Tracing the ebbs and flows of history's tide
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, June 17, 2013
Golden decoration on the red wooden stage provided a fine background for the happy occasion, adding a special traditional vibe to the smiling couple's pictures.
Mazu Temple inside the guild hall was a central part of the structure, where the goddess of sea Mazu was worshipped.
It's not difficult to imagine how the most important figures used to gather here and pray for calm seas; praying for their businesses and lives.
In fact, Ningbo got its name from this wish - with "ning" meaning quiet and peaceful, while "bo" means waves.
Ningbo Museum
Unlike the other places I visited, Ningbo Museum represents of the city's ambitions to emphasize its modern cultural credentials.
Designed by Wang Shu, the first Chinese winner of Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2012, the museum building itself would be worth seeing even if it was empty.
Its grey walls use old Chinese tiles to build a special ancient water town atmosphere, while the trapezoid shape of the building creates a modern feel.
Taking a walk on the rooftop of the three-story museum is a relaxing experience before or after viewing the exhibits inside its walls.
The museum is dedicated to presenting the history of Ningbo City.
From the Hemudu Neolithic Culture Ruins dating back 7,000 thousand years ago to the rare Yue ware Tang Dynasty ceramics, this is the place to come to learn about the city's development.
Locals are extremely proud of the museum, not only because of its renowned architect and innovative design, but also because their own culture is displayed in vivid form.
Here visitors can discover the detail of people's lives in days gone by: what they ate, how they dressed, what tools they used, what items they owned.
The museum also features special exhibitions with different themes, with exhibits from other museums from all over the country. Check out what's on before visiting.
Other places worth visiting
Ningbo has many private museums, with their focus ranging from wood carving to textile and clothes.
If you are interested in the culture of Yangtze River Delta region, you can easily spend several days exploring the city.
Zilin Fang, for example, a private museum featuring mahogany and red sandalwood carvings is free to visit.
Ningbobang Museum tells how successful - often to an astonishing degree - Ningbo's commercial development was, and the contribution its businessmen made to the country and the world.
If you go
Buses leave from Shanghai South Station to Ningbo every 15-20 minutes daily. The 210 kilometer journey takes around three hours. A high-speed train service between Shanghai and Ningbo is launched on June 30, and will take only 90 minutes.
Tianyige Library:
Admission: 30 yuan
Tel: 0574-8729-3856
Address: 10 Tianyi St
Qing'an Guild Hall:
Admission: 10 yuan
Tel: 0574-8733-0030
Address: 156 Jiangdong Rd N.
Ningbo Museum:
Admission: Free
Tel: 0574-8281-5555
Address: 1000 Shounan Rd M.
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