The convenience of water transportation has made Ningbo a famous port in China since the Ming Dynasty some six hundred years ago. It was also a major port of the Oriental Maritime Silk Road back then.
Because of its coastal location, Ningbo has characteristically been one of the first places to be visited by the country's outsider friends or foes. That's why you can find a lot of military defense structures in Ningbo. The earthen wall of Anyuan Fortress along the Yongjiang River, was built in 1885, measuring about two meters thick and almost seven meters high. Huge cannons were placed on the wall; aiming at the mouth of the Yongjiang River. The cannon fortress was part of the Zhenhai Kou ancient military defense system, which was the key element of the entire military structure of Zhejiang province.
What's special about this cannon fortress is its building material, which is an odd mixture of mud, limestone, and glutinous rice. Having withstood the test of time for over a hundred years, the fortress's walls are still intact.
During the sixteenth century, the area around Ningbo was constantly troubled by Japanese pirates. So, in 1560, the central government of the Ming dynasty built WeiYuan Fort on the top of Zhaobao Mountain to help fight off the Japanese pirates.
Since then, Zhenhai kou had witnessed many major marine wars fought by Chinese troops against invaders; and now it is the largest and one of the best-protected ancient naval fortresses in China.
As the history of Ningbo has entered a new chapter of modern development, this ancient city is now impressing people with the vibrant rhythm of its metropolitan life. To experience the lively side of Ningbo, Tian Yi Square located at the heart of the city is THE place to go.
Tian Yi is one of the largest recreational city-squares in Asia. If you're looking for fun pastimes, you have various choices such as KTV, bars, eateries, and so on. Walking along the street, you may be also dazzled by the fancy fashion show, featured not only in the colorful designs displayed in the various clothing boutiques, but also the bold yet tasteful dress style of the local young people.
Ningbo boasts an outstanding reputation in China for its clothing manufacturing. It would be a shame to miss the chance to go shopping for fine apparel in the city known as the metropolis of garments in China. Of course, be careful not to get carried away and spend your whole travel budget in the fashion boutiques.
The nightlife of Ningbo is more exciting and inviting than you'd ever expect. And the dynamic center for nightlife is also the glitzy Tianyi square.
Besides it's modern temptations, Ningbo is also blessed by mother nature, as the largest fresh water lake in Zhejiang province, Dongqian Lake, is just 20 minutes' drive from downtown. The tourism potential of the lake is so great that the municipal government plans to invest ten billion Yuan, or over 1 billion US dollars to build it into a recreational resort area.