A Tour of Ningbo—The Rainbow Bridge, Hangzhou Bay Lookout Tower and Beautiful Cixi

Hangzhou Bay National Wetland Park is a wetland park in the outskirts of Ningbo where visitors can see a captivating array of birds, wildlife and vegetation. In addition to wide stretches of sandbank, there are also large tracts of reed marsh and grassland, and every year many migratory birds come here to roost and breed. The landscape is made for atmospheric photography; part of Chen Kaige's movie Caught in the Web was shot here.

Amid the beautiful surroundings, you can take one of the characteristic local "awning boats" and float along the waterways of the wetland, occasionally catching sight of egrets and cormorants playing on the lake. There is a park on the bank for milu (Père David's deer), where you can watch at close quarters as the animals graze on the island and really feel as if you're getting back to the wild . You can also visit the migratory bird museum to see all kinds of bird specimens.

There are 2 main scenic areas in Dapeng Mountain Resort, Xianfo Valley on the mountain and Lake Paradise at the base of the mountain. Lake Paradise features a miniature model of the world's visitor attractions and landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Roman Colosseum. The park is divided by continent, and you can "travel around the world" starting from Asia.

The Xianfo Valley ("Valley of the Tao and the Buddha") scenic area on the mountain is themed to commemorate the explorer Xu Fu, who was once sent by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to search for the elixir of life. It's a nice place just to have a look at the natural scenery and relax. From the main entrance, you can walk along an 800-meter stone path to the Buddhist temple. The temple you see today was rebuilt in recent years according to the style of the Tang Dynasty, and is located in a tranquil and serene setting.

Hangzhou Bay Bridge is a fast route between Shanghai and Ningbo, which makes it very convenient for those on the Shanghai side to drive back to Ningbo at weekends. It's even more striking when the lights are on at night.

The bridge snakes right across Hangzhou Bay, which makes quite a visual impression. The railings are painted in the seven colors of the rainbow, which not only brightens up the trip, but also gives drivers a clue about how far they've traveled.

Haitian Yizhou (Land between the Sea and the Sky) is a landmark construction on the Hangzhou Bay Bridge. Designed primarily in blue and white, it looks like an eagle spreading its wings with a pearl in its mouth. Scaling the 120m visitor lookout tower, you get a bird's eye view of the vast waters of Hangzhou Bay and its mighty bridge.

When night falls, the lights on the bridge all come on and twinkle in unison, a stirring scene as well as a radical transformation from the daytime. If time permits, you can stay in the Offshore Platform Hotel, which is on the observation platform, and choose a room with a sea view. If the weather is good, you can also see the sunrise and sunset on the sea.

The Eco-Agricultural Park is planted with Chinese bayberry trees, fruits and vegetables such as chili peppers and eggplant, and occasionally hosts "pick-your-own" activities. The animal acrobatic performance in the performance venue is the most impressive part, with lions, tigers, black bears, monkeys and parrots and plenty of exciting acts on the program. This is not to be missed.

If you stay the night at Daqiao Ecological Farm, you will get a free admission ticket to the farm. The guest rooms are small villas built in a superb setting by the farm's large lake .

Wulei Mountain Scenic Areacomprises three attractions: the Wulei Temple, Lotus Garden and Zangyun Stream. At Zangyun Stream, the valley and the water sparkle in each other's company, and odd-shaped stones and pools are all around. Along the way, the trees are lush and verdant and the scenery is delightful.

Wulei Temple is one of the oldest monasteries in eastern Zhejiang Province. Built in the Chiwu era of the Three Kingdoms period (A.D. 238–251), it has a history of more than 1700 years. In the Lotus Garden, you can see lotus flowers and taste green tea, and yforget all your troubles as you enter a forgotten world of dynasties past.

The Yu Family Residence is located in Shanxia village, Longshan town, with Fulong Mountain in the rear and the Zhenlongpu channel at the front. It is a courtyard with a style combining both Chinese and Western elements, built by the illustrious Ningbo business leader Yu Qiaqingin his hometown after he made his fortune in Shanghai.

The whole building combines traditional Chinese styles with Western architecture. Built on an impressive scale, it boasts a unique character and exquisite workmanship. You can enjoy the fine wood and stone carvings in close detail, as well as the colored glass and mosaic floors. It is a truly amazing spectacle.

Zhishan Park ("Towering Peaks Park") is named after its two peaks standing side by side. It is divided into two parts along the ridge between them: the southern part is mainly for rest and relaxation, with the gardens and buildings following traditional methods, simple and elegant; the northern part is mainly for fun and recreation, and the buildings embody the style of the era.

There is the beautiful Lizi Lake at the foot of the mountain, and on the mountainside, shaded pavilions each with their own character. The most impressive part is Zhishan's fitness trail, which is wide and flat, built among the lush vegetation, with a stunning view over the city of Cixi at the summit, stretching as far as the eye can see. It's great for a walk in the daytime or evening.