Weekend Getaway Destinations: Ningbo
Weekend Getaway Destinations is a new series by the City Lights, where we invite Chinese students born and raised in nearby cities close to Shanghai to write about their hometowns and provide travel tips for those who are looking for their next weekend getaway.
Ningbo (宁波) is a seaport city in Zhejiang Province. Its long history can be traced back to the Hemudu culture, a Neolithic culture that flourished more than 6,800 years ago. Ningbo emerged as a port of foreign trade in the Tang Dynasty, more than 1,100 years from today, and has been playing an important role in Southeast China since then. By the time of the Song Dynasty, Ningbo had already become a thriving commercial and coastal city. The city name (宁: peaceful and tranquil; 波: waves) originates from a famous saying “海定则波宁” (If the sea is stable, then there will be no turbulent waves), reflecting the city’s close relationship with the sea. The most prosperous and central part of Ningbo is called Sanjiangkou (三江口), where the three rivers flowing through the city (the Yong River, Yao River, and Fenghua River) join each other. These rivers have nurtured Ningbo for thousands of years, and the estuary of these rivers has become the center of Ningbo. I was born and raised in Ningbo. Though not as prosperous as Shanghai, Ningbo’s overall feeling of calm and tranquility can rarely be experienced in Shanghai. This summer break, I brought two good friends, both from Beijing, to visit Ningbo. It was quite a fun journey because as it was the first time that I viewed the city from a guide’s perspective rather than a normal citizen’s perspective. The fastest way to get to Ningbo from Shanghai is to take the train from Hongqiao Train Station to Ningbo East Station, which takes no more than three hours. The ticket price is either 94.5 yuan or 144 yuan, depending on the speeds of trains. Another good option is to take the long-distance bus from Shanghai to Ningbo, which would enable you to enjoy the view from the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, the longest trans-oceanic highway bridge in China. Here is a list of some local sights that I feel are worth visiting. The list is certainly not complete, but I hope it can help you more or less. 1. 宁波博物馆 The Ningbo Museum
The Ningbo Museum is designed by Shu Wang (王澍) , the first Chinese citizen to win the Pritzker Prize, which is the world's top prize in architecture. It is one of my favorite places in Ningbo. The exhibitions in the museum present Ningbo’s history, culture, and customs, and the museum’s overall design perfectly combines traditional Chinese culture with modern architecture styles.
2. 天一阁 Tian Yi Pavilion
Founded in 1561 by Fan Qin, a high-ranking politician in the Ming Dynasty, Tian Yi Pavilion is the oldest existing library in China. Here you can experience the long-lasting culture of book collecting as well as the unique architectural style of the ancient Jiangnan region.
3. 宁波老外滩 The Old Bund in Ningbo
When we talk about bunds in China, the first place that comes to your mind is probably the Bund in Shanghai. Though much smaller than the Bund in Shanghai, the Old Bund in Ningbo is one of the most historical bunds in China, and it holds most of Ningbo’s modern history. You can still find traces of former foreign concessions and old commercial shops there; even an old Catholic church is located here. But unfortunately, this famous church was partly destroyed by a fire this summer break, and you might not be able to see its original beautiful appearance any more. There are also lots of exotic music bars in the area.
4. 鼓楼 Drum Tower/城隍庙 City God Temple/天一广场 Tian Yi Square
All three of these attractions are located in the center of Ningbo, and are wonderful places for entertainment and shopping. Go to those places at night and you can see amazing night scenery and even a beautiful music fountain in Tian Yi Square. If possible, you should also go to 缸鸭狗 (Gangyagou; the name is strange to translate, as it means “jar, duck, and dog”) to taste traditional Ningbo tangtuan (rice dumplings).
5. 南塘老街 Nan Tang Old Street
This street is definitely heaven for foodies. You can taste almost all the traditional Ningbo snacks here.
If you have more time, you might consider a trip to Dongqian Lake for bike riding, boating, or picnicking. The former residence of Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Republic of China during WWII, is also a great option for history buffs. The University of Nottingham Ningbo China is also worth exploring if you are curious about Chinese-foreign universities besides NYU Shanghai.
Further Readings
This article was written by Kathy Wang. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Inyucho @ Flickr