The city of Ningbo is located in the northeast of Zhejiang Province, the south wing of the Yangtze River Delta. Ningbo, due to its unique geographic advantage, is an important port city. The city lies on the site of the birthplace of Neolithic Hemudu Culture (5,000-7,000 years ago), which is viewed as one of the direct sources of ancient Chinese civilization. 

Ningbo is a historic and cultural city and has been included on the list of national historic and cultural cities. Ningbo is abundant with many historical sites and splendid scenery. The Old Bund (Lao Waitan) is full of historical buildings occupied by bars and restaurants. Lake Dongqian, a provincial scenic spot, is the largest lake in the Zhejiang Province with 1200 years of history. The Shipu Fishing Port in Xiangshan is strongly recommended by visitors from both China and abroad. Ningbo boasts a profound book collection culture and the Tianyi Pavilion (Tian Yi Ge), the oldest existing library in China. Over 400 years old, the traditional wood-structure building contains thousands of well preserved volumes.

Ningbo is also famous for its splendid Buddhist culture. There are many famous temples like Tiantong Temple, King Asoka Temple and Baoguo Temple. The Tiantong Temple is one of the five Zen Buddhism temples in China, while the King Asoka Temple is the Buddhist relic of Sakyamuni Buddha. Baoguo Temple was built in the East Han Dynasty (25AD-220 AD), the oldest wood-structure building in southern China.

Ningbo is known for Ningbo Tangyuan, small stuffed buns which are boiled. The stuffing is usually ground sesame mixed with sugar, wrapped with sticky rice powder. Besides, Ningbo is famous throughout China for its seafood. Seafood markets are abundant, carrying countless varieties of fish, crabs, shrimp, shellfish, snails, jellyfish and other invertebrates, and sea vegetables.