Ningbo Attractions
Ningbo is situated in the northeast of the province of Zhejiang, 25km from the East China Sea, at the confluence of the Yaojiang and Yongjiang Rivers.
This important port with its network of navigable canals is also a busy industrial and trading center and has been dubbed ''Little Shanghai''.
As long ago as the Qin period, about 2300 years ago, the city was of considerable importance. Under the Tang dynasty (618-907) it grew to be one of the most important ports in China. When the Song dynasty moved its seat of government to Hangzhou in 1127, Ningbo's prosperity grew in leaps and bounds. By the 16th C foreign ships were already calling at the port, and over the centuries, only the Ningbo merchants were entitled to trade with Korea and Japan. After the treaty of Nanjing which concluded the 1st Opium War in 1842, the harbor of Ningbo was opened for trade with England and soon after for ships from other European countries and America. The first modern factories were established around the middle of the 19th C.
Today, Ningbo has been awarded the status of ''coastal port open for foreign trade'', and has been able, in the last few years, to make considerable progress in the industrial and shipping sectors.
This important port with its network of navigable canals is also a busy industrial and trading center and has been dubbed ''Little Shanghai''.
As long ago as the Qin period, about 2300 years ago, the city was of considerable importance. Under the Tang dynasty (618-907) it grew to be one of the most important ports in China. When the Song dynasty moved its seat of government to Hangzhou in 1127, Ningbo's prosperity grew in leaps and bounds. By the 16th C foreign ships were already calling at the port, and over the centuries, only the Ningbo merchants were entitled to trade with Korea and Japan. After the treaty of Nanjing which concluded the 1st Opium War in 1842, the harbor of Ningbo was opened for trade with England and soon after for ships from other European countries and America. The first modern factories were established around the middle of the 19th C.
Today, Ningbo has been awarded the status of ''coastal port open for foreign trade'', and has been able, in the last few years, to make considerable progress in the industrial and shipping sectors.
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Tianyi Ge Library
The 16th C Tianyi Ge Library contains a vast collection of Chinese books. A pond was created in front of the building, to be used in the event of a fire.
Tianfeng Ta Pagoda
The seven-story Tianfeng Ta Pagoda (approx. 55m/180ft high) is situated in the south of Ningbo and dates back to 695, in other words the Tang era - hence its popular nomenclature of Tang Ta (Tang pagoda). Fire and lightning have damaged and even destroyed the hexagonal building on several occasions. The building's present appearance goes back to the year 1330, while its last restoration occurred in 1957.
It is well worth climbing up to the top story of the pagoda in order to enjoy the superb panorama of the city.
It is well worth climbing up to the top story of the pagoda in order to enjoy the superb panorama of the city.
Ningbo Surroundings
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Putuoshan Mountain
One of the four Holy Mountains of Buddhism, Putuoshan Mountain has long been the site of monasteries and sacred buildings.
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Tiantaishan Mountain
Tiantaishan Mountain, famous for being the original site of the Buddhistic Tiantai School, is home to several monasteries, including the Guoqing Si Monastery.
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Ashoka Monastery
Ashoka Monastery was founded in the first half of the 5th C and is believed to contain a relic of Buddha.
Baoguo Si Temple
Baoguo Si Temple, 15km/9mi north of Ningbo, comprises a number of buildings.
The main hall of the temple, the Treasure Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian), is consecrated to Buddha and is the oldest wooden building in the province, dating back to 1013. The temple's much venerated sculpture of Buddha dates back to 1102, as the inscription on the base of the statue testifies.
The main hall of the temple, the Treasure Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian), is consecrated to Buddha and is the oldest wooden building in the province, dating back to 1013. The temple's much venerated sculpture of Buddha dates back to 1102, as the inscription on the base of the statue testifies.
Ruins of the Hemedu Civilisation
In the village of Hemedu, about 50km/30mi northwest of Ningbo, the remains of an ancient civilization were discovered in 1973. The first and second of the four excavation layers have been assigned to the Neolithic period. Among the finds should be mentioned terracotta objects, tools made of wood and bone, grains of rice, bones of breeding pigs and buffaloes. These all confirm the advanced state of development attained by these people, who must have settled in this area six to seven thousand years ago.
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Tiantong Si Monastery
The Tiantong Si Monastery stands at the base of Taibaishan. Although its roots date back to 300, the current buildings were built between the 17th and early 20th C.
