. Two of you can eat a basic meal for about ¥100-200, though if you want to splurge and try out the delicacies on their rather large menu, be prepared to pay more.




 * Ba Yu Xiaozhan (巴渝小栈). 30 Jicao St. (宁波市箕漕街30号). A nondescript Sichuanese restaurant with excellent and affordable food. Grilled fish, Kungpao Chicken, and other spicy cuisine. Fairly clean with modest interior. Located near Baizhang Road, and within walking distance from the Portman/Sheraton.

Splurge

 * Waitan Huiguan (外灘会馆), Waimalu (外马路) 17. Ningbo. Reservations: 5 74 – 87 35-16 38, Fx: -13 38, 87 35 09 38.  Clean Teppanyaki place.  Their pricing is also somewhat spectacular - a dinner for two relieves you of about ¥1,200. Nevertheless, the food is quite well prepared. Service was also quite attentive.

Drink
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.


















 * n

Beilun Bars






















Cafes








Night clubs




Stay healthy

 * Vogue Dentists - 1F, Portman Tower, 48 Caihong Bei Lu 彩虹北路48号波特曼大厦1楼 Tel:0574-8737-8333

Budget




Mid-range












Go next

 * Mount Putuo
 * Zhoushan
 * Fenghua
 * Ninghai
 * Xiangshan
 * Tiantaishan
 * Taizhou
 * Wenzhou