Sights in Ningbo

Tianyi Pavilion is my country's oldest surviving private library and a signature attraction in Ningbo. Originally built in 1566 by Fan Qin, a retired official during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Tianyi Pavilion still houses over 300,000 volumes, the majority of which are Ming Dynasty printed and copied editions, many of which are rare copies in China. Ancient books and desks line the building, creating a rich, scholarly atmosphere. In the Baoshulou, you can even see ancient collections displayed in glass cases and bookcases.

Yuehu Lake is to Ningbo what West Lake is to Hangzhou. Located in the heart of Ningbo, Yuehu Lake embodies the city's distinct Jiangnan style. The lake is divided into North and South Gardens, with Liuting Street running through the lake, perfectly dividing the lake into two areas. The North Garden resembles a Jiangnan courtyard, while the South Garden resembles a more modern park.

Century-old cobblestone streets and the millennium-old Nantang River. Nantang Old Street, a pedestrian street dominated by time-honored food establishments, is steeped in nostalgia. This short street brings together the most local and traditional Ningbo delicacies. A bowl of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) or a piece of gaotuan (cake balls) will instantly evoke childhood memories.

Ningbo's Drum Tower was first built in the Tang Dynasty and is also known as the "Haishu Tower". The Haishu District in Ningbo's urban area is named after the Drum Tower.

The Drum Tower is the only remaining ancient city tower building in Ningbo, but its appearance is different from other towers: During the Republic of China period, Ningbo added a Western-style self-ringing bell tower on the basis of the original Drum Tower. The unique combination of Chinese and Western styles has become a unique feature in China.

The Tianfeng Tower Historical and Cultural Block is centered around the Tianfeng Tower and the City God Temple Pedestrian Street, and covers the surrounding old streets and alleys. It offers the most down-to-earth Ningbo city life and is also an important cultural heritage of the city.

The Qing'an Guild Hall, also known as the East Zhejiang Maritime and Folk Museum, was built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It was once an important office and entertainment venue for Ningbo's shipping and commercial industries. It is one of the seven major guild halls and eight major Tianhou Temples in my country, and it is also the only existing ancient building complex in Jiangnan that integrates a Tianhou Temple and a guild hall.

There are more than 1,000 pieces of vermilion and gold wood carvings and more than 200 brick and stone carvings on the guild hall building, using Ningbo's traditional carving techniques. It fully reflects the level of carving art in eastern Zhejiang during the Qing Dynasty and also provides physical examples for the study of ancient Chinese carving art.

In 2014, the Qing'an Guild Hall was listed as a World Heritage Site as a heritage site of the Ningbo section of the Grand Canal of China. This is also Ningbo's first World Cultural Heritage Site.

Built in 1924, the Money Exchange Guild Hall is a product of the development of Ningbo's financial industry. Its distinctive architectural style: a brick-and-wood structure with two front and back halls, the building features a Chinese and Western-style structure. The front hall is surrounded by corridors, flanked by stone carvings and inscriptions, and contains a stage. The back hall houses the meeting hall, the highest decision-making center of Ningbo's financial industry. The Money Exchange Guild Hall is the only intact historical and cultural building in China dedicated to the money exchange industry. It currently houses three exhibitions: the History of Chinese Coins, the History of Ningbo Coins, and the History of Ningbo's Financial Development.

The main building complex of the Ningbo Gang Museum is in the shape of a Chinese character "Yong". The glass corridor combined with the "Time Corridor" of the Water Street Courtyard runs through the entire complex from north to south. The exhibition halls are connected to the "Corridor" through glass.

The Ningbo Gang Museum takes the Ningbo Gang, an important business gang in China's modern economic history, as its subject. It systematically displays the epic story of the Ningbo Gang's hard work and success from the late Ming Dynasty to the present, thereby creating an "emotional landmark and spiritual home" and advocating the humanistic theme of tracing roots and paying homage to ancestors.

Baiyunzhuang, located on the banks of Guanjiang River in the western suburbs of Ningbo, was the place where Huang Zongxi, a renowned scholar from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and the founder of the East Zhejiang School, lectured. Originally the ancestral home of Wan Tai, a late Ming official in the Ministry of Revenue, the renovated Baiyunzhuang boasts a brick-and-wood structure, with two main buildings, facing west and east. To the south lies the Wan family's former residence, while to the north lie the tombs of Wan Bangfu and Wan Sixuan. A Ming Dynasty stone archway stands in front of Baiyunzhuang, inscribed with "The Treasures of Wan Gong, the Ming Dynasty Governor." Inside, Baiyunzhuang houses the "Huang Zongxi Life and Deeds Exhibition Room" and the "Major Figures of the East Zhejiang School and Their Influence Exhibition Room."

Taoyuan Academy was founded in 1076 by Wang Shuo, one of the "Five Masters of the Qingli Period of the Siming Dynasty." It was a gathering place for scholars from eastern Zhejiang during the Song Dynasty and nurtured many talented individuals. However, it was destroyed by fire in the early years of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. The rebuilt Taoyuan Academy's main buildings include the core building, Zhuogu Hall; the Mingdaozhai, Jingxun Pavilion, and Jiweixuan, which combine Song and Tang styles; and the Yixiang Academy, a place for book storage and reading.

Located at the mouth of the Sanjiang River, the Old Bund was the earliest of the "Five Ports" to be opened to foreign trade. Its origins date back to the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, 20 years before the Shanghai Bund. It is one of the few remaining Bunds in China with a century-long history. Today, the Old Bund still retains many beautiful old European-style buildings. Heavy wooden doors still creak when opened, rusted iron fences stand silently through the passage of time, and intricately carved stones tell the stories of the past to every passerby.

The Ningbo Museum itself is a "modern" exhibit. Designed by the famous designer Wang Shu, it uses a large number of blue bricks removed from old buildings in Ningbo. It is modern yet full of traditional charm.

The Ningbo Art Museum was transformed from the abandoned passenger terminal building of Ningbo Port. It is located on the riverside of the "Old Bund" and was also designed by the famous designer Wang Shu. Its outline is on the bank of the Yongjiang River, like an "art ark" stationed in the port city. When the lights are turned on at night, it is full of fashion.

Perhaps the most beloved destination for arty types in Ningbo is the 1844 Heyi Art and Life Center. As the hub of Ningbo's modern art district, it boasts art galleries, museums, galleries, diverse restaurants, and stylish shops. With a vibrant atmosphere of creativity, freedom, and individuality, it has become a new landmark for cultural and lifestyle experiences in Ningbo, serving as a hub for trendsetters, influencers, and fashion events.

Tianyi Square is Ningbo's bustling city center, offering everything from shopping, entertainment, and fine dining. It boasts high-end international shopping centers, including Ningbo's most popular shopping mall, Intime Department Store, as well as niche brands like Kugou Mall, the Second Department Store, Macrolink Department Store, and Yicai Shopping Center. Highlights include Asia's largest musical fountain and a large-screen water-screen movie theater.

In May 2008, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, then the world's longest sea-crossing bridge, officially opened to traffic, now connects Ningbo to Shanghai. Visitors can visit the "Sea and Sky Continent" scenic area in the middle of the bridge, which includes a 125-meter-high observation tower and observation platforms. On a good day, ascend to the highest outdoor observation deck for breathtaking views of the vast ocean and the stunning "rainbow lying on the waves."

Ashoka Temple is the only surviving thousand-year-old temple in my country named after Ashoka. Originally built in the Western Jin Dynasty, it is known as one of the "Six Special Auspicious Places and Eight Auspicious Sites" and has consistently been ranked among the Five Mountains of Zen Buddhism. The temple houses a world-renowned stupa housing the relics of Sakyamuni. Additionally, the temple boasts the province's only two remaining Yuan Dynasty pagodas, as well as inscriptions from the Tang, Song, Ming, Qing, Republican, and modern periods. Among these, the "Ashoka Temple Permanent Field Stele," the "Chenkui Pavilion Stele," and the "Miaoxi Spring Inscription" are among the most valuable.

Tiantong Temple was first built in the first year of Yongkang in the Western Jin Dynasty. It is one of the four major Zen monasteries in my country. It was once listed as the second of the Five Mountains of Chinese Zen Buddhism and is revered as the ancestral temple by the Soto sect of Japan.

The oldest existing buildings in the temple are the Buddha Hall and the Abbot's Hall, which were rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. They are simple and solemn. In the Abbot's Hall, there is a plaque with the words "Ci Yun Mi Bu" written by Emperor Yongzheng. The Dharma Hall houses a gilded bronze statue of Medicine Buddha given by Emperor Shunzhi.

Xuedou Temple, located on Xuedou Mountain in Xikou, is surrounded by nine peaks and boasts stunning scenery, known as "Penglai on the Sea, Tiantai on the Land." Founded in the Jin Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Song Dynasty, it boasts a history of over 1,700 years and holds a significant position in Buddhist history. Designated one of the "Five Mountains and Ten Temples" during the Southern Song Dynasty, it was included in the "Ten Temples and Five Courts of Zen Buddhism" during the Ming Dynasty. Today, it ranks as China's fifth most famous Buddhist mountain. Xuedou Temple is a Maitreya temple. The Maitreya Buddha within the temple stands at 56.74 meters, making it the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Maitreya Buddha. It was consecrated in November 2008.

The Chiang Family Residence in Xikou, the former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, is a significant historical site and representative architecture of modern times. The residence is a cluster of buildings where the Chiang family once lived. A visit to the residence offers a glimpse into the history of the Chiang family and the lives of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo in their hometown before 1949.

Compared to Hangzhou's West Lake, Dongqian Lake may not be as widely known. However, as Zhejiang's largest freshwater lake, its brilliance is undeniable. Four times the size of West Lake, it sees less than half the crowds, making Dongqian Lake a truly enjoyable experience. Taogong Causeway bisects the lake, offering breathtaking scenery along its shores, including attractions like Little Putuo Temple, Taogong Island, and the Southern Song Stone Carving Park. A variety of high-end hotels offer exclusive access to the beauty of the mountains and lake. For those feeling energetic, grab a bicycle and enjoy a cycling trip around the lake.

The thousand-year-old ancient town of Cicheng holds an irreplaceable place in the history of Chinese cultural development. It was once renowned in Jiangnan for being the "leading Jinshi," "the most filial son," and "the most academy." Cicheng retains the layout of its former county town and boasts numerous ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Strolling through the town, you'll find quaint courtyards scattered throughout, occasionally separated by large mansions and deep courtyards. It's a comfortable and peaceful ancient city. The ancient city boasts numerous attractions, including the county government office, the largest in Jiangnan; the Confucius Temple, the only intact one in eastern Zhejiang; and the Academy of Scholars, the only remaining in eastern Zhejiang. These exhibits showcase ancient official culture, Confucianism, and the imperial examination system. Walking along the scenic Cihu Lake, visitors will find attractions such as the Water Tomb, Dong Xiaozi Well, and Shigu Pavilion. It's recommended to pick up a Cicheng map and information about the city's attractions at the visitor center.

Zhaobao Mountain, bordering the Yong River and the East China Sea, boasts magnificent and unique mountain and sea scenery. Due to its strategic terrain, it was once one of the main battlefields for the resistance against Japanese invaders, the British, the French, and the Japanese invaders along my country's southeastern coast. It boasts the Zhenhaikou Coastal Defense Site, a nationally recognized cultural relic (Weiyuan City, Ming and Qing Dynasty stele clusters, Yuecheng, Anyuan Fort, and the Monument to the Battle of Zhenhaikou during the Sino-French War), the Zhenhaikou Coastal Defense Historical Relics Memorial Hall, the Jizhen Lake area at the foot of the mountain, the Aozhu Pagoda, Baotuo Temple, Guanyin Pavilion, the Zhaobao Mountain Bridge, the ancient seawall, and the Wanghai Tower.

The Seventeenth Branch of the Zheng Clan was founded by the Zheng family's ancestors who migrated from Xingyang, Henan, to Zhenhai during the Southern Song Dynasty. The Zheng family later developed into one of the four most prominent families in the Ningbo merchant community. The majority of the existing "Seventeen Branches of the Zheng Clan" were built between the Qianlong and Guangxu periods of the Qing Dynasty. The buildings are organized into blocks connected by courtyards, blending the grandeur of northern "heyuan" (combined courtyards) with the exquisite elegance of southern pavilions. It is the largest and most well-preserved ensemble of Ming and Qing dynasty ancient buildings in China.

Founded in the Southern Song Dynasty, Qiantong Ancient Town is known as "Jiangnan's First Confucian Town," "Jiangnan's Little Lijiang," and "a Living Folk Museum." Home to the largest concentration of the Tong surname in Jiangnan, it boasts a complete architectural complex dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its magnificent architecture, with carved beams and painted rafters, whitewashed walls and black tiles, seamlessly blends into one. Walking through the town, the Bagua-shaped water system flows gently, and the Jiangnan folk houses scattered along the riverbanks create a "maze-like" experience, a truly fascinating experience.

Siming Mountain, also known as Jinzhong Mountain, spans five urban areas: Shengzhou, Shangyu, Yuyao, Yinzhou, and Fenghua. The Siming Mountain area has a humid climate, dense forests, and many scenic spots.

Shipu Fishing Port Ancient Town boasts over 600 years of history, nestled between mountains and the sea, boasting the uniquely eclectic layout of a mountain town and fishing port. Within the town, many quaint old houses remain, along with small shops selling seafood and 14 exhibition halls offering insights into local culture. The ancient town's Central Street is a well-preserved commercial thoroughfare, lined with wooden houses adorned with plants and shell ornaments. Central Street borders the fishing harbor, where large and small fishing boats are moored. Sitting by the dock, you can admire the seascape while listening to the busy boats coming and going or drifting along the waves while anchored.

Perhaps because Hengdian is so dazzling, many people overlook the existence of Xiangshan. In fact, Xiangshan Film and Television City has also produced many high-quality TV series, including "The Return of the Condor Heroes", "Nirvana in Fire", "The Legend of Miyue", "Eternal Love", and "Go Princess Go".