Ningbo enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate featuring high relative humidity but distinctive seasons. July is the hottest month (average daily temperature 29°C) and January the coldest (4°C). The frost-free period lasts 230-240 days a year, making it suitable for the cultivation of grain, cotton, and rapeseed. The annual precipitation averages 1,300- 1,400 mm.
Haishu District (海曙区), "Sea Dawn"
* Jiangdong District (江东区), from its position east of the Yong
* Jiangbei District (江北区), from its position north of the Yong
Beilun District (北仑区), of uncertain origin
* Zhenhai District (镇海区), "Protecting the Sea", from its position at the mouth of the Yong
* Yinzhou District (鄞州区), from Yin County, established by the First Emperor
Cixi (慈溪市), "Kind Creek"
* Yuyao (余姚市), of uncertain origin
* Fenghua (奉化市), "Supporting Reform", an old imperial name shared by the Fenghua River which forms the upper reaches of the Yong
Ninghai County (宁海县), "Pacified Seas", an imperial name
* Xiangshan County (象山县), "Elephant Mountain"
=====From Shanghai=====
The trip across the Hangzhou Bay Bridge takes about 2½ hours in total. Travel via [wiki=95e9c48630a252346b29cd52b365d3e2]Hangzhou[/wiki] takes around 4-5 hours.
If you stay overnight in the Sheraton in [wiki=5466ee572bcbc75830d044e66ab429bc]Shanghai[/wiki], you can make use of their free luxury coach service to take you to the Sheraton in Ningbo.
Ningbo Lishe Airport (宁波栎社机场 ), +86 0574 8742-7888.
Lishe Airport is about 11 kilometers (7 mi) from downtown Ningbo, about a 20 minute drive. The taxi fare should be ¥45-60. Alternatively, a shuttle bus to South Ningbo Railway Station runs every hour until 6:20 PM (¥10). Local bus service is also available in Chinese (¥2).
There are regular flights to [wiki=78fb473f134eed43c959f9ebdeeb4050]Beijing[/wiki], [wiki=50a13d0dbb195487a4b6c602ea0fe532]Guangzhou[/wiki], [wiki=d3ecdb1d90623e05b65cd07fbea6bb7d]Shenyang[/wiki], [wiki=5da8b6870844479e692c0d9f102d6750]Xi'an[/wiki], [wiki=9d6d0f6936e1fb402d564d9e35fad9d4]Xiamen[/wiki], [wiki=10332ea6607a3fa9cd5cffedfa2c739d]Nanchang[/wiki], [wiki=5db223f56468090601bf0e6d3d1fca01]Haikou[/wiki], [wiki=7b4b76194c6d4afcab4251f6d9bbbc39]Shantou[/wiki], [wiki=8f3199f4c051d7e2597afb0b55b23dee]Shenzhen[/wiki], [wiki=4781886690b72bcfaadebed7f965a609]Changsha[/wiki], [wiki=080fa4ae8318b4cc0be7f76fefe4838e]Nanjing[/wiki], [wiki=08b9a179ae67e6d81b865889bc2e9417]Kunming[/wiki], [wiki=f4aa575f70b3f78887deb96ce611b187]Chengdu[/wiki], [wiki=53e9fb001ca574c9c4df7c452448334b]Lanzhou[/wiki], [wiki=0922165082029cfdc08abb2fecca043d]Zhuhai[/wiki], [wiki=303e4ca8c8e052424f95a7e4493314fb]Hefei[/wiki], [wiki=cc94b6a207d65b12ae5067f7a630688f]Guilin[/wiki], [wiki=55b210da416ad9696c6dd74e4b836b7e]Chongqing[/wiki], [wiki=8fdb920993402e1ede3c311e256f2bfd]Dalian[/wiki], [wiki=e20b15811b6adf2888116bdb387780d9]Qingdao[/wiki], [wiki=4b546d2192bf23da23ea0042cc622bfa]Wuhan[/wiki], [wiki=40f0d82c0913fda323add181a5ee6e11]Fuzhou[/wiki], [wiki=73fd77c513b4a6aa081850cd86a7d0c4]Harbin[/wiki], and [wiki=c46e51c263ff26fbce724bc34c4c0cdd]Urumqi[/wiki] in Mainland China; [wiki=35cc0f78d9f676890516c8ebc834a162]Macao[/wiki] and [wiki=8b476ff778119b8d49588f3daadf69a1]Hong Kong[/wiki]; [wiki=878f3a40c956de20b3487cb5ec973b9c]Kaohsiung[/wiki] on [wiki=551fe18ef47d4e6e9d943b9a68ada21d]Taiwan[/wiki]; [wiki=f5d540492523ba1f8e1516239c6b60fb]Fukuoka[/wiki] in [wiki=53a577bb3bc587b0c28ab808390f1c9b]Japan[/wiki]; [wiki=7afedf25b7e78341ed8d9ebf401daf75]Incheon[/wiki] in [wiki=4d4803b0bb7dab1b0627e4f8277edc5b]South Korea[/wiki]; and [wiki=3d147c6ba113929f5a004a5e9dcc832e]Bangkok[/wiki] in [wiki=103357e3e40a9c0e4e9d36110f7bbc7a]Thailand[/wiki].
Ningbo South is downtown and most hotels are a short taxi ride away. Taxis are not permitted to pick up new fares in the drop-off area outside the station, but are usually readily available at a queue in the basement. The ticket offices are open from 6:15AM-7:45PM to the left of the main entrance. Tickets can be purchased on the first or second floor; tickets which have been booked online may only be picked up at the office on the second floor.
=====From Hangzhou=====
About 10 high-speed trains (动车 or "D" trains) are available daily from Hangzhou South Railway Station in Xiaoshan. These take about 1½ hours and cost ¥70-80.
There are another 10 or so normal trains from Hangzhou's City Station (城站) which are cheaper but average slightly longer travel times.
Perhaps another dozen "K" and "Z" trains travel to Ningbo from either station, taking as long as 4½ hours.
===== From Shanghai=====
All trains from [wiki=5466ee572bcbc75830d044e66ab429bc]Shanghai[/wiki] to Ningbo go through [wiki=95e9c48630a252346b29cd52b365d3e2]Hangzhou[/wiki].
High speed trains are available from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站) on Metro lines 2 and 10. These take 2-3 hours and cost between ¥100 and ¥150.
Normal trains are available from Hongqiao Station or from Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站) on Metro lines 1 and 3. These take 4-5 hours and cost around ¥50.
Lots of small stalls selling mostly clothes, a great place to find cheap gifts to take back home
*Lots of little shops selling artwork to nik naks
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*Allot of Watch shops and international brands on the ground floor
*Just as the title suggests, international brands at crazy prices
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The most extensive (and expensive) selection of imported products in Ningbo. Better (and more expensive) meat.
* Metro is a big-box store similar to Costco or Sam's Club, including a massive American-style parking lot. Technically, purchases are only available to members but clerks at the entrance will usually provide a card number upon request. Other shoppers may also lend you their cards to earn points during various promotions.
* Auchan is a French "hypermart", equivalent to a Sam's Club or larger Wal-Mart. The floor layout of this branch is somewhat confusing, since you first have to go to the top floor and then find the escalator back down to the food hall. Some imported products, principally European.
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*A British version of small Target or Wal-Mart. This location can be entered from Tianyi Square via the escalator in the HiMall. Some imported products, principally British.
* Carrefour is a French version of Wal-Mart, with a larger selection of wines and liquor. Decent selection of imported food, but no American cheese or mustard. This location includes a parking lot.
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* eMart is a standard Chinese supermarket but includes a separate section with fairly cheap Korean and Japanese products.
* CenturyMart is a hypermarket similar to Auchan. It includes a department store with household goods and a grocery. Some imported brands are available. The membership card can sometimes provide a slight discount or earn points during promotions but isn't required.
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Sanfo is an outdoor gear store.
Ningbo's local dishes are known in Chinese as "Yong Cuisine" (甬菜, Yǒngcài). Specialties include steamed seafood and Ningbo tangyuan, small sweet dumplings made extra savory by preparing their sesame fillings with pork grease.
* Tianxiang Yuankongzhong Shishang Canting (Revolving Restaurant), 35/F, 181 Zhongshan Dong Road. They are open most of the day, but evening is best. They close at 9pm, so go at least before 7pm. Book in advance if you want a window seat. Reservation Telephone : 0574-8725-7177 - 0. Two of you can eat a basic meal for about ¥100-200, though if you want to splurge and try out the delicacies on their rather large menu be prepared to pay more.
* Shipu Restaurant (石浦大酒店) [http://www.chinashipu.com/]. Two locations, 60 Yangyue Jie (tel:8732 8777) at Moon Lake, and 7 Gongqing Road (tel:8730 7470) at Tianyi Square. Considered one of the best restaurants in Ningbo.
* Feast Modern Restaurant 87 Huaishu Lu 槐树路87号(tel:574-8735-1111) Probably the best Chinese decor in Ningbo. Located in a 200 year old Qing Dynasty merchant house which has been totally renovated, the restaurant offers early twentieth century Shanghai furniture style. The dishes offered are mainly from the region but tend to be more sophisticated than the usual fare found in the city, in general it is excellent. The menu is in Chinese but there are a lot of pictures. Located downtown, 5 minutes or less by taxi from Tianyi Square and Lao Waitan.
* Ba Yu Xiaozhan (巴渝小栈). 30 Jicao St. (宁波市箕漕街30号). A nondescript Sichuanese restaurant with excellent and affordable food. Grilled fish, Kungpao Chicken, and other spicy cuisine. Fairly clean with modest interior. Located near Baizhang Road, and within walking distance from the Portman/Sheraton.
* Fei Teng Yu Xiang (沸腾鱼乡) Leigong Alley (Adjacent to Portman Sheraton Hotel) (宁波市江东区雷公巷)Inexpensive but expertly prepared Sichuan cuisine. This place is a bit of a local favorite among expats and Chinese alike, famous for its boiling fish dish that gives it its namesake (the dish is on the first page of the menu). Stays open super late and the spicy fried potatoes (think Sichuan french fries) are perfect after a night out if you're in the area (Portman bars are nearby). Just ask for 'gan bian tu dou tiao' if you're a foreigner and you come relatively close they'll know what you want. About 60元 per person with beers.
O'Reilly's Irish Pub & Restaurant (爱尔兰酒吧). 46-9 North Caihong Rd near the Ningbo Sheraton Portman Plaza (市江东区彩虹北路46-9号, 波特曼大街上). Steaks, burgers, appetizers, all-day breakfast, and sub sandwiches at Subways prices. Beer selection is good, and although the imported draft beers (Guinness, Kilkenny, Stella, 1664) are more pricey than bottles. Happy "hour" from 11 am to 8 pm. Waitresses speak excellent English and Chinese.
*Another Irish pub, but with a friendly bunch of visitors. and an excellent kitchen. Happy "hour" from 11 am to 8 pm.
* Bar Celona Wine Bar & Kitchen (宁波江东区 彩虹北路46-12号(波特曼大街上)旁宁波东港喜来登酒店). Opened in 2013 and located at 46-12 Caihong North Rd near the Ningbo Sheraton Portman Plaza. A compact street front, neighborhood eatery serving good modern Spanish tapas cuisine in a casual setting with plenty of sangria. Waiters speak so-so English and Chinese.
*Swanky Italian with 5 star interior decoration.
*Picanha Brazilian BBQ (比卡亚巴西烧烤). No.1-4 Lane 230 Jiefang South Road, 2nd Floor of Century Plaza(宁波市解放南路230弄1-4号大梁街口世纪广场二楼). Pretty good Brazilian BBQ, buffet style. Can be pricey depending on the option (¥228 for meat/buffet/unlimited beer or ¥128 for meat/buffet),the food is good and chefs are actual Brazilians. If meat is what you desire, then this is the place. +86 574 87360077, [http://www.picanhabbq.com].
*Opposite the Shamrock Irish Pub. The English-speaking staff gladly advises on their offerings and more than gladly surprise you with a selection of their meals.
*The only place in Ningbo with a wood fired oven but ruins the pizza by not using buffalo mozzarella.
*A very fine and fancy Italian. Get a group together and enjoy an open fire in a private dining rooms on the 3rd floor. Book ahead as it gets busy.
*Delicious, authentic Indian cuisine.
*This is a below average Chinese style italian.
*Decent home made Italian food, available for delivery.
*Mexican food, now with a new chef the food tastes authentic and no more concerns over food poisoning!
*Authentic Lebanese food that's also available for delivery. The whole leg of lamb is a favorite.
*American pizza restaurant.
*A Chinese chain of "authentic" Japanese food.
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*All you can eat, all you can drink. Great for parties.
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*Top-class Japanese with English-speaking staff
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Waitan Huiguan (外灘会馆), Waimalu (外马路) 17. Ningbo. Reservations: 5 74 - 87 35-16 38, Fx: -13 38, 87 35 09 38. Clean Teppanyaki place. Their pricing is also somewhat spectacular - a dinner for two relieves you of about ¥1,200. Nevertheless, the food is quite well prepared. Service was also quite attentive.
"LBB", 14 Da He Alley (大河巷14号)Tucked away down a little alley, you will find the oldest bar in Ningbo, a cool, sophisticated, yet unpretentious bar where you can relax and unwind from a hectic day. Often referred to as "The Bar". LBB is a great place to meet other foreigners and exchange stories and contacts. LBB is out of the way: they don't advertise, the bar is far removed from the Lao Waitan crowd, and they seem to like it like that. The bar has a great atmosphere, medium-range prices, and a relaxed and friendly vibe. The long-running pool competition on Thursdays attracts a mixed crowd of teachers, business men, and locals alike. Choose your own music, free Wifi, bar snacks, satellite TV, good range of cold beers. Open every day from 7:30pm and stays open till the last person goes home. LBB is the closest thing you'll find to your local bar from back home: the cute staff speak English and there's no funny business with the bill. Locals run tabs and buy bottles.
*"O'Reilly's Irish Pub & Restaurant", (爱尔兰酒吧). 46-9 North Caihong Rd near the Ningbo Sheraton Portman Plaza (市江东区彩虹北路46-9号, 波特曼大街上). Steaks, burgers, appetizers, all-day breakfast, and sub sandwiches at Subways prices. Beer selection is good, and although the imported draft beers (Guinness, Kilkenny, Stella, 1664) are more pricey than bottles. Happy "hour" from 11 am to 8 pm. Waitresses speak excellent English and Chinese.
*"The Office", located in Lao Waitan. Under new ownership. Drinks are at or below other spots in Laowaitan. Always someone to talk to.
*Buddha's Bar & Bistro, located just inside the entrance to Lao Waitan, Buddha's is an Asian style lounge catering to foreigners. Guests can enjoy MSG-free Chinese classics in either set meals or tapas style along with chill music, comfortable atmosphere, home-grown art and decor, and draft/bottle selections different from most places in town. Murphy's, Fuller's Honey Lager, San Miguel, and Tiger on draft. Beer Lao is a signature bottle for the bar.
*"CMK Music House", Qian Hu Tian Di (钱湖北路399号) The wandering music house has finally (and thankfully) found a permanent home in Yinzhou. Atmosphere is good downstairs, but the upstairs plays host to live shows which are well managed. Recently there have been themed dance parties which are cheap or free and usually play fun, unpretentious music. Fun place, and a good place to get your music venue fix when they've got shows. Ask around or check their Facebook page for events.
*"dsky home" Qian Hu Tian Di (钱湖北路399号) This coffee shop/wine bar/furniture store hybrid (?) nails the atmosphere. Desserts are good, probably the only Key Lime Pie you'll find outside of [wiki=5466ee572bcbc75830d044e66ab429bc]Shanghai[/wiki] or [wiki=78fb473f134eed43c959f9ebdeeb4050]Beijing[/wiki]. One of the best wine lists in town. Everything in the store is for sale and the shop plays host to English board game nights on Tuesdays. Very chill and quiet.
*One of the infamous girlie talking bars where unsuspecting tourists or business men buy rounds of drinks for the girls with the expectation of a little more change at the end of the night than they actually get. Do not run a tab and pay for the drinks as you get them. Experience the most stinky bathroom in Ningbo.
*Cool decorations with hand-painted pictures on the walls and Chinese-style stool-based seating. Go for the shots, the location, and the pretty staff.
*Getting a drink is not easy as the bar staff do not speak one word of English, terrible Chinese band tries there best, often empty. right
*A great place when the weather is not too hot and not too cold, outdoor seating next to the river with super cheap drinks and student music makes this the choice place for students and those on an extreme budget.
*A great feeling about the place: pool table, decent food, live music, clean American style bar. Nice but always empty
*A whole evening wrapped into one with Thai being served upstairs and a full bar downstairs. You can enjoy a few drinks while waiting for a table or enjoy a few Thai snacks at the bar over a cold beer.
*Late night pick-up joint complete with bar brawls and police raids. Standard disco music to get the local girls and students strutting their stuff. Small and cram-packed at the weekends.
*One of the infamous girlie talking bars where unsuspecting tourists or business men buy rounds of drinks for the girls with the expectation of a little more change at the end of the night than they actually get. Don't run a tab: pay for the drinks as you get them. Experience the stinkiest bathroom in Ningbo.
*The young and beautiful with stacks of cash flock to this bar. Great shows here but expensive.
*One of the better bars in Lao Waitan, a small intimate bar that is well lit with a mini stage for live music.
*Nice bar for having a drink or two and a good chat with the girls. The girls speak good English. They dance salsa on request. They regularly do dance shows (salsa, jazz, freestyle) to entertain the guests. It's good fun. The girls are quite good at playing pool too.
*Latin music bar with live band that starts at 9:30 pm. Recently redecorated and rewired to give a superb Latin sound and feel.
*A typical Irish bar, with Guinness and a friendly bunch of visitors. Standard pub fare at expat prices, but very well-done.
The best bar in Beilun, outdoor seating, large wine selection, and German beers on tap. Very Busy on Friday nights.
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*Small but nice and right next door to Marco Polo.
*Located in the outer district of Beilun, Marco Polo offers a friendly bar where foreign guys and local girls talk the night away.
*Situated on the busiest bar street with well over 20 bars, Only Pub is run by a tight group of young fun-loving people. A simple bar with little choice but a sound start for a good night out.
*Another small Beilun bar with attractive staff selling Erdinger for ¥25.
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*The first of many bars on Beilun's main bar street.
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*A tiny little bar, the only foreigners' bar in Yuyao, run by a German guy and his Philippine helpers who will rustle up some food for you if you call ahead. An ideal place to stop on the way home if you've been busy buying plastics all day in Yuyao.
Wifi available at all locations. Sells large Ningbo-themed mugs with Tianyi Pavilion.
*Real Italian Lavazza coffee, tables outside in the summer and smoking upstairs in the winter, the only place to get a perfect espresso.
*Western style cafe with an extensive western and Chinese menu, coffee, juices, and a good beer selection. Western breakfasts on the weekends.
The top dance club for Ningbo's locals with money to burn. Occasionally you can find a few foreigners. Girls dancing on podiums, live DJs, table service, and drinks by the bottle.
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Karaoke with female hosts for hire.
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*Along a busy street. Spacious accommodations.
* 429 guestrooms, all fully-air conditioned with telecommuting system and free high-speed Internet. Includes a health club with spa, sauna, steam bath, heated pool, and exercise gym; an outdoor tennis court; and a barber shop and beauty salon.
* Though it is a rather old hotel, it was renovated in 2005. It is not far away from the city center.
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* A 3-star business hotel with 105 tastefully-appointed rooms. Well-equipped business center and conference rooms. Rec facilities include a spa and sauna. The hotel also serves sumptuous seafood fare in its Chinese restaurant.
The New Century Grand Hotel Ningbo is designed around the camellia, Ningbo's city flower.
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* The view from the top floor is nice, and they serve free drinks for guests. Great rooms: all of them have a view of the river.
* A 4-star hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned with bathroom, cable/satellite TV, safe, hair dryer, free high-speed Internet access, and IDD telephone.
* A five-star hotel in Haishu District.
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*Palatial and by far the best hotel right in the middle of town. All restaurants and bars are within walking distance of this hotel.
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[wiki=77c325429472d636b6ef94c76f6387fd]it:Ningbo[/wiki]
[wiki=0bcc54ed592b4902e52a2fde513490fa]pl:Ningbo[/wiki]
[[Wikipedia:Ningbo]]