Travel in Cixi City, Ningbo, Zhejiang

Cixi City, Ningbo, Zhejiang — the birthplace of millennia-old Yue Kiln celadon, home to renowned attractions including Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site, Minghe Ancient Town, and Dapeng Mountain. Experience the unique charm of celadon culture and mountain-sea scenery in a 2-day 1-night journey.

1700+

Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln History (years)

120+

Minghe Ancient Town Ming-Qing Buildings

200+

Dapeng Mountain Cliff Inscriptions

30+

Cixi Specialty Foods

Panoramic view of Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site in Cixi, Ningbo

Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site - Cixi City's Iconic Landmark

The Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site in Cixi, Ningbo is a famous ancient Chinese celadon kiln complex. It began in the Eastern Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and is hailed as an "open-air celadon museum" and an important cultural relic of the Maritime Silk Road.

Cixi City 2-Day 1-Night Celadon Culture Journey

Explore celadon secrets, discover ancient town charm, conquer famous mountains, witness tidal wonders at the bay

                        
Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                        
Main Destinations
Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site, Minghe Ancient Town, Dapeng Mountain, Hangzhou Bay Bridge, Wulei Mountain Scenic Area

                        
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, history explorers, nature lovers, family trips

                        
Per Capita Budget
¥500-¥1300

Celadon Culture & Ancient Town Charm

Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site · Minghe Ancient Town · Wulei Mountain

Trip Highlights

In the morning, explore the Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site and discover millennia-old celadon culture. At noon, stroll through Minghe Ancient Town and experience Jiangnan watertown charm. In the afternoon, visit Wulei Mountain Scenic Area and enjoy the Zen atmosphere of mountains and waters.

Attractions

Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site

A famous ancient Chinese celadon kiln complex that began in the Eastern Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and continued for over 1,700 years. It was the central production site of Yue Kiln celadon, hailed as an "open-air celadon museum" and an important cultural relic of the Maritime Silk Road.

Minghe Ancient Town

First built in the Tang Dynasty, it is one of the oldest ancient towns in Cixi City, named after the phrase "cranes cry from the distant marsh, their sound reaching the heavens." The town preserves a large number of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, with small bridges over flowing water and crisscrossing ancient streets, offering unique charm.

Wulei Mountain Scenic Area

Comprising attractions such as Wulei Temple, Lotus Garden, and Zangyun Creek, it is famous for its Buddhist culture and natural scenery. Wulei Temple was first built during the Three Kingdoms period, with a long history, and is one of the renowned ancient temples in eastern Zhejiang.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Minghe Ancient Town boutique guesthouses
Dapeng Mountain resort hotels
Cixi city center business hotels

Food Recommendations

Cixi Waxberries (Yangmei)
Minghe Rice Cake Dumplings
Sanbei Soybean Crisp Candy
Xiaolin Huangqiao Sesame Flatbreads
Changhe Steamed Buns

Travel Tips

Guide recommended at Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site
Early morning at Minghe Ancient Town is best for photography with fewer tourists
Wear comfortable sneakers for hiking Wulei Mountain
Pay attention to sun protection and heat prevention in summer

Mountain Adventures & Bay Tidal Wonders

Dapeng Mountain · Hangzhou Bay Bridge · Sea-Sky Island

Trip Highlights

In the morning, explore Dapeng Mountain and enjoy the mountain-sea scenery. At noon, visit the Hangzhou Bay Bridge and marvel at this engineering wonder. In the afternoon, explore Sea-Sky Island and experience the joy of tidal watching.

Attractions

Dapeng Mountain

Originally named Xiangshan, it got its name when Emperor Qin Shi Huang visited this place during his eastern tour and wished to cross over to Penglai. The mountain features historical sites including Xu Fu's eastward crossing remains, cliff inscriptions, and Foji Temple. From the summit, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Hangzhou Bay.

Hangzhou Bay Bridge

One of the longest cross-sea bridges in the world, spanning 36 kilometers across Hangzhou Bay and connecting Cixi and Jiaxing. With its unique design, it stands as a landmark project in Chinese bridge construction.

Sea-Sky Island

Located at the center of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, it is a comprehensive tourist platform integrating sightseeing, dining, and shopping. Offering 360-degree views of Hangzhou Bay, it is an excellent spot for tidal watching and sunrise viewing.

Practical Information

Transportation Guide

Buses from Cixi city center to Minghe Ancient Town
Self-driving recommended for Shanglin Lake and Dapeng Mountain
Bus No. 228 to Hangzhou Bay Bridge
Convenient taxi service between attractions

Ticket Information

Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site: ¥60
Minghe Ancient Town: Free (some attractions charge fees)
Wulei Mountain Scenic Area: ¥40
Dapeng Mountain: ¥100
Sea-Sky Island: ¥60

Travel Tips

Visit Xu Fu Cultural Park at Dapeng Mountain to learn about Xu Fu's eastward journey
Heavy traffic on Hangzhou Bay Bridge during holidays
Check tidal schedule in advance for tidal watching at Sea-Sky Island
June-July is the best season for Cixi waxberries

Must-Try Foods in Cixi City

Cixi Waxberries (Yangmei)

A specialty of Cixi City and a China National Geographical Indication product with over 1,000 years of cultivation history. The fruit is plump with a dark purple-black color, tender flesh, and a sweet-tart flavor, hailed as a "treasure among fruits."

Minghe Rice Cake Dumplings

A traditional snack from Minghe Ancient Town in Cixi, made with rice cake as the wrapper, filled with pickled vegetables, bamboo shoots, and minced meat. It has a soft, chewy texture with a savory and fragrant taste — a famous local specialty.

Sanbei Soybean Crisp Candy

A traditional famous pastry of Cixi, named after its origin in the Sanbei region. It dates back to the Qing Dynasty and is made from soybeans, sugar, sesame, and other ingredients. With refined craftsmanship, it has a crispy texture and sweet, delicious flavor — a renowned Cixi specialty pastry.

Xiaolin Huangqiao Sesame Flatbreads

A traditional snack from Xiaolin Town in Cixi, made from flour, sesame, scallion oil, and other ingredients, baked over charcoal fire. With a crispy outer layer and savory filling, it is a famous local specialty snack.

Cixi City Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

Spring (Mar-May): Warm weather, ideal for outings
Summer (Jun-Jul): Waxberries ripe, great for picking
Autumn (Sep-Nov): Cool and crisp, perfect for outdoor activities
Winter (Dec-Feb): Fewer tourists, great for cultural sites

Must-Do Experiences

Explore celadon culture at Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site
Stroll through ancient streets of Minghe Ancient Town
Overlook Hangzhou Bay from Dapeng Mountain summit
Enjoy panoramic bridge views at Sea-Sky Island

Budget Reference

Tickets: approx. ¥250-300
Accommodation: ¥150-500/night
Dining: ¥150-250/day
Transportation: ¥100-200
Total: ¥500-1300

FAQ

How to get to Cixi? → About 1 hour by bus from Ningbo Station
How long to visit Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln Site? → About 2 hours
When are Cixi waxberries best? → Late June to early July
What souvenirs to buy? → Cixi waxberries (seasonal), Sanbei soybean crisp candy, Yue Kiln celadon crafts

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