Hostels in Ningbo, China

Ningbo is a sub-provincial city in the Hubei province in eastern-central China, just downriver from Yichang and Hangzhou. It is on the banks of the Yangtze River, about 100km from the Three Gorges Dam project. Ningbo also comprises some of the islands in Hangzhou Bay as well as some rural counties. You can fly directly into Ningbo Lishe International Airport, which has flights from most of China as well as some international connections. Transportation around the city is easy with a reliable bus and train network.

Ningbo is one of China’s oldest cities. It was first settled in or around 4800 BCE by the Hemudu culture, which was more similar to a Polynesian culture than a Chinese one. Ningbo was then an important stop on the Silk Road before its modern day incarnation, that of one of the most important port cities in the world. It is also one of the deepest ports in China and can accommodate vessels over 300,000 tons (unlike Shanghai).

If you are looking for a hostel in Ningbo, you should look in the outskirts of the city. Many of the hostels are in residential neighbourhoods to the south and west; you might be able to find a guesthouse or inexpensive hotel in the city centre. When looking for a hostel in Ningbo, ask for a “su-she” or look for the characters “宿舍” in Chinese. A tourist kiosk can arrange accommodation for you. Once your accommodation is arranged, you should definitely explore Ningbo! To the north are several lakes with a lot of outdoor activities. The region also has some hot springs, although in the summer they may be closed. Don’t miss the Tianyi Pavilion, one of the most popular tourist spots in Ningbo. With such a rich history, expect to see beautiful temples and pagodas, and be sure to stop at the folk museum before leaving.