Ningbo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ningbo 宁波市 Ningpo
Prefecture-level and sub-provincial city
Clockwise: Ningbo city god temple, Yinzhou District Government of Ningbo, Tianfeng Pagoda, Dongqian Lake, Tianyi Pavilion Museum
Ningbo City in Zhejiang
Ningbo Location in China
Country	China
Province	Zhejiang
County-level divisions	11
Township divisions	148
Municipal seat	Yinzhou District
Government
• Type	Sub-provincial city
• Body	Ningbo Municipal People's Congress
Area
• Prefecture-level and sub-provincial city	9,816.23 km2 (3,790.07 sq mi)
• Urban	2,461.8 km2 (950.5 sq mi)
• Metro	2,461.8 km2 (950.5 sq mi)
Elevation	150 m (488 ft)
Population  (2022 census)
• Prefecture-level and sub-provincial city	9,618,000
• Density	979.81/km2 (2,537.69/sq mi)
• Urban	7,585,000
• Urban density	3,081.08/km2 (7,980.0/sq mi)
• Metro	2,033,000
• Metro density	825.82/km2 (2,138.9/sq mi)
GDP
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	CN¥ 1.570 trillion US$ 233.5 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 163,911 US$ 24,369
Time zone	UTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code	315000
Area code(s)	574
ISO 3166 code	CN-ZJ-02
Vehicle registration	浙B
City trees	Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Sieb.
City flowers	Camellia

Ningbo
"Ningbo" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese	宁波
Traditional Chinese	寧波 / 𡩋波
Wu	(locally)
Literal meaning	"Tranquil Waves"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Níngbō Gwoyeu Romatzyh Ningbo Wade–Giles Ning2-po1 IPA [nǐŋ.pu̯ó] Wu Romanization (locally) Hakka Romanization Nèn-pô Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Nìhng-bō IPA [nȅŋ.pɔ́ː] Jyutping Ning4-bo1 Southern Min Tâi-lô Lîng-pho

Ningbo{{efn|Chinese: 宁波; pinyin: Níngbō; Ningbo dialect: gnin² poq⁷ IPA: [ɲìɲ.póʔ], Standard Mandarin pronunciation: [nǐŋ pu̯ó]), also called Ningpo, is a big city in eastern China. It's located in the Zhejiang province, near the East China Sea. Ningbo is a very important port city and a major economic hub in the Yangtze Delta region.

The port of Ningbo–Zhoushan is one of the busiest ports in the world. It handles a huge amount of cargo and containers every year. Ningbo is also known for its long history and rich culture. It's considered one of the oldest cities in China, with roots going back thousands of years.

What's in a Name?

The name Ningbo means "serene waves." The first part, ning, means "serene" or "peaceful." The second part, bo, means "wave."

The city is also called "Yong" for short. This comes from "Yong Hill," a coastal hill nearby, and the "Yong River" that flows through the city.

Long ago, Ningbo was known as Mingzhou. This name came from two lakes inside the old city walls: the Sun Lake and the Moon Lake. The Sun Lake disappeared in the 1800s but was brought back in 2002.

A Glimpse into History

Ningbo is one of China's oldest cities. Its history goes back to cultures like the Jingtou Mountain Culture (around 6300 BC) and the Hemudu culture (around 4800 BC). This shows that people lived here a very long time ago.

Ningbo was an important trading city on the ancient Silk Road. It became a major port for trade with other countries.

Early History

The earliest signs of people in Ningbo are from the Jingtou Mountain site. These findings show that early humans ate seafood and rice. The Hemudu culture also left behind tools and signs of farming, showing that people settled and built communities here.

Before the Han dynasty, the Ningbo area was not very crowded. Later, during the Spring and Autumn period, a city called Juzhang was built. This was the first city in the Ningbo area.

Trade and Foreign Connections

Since the Tang dynasty, Ningbo has been a key port for business. Arab traders lived in Ningbo during the Song dynasty. They had their own customs and religion. There was also a Jewish community in Ningbo.

In the 1500s, European traders, especially the Portuguese, came to Ningbo. They set up trading posts on nearby islands. However, their activities sometimes included conflicts with local Chinese cities. The Portuguese were asked to leave the Ningbo area in 1548.

Ningbo as a Treaty Port

In 1842, after the First Opium War, Ningbo became one of the first five Chinese "treaty ports." This meant it was opened for trade with Western countries like the United Kingdom. British forces briefly took over Ningbo during the war.

Later, in 1861, forces from the Taiping Kingdom took the city for about six months. In 1885, during the Sino-French War, there were naval battles near Ningbo.

Ningbo was also famous for making traditional Chinese furniture. Western books often described it as a center for skilled craftsmanship.

World War II Impact

During World War II, in 1940, many people left Ningbo. The city was bombed by Japanese forces. There was also an outbreak of a serious disease, the bubonic plague, which caused many deaths.

Where is Ningbo?

Ningbo (labeled YIN-HSIEN (NINGPO) 鄞縣) (1952)

Ningbo city temple

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built between 1872 and 1876.

Ningbo is on the eastern coast of China. To its east is the East China Sea and the Zhoushan Archipelago. To the north, it faces Jiaxing and Shanghai across Hangzhou Bay. To the west and south, it borders other cities like Shaoxing and Taizhou.

The city has a large land area and an even larger ocean area. It has a very long coastline, with many islands under its control. The Siming Mountains run through parts of Ningbo, with some peaks reaching high elevations.

Ningbo's Weather

Ningbo has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are chilly, cloudy, and dry, with occasional snow. The average temperature is about 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87°F). July is the warmest month, and January is the coldest.

The city gets a lot of rain, especially in June during the "plum rains" season. From August to October, Ningbo can be affected by typhoons, which are strong storms. Because of its coastal location, Ningbo is at risk of flooding due to climate change. The city is working on "sponge city" strategies to help manage heavy rainfall.

How Ningbo is Governed

Ningbo is a "sub-provincial city." This means it has a lot of power to make its own economic and financial decisions, almost like a province. It's one of only five such cities in China.

The city is led by a Party Secretary, currently Peng Jiaxue. The Mayor of Ningbo, Qiu Dongyao, is the second-in-command.

City Districts and Counties

Ningbo is divided into different areas:

• Six urban districts: Haishu, Yinzhou, Jiangbei, Beilun, Zhenhai, Fenghua.
• Two county-level cities: Yuyao, Cixi.
• Two counties: Xiangshan, Ninghai.

These areas work together to form the larger Ningbo metropolitan area.

Map
Haishu Jiangbei Beilun Zhenhai Yinzhou Fenghua Xiangshan County Ninghai County Yuyao (city) Cixi (city)
Subdivision	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Population (2022)	Area (km2)	Density	Urbanization Rate(%)
6 Central Urban Districts
Haishu District	海曙区	Hǎishǔ Qū	1,058,000	595.03	1,748.29	88.1
Yinzhou District	鄞州区	Yínzhōu Qū	1,662,000	799.09	2,079.86	83.0
Jiangbei District	江北区	Jiangbei Qū	503,000	208.14	2,416.64	84.7
Beilun District	北仑区	Běilún Qū	879,000	597.76	1,470.48	77.8
Zhenhai District	镇海区	Zhènhǎi Qū	516,000	244.28	2,112.33	91.1
Fenghua District	奉化区	Fènghuà Qū	586,000	1,267.60	462.29	61.2
2 Southern Counties
Xiangshan County	象山县	Xiàngshān Xiàn	576,000	1,382.18	416.73	62.5
Ninghai County	宁海县	Nínghǎi Xiàn	709,000	1,843.26	384.64	63.7
2 Northern County-Level Cities
Yuyao	余姚市	Yúyáo Shì	1,264,000	1,500.80	842.21	81.4
Cixi	慈溪市	Cíxī Shì	1,865,000	1,360.63	1,370.68	80.1
Sum			9,618,000	9,816.23	979.80	78.9

Ningbo's Economy

Ningbo is a very important city for trade and business. Its history of exporting goods goes back to the 7th century. Today, Ningbo exports many things, like electronics, clothes, food, and industrial tools.

The city's economy is strong, with a lot of growth. In 2022, Ningbo's economy was one of the largest in China. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in China, with high average incomes. Many big companies have their main offices or regional offices in Ningbo.

Special Economic Zones

Ningbo has several special development zones. These areas offer benefits to encourage foreign companies to invest. This has brought many international businesses and people to the city.

• Ningbo Economic & Technological Development Zone (NETD): This zone is near the port and airport. It has grown a lot over 20 years.
• Ningbo National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone: This zone focuses on technology and research. It's a key place for new ideas in the Yangtze River Delta.
• Ningbo Free Trade Zone: This is a special area where goods can be traded with fewer taxes and rules. It's the only free trade zone in Zhejiang Province.

Ningbo Port: A Global Giant

Ningbo port in the Beilun district

The Port of Ningbo–Zhoushan is the busiest port in the world for cargo. It can handle huge ships, even those weighing 300,000 tons. The port is mainly located in the Beilun and Zhenhai districts.

Since 2006, Ningbo Port has been expanding. It's working with the nearby city of Zhoushan to create an even bigger port. This helps it compete with other major ports in the region, like Shanghai. In 2021, the port handled over 1.2 billion tons of cargo!

Ningbo is part of the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road." This is a modern trade route that connects China to countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe by sea.

Fun Places to Visit

King Ashoka Temple

Haishu District, Tianyi Square

Ningbo has many interesting places to visit because of its long history and culture. Here are some of the main attractions:

Haishu District Highlights

• Moon Lake Park: This is a man-made lake dug during the Tang dynasty. It has islands, old buildings, and historical sites.
  • Tianyi Pavilion: Built in 1516 AD, this is the oldest library in Asia and one of the oldest private libraries in the world. It holds many old books and records. The area also includes a traditional Chinese garden and a small Mahjong museum.
  • Yuehu Mosque (Moon Lake Mosque): A historical mosque built in 1003 AD.
• Drum Tower Complex (Haishu Tower): This is the only remaining part of an old city gate tower from the Tang dynasty. There's a shopping area around it built in a traditional style.
• Chenghuang Temple: An ancient temple of the City God in downtown Ningbo.
• Tianfeng Pagoda: A tall, old tower built in 695 AD during the Tang dynasty. It's a landmark of the city.
• Tianyi Square: A popular shopping area in downtown Ningbo, named after the famous Tianyi Pavilion library.
• Nantang Old Street: A renovated old commercial street with shops and restaurants.
• Liangzhu Cultural Park: A park dedicated to the famous Chinese love story, the Butterfly Lovers.

Yinzhou District Wonders

Ningbo Museum

• Ningbo Museum: A museum about Ningbo's history and customs. It was designed by Wang Shu, a famous Chinese architect.
• Romon U-Park: One of the largest indoor theme parks in the world.
• Dongqian Lake: The biggest natural freshwater lake in Zhejiang Province. You can find temples, islands, and a rock carving park around the lake.
• Qita Temple: A Buddhist temple complex that started in the Tang dynasty.
• Tianhou Temple: A beautiful temple dedicated to Mazu, the "Empress of Heaven." It's now a museum about maritime history.
• Temple of King Ashoka: A Buddhist temple first built in 282 AD.
• Tiantong Temple: One of the most important Zen Buddhist temples.

Jiangbei District Gems

Confucian Temple of Cicheng

• Sanjiangkou: This is where three rivers meet, forming the heart of old Ningbo city.
• Old Bund (Old Waitan): A historic waterfront area with old buildings, shops, and restaurants. It was built even before the famous Bund in Shanghai.
• Baoguo Temple: The oldest wooden building in eastern China that is still standing. It's now a museum about ancient architecture.
• Cicheng Ancient Town: A well-preserved ancient walled city from the 8th century. It has old schools, courts, and temples.

Zhenhai District Sights

The monument to victory in the Battle of Zhenhai (Sino-French War)

• Jiulong Lake
• Zhaobao Mountain
• The Seventeen Houses of Zheng's: These houses show the classic style of homes from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Ningbo Bang Museum: This museum tells the story of the Ningbo Merchants Group, one of China's biggest business groups in the past.

Other Districts and Counties

• Port Museum of China (Beilun District)
• Xuedou Temple (Fenghua District)
• Yushan Islands (Xiangshan County)
• Xiangshan Global Studios (Xiangshan County)
• The Zhedong Grand Canyon (Ninghai County)
• Hemudu Culture Relics Site and Museum: (Yuyao City) This museum shows findings from a very old Neolithic culture.

Famous People from Ningbo

Many well-known people in China and around the world have roots in Ningbo.

• Scientists: Tu Youyou (Nobel Prize winner).
• Artists: Pan Tianshou (painter), Zhou Xinfang (Peking opera artist), Yu Lina (violinist), Sha Menghai (calligrapher).
• Politicians and Leaders: Chiang Kai-shek and his son Chiang Ching-kuo (former leaders of Taiwan), Tung Chee Hwa (former leader of Hong Kong).
• Business Leaders: Run Run Shaw, Yue-Kong Pao.
• Entertainers: Stephen Chow, Sammo Hung.
• Other Notable People: Yo Yo Ma (cellist), Kin Yamei (doctor).

Getting Around Ningbo

Zhao bao shan Bridge, Zhenhai District, Ningbo

Ningbo has a modern transportation system that connects it to other cities and the world.

Bridges

• Hangzhou Bay Bridge: This amazing bridge connects Ningbo to Shanghai. It's one of the longest bridges over an ocean in the world. It opened in 2008 and cut travel time significantly.
• Jintang Bridge: This bridge connects Ningbo to Jintang Island in Zhoushan.
• Xiangshan Harbor Bridge: This bridge connects Ningbo with Xiangshan.

Air and Sea Travel

• Ningbo Lishe International Airport: This airport connects Ningbo to other cities in China and some international places.
• Port of Ningbo: As mentioned, it's one of the world's busiest ports for shipping goods.

Trains and Subways

Ningbo New Railway Station was reopened in December 2013 after years of on-site restoration to accommodate high speed rails and increasing passengers

Ningbo has several railway lines, including high-speed trains. The Hangzhou–Ningbo High-Speed Railway makes travel between Ningbo and Hangzhou very fast.

The Ningbo railway station was rebuilt and reopened in 2013. It's one of the largest train stations in China.

Ningbo Rail Transit Plan (2026)

Line 1 train leaving Xujiacao Changle Station

Ningbo also has a growing subway system, called Ningbo Rail Transit. Several lines are already open, and more are being built or planned to connect different parts of the city.

Ningbo's Language

The local language spoken in Ningbo is a dialect of Wu Chinese. It has kept many old Chinese sounds. After Ningbo became a treaty port, Western culture influenced the language. So, you might hear the word "yang" (meaning ocean or Western) before names of imported goods.

Delicious Food

Ningbo is famous for its food, especially its seafood!

• Ningbo Tangyuan: These are small, boiled buns with sweet (like ground sesame and sugar) or savory (like pork fat) fillings. They are wrapped in sticky rice powder.
• Seafood: Ningbo is known throughout China for its amazing seafood. You can find many kinds of fish, shellfish, and other sea creatures.

Education in Ningbo

Ningbo has many schools for all ages. In 2020, there were over 1,800 schools with more than 1.4 million students.

Universities and Colleges

Ningbo has 15 universities and colleges. Some famous ones include Ningbo University and the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Many other well-known universities also have research centers in Ningbo.

International Schools

Ningbo also has schools that offer international programs. These schools follow different education systems, like the American AERO curriculum or the Cambridge International Curricula. They are a good option for international students.

Sister Cities

Ningbo has "sister city" relationships with many cities around the world. This helps promote friendship and cooperation between different cultures.

City	Country	Since
Nagaokakyō, Kyoto	Japan	1983
Aachen	Germany	1986
Wilmington, Delaware	United States	1988
Waitakere City	New Zealand	1998
Rouen	France	1990
Santos, São Paulo	Brazil	2002
Port Elizabeth	South Africa	2003
Veszprém	Hungary	2003
Stavanger	Norway	2004
Varna	Bulgaria	2004
Bydgoszcz	Poland	2005
Nottingham	United Kingdom	2005
Florence	Italy	2008
Daegu	South Korea	2013
Marrakesh	Morocco	2019
Bitola	North Macedonia	2014
Heraklion	Greece	2019
Alor Setar	Malaysia	2023

Images for kids

• 

  Tianfeng Tower, originally built during the Tang dynasty, is the symbol of old Ningbo.

• 

  A rock garden inside Tianyi Chamber

• 

  19th century map of Ningbo

• 

  Prayer hall of Yuehu Mosque

See also

In Spanish: Ningbo para niños