Historically, Ningbo is one of the first cities in China to open up to the outside world more than a hundred years ago and nowadays an economic hub in the southern part of the Yangtze River Delta. Economically, its GDP has surpassed CNY 1 trillion for the first time in 2018. The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is the world's largest port in terms of cargo tonnage (1 billion tons). Located at the junction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the city of Ningbo, with its port and transport hubs, is a perfect gateway from China to the rest of the world.

Ningbo is nationally-renowned for its rich cultural heritage and tourist attractions. Today the oldest existing private library in Asia, Tianyi Pavilion, is still open to visitors in downtown Ningbo. Other well-known examples include Fenghua Dragon Dancing and Ninghai Pingdiao Opera, as well as cinnabar and gold lacquer wood carving that have been listed in China's first Intangible Cultural Heritage Catalog. Major tourist attractions include the Tianyi Pavilion, Dongqian Lake, Asoka Temple, Ningbo museum, Xikou Town (birthplace of Chiang Kai-shek), Putuo Mountain (famous Buddhist shrine), and the Old Bund (Lao Wai Tan, the bar area).

Bordered by the East China Sea and Siming Mountains, and embraced by several major rivers, Ningbo is a city of great natural beauty, an attractive place to live and work in. Ningbo is a five-time winner of the title Model City of Civility and eight-time winner of the title Model City of Citizen Wellbeing.

Ningbo is conveniently located. Direct international (regional) flights connect destinations that include Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo (Narita), Nagoya, Osaka, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, and so forth. Ningbo can be accessed by direct domestic flights from more than 60 cities in China. Shanghai and Hangzhou are just two hours and one hour away, respectively, by bullet train.