Joanna James
Located in the Zhejiang Province of China, Ningbo offers much to experience for travellers. While it's an industrial hub and port, the city provides fascinating insights into its rich heritage too. If it's going to be your first time here, ensure to visit these key attractions.
The city's historic centre, the Old Bund also known as Laowaitan is, in fact, older than the other famous Bund found in Shanghai. More than 170 years ago, this area was a bustling port for trade attracting Dutch and British merchants. On your visit, you will come across a locale with an old-world charm where you can view sites like the Sacred Heart Cathedral and other classical European-style buildings. You will find the Ningbo Museum of Art here too, and come nightfall, this area becomes a great place for nightlife beside the river as well.
To find out more about the history of this destination, you should make your way to the Ningbo Museum where you will be taken on an enthralling journey of discovery spanning many centuries. Interestingly, the site's design has been influenced by the geographical features of Ningbo and the city's connection to maritime trade. A note-worthy aspect is that the museum features more than 60,000 exhibits that provide glimpses into the Hemudu Neolithic Culture; these include exhibits like jade artefacts, ceramic items, bronze, silver, gold, paintings, works of calligraphy and more.
Also known as Yuehu Lake, Moon Lake is an urban sanctuary that is believed to be over 1,000 years old. In Ningbo, China, service apartment options can be easily found within easy reach of this picturesque spot where one can enjoy relaxation and recreation in equal measure; the setting of lush greenery, tranquil trees and soothing waters create the perfect backdrop for serenity. You will also come across beautiful pavilions, buildings with Ming Dynasty-style designs and sites like the Ningbo Handicrafts and Arts Gallery and the He Memorial Temple. You can even hire a paddleboat to take out on the lake.
While you are at Moon Lake, you can visit one of the city's most famous attractions too namely, the Tianyi Pavilion; it's said to have been founded in 1561 during the Ming Dynasty and lays claim to being the country's oldest surviving private library. Amidst an enchanting lakeside backdrop, this site features not only a library with an ancient collection of books dating to the 11th century but decorative halls, a museum and a lovely garden too. Easy to visit when based at properties like Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Ningbo, Tianyi Pavilion is great to photograph as well with its reflection in the water, especially at twilight or dusk.
One of the best things to do in Ningbo is to visit the Chenghuang Temple Market not only for some great bargains but to soak up local culture and engage in people-watching as well. The temple is worth seeing too and features old gates showcasing traditional architecture and ancient tablets of inscriptions dating to the Song Dynasty. Of course, for shopping, this lively four-storey market has much to offer especially when it comes to reasonably priced clothing though remember to use your haggling skills to good effect too!
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