[2025 Ningbo Attraction] Travel Guide for Sanjiangkou (Updated Jul)

| A millennium-old commercial city where mountains and sea converge, unlocking the poetry and everyday life of Eastern Zhejiang. Ningbo, this ancient city by the East China Sea, writes its legend with the tides of the Three Rivers Estuary. It combines the gentle elegance of Jiangnan water towns with the grandeur of a port city. From the ink fragrance of ancient libraries to the salty freshness of fishing ports, from the stone-paved streets of old towns to modern Ferris wheels, Ningbo is like a thick book waiting for you to discover the surprises on every page. 🌏 Geographic Background | The Coastal Pearl Where Three Rivers Meet Ningbo is located in the northeast of Zhejiang Province, on the southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta, bordered by the East China Sea to the east and Hangzhou Bay to the north. The Yao River, Fenghua River, and Yong River converge here, forming the unique "Three Rivers and Six Shores" layout. The subtropical monsoon climate brings distinct seasons: romantic cherry blossoms in spring, refreshing sea breezes in summer, fragrant rice and plump crabs in autumn, and steaming hot springs in winter. ✨ Travel Highlights | Ningbo Memories Through Past and Present 1. Tianyi Pavilion & Moon Lake | The Encounter of Literary Elegance and Lake Scenery - Tianyi Pavilion: The oldest private library in China, a 400-year-old garden-style complex housing over 70,000 ancient books. Recommended spots include the "Mingzhou Stele Forest" and the "Mahjong Origin Exhibition Hall." - Moon Lake: Ningbo’s "city living room," surrounded by ancient sites such as the He Mijian Shrine and the Korean Embassy ruins. Watching the sunset at the "Shuize Stele" in the evening feels like traveling back to the Tang and Song dynasties. 2. Old Bund | European Charm of a Century-old Commercial Port Opened 20 years earlier than Shanghai’s Bund, Ningbo’s Old Bund preserves over 100 European-style buildings. At night, sit in a riverside café, watch boats glide across the river, and feel the past and present of this "Eastern Commercial Port." 3. Dongqian Lake | Healing Time at Eastern Zhejiang’s Largest Lake The largest freshwater lake in Zhejiang, praised by Guo Moruo as having "West Lake’s scenery and Tai Lake’s grandeur." Recommended activities include cycling around the lake (electric bike rental 40 RMB/hour) and visiting the "Little Putuo" Guanyin statue and the civil and military stone statues in the Southern Song Stone Carving Park. 4. Xikou & Xuedou Mountain | The Collision of Nature and Culture - Jiang Family Ancestral Home: Visit Wuling Gate, Fenghao House, and Yutai Salt Shop to learn about the rise and fall of the Jiang family. - Xuedou Mountain: A Maitreya Buddha sanctuary. Take the cable car to the summit "Miaogao Terrace" to overlook the breathtaking Qianzhangyan Waterfall. 5. Nantang Old Street | The Taste of Old Ningbo A commercial street with Ming and Qing architectural styles, where the aroma of Youzanzi (fried dough twists) and Huizhi Tuan (glutinous rice balls) fills the air along the bluestone pavement. Recommended dishes include seaweed-wrapped yellow croaker from Ninghai Wufengtang and handmade rice cakes from Jipengzhai, while browsing the old artifacts museum. 🎭 Local Culture | The Genetic Code of Maritime Silk Road and Merchant Clans Ningbo is an important starting point of the "Maritime Silk Road," with the Hemudu site proving rice cultivation civilization here 7,000 years ago. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the "Ningbo Gang" dominated the business world alongside Shanxi and Huizhou merchants. Traditional crafts such as bone and wood inlay (furniture decoration) and vermilion gold lacquer wood carving (Buddha statue carving) are still passed down today. 🍜 Must-Try List | Ningbo Flavors That Will Blow Your Mind 1. Ningbo Tangyuan: Black sesame-filled glutinous rice balls from Gangyagou, soft and chewy with a burst of sesame aroma. 2. Red Roe Marinated Crab: Salty and fresh raw marinated crab, perfect with yellow wine, recommended at "Tiegebi" restaurant. 3. Snow Vegetable with Large Yellow Croaker: A favorite home dish of Ningbo people, with tender fish and rich broth. 4. Youzanzi: Aunt Wang’s Youzanzi is worth a 2-hour queue, available in salty and sweet flavors, crispy without greasiness. 5. Liangnong Rice Cake: A Yuyao intangible cultural heritage food, glutinous rice cake filled with red bean paste and walnuts, delicious hot or cold. 📸 Photo Tips | 5 Spots with a 100% Chance of Great Shots 1. Tianyi Pavilion Dongming Caotang: Ancient window frames with dappled bamboo shadows, perfect for photos in Hanfu for an atmospheric vibe. 2. Old Bund Catholic Church: The pointed church steeple framed with river views, stunning silhouette shots at dusk. 3. Dongqian Lake Mashan Wetland: Wooden boardwalks among reeds, golden hour in autumn turns into a Japanese-style fresh scene. 4. Nantang Old Street Overpass: Stone-paved alley with hanging lanterns, warm yellow tones create a cinematic feel at dusk. 5. Ayuwang Temple Relic Pagoda: Symmetrical composition of the thousand-year-old temple, capturing Zen mood in the morning mist. 📝 Travel Tips | Practical Guide Hidden by Locals ✅ Best Time to Visit: April (cherry blossom season), October (crab and chrysanthemum season), December (hot spring season). ✅ Transportation Tips: - Airplane: Lishe International Airport, Metro Line 2 direct to downtown. - High-speed Rail: Ningbo Station/Ningbo East Station, Metro Line 4 reaches Tianyi Pavilion and Nantang Old Street. - Within the City: Download the "Ningbo Metro" app for QR code rides, taxi starting fare 10 RMB. ✅ Accommodation Recommendations: - Around Old Bund: Pan Pacific Hotel (river view rooms), Heyidao Avenue Homestay (walking distance to Tianyi Pavilion). - Dongqian Lake Resort Area: Park Hyatt Hotel (lake view villas), Erlingshan Hot Spring Hotel (private hot spring rooms). ✅ Notes: - Seafood allergy sufferers should avoid raw marinated dishes and opt for cooked food. - Xuedou Mountain scenic area is large; plan a full day. - Tianyi Pavilion is closed on Mondays; book free tickets in advance. 🌌 Epilogue | Ningbo, a City Worth Savoring Slowly Ningbo’s charm lies in its modesty and inclusiveness. It has the delicacy of Jiangnan water towns and the openness of a port city; it lets you touch history through ancient books and enjoy the lively night markets. If you are tired of crowded popular spots, come to Ningbo—every breeze from the sea and every bite of freshness will let you feel the truest beauty of life.

When it comes to summer retreats in Zhejiang, Tonglu offers seclusion, while Qiandao Lake boasts vastness. Yet Jiande has carved its niche with the essence of "coolness": the Xin'an River, carrying the refreshing chill of Qiandao Lake, flows at a constant 17℃, its surface veiled in mist that further cools the senses. Finding a cozy spot to laze away the days is the ultimate antidote to summer heat. Jiande Country Villas—with their pools, courtyards, riverside villas, and breathtaking sunsets—present an irresistible proposition that beckons immediate departure. Perched at the confluence of three rivers, this ancient fishing village faces Wulong Mountain, Jiande's highest peak, and enjoys a prime location opposite the historic Yanzhou Ancient Town and the twin pagodas of Nanfeng and Beifeng across the river. This makes the villas not just a place to stay, but a scenic destination to explore. Jiande Country Villas sit at the intersection of the Xin'an, Fuchun, and Lan Rivers. If Erhai Lake is the soul of Dali, then these three waterways are the lifeblood flowing through Sandu. For centuries, they have nourished this land, fostering a half-mountain, half-water Jiangnan paradise. Navigate to Jiande Country Villas·Shankai, and you'll find it hidden within a scenic area transformed from a fishing village. Known as the "Nine-Surname Fishing Village," legend has it that its ancestors were deemed "lowly" by Ming and Qing rulers due to historical reasons, forced to live on boats without rights to settle ashore, take imperial exams, farm, or intermarry—restricted solely to fishing or transport. The village flourished here thanks to the strategic confluence of three rivers. It wasn't until the 1950s that the government resettled these waterborne communities, allowing the Nine-Surname fishermen to finally come ashore. They still preserve ancestral traditions like water weddings and the "Nine-Surname Nine-Flavors" cuisine. If interested, catch a grand Nine-Surname water wedding at the Sanjiangkou Pier every Sunday at 10:30 AM. The fishermen's painful past has evolved into a unique cultural heritage, while their once-forced settlement—now blessed with stunning landscapes—has been reborn as a chic resort. The riverside embankment offers unbroken beauty, with the villas occupying prime unobstructed views. Towering green mountains, rolling river waters, shifting sunlight, and misty rainscapes all unfold before your eyes. In summer, the spectacular sunsets are the most anticipated "once-in-a-lifetime" moments. The space here isn't overly polished or luxurious—it's rustic, warm, and comfortable. Like at a friend's or your own home, you can laugh loudly, relax freely, or gaze at the scenery through your window, savoring unconstrained moments. As the sign says, "unrestrained ease" is always the most moving.

🌉 Why You Must Shoot Here? When century-old Western-style buildings meet blooming cherry blossoms, Gothic church spires pierce through pink-white floral waves, with the modern glow of Corn Tower in the background—Ningbo hides its romance in the twilight of Sanjiangkou. This late March exclusive "past-meets-present" framing offers more Eastern charm than Japan. 📸 Core Photography Tips 1. Golden Hours: ◦ Blue Hour (18:00-18:30): The sky turns serene blue-purple, with building silhouettes and cherry blossoms both sharp under newly lit streetlights ◦ Avoid Noon: Harsh light overexposes petals; evening sidelight adds depth 2. Camera Angles Decoded: ◦ Wide-Angle Low Shot (Starbucks entrance recommended): Frame cherry trees as foreground, capturing Jiangbei Catholic Church spire and Corn Tower behind. Use wide aperture to blur the background. ◦ Telephoto Compression (Church square side): 200mm focal length compresses space, making blossoms, century-old clocktower, and modern landmarks collide on one plane ◦ Smartphone Portrait Mode: Focus close on blossoms with arched-window buildings as background for automatic oil-painting-like bokeh 3. Outfit Hacks: ◦ Light-colored dresses (white/beige best) complement the blossoms' softness ◦ Pearl hairpins/thin-frame glasses echo the Old Bund's vintage vibe 🚇 Foolproof Transport Guide • Metro: Line 2 [Waitan Bridge Station] Exit D, 3-min walk to Starbucks (Old Bund branch) • Drive: Navigate to "Old Bund Parking Lot" (limited weekend spots after 17:00; suggest Fortune Plaza instead) • Bike: Ride riverside from Ningbo Art Museum—stunning sunset views 🌸 Bloom Period & Hidden Gems • Peak Bloom: March 25-April 5 (varies yearly), lasting ~10 days • Crowd Hack: Arrive before 16:00 on weekdays to avoid sunset crowds • Bonus: 5-min walk to Ningbo Art Museum post-shoot for riverfront sunset ⚠️ Pitfall Alerts ❌ Church interior closed—exterior shots only ❌ Only 3 cherry trees; use framing to amplify floral abundance ❌ Blue Hour is brief—preset camera settings 💡 Must-Bring Gear: • Telephoto lens (70-200mm for portraits) • Fill light (dim under trees) • Foldable stool (low-angle secret weapon) When cherry petals rain on century-old stone steps and river winds blend clock chimes with pink blooms—this spring, your shutter click in Ningbo becomes time-traveling romance.

I finally checked in for the Sanjiang Night Tour that was recommended 100 times by the locals! The moment I boarded the ship at 7pm, I was speechless with beauty. Sharing my nanny-level strategy, my friends, please save it! 👇 📸 Photo C position warning ➊ Departure from Old Bund Pier Retro church + neon building in the same frame A magical moment full of movie feeling! ➋ Under Yongjiang Bridge The lights on the bridge are like a flowing galaxy Use wide angle to shoot silhouette portraits ➌ Sanjiangkou Intersection The moment when the light show on both sides of the strait suddenly lit up Everyone on the boat exclaimed "Wow!" (Remember to record the video!) 💡 Useful information card 🎫 Ticket price: 158 (including a bottle of mineral water) ⏰ Schedule: Starts at 19:00, one at half-hour 📍 Boarding point: Old Bund Cruise Terminal (board 10 minutes in advance) 🚢 Visiting time: about 50 minutes ✨ Hidden Experience 1️⃣ The boat will "lower its head" when passing the Jiefang Bridge The bottom of the bridge is only 1 meter away from the top of the boat, super exciting! 2️⃣ There are stories about Ningbo on the second floor Brought my parents here, they love this part 3️⃣ Get off the boat and head straight to the Old Bund Bar Street Don’t be too chill when drinking craft beer while enjoying the river breeze~ ⚠️ Things to note ▫️Exchange your ticket 30 minutes in advance! There will be queues during peak season ▫️The river breeze is very strong! Wear a jacket when wearing a skirt ▫️The best viewing spot is on the right side of the bow (tested!) Standing on the deck, watching the lights passing by on both sides of the river It's like traveling into a cyberpunk movie The night in Ningbo is 100 times more stunning than you can imagine!

I missed the sunset on this bridge in Ningbo, but I gained the afterglow. "Sunset"|Xunqing's little poetry world has two moments I hope time stops, sunset and when you laugh ~Ningbo Zhongxing Bridge~ Zhongxing Bridge, must be the most suitable place to shoot the sunset in Ningbo city, looking west to Qingfeng Bridge and Sanjiangkou, and looking east to the skyscrapers of the new city in the east. I originally wanted to watch the sunset, but because I was late, when I arrived, the sun had already set on the horizon. I was about to return disappointedly, but when I walked under the bridge, I saw the afterglow gradually imprinting the horizon, and the buildings on both sides gradually lit up, even the Qingfeng Bridge, which was not clearly outlined during the day, also lit up the neon. Excited, I took a hearty shot against the winter wind. Even the pedestrians and motorcycles on the bridge at night became so gentle. It turns out that sometimes missing is also a kind of encounter. However, if you have the chance, come and watch a sunset! Sanjiangkou