Ningbo China – Top-10 Most Interesting Activities to Do

Ningbo offers a host of both natural attractions- the Hangzhou Bay area is fantastic! There are also numerous nature parks to explore that are nearby the city, so take a day to unwind in nature. Join the Chinese in their much-loved pursuit of hiking up mountains. Alternatively, get on a boat and do some island hopping. Cultural attractions abound too, so go visit one of their temples or museums. If shopping is your thing, walk along the “Old Bund”.

We’ve picked out some of the best things to do in the city, and here they are:

1. Nanxi Hot Springs

Beautifully situated at the foot if the Tianming mountains, you have a choice of 20 pools of wonderfully soothing water. They have varying degrees of temperature, so dip your toe in until you find the right one for you.

It’s in a national park, so expect pristine natural surroundings. The water is drinkable (very uncommon in China), and it’s known to contain several microelements and minerals that will heal and soothe your body.

There’s another pool that has fish that will nibble away at your feet until they are clean and healthy. After your soak, take time to explore the beautiful hills surrounding the pools- go see the Sleeping Dragon Valley.

When? 5 am- 10 pm
How much? From 88 RMB

2. Yushan Island

This makes for an ideal day trip. It’s a series of 27 different islands. On the main island there’s Yushan South, North and Five Tiger Yushan Reef. The islands are home to some of the clearest waters in China- the visibility is awesome! Take a boat ride to reach, and explore some of China’s untouched jewels. You’ll love the fresh air, white sand beaches (look out for jelly fish and sharks), and deep blue waters.

Because of its distant location, the area receives few tourists so we highly recommend a visit if you’d like to escape the crowds. This also means the tourist infrastructure is less developed, although there are a few hotels and restaurants. You can go snorkelling (see over 300 fish species) or visit one of the local temples.

When? There’s a boat leaving to the islands from a port near Ningbo at 8 am every day.

3. Tianyi Square

Come here for a bit of retail therapy at one of Ningbo’s top tourist attractions. It’s a massive square and business centre in the heart of the city. There are the normal supermarkets and high end designer stores, but if you dig deeper you’ll find more old schools traditional shops where you can pick up neat curios and traditional trinkets. There’s also some great places to pick up some tasty street food. Try out your haggling skills in the smaller stores, and walk out with a bargain.

When? Most stores open at 8 am.
How much?Ranging from cheap to outrageously expensive.

4. Pedestrian Walk, Chenghuang Temple

Take a stroll beginning from the famous Chenghuang Temple. This is a great place to find local cuisine. If you’re into culture and history, go visit the temple. The well paved route will take you past loads of great arts and crafts stores. There’s also the Asia Plaza, which is the biggest shopping mall in the city.

When? Most shops open at 8 am.
How much? Most of the small stores are very affordable, and so are the street snacks.

5. Picnic at Moon Lake

A scenic escape in Ningbo’s south west district, it was a cultural centre dating back to the Song dynasty. Fast forward to the future, and the cultural ambience is still very much present. Locals go here to play chess, do some Tai chi, and just chill out.

It’s a great place to bring the kids for a picnic, or come here to enjoy a good book in a stunning natural setting. Definitely a must-see.

When? Best photos at sunset.
How much? Free!

6. Ningbo Harbor Land Park

Situated on the outskirts of the city is this enormous theme park that the kids will love. Fast rides, entertainment, and an interesting architectural theme.

There are awesome light shows, dance and drama performances and the “Voyage of Adventure” attraction. You’re allowed to bring in your own food and drinks but there are a few nice places to eat inside.

When? 8 am- 5 pm. Queues for rides are a little shorter in the mornings.
How much? 160 RMB for adults, 80 for children.

7. Ningbo Zoo

It’s not the biggest zoo, but it makes up for it with the animals they have on show. There are folk performances, and you can watch the tigers at feeding time. There are rides for the kids, too. One shouldn’t visit China without seeing a panda, so come here to see the cuddly guys.

When? 8 am- 4:30 pm
How much?130RMB for adults, 70 for children, free for small kids.

8. Get on a bike

In an effort to ease congestion, the government introduced cheap to rent bicycles found on almost every street corner. They’re only 1 RMB/ 30 minutes (download the app first).

You can choose whatever route you like, but we loved cycling around Jiulong Lake. There is a convenient pathway around the lake, and you can stop over anytime and enjoy a picnic or barbeque. The lake itself is an incredibly beautiful and tranquil spot to take a break from the busy city.

Tap water isn’t drinkable in China so take a water bottle with you.

When? 24/7. Avoid foggy days and go at sunrise and sunset for the best photos.
How much? No entrance fees

9. The Songlan Mountain Seaside Resort

It’s a great place for fun-loving nature enthusiasts. The pretty beach is at the foot of tall green mountains, with white sand beaches (go to the Golden beach) and plenty to do. There’s also a convenient road that links all the different activities. Do the culture thing and head down to Zhao Wuniang Temple.

For the adventure junkies, there are water sports available (jet skis), horse back riding and tricycle rides.

When? It opens at 7:30 pm
How much? It’s only 10 RMB to enter

10. The Old Bund

It’s situated at the confluence of three different rivers, it serves as a bustling trading port and is now a famous landmark in the city. It seamlessly merges the city’s characteristic “Old and New” theme. Since the port was controlled by the Dutch and British, much of the architecture here reflects this. Many of these historical buildings were converted into bars and pubs. You can shop, eat and drink. Go at night for the vibe- the outdoor barbeque vendors sell tasty fresh seafood.

There’s also the Ningbo City Exhibition Hall and the Ningbo Art Museum-just follow the signs.

When? Most shops and stalls open at 8 am, open till late.
How much? You’d want to bring some cash to enjoy the place properly.

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Overall, Ningbo is a beautiful city steeped in history. The second biggest city in the province, tourist attractions are well developed and the English standards of the locals are higher than in many other cities in the country. Be aware that many of the attractions are located just outside the city, but there is great public transport that’ll get you to and from your destinations.