Things to do in Ninghai

It's great! A very quiet, undeveloped ancient town. We brought our kids and elderly relatives during the Spring Festival break. Every house in the village has running water, and there are even koi carp! It's wonderful! The Qian Tong Three Treasures are also delicious and very fresh! The Chongqing noodles on that street are also fantastic!

**Longgong Village Review: A "Crystal Palace" Hidden Deep in the Mountains, a Rustic Painting Where Time Stands Still** Longgong Village, a hidden ancient village nestled deep in the mountains of Ninghai, Ningbo, Zhejiang, is like an undisturbed ink painting. Free from excessive commercialization, it retains the purest rural fabric and clan culture, making it a true "Traditional Chinese Village" and a "Historical and Cultural Village." Below is a detailed review of Longgong Village's scenery: ### 🏞️ Overall Scenery: A Haven of Favorable Feng Shui, Like a Paradise Longgong Village boasts an excellent location, situated in a high-altitude basin, surrounded by towering mountains. The village layout follows the traditional feng shui concept of "favorable feng shui," with three streams converging here, creating a unique "encircled but not blocked" atmosphere. Stepping into the village is like traveling through a time tunnel; there is no hustle and bustle of traffic, only the murmuring of flowing water and the rustic tranquility of daily life—a true "Shangri-La." ### 🏘️ Architectural Features: Ming and Qing Dynasty Charm, Exquisite Carvings The architectural complex within the village is the core and soul of Longgong Village's landscape, showcasing extremely high artistic and historical value: - **Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Core Landmark):** As a national key cultural relic protection unit, the ancestral hall stands majestically beside the Longxi River. Its architectural craftsmanship is exquisite, with overlapping brackets and beautifully painted beams. The plaque "Xingju Hall" hanging in the main hall, along with more than ten other plaques, both old and new, bearing inscriptions such as "Jinshi" and "Hanlin," silently tell the story of the Chen family's history of valuing education. - **Ancient Dwellings:** The village preserves a large number of ancient dwellings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with white walls and black tiles, arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion. Strolling along the stone-paved paths by the stream, one is surrounded by exquisitely carved window lattices and ancient horse-head walls; every detail exudes the patina of time. - **Ancient Bridge and Stage:** A stone arch bridge, weathered by over 600 years of history, spans the village, complementing the ancient stage and creating a typical scene of life in a Jiangnan ancient village. ### 🌳 Nature and Culture: Immersed in Dragon Culture, Towering Ancient Trees The charm of Longgong Village lies not only in its architecture but also in its unique natural ecology and the deep integration of "dragon" culture: - **Towering Ancient Trees:** The village boasts numerous ancient trees, living witnesses to history. Among them are a 400-year-old maple tree known as the "Dragon Tree" (its shape resembles a coiled dragon), a 500-year-old ginkgo, and a 700-year-old oak. Ancient trees and old houses stand side by side, lush and verdant. - **Crystal Palace (Dragon Pool):** The village's name originates from a deep pool to the south of the village. The pool's water is clear and blue, never drying up, and its depth is unfathomable, resembling a crystal palace. Legend has it that a dragon once dwelled there. This water feature adds a touch of mystery and dynamism to the village and is a great place for summer stream trekking and water play. - **Clan Culture:** 99% of the villagers share the surname Chen, preserving a strong clan cohesion. Ancient tree roots intertwine above the ancestral hall at the village entrance, symbolizing the family's deep roots and flourishing legacy. ### 💡 Tour Experience and Suggestions - **Low Commercialization:** The village retains its indigenous way of life, with a very low commercial atmosphere. Only a few small shops are located at the village entrance, making it ideal for tourists who enjoy tranquility, photography, and cultural exploration. - **Nearby Attractions**

Nestled deep in the mountains, along a winding path, lies an open-air hot spring with over ten small pools, mostly filled with Chinese medicinal herbs, and featuring a small fishpond. The entire environment blends seamlessly with the forest, creating a tranquil and natural atmosphere. During the National Day holiday, it opens at 10:00 AM; arriving around 11:00 AM results in fewer people. There are dozens of parking spaces at the resort entrance, but latecomers will need to park in the roadside parking lots. The indoor recreational facilities are somewhat dated, but the natural environment is exceptionally beautiful. The lounge only has sofas, no reclining chairs; tea, fruit, and a few snacks are provided free of charge. There are no other recreational facilities or reclining chairs.

The scenic area is very large. Upon entering, there's a large plaza with performances and interactive displays featuring the God of Wealth, which children love. At night, a dragon spirals upwards from the central pillar, and there's also a drone show – the drone performances are quite impressive. Further inside the plaza, on the left, is a large food street with a large stage for performances and audience interaction. Then you need to climb steps to reach the Civil and Military Gods of Wealth, as well as the largest God of Wealth statue in the country. We went on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, and were told it wouldn't officially open until the fifth day, so the God of Wealth's head was covered with a red cloth. However, the night view of the scenic area is still beautiful. There are staff at the entrance. If you want to re-enter the park at night, they will stamp a photo stamp on the back of your hand. When you enter, they will shine a special light on it to make it visible, allowing you to re-enter.

Xiyou Temple, located on Fayu Mountain in Shenzhen Town, Ninghai County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, is a less-visited ancient temple from the Southern Song Dynasty. Based on the experiences of most visitors, the overall review is as follows: Overall Review: It's a secluded gem perfect for weekend getaways and photo opportunities. While its strengths and weaknesses are both prominent, it's suitable for travelers with specific needs. Currently, it has a rating of approximately 4.8/5 on major travel platforms, with a high percentage of positive reviews. Key Advantages: * **Excellent Photo Opportunities:** The Sky Buddha statue and pagoda forest on the cliff behind the mountain are the biggest highlights. The stone Buddha statues and pagodas, built against the mountainside, appear to float in the air, creating a strong sense of atmosphere. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the entire valley, providing a spectacular vista. The three-tiered open-air Buddha platform is widely recognized as a fantastic spot for taking photos. * **Tranquil and Serene Atmosphere:** Hidden deep in the mountains, it's sparsely visited and almost undeveloped commercially. Only the mountain breeze and birdsong provide a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle, perfect for quiet contemplation or prayer. **Extremely Low Cost:** Open year-round and parking is free, with no extra charges, making it excellent value for money. **Profound Historical Heritage:** Originally built in the Southern Song Dynasty and named Xiyou Nunnery, it was renamed Xiyou Temple in 2012. With over 800 years of history, the temple gate features exquisitely crafted dragon-shaped wood carvings, and the courtyard boasts a 500-year-old boxwood tree, exuding a strong sense of antiquity. **Significant Drawbacks:** **Transportation Experience:** Currently, driving is the only recommended option. The last 2 kilometers are a narrow, bumpy mountain road, making it unpleasant for novice drivers and those in low-chassis cars. Extra caution is needed when passing other vehicles. **Under Construction:** The main hall and other buildings are still under reconstruction, giving some areas a construction site feel. Visitors specifically seeking complete ancient architecture or purely for Buddhist worship may be disappointed. **Inadequate Facilities:** There are very few restaurants and shops within the scenic area. Only simple meals are available within the temple grounds. Visitors need to bring their own drinking water and snacks. **Insufficient Facilities:** Travel Tips: It is recommended to go between 3-4 pm when the light is softer and easier to take photos. The whole tour takes about 1 hour. Combined with the nearby Longgong Ancient Village (10 minutes by car), Yancang Mountain Waterfall, and Ninghai Forest Hot Spring, it is a perfect day trip.

I went to Ninghai at the end of June and came to Wushan Seaside Grottoes. Few tourists thought it would be fun, but the scenery was unexpectedly good. After walking tired, I sat in the cave to rest for a while. The wind was very strong and very comfortable. The original site of the grottoes was a quarry. The mountain was hollowed out. We climbed from the bottom of the mountain to the top. Because we went through the mountain, we didn't get much sun. The climb was not tiring at all. The mountain is not high, so it is suitable for bringing family to play together.

If people don't betray the green mountains, the green mountains will not betray people. With the completion of the Yinhengshan connecting line project and the restoration of the wetland around Taihu Lake, Taihu Lake has become more and more beautiful! On Yinshan Island and Hengshan Island, more and more villagers have opened homestays, and the homestays have also built swimming pools. Sitting on the balcony, you can see the sunrise 🌄 sunset 🌅, which is very nice.

We went on Monday because this is the place where Xu Xiake's travelogue begins, so I'd been eager to visit. There were almost no people there on Monday, and the ecological environment was excellent. The entire walkway followed the waterfall upwards, and the water was crystal clear. We bought a combined ticket, walked on the glass walkway, and rode the slide down the mountain. The whole trip wasn't too tiring, but the ticket price was a bit high due to the number of tickets.

A newly built temple, it looks big and new. I came to see it when I passed by, but it's not worth coming here specially.

Going up the winding mountain road, the green plants are pleasing to the eyes, the signs are clear, and parking is convenient. Strolling along the stone path, the scenery along the way is beautiful. There is a long pavilion for resting on the way. Walking into the stone village, the mottled traces of history come into view, and you will sigh at the wisdom of the ancients. Various flowers are blooming in the village, and every step is a scene, which is very suitable for tourists to take pictures.