3-Day Ningbo Cultural Tour with Dongqian Lake or Siming Mountain

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM Visit Ningbo Tianyi Pavilion Museum - the oldest private library in China and one of the three oldest private libraries in the world.

Stroll along the 1,400-year-old Moon Lake and experience the romantic spirit of ancient Chinese literati.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Visit the Drum Tower-Haishu Tower ruins, where the ancient city tower ruins blend Chinese and Western styles.

Plan A: 12:15 PM - 13:15 PM Lunch time at Tianyi Square - the city center in the hearts of Ningbo residents.

13:30 PM - 15:00 PM Head to the City God Temple, where the city's guardian deity functions and a municipal registry office/police offices for the afterlife are introduced, and shop on Chenghuangmiao Street.

15:00 PM - 16:30 PM Visit Tianfeng Pagoda, with its 1,300 years of history and 14 stories, an icon of Ningbo; Ningbo Catholic Church, originally built approximately 320 years ago and subsequently renovated several times, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles; and Lianqiaodi Historic District, which features architectural complexes typical of the traditional Jiangnan style and the Republican era, and is also home to the former residences of many famous Chinese figures, such as the former residence of Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Tu Youyou.

Plan B: 12:15 PM - 13:15 PM Lunch time at Nantang Old Street.

13:30 PM - 15:00 PM Stroll through Liangzhu Cultural Park - a love-themed park that introduces Chinese marriage customs and commemorates the love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, China's Juliet and Romeo. Attractions include the Oath of Brotherhood at the Grass Bridge, Three Years of Studying Together, The Eighteen Farewell Scenes, The Meeting at the Pavilion, and The Butterfly Lovers' Reunion.

15:00 PM - 16:30 PM Learn about 2,000 years of Chinese clothing history at the Ningbo Clothing Museum.

17:00 PM - 20:00 PM Dinner time and night tour at the Old Bund, predating the formation of the Shanghai Bund - an open-air museum of international architecture along the Yongjiang River in Ningbo.

09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Visit Qianye Guild Hall for an introduction to the financial history of Ningbo, as well as the architectural layout and style of the guild halls, and Anqing Guild Hall, where the Ningbo Mazu Temple is located and an introduction to the worship of Mazu, the Chinese goddess of the sea, is provided.

12:30 PM - 13:30 PM Lunch time at Ala Gulou Food Street.

13:30 PM - 15:30 PM Visit the Ningbo Museum, an architectural work by Wang Shu - the first Chinese architect to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize - featuring a facade constructed using bricks and tiles from historic Ningbo buildings, and learn about Ningbo's history and artifacts.

16:00 PM - 18:00 PM Visit the 1,100-year-old Qita Temple, a tranquil Buddhist temple, or Ashoka Temple, which has a history of 1,700 years and is named after the Indian Emperor Ashoka. The architectural style and layout of Chinese Buddhist buildings will be introduced. Also visit Yinzhou Park, the wetland park in southern Ningbo, which features dawn redwood forests, red cedar forests, and an insect museum.

Plan A: Dongqian Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province.

Travel itinerary: Ningbo Academician Center, featuring a white covered walkway and a glass observation deck offering panoramic views of Dongqian Lake - Limin Village, home to a lighthouse in the lake and a cafe - Xiao Putuo, an iconic causeway stretching into the center of Dongqian Lake - Jianshe Village, where you can enjoy local snacks and tea for lunch - Hanling Old Street, an ancient street with bluestone paths and waterside houses, where you can enjoy roasted vegetable rice cakes and huizhituan dumplings - South Shore Route and International Lake House, an excellent spot for sunset photography.

Return to downtown Ningbo.

Plan B: Siming Mountain - the mountain that embodies the spirit of the people of Ningbo.

Hiking itinerary: enter Siming Mountain National Forest Park - Shenxiu Valley, where you can admire the alpine lake - Yangtian Lake for more alpine lake scenery - Bogu Rock Water Curtain Cave to explore the waterfall - Shanglianggang to stroll through the forest and enjoy nature.

Return to downtown Ningbo.