Ningbo Hanling Old Street

Hanling Village is a well-preserved typical ancient village of the eastern Zhejiang water towns by the Dongqian Lake. Streams wind around the village, with green hills in sight on both sides; the village has water streets like ribbons, with bridges seen everywhere... It is said that during the Northern Song Dynasty, Hanling Village had already formed a regular market on days ending in five or zero. When the Southern Song Dynasty's Prime Minister Shi Hao (born in 1140 AD) passed through Hanling on his way to his ancestral home in Xiashui Village, he left a sentence in his book 'Touring the Mountains by the East Lake' that reads, 'In the midst of it, there is a village called Hanling, where the sounds of fishing songs and woodcutter's axes intermingle,' indicating that the Hanling market was already somewhat famous at that time. Over the following centuries, Hanling was an important transportation hub and water-land transfer center connecting Ningbo's urban area to Xiangshan Port.

During the Southern Song Dynasty, a chancellor once passed by and wrote: In the midst of the village named Hanling, the sounds of fishermen's songs and woodcutters' axes mingle. Thus, over 1140 years ago, this place was also called Hanling. It must be said, the name has a really unique ring to it. As a half-Ningbo native, Hanling is also one of the must-visit places every time I go to Dongqian Lake. After much thought, this place can be considered the true scenic beauty of southern Yangtze River Delta. Compared to the bustling Nantang Old Street in the city center, it has more of the tranquility of the south. Hanling has eighteen night sailing boats, which set sail from Hanling every evening, carrying goods and passengers, passing through Mozhi over the dam, heading to Ningbo, and returning the next day. —Yinzhou Annals·Geography Records Facing Dongqian Lake, Hanling was originally just an ancient village. Due to its special geographical location, it became a necessary passage for transporting goods to downtown Ningbo, gradually flourishing and also known as the number one ancient street in eastern Zhejiang. Today, the former prosperity is no longer seen here, and because it is located in Ningbo's backyard, Dongqian Lake, it is only slightly lively on weekends. There are actually two old streets in Hanling, namely the front street and the back street, running through the entire village. The shops are all concentrated on the front street, which is the commercial part that has been renovated. The back street still maintains its original appearance, with uniformly two-story buildings. Many of the wooden low houses have been abandoned, and the further you go, the fewer people live there. In fact, the water towns of Jiangnan, such as Shaoxing, Wuzhen, and Hangzhou, all rely on rivers, giving people a sense of small bridges over flowing water, and a gentle feeling. But Hanling, facing Dongqian Lake, always seems a bit more majestic. ✔️Finally, let's talk about the Hanling Art Museum at the entrance of the old street, designed by Kengo Kuma. It has been built for several years now, and I don't know when the interior will be completely finished and open. Every time I come to Dongqian Lake, I can only take a photo on the side. I think this is probably something all Ningbo people are looking forward to. 🌈If you are visiting Hanling for the first time, I suggest you can consider this route: Southern Song Stone Carving Park, Ma Shan Wetland, Hanling Old Street, Hanling Art Museum 🚇Take the subway line 4 to Dongqian Lake, then take the bus 960/966-1/968 to Hanling Old Street (bus station).

The old street is divided into a front and a back section, running through the entire village. The front street, where the trade is concentrated, stretches over 500 meters and is further divided into lower, middle, and upper streets. The lower street has about thirty shops, with a stream flowing gently through the middle. Although the old street has changed from dark grey cobblestones to a concrete road, it still retains its appearance from hundreds of years ago, with grey tiles, white walls, and red-painted storefronts, one connected to another. Ancient place names like 'Bamboo Shed Root' and 'Firewood Yard' are still in use. The village's small sand well, with its water warm in winter and cool in summer and a hint of sweetness, is much loved by the villagers.💧 A stream also flows gently through the middle of the lower street, which used to be paved with dark grey cobblestones but is now a concrete road. The old street still maintains its centuries-old appearance, with uniform two-story buildings on both sides, grey tiles, white walls, and red-painted storefronts, stretching forward in a continuous line. The village also has a small sand well, not very large, but the water is warm in winter, cool in summer, and slightly sweet, and the villagers still prefer to use the water from this well. Recommended route: Academician Center ➡ Limin Village ➡ Little Putuo ➡ Xiaoshui Wetland Park ➡ Mashan Wetland Park ➡ Hanling Old Street I've personally walked this route, and it takes about half a day. You can also do it in reverse, but be mindful of the time. Tips: Hanling Old Street does not require an entrance fee or reservation. Transportation is convenient, accessible by self-driving or public transport. The recommended route covers several attractions, suitable for a half-day trip.

Ningbo·Zhejiang Short Trip Complete Guide Day 1: 🚗 Shanghai to Ningbo (3 hours) 🍜 Dinner: A Mu Seafood Noodles - Try the yellow croaker noodles, generous ingredients 🌳 Stroll around Moon Lake Park, have a cup of coffee 🍽 Dinner: Ninghai Restaurant - Xin Rong Ji is a good alternative 🏮 Night: Visit the Drum Tower and City God Temple for food and enjoy the light show Day 2: 🍳 Breakfast: Old Li Pancake - Try the 'Dreamy Pancake' 🥢 Lunch: Mr. Shui Ningbo Cuisine - A well-established restaurant, very satisfying meal 🚗 Afternoon: Head to Dongqian Lake (0.5 hours) 🍰 Afternoon Tea: Park Hyatt Hotel, enjoy delicious afternoon tea and private hot spring 🏘 Evening: Walk around Hanling Old Street, taste the snacks Day 3: 🥯 Brunch: Hotel freshly baked sesame seed cakes 🌳 Morning: Visit the Academician Center, take photos with the popular trees 🏝 Afternoon: Stroll around Little Putuo, enjoy the sea breeze ☕ Coffee: cookii coofee - Great for taking photos 🩵 Enjoy one last cup of coffee before heading back Have a pleasant journey!🌟