I gave up on Hangzhou, Ningbo is just too good!

Ningbo, an underrated starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. It possesses both the gentle charm of a Jiangnan water town and the expansiveness of a major eastern port. Here, you'll find not only the oldest private library in China but also little-known coastal hidden gems. Escape the crowds of West Lake and experience Ningbo's truly serene atmosphere of "books that preserve the past and present, a port that connects the world." Itinerary Highlights: A Three-Day Observation of Ningbo's Two Sides Day 1: The Scholarly Charm of Ningbo · Morning | A Time-Traveling Experience at Tianyi Pavilion Don't rush to see the books—first, look for the Ming Dynasty mahjong tile brick carvings in the courtyard (east of the Fan Family Residence). The early morning opening is the quietest, allowing you to hear the wind rustling through the bamboo leaves and turning the blue bricks, like turning the pages of an ancient book. The newly expanded museum on the south side houses a Ming Dynasty copy of Huang Gongwang's "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," with guided tours by experts every Wednesday afternoon. Afternoon | The Song Dynasty Chessboard of Moon Lake Exiting from the west gate of Tianyi Pavilion, crossing Maya Street leads to the west bank of Moon Lake. The highlight isn't the Ten Islands Scenic Spot, but the "Archaeological Site Exhibition Area" on the north bank—under the glass floor lies the complete foundation of Song Dynasty streets and alleys, directly opposite a modern café, creating a wonderful sense of temporal displacement. Behind Huxin Temple, at "Furongzhou," there's an unmarked teahouse where the owner changes the tea menu according to the 24 solar terms. Night | The Nutritious Code of Ningbo in Gulou Alleys Gulou Night Market is crowded with tourists, but turning into "Wenchang Street" on the northwest side is the local gourmet area. We recommend trying "Stinky Amaranth Stew with Minced Meat" (the second-generation branch of Amao Restaurant); the aroma is pungent, but the aftertaste is sweet. After dinner, you can walk to the "Heyi Avenue Riverside Section" to see the night view of the confluence of the three rivers—the steel arches of Ling Bridge and the spires of the Catholic Church create a strange dialogue in the night. Day 2: Ningbo, the Harbor Spirit · Morning | The Hidden Side of the Old Bund Hidden within this cluster of European-style buildings, predating Shanghai's Bund by 20 years, are three key points: ① The "Maritime Silk Road Image Archive" on the second floor of the Ningbo Art Museum (formerly the waiting hall of the steamship terminal); ② The 1872 Chinese brick carvings on the back wall of the Catholic Church; ③ Bullet marks from the 1937 Japanese bombing on the mooring stones of the Baisha Wharf ruins. · Afternoon | The Lonely Lighthouse at Zhenhai Cape Take Metro Line 2 to the final stop, "Honglian Station," then transfer to a tricycle to the "Zhenhai Navigation Mark Museum" (reservations required). This stretch of coastline sees few tourists, and the lighthouse from the Republic of China era is still in use. At low tide, the foundation of a Ming Dynasty anti-Japanese beacon tower is exposed on the mudflats. Around the 17th of the lunar calendar, during spring tides, one can witness the spectacular "cross tide" phenomenon—two tides colliding at the foot of Zhaobao Mountain. • Nighttime | Sixteen Bowls of Xianxiang Port Take bus route 55 to Xianxiang Town, the deepest part of Xiangshan Port. Recommended dish: "Mackerel Fish Balls with Night-Blooming Flowers" (Limin Restaurant). The freshest mackerel are those with bluish eyes, especially in spring. If you happen to be there on the 3rd or 18th of the lunar month, during the high tide, fishermen will be fishing for eels on the breakwater with gas lamps; you can observe but don't disturb them. Day 3: Secret Path Between Mountains and Sea (Choose one) Route A: The Zen-like Dimension of Dongqian Lake Avoid Xiaoputuo. Hike 40 minutes from Fuquanshan Tea Plantation to the Southern Song Dynasty Stone Carving Park. The stone elephants in the Shi family tomb passage are exceptionally well-preserved, with moss resembling ancient embroidery after a light rain. Have lunch at Xiashui Village with mochi and wild crucian carp. In the afternoon, rent bicycles and ride the southern section of the lakeside greenway. Near Suifeng Resort Camp, there's a boardwalk over a water forest; the light and shadow before sunset are like a Monet painting. Route B: The Ancient Star Trail of Siming Mountain Drive to Maohuo Ancient Forest, where 13 golden larch trees over 400 years old are breathtakingly golden in autumn. Follow the outer road of the Danshan Chishui Scenic Area to Shilin Village, where ancient persimmon trees are laden with lantern-shaped fruits after the first frost. Stay overnight at Yangtianhu Mountain Villa, where, on days with no light pollution, the Milky Way can be seen hanging above the windmills—this is a dark sky reserve protected by the Zhejiang East Observatory. Advanced Guide: Hidden Local Map • Dialect Gem: The "Minquan Road Corner Bookstore" in Cicheng Ancient Town, where the owner recites the *Three Character Classic* in Ningbo dialect. • Industrial Romance: The "Container Viewing Platform" at Beilun Port (advance notice required), where you can see the gantry cranes arranged like giant red beasts. • Special Experience: Every Friday evening, the "Nighttime Insect Watching" activity at Tianyi Pavilion's ancient book restoration center, where you can see the century-old rebirth of paper fibers under a microscope. Seasonal Gifts • Around Qingming Festival: Pick "black glutinous rice" on Cicheng Mountain, mix it with mugwort to make qingtuan (green glutinous rice dumplings), which are softer and more chewy than those sold in stores. • June Yangmei Season: Go to Sanqi Town in Yuyao and adopt a "water chestnut" variety yangmei tree with its age marked. • October Fishing Season: Watch the first fishing boat return to port and be auctioned at 4 am in "China Fishing Village" in Shipu, Xiangshan. Useful Tips • A one-day subway pass allows unlimited rides and covers 80% of attractions. • The Ningbo Museum (old building) is closed on Mondays, but the new building in Yinzhou Park will remain open as usual. The 7:20 PM cruise on the Three Rivers offers views of both the sunset and the city lights.