Ningbo

The city's main attraction and a huge source of pride, the Tianyi Library is the most historical library in Asia. The library complex contains multiple historic artefacts and is a pleasure to simply walk around and admire the ancient building while strolling through tranquil gardens and courtyards.

For a scenic day trip, head to the beautiful and secluded Yushan Island. Tourist infrastructure is limited here, with only a few resorts and a picturesque lighthouse set against the backdrop of crystal-blue seawater. At night, you might even witness the magical blue tears, a phenomenon of mysterious blue lights spotted along Yushan Island's shores, caused by small crustaceans that are washed up on the island's beaches by the rising tides.

Tiantong Temple, a Buddhist spiritual destination located in a hilly area about an hour's bus ride from Ningbo city, is a perfect venue for a day trip. This temple is a vast complex, with dozens of ochre-coloured plaster and red-painted wooden buildings ascending the mountainside. You can’t miss the reconstructed Wanfo Pagoda! Hiking uphill is a pleasant experience, with the clarity of the air, scenic views, and multiple smaller temples along the way.

Step back in time in Shipuzhen, a charming village with over 600 years of history, perched on a hillside overlooking the sea. Constructed on a hill with one side open to the sea, the village wall traces the mountainside, winding up and down. Near the port, a whole street of seafood restaurants awaits, offering the freshest seafood and the most authentic Ningbo dishes.