Ningbo city life
Location
Ningbo is located in Zhejiang Province on the south shore of Hangzhou Bay opposite Shanghai. Ningbo is one of the busiest ports in China and among the largest ports in the world. It is two hours by train from Hangzhou and three and a half hours by train from Shanghai. One of the world's longest ocean bridges connects Ningbo and Shanghai, reducing driving time between the two cities to about two-and-a-half hours. The bridge is just under 36km long (22 miles) and was completed in 2007.
Climate
Ningbo has a subtropical climate with an average temperature of 16.8° C. Summer temperatures can be as high as 38° C and winter temperatures can be as low as minus 6° C.
Transportation
Ningbo has a modern airport with direct connections to all major cities in China, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The long-distance bus station has connections to all the major cities and towns in the area, and the city is connected to the national rail network. Ningbo itself has an extensive city bus system with stops at the University and good connections to major parts of the city.
Entertainment and Recreation
Entertainment in the city centre features Laowaitan, the old foreign Bund on the river, with restaurants and bars, and Tianyi Square with modern shops and restaurants. Ningbo also has theatres, parks, health clubs, and international hotels with restaurants and fitness centres which are available to non-residents. Dining options include local seafood restaurants, restaurants featuring cuisine from other parts of China, and international restaurants: Italian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Brazilian, French, Indian, and Lebanese.
Shopping
Ningbo has major international supermarket chains including:
-
Tesco
-
Metro
-
Carrefour
-
Wal-Mart
The Wanda World Shopping Mall near the University features a Wal-Mart, cinemas, restaurants and many other shops. The city also has colourful street markets to explore.
Culture
Ningbo Art Museum presents exhibitions of contemporary art and design in a truly world-class setting. The Ningbo Grand Theatre, a large modern performing arts centre, features traditional and modern performing arts.
Tianyige Library Museum near Moon Lake dates from 1516, and is thought to be the oldest surviving library building in China. Its collection dates back to the eleventh century and includes woodblock and handwritten copies of the Confucian classics. The library grounds feature rock gardens and bamboo groves.
Ningbo's numerous temples include Baoguo Temple, the oldest wooden structure in Southern China.
Business
Ningbo is one of China's major industrial centres. It is a major producer of consumer goods, electrical products, textiles, food, and industrial tools.
Education - University Park
Ningbo has many universities, colleges, and institutes. The University of Nottingham, Ningbo, is located in the University Park District along with other educational institutions. University Park has a large library that is open to all students in the area.