4-Day 3-Night Ningbo Travel Guide

Budget Planning Total budget: 4000 RMB, with approximate cost distribution as follows: ● Transportation: If departing from Tianjin, due to the long distance, flying is an option, with round-trip tickets ideally kept under 1500 RMB; if choosing second-class high-speed rail, round-trip costs about 520 RMB. City transportation is estimated at 200 RMB. ● Accommodation: Choose cost-effective lodging, with 3 nights estimated at 1000-1200 RMB. ● Meals: Daily meal budget around 200 RMB, totaling about 800 RMB for 4 days. ● Entrance Fees: Estimated 300-500 RMB for various attractions. ● Others: Reserve 200-500 RMB for shopping and other expenses. Transportation Guide Arriving in Ningbo ● Airplane: Ningbo Lishe International Airport, take Metro Line 2 directly to the city center, about 30 minutes. ● High-speed Rail: Ningbo Station is located downtown, Metro Lines 2/4 cover the city; for Tianyi Pavilion, take Line 4. ● Self-driving: Connects Shanghai and Hangzhou via the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, about 2 hours drive; parking fees at city attractions are 10-20 RMB/hour, metro transfer is recommended. City Transportation ● Metro: 5 lines connect major attractions like Gulou Station and Dongqian Lake Station, supports Alipay QR code payment. ● Bus: Convenient shuttle between attractions, e.g., from Nantang Old Street take Bus 510 to Tianyi Pavilion. ● Taxi: Starting fare 11 RMB (3 km); old city attractions are dense, walking or biking is recommended. Accommodation Recommendations ● City Center (Haishu District) ○ High-end: Hotels around Tianyi Square, such as The Westin, within walking distance to Chenghuang Temple and Moon Lake Park. ○ Cost-effective: Guesthouses near Gulou, priced 150-300 RMB/night, close to metro stations with plenty of late-night snacks. For example, Bolan Hotel (Ningbo Railway Station Tianyi Pavilion Branch), near Ningbo Railway Station metro and Tianyi Pavilion Museum, excellent location adjacent to the high-speed rail station, convenient travel, with free parking, laundry, and free luggage storage services. ○ Unique Experience: Old Bund riverside hotels like Boning Hotel, enjoy the night view in European-style buildings with a cozy atmosphere. ● Dongqian Lake: Resorts like Radisson Hotel, with lake views from the window, ideal for family trips. For instance, Bailu·Shanhai·Lanhai Jijing Travel Boutique (Dongqian Lake Branch), located within Dongqian Lake scenic area, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking shimmering river views, small and beautiful, featuring a tea room, river view rooms, excellent audio-visual experience, photo opportunities, projector, and continuous positive reviews from 82 guests. Itinerary Planning Day 1: Cultural and Historical Exploration ● Morning: Visit Tianyi Pavilion (30 RMB entrance fee, opens at 8:30, closed Monday mornings), explore the Ming Dynasty library and Mahjong Museum, experience the charm of ancient culture. It is the oldest private library in China, with blue bricks, black tiles, towering ancient trees, and deep courtyards. ● Afternoon: Stroll through Moon Lake Park (free), explore Song, Ming, and Qing dynasty relics, climb the Korean envoy’s residence ruins, appreciate the depth of history. At dusk, when the heat fades, you can choose to boat on Moon Lake (electric boats save effort), see reflections of pavilions and towers; or walk along the lake to find a waterside platform to feed koi fish. ● Evening: Head to the Old Bund, opened in 1844, the birthplace of the famous Ningbo merchants and the earliest foreign trade port among the "Five Treaty Ports," 20 years earlier than Shanghai Bund. Along the riverside, admire European-style buildings like the British Consulate, Police Station, Zhejiang Customs, and Jiangbei Catholic Church, feeling the blend of old charm and new life. Enjoy Ningbo specialties at nearby restaurants, such as Yongxiang Restaurant’s home-style Ningbo cuisine. Day 2: Old City Charm Walk ● Morning: Visit Ningbo Gulou, with over 1100 years of history, marking the official establishment of Ningbo as a prefecture and city, and the only remaining ancient city tower site in Ningbo. Try local snacks at Gulou, like seaweed strips and savory fried dough twists. ● Afternoon: Explore Nantang Old Street, gathering many traditional Ningbo foods and specialty shops, experiencing the local street life. ● Evening: Have dinner near Nantang Old Street, then return to the hotel to rest. Day 3: Nature and Animal Tour (can combine Dongqian Lake and other spots) ● All day: Visit Dongqian Lake Resort. In the morning, choose a light ride by the lake, rent family bikes to cycle around the lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery; or try sailing activities with dotted sails. In the afternoon, relax in the lakeside leisure area and enjoy the natural scenery. Nearby are natural exploration areas for children to engage in nature observation activities. ● Evening: Dine at a restaurant near Dongqian Lake, savor lake fresh dishes, then return to the hotel to rest. Day 4: Shopping and Departure Preparation ● Morning: Go to Tianyi Square, one of Ningbo’s busiest shopping districts, with various brand stores, shopping centers, and food courts. Shop and enjoy food here, making final purchases for the trip. ● Afternoon: Pack according to your departure time, check out, head to the airport or train station, concluding a pleasant Ningbo trip.