Ningbo might not be particularly well known amongst tourists, but if you’re an expatriate looking to settle then this city has almost everything you might need. The streets are fairly orderly, green, clean and spacious (especially in southern Yinzhou), and many have decent e-bike and bicycle lanes making short hops quick and easy. You’ll have no difficulty finding shiny new malls at most major junctions, or international cuisine done mostly right – and the nightlife in areas such as Laowaitan isn’t half bad too. Indeed, the quality in Ningbo is clearly higher than in many other cities in China, and the prices in bars and some restaurants do well to reflect this. Ningbo is a business city first after all, but while at times districts such as the CBD can feel a little soulless, unusually quiet or overpriced, for the most part these are pleasant areas for exploration. But it’s not all business. Even a casual tourist should enjoy a visit to the Tianyi Library and Pavilion, Moon Lake Park or Tianyi Square, and there’s always the scenic and accessible Dongqian Lake only 10km out of town.
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Top Tips
The bike lanes make for an excellent way around the city, and there are many app-based city bicycles that take advantage of them. Link your phone to your bank account, set up Alipay, and then enjoy one of the many bike apps such as MoBike.
If you’re looking to buy foreign goods in Ningbo (especially food or alcohol), your best bet would be either at Metro Supermarket or at downtown Olé Supermarket.
Taxis can be a little few-and-far-between (and beaten up) in Ningbo, especially around the Yinzhou area. Download an app called Didi and you’ll find the next taxi in no time. Just expect to have to tell the driver a little about where you are in Mandarin, although “I am a foreigner” usually suffices.
Keep an eye out for the new metro line that’s due to open in 2018. Unlike line 1, this line will run south to north, connecting the CBD with downtown and Ningbo’s international airport. This should cut the 40-minute taxi journey into town from the southern outskirts significantly.
If you have a tip about Ningbo and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
If you know how to get to Ningbo and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
The Directions
If you know how to get to Ningbo and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
The Directions
If you know how to get to Ningbo and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
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